As Marietta looked at the jar, a little colour rose in her face again.
"Thank you," she said. "I know you trust me, now."
"I always have," he answered softly, "and I always shall, even when you are married to Jacopo Contarini."
"That is still far off. Let us not talk of it. You must get ready to leave this place before morning. You must take the skiff and get away to the mainland, if you can, for till my father comes you will not be safe in Venice."
"I shall not go away," said Zorzi firmly. "They may not try to arrest me after all."
"But they will, I know they will!" All her anxiety for him came back in a moment. "You must go at once! Zorzi, to please me—for my sake—leave to-night!"
"For your sake? There is nothing I would not do for your sake, except be a coward."
"But it is not cowardly!" pleaded Marietta. "There is nothing else to be done, and if my father could know what you risk by staying, he would tell you to go, as I do. Please, please, please—"
"I cannot," he answered stubbornly.
"Oh, Zorzi, if you have the least friendship for me, do what I ask! Do you not see that I am half mad with anxiety? I entreat you, I beg you, I implore you—"