He did not see the girls, who, he knew, were going out to spend the day with some friends.
At three o'clock he returned, and found that Polani had just come in.
"Why, Francisco," the merchant said when he entered, "have you forgotten that my daughters will be out all day ?" "No, signor, I have not forgotten that, but I wish to speak to you.

I dare say you will laugh at me, but I hope you will not think me meddlesome, or impertinent, for touching upon a subject which concerns you nearly." "I am sure you will not be meddlesome or impertinent, Francisco," Signor Polani said reassuringly, for he saw that the lad was nervous and anxious.

"Tell me what you have to say, and I can promise you beforehand that, whether I agree with you or not in what you may have to say, I shall be in no way vexed, for I shall know you have said it with the best intentions." "What I have to say, sir, concerns the Signora Castaldi, your daughters' gouvernante.

I know, sir, that you repose implicit confidence in her; and your judgment, formed after years of intimate knowledge, is hardly likely to be shaken by what I have to tell you.

I spoke to Matteo about it, and, as he is somewhat of my opinion, I have decided that it is, at least, my duty to tell you all the circumstances, and you can then form your own conclusions." Francis then related the facts known to him.