However, he shall have the pleasure of telling her of it, and I can fill up the details for her, afterwards." Two days later, a decree was published by the council stating that, in consideration of the very great service rendered to the state by Francisco Hammond, a citizen of Venice, in recapturing four galleys from the Genoese, the council decreed the settlement upon him, for life, of a pension of three hundred ducats a year.
"You will not want it, Francisco," Messer Polani said, as he brought in the news, "for I intend, at the end of these troubles, to take you as a partner in my business.

I told your father that I should do so; and you have not only proved yourself earnest in business, quick at learning, and full of resources, but you have vastly added to the debt of gratitude which first caused me to make the proposition, by again saving my daughters from falling into the hands of their enemy.

I told your father that I should regard you in the light of a son, and I do so regard you, and as a son of whom I have every reason to be proud.
"I need no thanks, my lad.

I am still, and shall always remain, your debtor.

You have very much more than fulfilled my expectations, and I shall be glad to place some of the burden of my business upon your shoulders.
"There is another matter, which I have long had in my mind, but of which I will not speak just at present.
"Thus, then, the three hundred ducats, which you will receive each year from the state, may not be needed by you.