"The boldness of the act will prevent suspicion."
"Of what vineyard is the liquor?"
"It came from the foot of Vesuvius, and is ripened by the heat of the volcano. Should my friends part with it to thy enemy, old Beppo, thy father will rue the hour!"
Annina, who was much addicted to consulting her interests on all occasions, cast a longing glance at the boat. The canopy was closed, but it was large, and her willing imagination readily induced her to fancy it well filled with skins from Naples.
"This will be the last of thy visits to our door, Gino?"
"As thou shalt please. But go down and taste."
Annina hesitated, and, as a woman is said always to do when she hesitates, she complied. They reached the boat with quick steps, and without regarding the men who were still lounging on the thwarts, Annina glided immediately beneath the canopy. A fifth gondolier was lying at length on the cushions, for, unlike a boat devoted to the contraband, the canopy had the usual arrangement of a barque of the canals.
"I see nothing to turn me aside!" exclaimed the disappointed girl. "Wilt thou aught with me, Signore?"
"Thou art welcome. We shall not part so readily as before."
The stranger had arisen while speaking, and as he ended, he laid a hand on the shoulder of his visitor, who found herself confronted with Don Camillo Monforte.