Your porter altogether refused to take a message to Messer Angelo Beroviero.

May I ask whether you are his son, sir ?" "No, sir.

You say that you wish to speak with the master.

I can take a message to him, but I am not sure that he will see any one to-day." Aristarchi imagined that Beroviero made himself inaccessible, in order to increase the general idea of his wealth and importance.

He resolved to convey a strong impression of his own standing.
"I am the chief partner in a great house of Greek merchants settled in Palermo," he said.