Thou knowest that Olivia is shortly to be united to her kinsman, and he takes the usual means to show his admiration." "Dost thou not find this public announcement of a passion painful?
Were I to be wooed, I could wish it might only be to my own ear." "That is an unhappy sentiment for one whose hand is in the gift of the Senate! I fear that a maiden of thy rank must be content to hear her beauty extolled and her merits sung, if not exaggerated, even by hirelings beneath a balcony." "I would that they were done!" exclaimed Violetta, stopping her ears.
"None know the excellence of our friend better than I; but this open exposure of thoughts that ought to be so private, must wound her." "Thou mayest go again into the balcony; the music ceases." "There are gondoliers singing near the Rialto--these are sounds I love! Sweet in themselves, they do no violence to our sacred feelings.

Art thou for the water to-night, my Florinda ?" "Whither would'st thou ?" "I know not; but the evening is brilliant, and I pine to mingle with the splendor and pleasure without." "While thousands on the canals pine to mingle with the splendor and pleasure within! Thus is it ever with life: that which is possessed is little valued, and that which we have not is without price." "I owe my duty to my guardian," said Violetta; "we will row to his palace." Though Donna Florinda had uttered so grave a moral, she spoke without severity.

Casting aside her work, she prepared to gratify the desire of her charge.

It was the usual hour for the high in rank and the secluded to go abroad; and neither Venice with its gay throng, nor Italy with its soft climate, ever offered greater temptation to seek the open air.
The groom of the chambers was called, the gondoliers were summoned, and the ladies, cloaking and taking their masks, were quickly in the boat..