Ruggiero saw him from the breakwater and watched him with evident interest.

The Count, as has been said before, could not swim a stroke, and was probably too old to learn.

But he liked the sea and bathing none the less, as Ruggiero knew.

He stayed outside the bathing-house fully half an hour, and then disappeared.
"It was not worth while," said Ruggiero to himself, "since you are to take another bath so soon." Then he looked at the sun and saw that it lacked half an hour of sunset, and he went to see that all was ready for the evening.

He and Bastianello launched the old tub between them, and Ruggiero ballasted her with two heavy sacks of pebbles just amidships, where they would be under his feet.
"Better shift them a little more forward," said Bastianello.