Wild and angry emotions chased each other from his heart to his brain and back again, firing his overwrought nerves and heated blood, as the flame runs along a train of powder.

He heard a light step behind him and turned suddenly.

Beatrice was close upon him.
"Is that you, Ruggiero," she asked, for she had seen him with his back turned and had not recognised him at first.
"Yes, Excellency," he answered in a hoarse voice, touching his cap.
"What a beautiful night it is!" said the young girl.

She often talked with the men in the boat, and Ruggiero interested her especially at the present moment.
"Yes, Excellency," he answered again.
"Is the weather to be fine, Ruggiero ?" "Yes, Excellency." Ruggiero was apparently not in the conversational mood.

He was probably thinking of the girl he loved--in all likelihood of Teresina, as Beatrice thought.