The Marchesa will give her to thee." "Better to die! Thou dost not know all." "That may be," said Bastianello with a sigh.
And he slowly began to fake down the slack of the main halyard on the thwart, twisting the coil slowly and thoughtfully as it grew under his broad hands, till the rope lay in a perfectly smooth disk beside him.
But Ruggiero changed his position and gazed steadily at Beatrice's changing face while San Miniato talked to her.
So the boat sped on and many of those on board misunderstood each other, and some did not understand themselves.

But what was most clear to all before long was that San Miniato could not make love and steer his trick at the same time.
"Are we going to Castellamare ?" asked Bastianello in a low voice as the boat fell off more and more under the Count's careless steering.
Ruggiero started.

For the first time in his life he had forgotten that he was at sea..