"Thou wilt not forget us, Father?" said Violetta, with winning earnestness. "An orphan girl, in whose fate the sages of the Republic so seriously busy themselves, has need of every friend in whom she can confide." "Blessed be thy intercessor," said the monk, "and the peace of the innocent be with thee." Once more he waved his hand, and turning, he slowly quitted the room. The eye of Donna Florinda followed the white robes of the Carmelite, while they were visible; and when it fell again upon the silk, it was for a moment closed, as if looking at the movements of the rebuked spirit within. The young mistress of the palace summoned a menial, and bade him do honor to her confessor, by seeing him to his gondola. She then moved to the open balcony. A long pause succeeded; it was such a silence, breathing, thoughtful, and luxurious with the repose of Italy, as suited the city and the hour. Suddenly Violetta receded from the open window, and withdrew a step, in alarm. "Is there a boat beneath?" demanded her companion, whose glance was unavoidably attracted to the movement. "The water was never more quiet. But thou hearest those strains of the hautboys?" "Are they so rare on the canals, that they drive thee from the balcony?" "There are cavaliers beneath the windows of the Mentoni palace; doubtless they compliment our friend Olivia." "Even that gallantry is common. Thou knowest that Olivia is shortly to be united to her kinsman, and he takes the usual means to show his admiration." "Dost thou not find this public announcement of a passion painful? Were I to be wooed, I could wish it might only be to my own ear." "That is an unhappy sentiment for one whose hand is in the gift of the Senate! I fear that a maiden of thy rank must be content to hear her beauty extolled and her merits sung, if not exaggerated, even by hirelings beneath a balcony." "I would that they were done!" exclaimed Violetta, stopping her ears. "None know the excellence of our friend better than I; but this open exposure of thoughts that ought to be so private, must wound her." "Thou mayest go again into the balcony; the music ceases." "There are gondoliers singing near the Rialto--these are sounds I love! Sweet in themselves, they do no violence to our sacred feelings. Art thou for the water to-night, my Florinda?" "Whither would'st thou?" "I know not; but the evening is brilliant, and I pine to mingle with the splendor and pleasure without." "While thousands on the canals pine to mingle with the splendor and pleasure within! Thus is it ever with life: that which is possessed is little valued, and that which we have not is without price." "I owe my duty to my guardian," said Violetta; "we will row to his palace."