He had at first been on the point of telling Matteo of the share he had had in the recovery of the girls; but he thought that although his friend could be trusted not to repeat the news wilfully, he might accidentally say something which would lead to the fact being known, and that as Polani had strongly enjoined the necessity of keeping the secret, and had himself declined to mention, even to the council, the source from which he obtained his information, he would look upon him as a babbler, and unworthy of trust, did he find that Matteo had been let into the secret.
"It does not much matter who it is Polani learned the news from.

The great point is, he has found his daughters safe from all injury, and I hear has brought back with him the woman who betrayed them.

It is fortunate indeed that he took such prompt measures with Ruggiero, and thus prevented his escaping from the mainland, and making off with the girls, as of course he intended to do." "My father tells me," Matteo said, "that a state gondola has already been dispatched to bring Ruggiero a prisoner here, and that even his powerful connections will not save him from severe punishment, for public indignation is so great at the attempt, that his friends will not venture to plead on his behalf." "And now I have my bit of news to tell you, Matteo.

Signor Polani has most generously offered me a position in his house, and I am to sail tomorrow in one of his ships for the East." "I congratulate you, Francisco, for I know, from what you have often said, that you would like this much better than going back to England.
But it seems very sudden.

You did not know anything about it yesterday, and now you are going to start at once.