They entered a large, very handsomely furnished apartment where a tall man was sitting reading.
"Why, girls," he exclaimed as he rose, "what has happened?
you look strangely excited.

Where is your duenna?
and who is this young gentleman who accompanies you ?" "We have been attacked, father, on our way home," both the girls exclaimed.
"Attacked ?" Signor Polani repeated.

"Who has dared to venture on such an outrage ?" "We don't know, father," Maria said.

"It was a four-oared gondola that ran suddenly into us.

We thought it was an accident till a number of men, with their swords drawn, leaped on board.