Perhaps, after all, he would really prefer her to that matchless creature close beside her! Nothing mattered, of course, since Zorzi did not love her, but after all it was flattering to be admired by Jacopo Contarini, who could choose his wife where he pleased, through the whole world.
It all happened in a few seconds.

The two men exchanged a few words, to which she paid no attention, and took leave of each other with great ceremony and much bowing on both sides.

When her father turned at last, Marietta was already walking towards the door, the servant by her left side.

Beroviero had scarcely joined her when she started a little, and laid her hand upon his arm.
"The Greek merchant!" she whispered.
Beroviero looked where she was looking.

By the first pillar, gazing intently at Arisa's kneeling figure, stood Aristarchi, his hands folded over his broad chest, his shaggy head bent forward, his sturdy legs a little apart.