So you had better get a pig of iron from the ballast and knock me on the head, for I have betrayed my brother and I do not want to live any more, and I shall say nothing." Then Ruggiero who had not laughed much for some time, felt that his mouth was twitching raider his yellow beard, and presently his great shoulders began to move, and his chest heaved, and his handsome head went back, and at last it came out, a mighty peal of Homeric laughter that echoed and rolled down the pier and rang clear and full, up to the Marchesa's terrace.

And it chanced that Beatrice was there, and she looked down and saw that it was Ruggiero.

Then she sighed and drew back.
But Bastianello did not understand, and when the laugh subsided at last, he said so.
"I laughed--yes.

I could not help it.

But you are a good brother, and very honest, and when you want to marry Teresina, you may have my savings, and I do not care to be paid back." "But I do not understand," repeated Bastianello, in the greatest bewilderment.