I saw the body
of a young cavalier drawn from the water, and those who were near it
said it had the mark of his fatal hand!"

The timid Gelsomina shuddered.

"They who rule," she said, "will have to answer for this negligence to
God, if they let the wretch longer go at large."

"Blessed St. Mark protect his children! They say there is much of this
sort of sin to answer for--but see the body I did, with my own eyes, in
entering the canals this morning."

"And didst thou sleep on the Lido, that thou wert abroad so early?"

"The Lido--yes--nay--I slept not, but thou knowest my father had a busy
day during the revels, and I am not like thee, Gessina, mistress of the
household, to do as I would. But I tarry here to chat with thee, when
there is great need of industry at home. Hast thou the package, child,
which I trusted to thy keeping at my last visit?"

"It is here," answered Gelsomina, opening a drawer, and handing to her
cousin a small but closely enveloped package, which, unknown to herself,
contained some articles of forbidden commerce, and which the other, in
her indefatigable activity, had been obliged to secrete for a time. "I
had begun to think that thou hadst forgotten it, and was about to send
it to thee."

"Gelsomina, if thou lovest me, never do so rash an act! My brother
Giuseppe--thou scarce knowest Giuseppe?"

"We have little acquaintance, for cousins."

"Thou art fortunate in thy ignorance. I cannot say what I might of the
child of the same parents, but had Giuseppe seen this package by any
accident, it might have brought thee into great trouble!"

"Nay, I fear not thy brother, nor any else," said the daughter of the
prison-keeper, with the firmness of innocence; "he could do me no harm
for dealing kindly by a relative."

"Thou art right; but he might have caused me great vexation. Sainted
Maria! if thou knewest the pain that unthinking and misguided boy gives
his family! He is my brother, after all, and you will fancy the rest.
Addio, good Gessina; I hope thy father will permit thee to come and
visit, at last, those who so much love thee."

"Addio, Annina; thou knowest I would come gladly, but that I scarce
quit the side of my poor mother."

The wily daughter of the wine-seller gave her guileless and unsuspecting
friend a kiss, and then she was let out and departed.

"Carlo," said the soft voice of Gessina; "thou can'st come forth, for we
have no further fear of visits."

The Bravo appea