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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/13835-0.txt b/13835-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a58dc88 --- /dev/null +++ b/13835-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7421 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13835 *** + +THE AMULET. + +BY HENDRIK CONSCIENCE, + +AUTHOR OF "THE CURSE OF THE VILLAGE," +"THE HAPPINESS OF BEING RICH," +"VEVA," +"THE LION OF FLANDERS," +"COUNT HUGO OF CRAENHOVE," +"WOODEN CLARA," +"THE POOR GENTLEMAN," +"RICKETICKETACK," +"THE DEMON OF GOLD," +"THE VILLAGE INN-KEEPER," +"THE CONSCRIPT," "BLIND ROSA," +"THE MISER," +"THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER," ETC. + +Translated Expressly for this Edition. + + + +TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. + + +In the "Amulet," Hendrick Conscience has worked up an incident which +occurred at Antwerp, in the 16th century, into a story of great power +and deep interest. It was a dark and bloody deed committed, but swift +and terrible was the retribution, strikingly illustrating how God +laughs the sinner to scorn, and how the most cunningly devised schemes +are frustrated, when He permits the light of His avenging justice to +expose them in their enormity. On the contrary, it forcibly proves that +virtuous actions, sooner or later, bear abundant fruit even in this +world. If a man's sins bring upon his head a weight of woe, so do his +good deeds draw down the benedictions of heaven and serve as a shield to +protect him from his enemies. + +S.J.F. + +_Baltimore_. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. PAGE +ANTWERP 9 + +CHAPTER II. +SIGNOR DEODATI 30 + +CHAPTER III. +THE PALACE OF SIMON TURCHI, AND WHAT OCCURRED THERE 43 + +CHAPTER IV. +THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION--THE ASSASSINATOR SLAIN 64 + +CHAPTER V. +VAN DE WERVE'S RECEPTION--SIMON TURCHI'S JEALOUSY +AND HATRED 79 + +CHAPTER VI. +SIMON TURCHI WREAKS HIS VENGEANCE ON GERONIMO 96 + +CHAPTER VII. +GRIEF AT GERONIMO'S ABSENCE--TURCHI'S HYPOCRISY 112 + +CHAPTER VIII. +SIMON TURCHI TRIES TO CONCEAL HIS CRIME 128 + +CHAPTER IX. +GERONIMO RESURRECTED 143 + +CHAPTER X. +SIMON TURCHI'S ALARM--CRIME BEGETS CRIME 157 + +CHAPTER XI. +FOOD AT LAST--DEATH OF JULIO 171 + +CHAPTER XII. +IS IT HIS GHOST?--THE GUILTY EXPOSED 180 + +CHAPTER XIII. +MARY VAN DE WERVE'S (NOW MADAME GERONIMO DEODATI) +DEPARTURE FOR ITALY--THE PUNISHMENT OF SIMON +TURCHI 193 + + + + +THE AMULET. + +CHAPTER I. + + +Previous to the close of the fifteenth century, the direction taken by +European commerce remained unchanged. America had not been discovered, and +the only known route to India was by land. + +Venice, enthroned by her central position as queen of commerce, compelled +the nations of Europe and Asia to convey to her port all the riches of the +world. + +One single city, Bruges in Flanders, serving as an international mart for +the people of the North and South, shared, in some measure, the commercial +prosperity of Venice; but popular insurrections and continual civil wars +had induced a large number of foreign merchants to prefer Brabant to +Flanders, and Antwerp was becoming a powerful rival to Bruges. + +At this period two great events occurred, by which a new channel was +opened to trade: Christopher Columbus discovered America, and Vasco de +Gama, by doubling the Cape of Good Hope, pointed out a new route to India. +This latter discovery, by presenting another grand highway to the world, +deprived Venice of the peculiar advantages of her situation, and obliged +commerce to seek a new emporium. Portugal and Spain were the most powerful +nations on sea; countless ships left their ports for the two Indies, and +brought back spices, pearls, and the precious metals for distribution +throughout the Old World. This commercial activity required an emporium in +the centre of Europe, halfway between the North and the South, whither +Spaniards, Portuguese, and Italians, as well as French, English, Germans, +Swedes, and Russians, could resort with equal facility as to a perpetual +mart for all the commodities exchanged between the Old and the New +World.