If it chanced again, he would certainly go to Don Ciccio the chemist and buy a dose of something with a strong bad taste, the stronger and the worse flavoured the better, of course, as everyone knew.

Very alarming, these symptoms! Then he fell to thinking of the young lady herself, and she seemed to rise before him, just as he had seen her a few moments earlier.

The signs of his new malady immediately grew worse again, and when it somehow struck him that he might serve her, and let Sebastiano be boatman to the Count, the pounding at his ribs became positively terrifying, and he jumped up and began to walk about.

Just then the door opened suddenly and San Miniato put out his head.
"Are you the sailor who is to get me a boat ?" he asked.
"Yes, Eccellenza," answered Ruggiero turning quickly, cap in hand.
Strange to say, at the sound of the man's voice the alarming symptoms totally disappeared and Ruggiero was quite himself again.
He remembered also that he had been engaged for the Count, through the people of the hotel, on condition of approval, and that it would be contrary to boatman's honour to draw back.

After all, too, women in a boat were always a nuisance at the best, and he liked the Count's face, and decided that he was not of the type of landsmen who are frightened.
The interview did not last long.
"I shall wish to make excursions in all directions," said San Miniato.
"I do not know anything about the sea, but I dislike people who make difficulties and talk to me of bad weather when I mean to go anywhere.
Do you understand ?" "We will try to content your excellency," answered Ruggiero quietly.
"Good.