He threw off the girl dexterously enough, and, as he thought, among strangers; but I knew her at a glance for the daughter of a wine-seller, who had already tasted lachryma christi of mine.

The woman was angered at the trick, but making the best of luck, we drove a bargain for the few casks which lay beneath the ballast, while Gino did his master's business in San Marco." "And what that business was thou didst not learn, good Stefano ?" "How should I, Master Roderigo, when the gondolier scarce left time for greeting; but Annina--" "Annina!" "The same.

Thou knowest Annina, old Tomaso's daughter; for she danced in the very set in which I detected thy countenance! I would not speak thus of the girl, but that I know thou art not backward to receive liquors that do not visit the custom-house, thyself." "For that, fear nothing.

I have sworn to thee that no secret of this nature shall pass my lips.

But this Annina is a girl of quick wit and much boldness." "Between ourselves, Signor Roderigo, it is not easy to tell who is in the senate's pay here in Venice, or who is not.