connected with the married couple. He was not kept long in suspense.
His patron of the preceding evening soon made his appearance, but
masked as before.

"Beppo!" said the stranger, "you rendered me an inestimable service
last night."

"You rewarded me handsomely, signor, and I shall never regret it."

"Give me your word then, that you will never upbraid me with the
service I imposed on you."

"I give you my word," said the old man, surprised; "but why do you
exact it?"

"Because," said the stranger, raising his mask, "I am no Venetian
noble, but simply Antonio Giraldi, a gondolier like yourself."

"You! Antonio Giraldi! And the lady--?"

"Was your ward, Zanetta. You locked her chamber door, and took the
house key with you--but a ladder of ropes from a lady's balcony is as
good as a staircase; and as I told you last night, 'love laughs at
locksmiths.'"

Of course old Beppo stormed and swore, as irascible old gentlemen are
very apt to do in similar circumstances, but he ended by forgiving the
lovers, as that was the only act in his power. He not only forgave
them, but gave up his gondola to the stronger hands of Antonio, and
settled a handsome portion on Zanetta; nor did he ever regret his