No letters have come for some time, and we feared that you must have entered the Dardanelles, and reached Constantinople, before the news arrived there of that affair at Tenedos, in which case you would no doubt have been seized and thrown into the dungeons." "We were at Tenedos when the affair took place," Francis said, "and have had no opportunity since of sending a letter by any ship likely to be here before us.

The outbreak made us alter our plans, for, of course, it would not have been safe to have sailed farther when the emperor was so enraged against Venice.

I need hardly tell you I was not sorry when we turned our faces again towards Venice.

I have enjoyed the voyage very much, and have had plenty to occupy me.

Still, three months at a time is long enough, and I was beginning to long for a sight of Venice." "For a sight of Venice and--" Maria repeated, holding up her finger reprovingly.
"And of you both," Francis said smiling.