If the youth is less urgent than I could wish, believe me, it is from the apprehension of giving premature alarm to those who interest themselves in the fortunes of our charge." Both the ladies bowed, and by the manner in which they drew their cloaks about them, they made evident their wish to retire.

Donna Violetta craved a blessing, and after the usual compliments, and a short dialogue of courtesy, she and her companion withdrew to their boat.
The Signor Gradenigo paced the room in which he had received his ward for several minutes in silence.

Not a sound of any sort was audible throughout the whole of that vast abode, the stillness and cautious tread of those within, answering to the quiet town without; but a young man, in whose countenance and air were to be seen most of the usual signs of a well-bred profligacy, sauntering along the suite of chambers, at length caught the eye of the senator, who beckoned him to approach.
"Thou art unhappy, as of wont, Giacomo," he said, in a tone between paternal indulgence and reproach.

"The Donna Violetta has, but a minute since, departed, and thou wert absent.

Some unworthy intrigue with the daughter of a jeweller, or some injurious bargain of thy hopes with the father, hath occupied the time that might have been devoted more honorably, and to far better profit." "You do me little justice," returned the youth.