[1] + +A few years before the commencement of the religious wars which proved so +disastrous to the country, Antwerp was in a most flourishing condition. +Thousands of ships of every form and size covered its broad river like a +forest of masts, whose many-colored flags indicated the presence of +traders from all the commercial nations of the globe. + +Portuguese gallions carried thither the gems and spices of the East; +Spanish gallions the gold and silver of America; Italian vessels were +laden with the delicate fruits and rich stuffs of the Southern countries; +German vessels with grains and metals; and all returned to their own +countries heavily freighted with other merchandise, and made way for the +ships which were continually arriving, and which, according to +contemporary chronicles, were often obliged to wait six weeks before they +succeeded in approaching the wharf.[2] + +Small craft, such as _hers_, ascended the Scheldt, and even ventured out +to sea in order to trade with the neighboring people. Transportation into +the interior of the country was effected by means of very strong wagons, +several hundred of which daily left Antwerp. The heavy vehicles which +conveyed merchandise through Cologne to the heart of Germany were called +_Hessenwagens_.[3] + +This extraordinary activity induced many foreigners to establish +themselves in a city where gold was so abundant, and where every one might +reasonably hope for large profits. + +At the period of which we speak, Antwerp counted among its inhabitants +nearly a thousand merchants from other countries, each of whom had his own +attendants; one chronicle estimates, perhaps with some exaggeration, the +number of strangers engaged in commerce at five thousand.[4] + +Twice a day these merchants met on Change, not only for purposes of trade +and for information of the arrival of ships, but principally for banking +operations. + +To convey an idea of the amount of wealth at the disposal of the houses of +Antwerp, it suffices to say that the king of Portugal obtained in one day +in this city a loan of three millions of gold crowns, and Queen Mary of +England contracted a debt of seventy millions of francs. + +One merchant, called the rich Fugger, left at his death legacies amounting +to nearly six millions of gold crowns, a sum which for that period would +seem fabulous, if the fact were not established by indisputable documents. + +This wealth and the presence of so many nations vying with each other had +carried luxury to such a height that magistrates were frequently obliged +to publish edicts, in order to restrain the lavish expenditure. This was +not done on account of the foreign inhabitants of the place, but for the +advantage of many noble families and the people of the middle classes, who +were tempted by the example of others to a display of magnificence which +might have seriously injured their fortunes. + +The greater part of the Italian merchants from Lucca, Genoa, Florence, and +other cities beyond the Alps, were noblemen, and from this circumstance +they were thrown into intimate intercourse with the noble families of +Antwerp, all of whom spoke fluently three or four languages, and who +particularly studied to speak with purity and elegance the soft Italian +idiom.[5] + +In the _Hipdorp_, not far from the Church of St. James, stood an elegant +mansion, which was the favorite resort of the élité of the Italian +merchants. It was the residence of William Van de Werve, lord of Schilde. + +Although this nobleman did not himself engage in mercantile transactions, +because the aristocratic families of Brabant regarded commerce as an +occupation unsuitable to persons of high birth,[6] he was very cordial and +hospitable to all strangers whose rank entitled them to admission to his +home circle. Moreover, he was extremely wealthy, luxurious in his manner +of living, and so well versed in three or four different languages, that +he could with ease enter into an agreeable and useful conversation in +either of them. + +The house of Mr. Van de Werve had still other attractions to noble +foreigners. He had a daughter of extraordinary beauty, so lovely, so +modest, notwithstanding the homage offered to her charms, that her +admirers had surnamed her _la bionda maraviglia_, "the wonderful blonde." + +One morning in the year 1550 the beautiful Mary Van de Werve was seated in +her father's house in a richly sculptured arm-chair. The young girl had +apparently just returned from church, as she still held in her hand a +rosary of precious stones, and her hood lay on a chair near her. She +seemed to be engrossed by some pleasing thought which filled her heart +with a sweet anticipation, for a slight smile parted her lips, and her +eyes were upraised to heaven as if imploring a favor from Almighty God. + +Against the wall behind her hung a picture from the pencil of John