"Briefly then, gondolier," said the mask, "I am in love with a very charming young person."
"Well."
"Well—and this young person loves me in return."
"Good; and you are going to marry her."
"Not so fast, gondolier. She has an old guardian, who, at the age of sixty, or more, has been absurd enough—only think of it—to propose to marry her himself."
"The absurd old fool!" cried Beppo, not without some twinges, for he thought of his own projects with regard to Zanetta.
"Now, then," said the mask, "I have resolved to run away with her to-night. I have the opportunity—for she is here in the Palazzo Colonna. Now will and can you aid me? I will recompense you liberally."
"Ah! my lord—your lordship has come to the right market," said the old sinner. "I'm used to affairs of this kind. Has your lordship a priest engaged?"
"I have not."
"Then I can recommend one. Hard by is a chapel dedicated to Our Lady, where there is a very worthy man, accustomed to affairs of this kind, who will tie the knot for a moderate fee, without asking any impertinent questions."