Venice in a state of restless disquietude. It was hoped
and believed that Chioggia could successfully defend itself; but if it
fell, the consequence would be terrible.

Already the Hungarians had overrun the Venetian possessions on the
mainland, the Lord of Padua was in the field with his army, and
communication was cut with Ferrara, their sole ally. Should Chioggia
fall, the Genoese fleet would enter the lagoons, and would sail, by the
great channel through the flats, from Chioggia to Venice; and their
light galleys could overrun the whole of the lagoons, and cut off all
communication with the mainland, and starvation would rapidly stare the
city in the face.

Polani made all preparations for the worst. Many of his valuables were
hidden away, in recesses beneath the floors. Others were taken on board
one of his ships in the port, and this was held in readiness to convey
Giulia and Maria, whose husband had willingly accepted Polani's offer,
to endeavour to carry her off by sea with Giulia, in case the Genoese
should enter the city.

The merchant made an excursion to Chioggia, with Francis, to see for
himself how things were going, and returned somewhat reassured. Francis
spent much of his time at the port visiting Polani's ships, talking to
the sailors, and expressing to them his opinion, that the Genoese and
Paduans would never have dared to lay siege to Chioggia, had they not
known that Pisani was no longer in command of the Venetian forces.

"I regard the present state of affairs," he said, over and over again,
"as a judgment upon the city, for its base ingratitude to the brave
admiral, and I am convinced that things will never come right, until we
have him again in command of our fleet.

"Giustiniani is no doubt an able man; but what has he ever done in
comparison to what Pisani has accomplished? Why should we place our
only hope of safety in the hands of an untried man? I warrant, if
Pisani was out and about, you would see Venice as active as a swarm of
bees, pouring out against our aggressors. What is being done now?
Preparations are being made; but of what kind? Ships are sunk in the
channel; but what will be the use of this if Chioggia falls? The canals
to that place will be blocked, but that will not prevent the Genoese
from passing, in their light boats, from island to island, until they
enter Venice itself.

"Do you think all these ships would be lying idly here, if Pisani were
in command? Talk to you