We are humble people down here at the water side, but I hope we are just as good Christians as if we lived upon the hill." "Doubt it not, worthy Bettina--" "My name is Benedetta, at your eccellenza's command-Benedittina if it please the vice-governatore; but not Bettina.

We think much of our names, down here at the water side, eccellenza." "Let it be so, then, good Benedetta, and I make no doubt you are excellent Christians .-- A flask of your wine, if it be convenient." The woman dropped a curtsey that was full of gratitude; and the glance of triumph that she cast at her other guests may be said to have terminated the discussion that was about to commence, as the dignitaries appeared.

It disposed of the question of the wine at once, and for ever silenced cavilling.

If the vice-governatore could drink her liquor, what mariner would henceforth dare calumniate it! "Eccellenza, with a thousand welcomes," Benedetta continued, as she placed the flask on the table, after having carefully removed the cotton and the oil with her own plump hand; this being one of half a dozen flasks of really sound, well-flavored, Tuscan liquor, that she kept for especial occasions; as she well might, the cost being only a paul, or ten cents for near half a gallon; "Eccellenza, a million times welcome.
This is an honor that don't befall the Santa Maria degli Venti more than once in a century; and you, too, Signor Podesta, once before only have you ever had leisure to darken my poor door." "We bachelors"-- the podesta, as well as the vice-governor, belonged to the fraternity--"we bachelors are afraid to trust ourselves too often in the company of a sprightly widow like yourself, whose beauty has rather improved than lessened by a few years." This brought a coquettish answer, during which time Andrea Barrofaldi, having first satisfied himself that the wine might be swallowed with impunity, was occupied in surveying the party of silent and humble mariners, who were seated at the other table.

His object was to ascertain how far he might have committed himself, by appearing in such a place, when his visit could not well be attributed to more than one motive.