First, that the assailants of the gondola must have had accurate information as to the hour at which they would come along; secondly, that it was at the gouvernante's suggestion that the return had been delayed much later than usual; lastly, that when the attack took place, the gouvernante did not raise her voice to cry for assistance, and that she had, at the last moment, so firmly seized their dresses, that it was only by tearing the girls from her grasp that he had been enabled to get them into the boat.
"There may be nothing in all this," he said when he had concluded.

"But at least, sir, I thought that it was right you should know it; and you will believe me, that it is only anxiety as to the safety of your daughters that has led me to speak to you." "Of that I am quite sure," Signor Polani said cordially, "and you were perfectly right in speaking to me.

I own, however, that I do not for a moment think that the circumstances are more than mere coincidences.
Signora Castaldi has been with me for upwards of ten years.

She has instructed and trained my daughters entirely to my satisfaction.

I do not say that she is everything that one could wish, but, then, no one is perfect, and I have every confidence in her fidelity and trustworthiness.