unpractised, from a homage so public.

"Receive the flowers, my love," mildly whispered her companion--"the
cavalier who offers them simply intends to show the quality of his
breeding."

"That will be seen in the end," hastily returned Don Camillo--for it was
he. "Signora, adieu; we have met on this water when there was less
restraint between us."

He bowed, and, signing to his gondolier, was quickly lost in the crowd
of boats. Ere the barks, however, were separated, the mask of the silent
fair was slightly moved as if she sought relief from the air; and the
Neapolitan was rewarded for his gallantry by a momentary glance at the
glowing countenance of Violetta.

"Thy guardian hath a displeased eye," hurriedly observed Donna Florinda.
"I wonder that we should be known!"

"I should more wonder that we were not. I could recall the noble
Neapolitan cavalier amid a million. Thou dost not remember all that I
owe to him!"

Donna Florinda did not answer; but in secret she offered up a fervent
prayer that the obligation might be blessed to the future happiness of
her who had received it. There was a furtive and uneasy glance between
her and the Carmelite; but as neither spoke, a long and thoughtful
silence succeeded the rencontre.

From this musing the party, in common with all the gay and laughing
multitude by which they were surrounded, were reminded of the business
on which they were assembled by the signal-gun, the agitation on the
great canal nearest the scene of strife, and a clear blast of the
trumpets. But in order that the narrative may proceed regularly, it is
fit that we should return a little in the order of time.

CHAPTER IX.

"Here art thou in appointment fresh and fair,
Anticipating time with starting courage."
SHAKSPEARE.

It has been seen that the gondolas, which were to contend in the race,
had been towed towards the place of starting, in order that the men
might enter on the struggle with undiminished vigor. In this precaution,
even the humble and half-clad fisherman had not been neglected, but his
boat, like the others, was attached to the larger barges to which this
duty had been assigned. Still, as he passed along the canal, before the
crowded balconies and groaning vessels which lined its sides, there
arose that scornful and deriding laugh, which seems ever to grow more
strong and bold, as misfortune weighs most heavily on its subject.

The old m