CHAPTER VIII.
"Within our bay, one stormy night, The isle's men saw boats make for shore, With here and there a dancing light That flashed on man and oar.
When hailed, the rowing stopped, and all was dark.
Ha! lantern work!--We'll home! They're playing shark." DANA.
It was dark when Raoul quitted the government-house, leaving Andrea Barrofaldi and Vito Viti in the library of the former.

No sooner was the young seaman's back turned, than the vice-governatore, who was in a humor to display his acquirements, resumed a discussion that he had found so agreeable to his self-esteem.
"It is easy to see, good Vito Viti, that this young Inglese is a gentle of noble birth, though not of a liberal education," he said; "doubtless his father, Milordo Smees, has a large family, and the usages of England are different from those of Italy, in respect to birthright.

There, the eldest son alone inherits the honors of the family, while the cadets are put into the army and navy to earn new distinctions.

Nelsoni is the son of a priest, I hear--" "Cospetto! of a padre! Signor Vice-governatore," interrupted the podesta--"it is most indecent to _own_ it.

A priest must be possessed of the devil himself to _own_ his issue; though issue he may certainly have." "There, again, good Vito, it is different with the Luterani and us Catholics.