“I didn’t nearly drown,” I said. I took a deep breath, forming the sentence in my head before I said it. “I was trying to sketch an interesting rooftop. I’m afraid I leaned out just a little too far and lost my balance. Anyway, a very kind man came to my rescue and brought me home in his boat.”

“You accepted a lift from a strange man?”

“I needed to be helped out of the water. There were no steps. And anyway, it was better than having to walk back looking like a fright and dripping water.”

She sighed. “Well, I suppose no harm was done, except I presume your nice new sketchbook was lost in the water?”

“I managed to throw it up on the bank as I fell,” I said, thinking quickly. “So as you say, no harm done. And the young man was educated at an English boarding school.”

“Really? Which one?”

“Ampleforth.”

She sniffed. “A Catholic school.”

“Well, yes. Being Venetian, it is fairly likely that he’s a Catholic. But he’s from a good family. They own a palazzo. And he’s told me all about the Biennale. Have you heard of it? The big art festival with pavilions from all over the world?”

“Modern art.” She gave me a withering glance. “Miró and Picasso and all that rubbish. I hope they are not going to teach you any of that stuff at art school. Absolutely anyone could throw paint at a canvas the way they do and call it art. Even a tame chimpanzee could paint better pictures.”

“But can we go and look anyway? My rescuer has offered to show us around.”

“Certainly not. It is not the kind of art I wish you to see, and it would be most improper to be escorted by a strange man. Your father would think me derelict in my duty.”

“He’s from a very good family,” I said again. “He showed me his house—or rather palazzo. It’s beautiful. Right on the canal across from the Gritti Palace, and made of coloured marble.”

She sighed. “I’m afraid the young man has been spinning you a tale, my dear. I think you are describing the Palazzo Rossi.”

“That’s right,” I said. “He said his name was something Rossi.”

“Humph.” She gave a patronizing chuckle. “I hardly think so.” She patted my arm. “My dear, you are young and inexperienced. This boy was probably running an errand in his employer’s boat and enjoyed impressing a young foreign girl. But no matter. It would not be seemly for you to meet him again.”

“He said he would come for me at ten tomorrow morning. May I not even meet him to tell him I can’t join him? It would be rude to keep him waiting for nothing.”

“If he actually shows up.” She was sneering. “I think you’ll find that his employer’s boat is not available for him, and it will be you who is waiting for nothing.”

“Can I at least try?”