A slow movement at the sound of his footsteps, brought the rays of the moon full upon the calm countenance and searching eye of the very man he sought.
The first impulse of the gondolier, like that of all the others he had seen approach the spot, was to retreat; but the recollection of his errand and his loss came in season to prevent such an exhibition of his disgust and alarm.

Still he did not speak; but he met the riveted gaze of the Bravo with a look that denoted, equally, confusion of intellect and a half-settled purpose.
"Would'st thou aught with me ?" demanded Jacopo, when the gaze of each had continued beyond the term of accidental glances.
"My master's signet." "I know thee not." "That image of San Teodoro could testify that this is holy truth, if it would but speak! I have not the honor of your friendship, Signor Jacopo; but one may have affairs even with a stranger.

If you met a peaceable and innocent gondolier in the court of the palace since the clock of the piazza told the last quarter, and got from him a ring, which can be of but little use to any but its rightful owner, one so generous will not hesitate to return it." "Dost thou take me for a jeweller of the Rialto that thou speakest to me of rings ?" "I take you for one well known and much valued by many of name and quality, here in Venice, as witness my errand from my own master." "Remove thy mask.

Men of fair dealing need not hide the features which nature has given them." "You speak nothing but truths, Signor Frontoni, which is little remarkable considering thy opportunities of looking into the motives of men.

There is little in my face to pay you for the trouble of casting a glance at it.