There was a marked derangement in the household of Don Camillo, that one more practised than our heroine would have noted. The servants seemed undecided in the manner of performing the most ordinary duties; their looks wandered distrustfully from one to another, and when their half-frightened visitor entered the vestibule, though all arose, none advanced to meet her. A female masked was not a rare sight in Venice, for few of that sex went upon the canals without using the customary means of concealment; but it would seem by their hesitating manner that the menials of Don Camillo did not view the entrance of her who now appeared with the usual indifference. "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." "If there is one to whom he would pay this deference, you are bold for a servitor. How know you I am not that one?" Gino started. He examined the figure of the applicant, and lifting his cap, he bowed. "Lady, I do not know anything about it," he said; "you may be his Highness the Doge, or the ambassador of the emperor. I pretend to know nothing in Venice of late----" The words of Gino were cut short by a tap on the shoulder from the public gondolier, who had hastily entered the vestibule. The man whispered in the ear of Don Camillo's servitor. "This is not a moment to refuse any," he said. "Let the stranger go up."