The merchant himself was out, but they were at once shown up to the room where the girls were sitting.
"My dear cousins," Matteo said as he entered, "I am delighted to see you back safe and well.

All Venice is talking of your return.

You are the heroines of the day.

You do not know what an excitement there has been over your adventure." "The sooner people get to talk about something else the better, Matteo," Maria said, "for we shall have to be prisoners all day till something else occupies their attention.

We have not the least desire to be pointed at, whenever we go out, as the maidens who were carried away.