passed, be put down to
them, I think they will leave me alone."

"I do hope, father," Francis said at breakfast the next morning, "that
there may be no opportunity of sending me back to England, until
something is heard of the Polanis."

"I have somewhat changed my mind, Francis, as to that matter. 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. He
knew that to enter business under his protection would be one of the
best openings that even Venice could afford; but his father was slow to
change his plans, and Francis greatly feared that he would adhere to
his original plan.

"I was hoping, father, that you would think favourably of what Signor
Polani said, although, of course, I kept silence, knowing that you
would do what was best for me. And now I would ask you if you will,
until this matter is cleared up, excuse me from my tasks. I should
learn nothing did I continue at them, for my mind would be ever running
upon Signor Polani's daughters, and I should be altogether too restless
to apply myself. It seems to me, too, that I might, as I row here and
there in my gondola, obtain some clue as to their place of
concealment."

"I do not see how you could do that, Francis, when so many others, far
better qualified than yourself, will be on the lookout. Still, as I
agree with you that you are not likely to apply your mind diligently to
your tasks, and as, indeed, you will shortly be giving them up
altogether, I grant your request."

Polani returned in the evening to Venice. Ruggiero Mocenigo had been
found. He professed great indignation at the a