The message was genuine, and moreover, so far as Contarini and the society were concerned, the man was perfectly trustworthy.

Possibly there were reasons why Contarini chose to employ him, and also why the servant was so consistently faithful to his master.

After all, Zorzi reflected, he was certainly ignorant of the fact that the noble young idlers who met at the house of the Agnus Dei were playing at conspiracy and revolution.
But that night, when Contarini's friends were assembled and had counted their members, some one asked what had become of the Murano glass-blower, and whether he was not going to attend their meetings in future; and Contarini answered that Zorzi had hurt his foot and was on crutches, and sent a greeting to the guests.

Most of them were glad that he was not there, for he was not of their own order, and his presence caused a certain restraint in their talk.

Besides, he was poor, and did not play at dice.
"He works with Angelo Beroviero, does he not ?" asked Zuan Venier in a tone of weary indifference.
"Yes," answered Contarini with a laugh.