However, no doubt by this time her father has pretty well arranged in his mind whom she is to marry." "I expect so," agreed Matteo.
"That is the worst of being born of good family.

You have got to marry some one of your father's choice, not your own, and that choice is determined simply by the desire to add to the political influence of the family, to strengthen distant ties, or to obtain powerful connections.

I suppose it is the same everywhere, Matteo, but I do think that a man or woman ought to have some voice in a matter of such importance to them." "I think so, too, at the present time," Matteo laughed; "but I don't suppose that I shall be of that opinion when I have a family of sons and daughters to marry.
"This gondola of yours must be a fast one indeed, Francisco, for with only one rower she keeps up with almost all the pair oared boats, and your boy is not exerting himself to the utmost, either." "She can fly along, I can tell you, Matteo.

You shall come out in her some evening when Giuseppi and I both take oars.

I have had her ten days now, and we have not come across anything that can hold her for a moment." "It is always useful," Matteo said, "to have a fast boat.