But when Messer Giovanni Battista named as his _innamorata_ the
young daughter of one of the proudest patricians of the Serene Republic,
the worthy couple were in trepidation lest the lad's passion should lead
to regrettable embarrassments.

No love was lost between the sister Republics, and the feeling of
hostility in public matters was carried into private life. Pietro never
named the romance, but Ser Zenobio, by way of meeting--as was his
wont--his troubles half way, penned anxious cautions to his son. The
Buonaventuri, though by no means an obscure family, were not _Grandi_
like the Cappelli, Lords of Venice. Moreover, Bianca's father was a
wealthy man and a member of the Supreme Council, whilst Ser Zenobio was
merely a modest notary of no great fame or fortune.

It was bedtime, but hark! at the door were shuffling steps and voices
whispering; and presently there came a gentle tap--repeated once or
twice. Ser Zenobio rose to see what was passing outside his house.
Peering into the gloom he saw two figures--one a girl's--and a voice he
knew full well said:

"Father, we have come to crave shelter and protection."

"Who are you? My boy Pietro! And what are you doing here in Florence,
and at this time of night?"

Madonna Costanza was peeping over his shoulder, and both of them were
greatly agitated, and awaited with anxiety Pietro's reply.

"We have come from Venice and are very tired. See, father and mother,
this is Bianca."

Sternly answered Ser Zenobio. "What do you mean, Pietro? What shame is
this you have done your parents? Who is Bianca, and what are you doing
with her in Florence? You never said you were coming home. Explain
yourself, or come not into your father's house."

Heavy rain was falling, and Bianca was weeping as Pietro led her into
the light of the candle his mother held.

"Let them come in anyhow, Zenobio, and we can hear what they have got to
say, without the neighbours hearing us," put in the tender-hearted
woman.

With that, Ser Zenobio gave his hand to Bianca and drew her and Pietro
within the door, and then, in sterner tones, he commanded his son to
tell what he had done.

Briefly Pietro recounted the story of his love and how Bianca returned
it. He spoke of Messer Bartolommeo's harshness and of the unkindness of
Bianca's stepmother, Madonna Lucrezia de' Grimani-Contarini--the
Patriarch's sister. He described their plight and the perils which
threatened them. But, when he went on to