I have merely endeavored to avoid essentially modern words and forms of
speech. 

INTRODUCTION: 

"PIETRO GIUSTINIANI, merchant, of Venice." This was the signature
affixed to his receipt by the little antiquary in the city of St.  Mark,
from whom I purchased a few stitched sheets of manuscript.  What a name
and title! 

As I remarked on the splendor of his ancestry he slapped his pocket, and
exclaimed, half in pride and half in lamentation: 

"Yes, they had plenty of money; but what has become of it?" 

"And have you no record of their deeds?" I asked the little man, who
himself wore a moustache with stiff military points to it. 

"Their deeds!" he echoed scornfully.  "I wish they had been less zealous