Bastianello sat still in his boat, but he no longer looked to seaward, facing the breeze.

He kept an eye on the pier, looking out for his brother, who had not appeared since the midday meal.

The piece of information he had just received was worth communicating, for it raised Teresina very much in the eyes of Bastianello, and he did not doubt that it would influence Ruggiero in the right direction.

Bastianello, too, was keen enough to see that anything which gave him an opportunity of discussing the girl with his brother might be of advantage, in that it might bring Ruggiero to the open expression of a settled purpose--either to marry the girl or not.

And if he once gave his word that he would not, Bastianello would be no longer bound to suffer in silence as he had suffered so many weeks.