Chapter 21 - Page 2

right to question it, if I do," returned the girl with
spirit. "San Theodore be praised, I am not yet the slave of a
Neapolitan's servitor!"

"The Neapolitan is a powerful noble, Annina, able and willing to keep
his servitors in respect."

"He will have need of all his interest--but why hast thou come at this
unseasonable hour? Thy visits are never too welcome, Gino, and when I
have other affairs they are disagreeable."

Had the passion of the gondolier been very deep or very sensitive, this
plain dealing might have given him a shock; but Gino appeared to take
the repulse as coolly as it was given.

"I am used to thy caprices, Annina," he said, throwing himself upon a
bench like one determined to remain where he was. "Some young patrician
has kissed his hand to thee as thou hast crossed San Marco, or thy
father has made a better day of it than common on the Lido; thy pride
always mounts with thy father's purse."

"Diamine! to hear the fellow one would think he had my troth, and that
he only waited in the sacristy for the candles to be lighted to receive
my vows! What art thou to me, Gino Tullini, that thou takest on thee
these sudden airs?"

"And what art thou to me, Annina, that thou playest off these worn-out
caprices on Don Camillo's confidant?"

"Out upon thee, insolent! I have no time to waste in idleness."

"Thou art in much haste to-night, Annina."

"To be rid of thee. Now listen to what I say, Gino, and let every word
go to thy heart, for they are the last thou wilt ever hear from me. Thou
servest a decayed noble, one who will shortly be chased in disgrace from
the city, and with him will go all his idle servitors. I choose to
remain in the city of my birth."

The gondolier laughed in real indifference at her affected scorn. But
remembering his errand, he quickly assumed a graver air, and endeavored
to still the resentment of his fickle mistress by a more respectful
manner.

"St. Mark protect me, Annina!" he said. "If we are not to kneel before
the good priore together, it is no reason we should not bargain in
wines. Here have I come into the dark canals, within stone's throw of
thy very door, with a gondola of mellow Lachryma Christi, such as honest
'Maso, thy father, has rarely dealt in, and thou treatest me as a dog
that is chased from a church!"

"I have little time for thee or thy wines to-night, Gino. Hadst thou not
stayed me, I should already have been abroad and happy."

"Close thy door, girl, and make little ceremony with an old friend,"
said the gondolier, officiously offering to aid her