"Why do you want Nella ?" The canal was narrow, so that one could talk across it almost in an ordinary tone.
"Your pardon, lady," answered Pasquale.

"I did not mean to disturb you.
There has been a little accident here, saving your grace." This he added to avert possible ill fortune.

Marietta instantly thought of Zorzi.

She leaned forward upon the window-sill above the flowers and spoke anxiously.
"What has happened?
Tell me quickly!" "A man has had his foot badly burned--it must be dressed at once." "Who is it ?" "Zorzi." Pasquale saw that Marietta started a little and drew back.

Then she leaned forward again.
"Wait there a minute," she said, and disappeared quickly.
The porter heard her calling Nella from an inner room, and then he heard Nella's voice indistinctly.