"I am in the dwelling of the Duke of St. Agata, a Signore of Calabria?"
demanded Gelsomina, who saw the necessity of being firm.
"Signora, si----"
"Is your lord in the palace?"
"Signora, he is--and he is not. What beautiful lady shall I tell him
does him this honor?"
"If he be not at home it will not be necessary to tell him anything. If
he is, I could wish to see him."
The domestics, of whom there were several, put their heads together,
and seemed to dispute on the propriety of receiving the visit. At this
instant a gondolier in a flowered jacket entered the vestibule.
Gelsomina took courage at his good-natured eye and frank manner.
"Do you serve Don Camillo Monforte?" she asked, as he passed her, on his
way to the canal.
"With the oar, Bellissima Donna," answered Gino, touching his cap,
though scarce looking aside at the question.
"And could he be told that a female wishes earnestly to speak to him in
private?--A female."
"Santa Maria! Bella Donna, there is no end to females who come on these
errands in Venice. You might better pay a visit to the statue of San
Teodore, in the piazza, than see my master at this moment; the stone
will give you the better reception."
"And this he commands you to tell all of my sex who come!"
"Diavolo! Lady, you are particular in your questions. Perhaps my master
might, on a strait, receive one of the sex I could name, but on the
honor of a gondolier he is not the most gallant cavalier of Venice, just
at this moment.
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