To think that only yesterday evening we were laughing and chatting with them, and that now they are lost, and in the power of that villain Mocenigo, who you may be sure is at the bottom of it.
"By the way," he said suddenly, "do you know where he has taken up his abode ?" "I heard that he was at Botonda, near Chioggia, a week ago, but whether he is there still I have not the least idea." "It seems to me that the thing to do is to find him, and keep him in sight.

He will probably have them hidden away somewhere, and will not go near them for some time, for he will know that he will be suspected, and perhaps watched." "But why should he not force Maria to marry him at once ?" Matteo said.
"You see, when he has once made her his wife he will be safe, for my cousin would be driven then to make terms with him for her sake." "He may try that," Francis said; "but he must know that Maria has plenty of spirit, and may refuse to marry him, threaten her as he will.
He may think that, after she has been kept confined for some time, and finds that there is no hope of escape, except by consenting to be his wife, she may give way.

But in any case, it seems to me that the thing to be done is to find Ruggiero, and to watch his movements." "I have no doubt my cousin has already taken steps in that direction," Matteo said, "and I feel sure that, in this case, he will receive the support of every influential man in Venice, outside the Mocenigo family and their connections.

The carrying off of ladies, in broad daylight, will be regarded as a personal injury in every family.

The last attempt was different.