e mainland, and making off with the
girls, as of course he intended to do."

"My father tells me," Matteo said, "that a state gondola has already
been dispatched to bring Ruggiero a prisoner here, and that even his
powerful connections will not save him from severe punishment, for
public indignation is so great at the attempt, that his friends will
not venture to plead on his behalf."

"And now I have my bit of news to tell you, Matteo. Signor Polani has
most generously offered me a position in his house, and I am to sail
tomorrow in one of his ships for the East."

"I congratulate you, Francisco, for I know, from what you have often
said, that you would like this much better than going back to England.
But it seems very sudden. You did not know anything about it yesterday,
and now you are going to start at once. Why, when can it have been
settled? Polani has been absent since daybreak, engaged in this matter
of the girls, and has been occupied ever since with the council."

"I have seen him since he returned," Francis replied; "and though it
was only absolutely settled this morning, he has had several interviews
with my father on the subject. I believe he and my father thought that
it was better to get me away as soon as possible, as Ruggiero's friends
may put down the disgrace which has befallen him to my interference in
his first attempt to carry off the girls."

"Well, I think you are a lucky fellow anyhow, Francisco, and I hope
that I may be soon doing something also. I shall speak to my father
about it, and ask him to get Polani to let me take some voyages in his
vessels, so that I may be fit to become an officer in one of the state
galleys, as soon as I am of age. Where are you going now?"

"I am going round to the School of Arms, to say goodbye to our
comrades. After that I am going to Signor Polani's to pay my respects
to the signoras. Then I shall be at home with my father till it is time
to go on board. He will have left here before I return from my voyage,
as he is going to wind up his affairs at once and return to England."

"Well, I will accompany you to the school and to my cousin's," Matteo
said. "I shall miss you terribly here, and shall certainly do all I can
to follow your example, and get afloat. You may have all sorts of
adventures, for we shall certainly be at war with Genoa before many
weeks are over, and you will have to keep a sharp lookout for their war
galleys. Polani's ships are prizes