"It is wonderful that I did not know thee, Carlo!" said the female, with eager simplicity; "but thou takest so many disguises of late, and so counterfeitest strange voices, that thine own mother might have distrusted her ear."
The gondolier paused to make certain they were alone; then laying aside the mask altogether, he exposed the features of the Bravo.
"Thou knowest the need of caution," he added, "and wilt not judge me harshly."
"I said not that, Carlo—but thy voice is so familiar, that I thought it wonderful thou could'st speak as a stranger."
"Hast thou aught for me?"
The gentle girl—for she was both young and gentle—hesitated.
"Hast thou aught new, Gelsomina?" repeated the Bravo, reading her innocent face with his searching gaze.
"Thou art fortunate in not being sooner in the prison. I have just had a visitor. Thou would'st not have liked to be seen, Carlo!"
"Thou knowest I have good reasons for coming masked. I might, or I might not have disliked thy acquaintance, as he should have proved."
"Nay, now thou judgest wrong," returned the female, hastily—"I had no other here but my cousin Annina."