r the
question.

"That will be very pleasant," Maria went on; "for you will be back
every two or three months, and I shall take good care that papa does
not send the ship off in a hurry again. It will be almost as good as
having a brother; and I look upon you almost as a brother now,
Francisco--and a very good brother, too. I don't think that man will
molest us any more. If I thought there was any chance of it, I should
ask papa to keep you for a time, because I should feel confident that
you would manage to protect us somehow."

"I do not think there is the slightest chance of more trouble from
him," Francis said. "He is sure of a long term of imprisonment for
carrying you off."

"That is the least they can do to him, I should think," Maria said
indignantly. "I certainly shall not feel comfortable while he is at
large."

After half an hour's talk Francis and his friend took their leave.

"You certainly were born with a silver spoon in your mouth," Matteo
said as they took their seats in the gondola, "and my cousin does well
to get you out of Venice at once, for I can tell you there are scores
of young fellows who would feel jealous at your position with my
cousins."

"Nonsense!" Francis said, colouring. "How can you talk so absurdly,
Matteo? I am only a boy, and it will be years before I could think of
marriage. Besides, your cousins are said to be the richest heiresses in
Venice; and it is not because I have been able to be of some slight
service to them, that I should venture to think of either of them in
that way."

"We shall see," Matteo laughed. "Maria is a little too old for you, I
grant, but Giulia will do very well; and as you have already come, as
Maria says, to be looked upon by them as a brother and protector, there
is no saying as to how she may regard you in another two or three
years."

"The thing is absurd, Matteo," Francis said impatiently. "Do not talk
such nonsense any more."

Matteo lay back in his seat and whistled.

"I will say no more about it at present, Francisco," he said, after a
pause; "but I must own that I should be well content to stand as high
in the good graces of my pretty cousins as you do."

The next morning Francis spent some time with his father talking over
future arrangements.

"I have no doubt that I shall see you sometimes, Francis; for Polani
will be sure to give you an opportunity of making a trip to England,
from time to time, in one of his ships trading thi