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It was a maxim at Venice to encourage the tendency of the

Milanese workmen in silk, to establish themselves in the

Bergamascan territory, by making them find it to their advantage

to do so. For this reason, Bortolo was warned confidentially,

that Renzo was not safe in his present residence, and that he

would do wisely to place him in some other manufactory, and even

cause him to change his name for a while. Bortolo, who was quick

of apprehension, made no objections, related the matter to his

cousin, and taking him to another place fifteen miles off, he

presented him, under the name of Antonio Rivolta, to the master

of the manufactory, who was a native of Milan, and moreover his

old acquaintance. He, although the times were hard, did not

require much entreaty to induce him to receive a workman so

warmly recommended by an old friend.