ou wilt ever hear from me. Thou
servest a decayed noble, one who will shortly be chased in disgrace from
the city, and with him will go all his idle servitors. I choose to
remain in the city of my birth."

The gondolier laughed in real indifference at her affected scorn. But
remembering his errand, he quickly assumed a graver air, and endeavored
to still the resentment of his fickle mistress by a more respectful
manner.

"St. Mark protect me, Annina!" he said. "If we are not to kneel before
the good priore together, it is no reason we should not bargain in
wines. Here have I come into the dark canals, within stone's throw of
thy very door, with a gondola of mellow Lachryma Christi, such as honest
'Maso, thy father, has rarely dealt in, and thou treatest me as a dog
that is chased from a church!"

"I have little time for thee or thy wines to-night, Gino. Hadst thou not
stayed me, I should already have been abroad and happy."

"Close thy door, girl, and make little ceremony with an old friend,"
said the gondolier, officiously offering to aid her in securing the
dwelling. Annina took him at his word, and as both appeared to work with
good will, the house was locked, and the wilful girl and her suitor were
soon in the street. Their route lay across the bridge already named.
Gino pointed to the gondola as he said, "Thou art not to be tempted,
Annina?"

"Thy rashness in leading the smugglers to my father's door will bring us
to harm some day, silly fellow!"

"The boldness of the act will prevent suspicion."

"Of what vineyard is the liquor?"

"It came from the foot of Vesuvius, and is ripened by the heat of the
volcano. Should my friends part with it to thy enemy, old Beppo, thy
father will rue the hour!"

Annina, who was much addicted to consulting her interests on all
occasions, cast a longing glance at the boat. The canopy was closed, but
it was large, and her willing imagination readily induced her to fancy
it well filled with skins from Naples.

"This will be the last of thy visits to our door, Gino?"

"As thou shalt please. But go down and taste."

Annina hesitated, and, as a woman is said always to do when she
hesitates, she complied. They reached the boat with quick steps, and
without regarding the men who were still lounging on the thwarts, Annina
glided immediately beneath the canopy. A fifth gondolier was lying at
length on the cushions, for, unlike a boat devoted to the contraband,
the canopy had t