Book The Second - Chapter 3 More Confusion

Since Rosabella's birthday, no woman in Venice who had the slightest
pretensions to beauty, or the most remote expectations of making
conquests, had any subject of conversation except the handsome
Florentine. He found employment for every female tongue, and she
who dared not to employ her tongue, made amends for the privation
with her thoughts. Many a maiden now enjoyed less tranquil
slumbers; many an experienced coquette sighed as she laid on her
colour at the looking glass; many a prude forgot the rules which she
had imposed upon herself, and daily frequented the gardens and walks
in which report gave her the hope of meeting Flodoardo.

But from the time that, placing himself at the head of the sbirri,
he had dared to enter boldly the den of the banditti, and seize them
at the hazard of his life, he was scarcely more an object of
attention among the women than among the men. Greatly did they
admire his courage and unshaken presence of mind while engaged in so
perilous an adventure; but still more were they astonished at his
penetration in discovering where the bravoes concealed themselves,
an attempt which foiled even the keen wits of the so much celebrated
police of Venice.

The Doge Andreas cultivated the acquaintance of this singular young
man with increasing assiduity; and the more he conversed with him,
the more deserving of consideration did Flodoardo appear. The
action by which he had rendered the Republic a service so essential
was rewarded by a present that would not have disgraced Imperial
gratitude, and one of the most important offices of the State was
confided to his superintendence.