He had not expected to see her still there, and he started a little.
Giovanni looked at him coldly.
"You had better go to your work," he said in a sour tone.

"I suppose my father has told you what to do." The young artist flushed, but answered quietly enough.
"I am going to my work," he said.

"I need no urging." Before he put on his cap, he bent his head to Marietta; then he passed on towards the bridge.
"That fellow is growing insolent," said Giovanni to his sister, but he was careful that Zorzi should not hear the words.

"I think I shall advise our father to turn him out." Marietta looked at her brother with something like contempt.
"Since when has our father consulted you, or taken your advice ?" she asked.
"I presume he takes yours," retorted Giovanni, regretting that he could not instantly find a sharper answer, for he was not quick-witted though he was suspicious.
"He needs neither yours nor mine," said Marietta, "and he trusts whom he pleases." "You seem inclined to defend his servants when they are insolent," answered Giovanni.
"For that matter, Zorzi is quite able to defend himself!" She turned her back on her brother and went towards the stairs, taking Nella with her.
Giovanni glanced at her with annoyance and walked along the footway in the direction of his own glass-house, glad to go back to a place where he was absolute despot.

But he had been really surprised that Marietta should boldly take the Dalmatian's side against him, and his narrow brain brooded upon the unexpected circumstance.