"This is only the third of our secret sittings, I believe, but many of us meet elsewhere, during the day." "Our host said that the society made a pretence of play in order to conspire against the State," said Zorzi.

"It seems to me that this is making a pretence of conspiracy, with the chance of death on the scaffold, for the sake of dice-playing." "To tell the truth, I think so too," answered the patrician, leaning back in his chair and looking thoughtfully at the young glass-blower.
"It is more interesting to break a law when you may lose your head for it than if you only risk a fine or a year's banishment.

I daresay that seems complicated to you." Zorzi laughed.
"If it is only for the sake of the danger," he said, "why not go and fight the Turks ?" "I have tried to do my share of that," replied Venier quietly.

"So have some of the others." "Contarini ?" asked Zorzi.
"No.

I believe he has never seen any fighting." While the two were talking the play had proceeded steadily, and almost in silence.