After what Signor Polani said the other day, I feel that it would be foolish for me to adhere to that plan.

With his immense trade and business connections he can do almost anything for you, and such an introduction into business is so vastly better than your entering my shop in the city, that it is best, in every way, that you should stay here for the present.

Of course, for the time he will be able to think of nothing but his missing daughters; but at any rate, you can remain here until he has leisure to pursue the subject, and to state, further than he did the other day, what he proposes for you.

My own business is a good one for a London trader, but it is nothing by the side of the transactions of the merchant princes at Venice, among the very first of whom Signor Polani is reckoned." Francis was greatly pleased at his father's words.

He had, ever since Polani had spoken to him, been pondering the matter in his mind.