Van +Eyck, in which the great master had represented the Virgin in prayer, +whilst she was still ignorant of the sublime destiny that awaited her. + +The artist had lavished upon this masterpiece the most ardent inspirations +of his pious and poetic genius, for the image seemed to live and think. It +charmed by the beauty of feature, the majestic calm of expression, the +sweetness of the smile, the look full of love cast from earth to heaven. + +There was a striking resemblance between the creation of the artist and +the young girl seated beneath in almost the same attitude. In truth, the +youthful Mary Van de Werve was as beautiful as the poetical representation +of her patroness. She had the same large blue eyes, whose expression, +although calm and thoughtful, revealed a keen sensibility and a tender, +loving soul; her golden hair fell in ringlets over a brow of marble +whiteness, and no painter had ever traced a cheek of lovelier mould or +more delicate hue; her whole being expressed that calm recollection and +attractive gravity which is the true poetry of the immaterial soul, and +which was comprehended only by the believing artists of the North before +the material inspiration of pagan art had been transmitted to them from +the South. + +Mary Van de Werve was most richly attired; but there was in her dress an +absence of ornament which appeared strange at that period of extreme pomp +and show. A waist of sky-blue velvet encircled her slender form, and a +brocade skirt fell in large folds to her feet. Only on her open sleeves +appeared some gold thread, and the clasp which fastened the chamois-skin +purse suspended from her girdle was encrusted with precious stones. + +All her surroundings betokened her father's opulence: large stained-glass +windows, covered with the armorial bearings of his ancestors, cast their +varied hues upon the inlaid marble floor; tables and chairs of oak, slabs +supporting exquisite statuary from the chisel of the most celebrated +artists, were ranged along the walls; an ivory crucifix surmounted a +silver basin of rare workmanship containing holy water. Even the massive +andirons, which stood in the broad fireplace, were partly of gold and +ornamented with the coat of arms. + +Her prayer was finished, or it might be that her thoughts had taken +another turn; she arose and walked slowly towards the large window which +overlooked the garden. She fixed her eyes upon the beautiful blue sky; her +countenance was bright, as though a sweet hope filled her heart, and a +rosy hue suffused her cheeks. + +An old man at this moment entered the room. Heavy moustaches shaded his +lips, and a long beard fell upon his breast. There was something grave and +severe in his imposing appearance and even in his dress; for although his +doublet was of gold cloth, his whole body was enveloped in a long cloak, +whose dark color was relieved by a lining of white fur. + +"Good morning, Mary," he said, as he approached the young girl. + +"May the blessing of God always be with you, dear father," she replied. +"Come, see how lovely the sky is, and how brightly the sun shines." + +"It is charming weather; we might almost imagine ourselves in the month of +May." + +"It is the eve of May, father." And with a joyous smile she drew her +father to the window, and pointing to the sky, said: "The wind has +changed; it blows from the direction of England." + +"True; since yesterday it has been south-east." + +"So much the better; the ships which have been kept out at sea can ascend +the Scheldt with to-day's or to-morrow's tide." + +"And you hope," said Mr. Van de Werve, shaking his head, "that among these +vessels will be found the _Il Salvatore_, which is to bring the old Signor +Deodati from Lucca?" + +"I have so long implored of heaven this favorable wind," replied the young +girl. "I thank the God of mercy that my prayer has been heard!" + +Mr. Van de Werve was silent; his daughter's words had evidently made a +disagreeable impression upon him. + +She passed her arm caressingly around his neck, and said: + +"Dear father, you are sorrowful; and yet you promised me to await +tranquilly the arrival of Signor Deodati." + +"It is true, my child," he replied; "but, as the time approaches when I +must come to a decision, my soul is filled with anxiety. We are the +descendants of an illustrious family, and our style of living should be so +magnificent as to reflect credit on our rank. The Signor Geronimo, whom +you seem to prefer to all others, lives very economically; he dresses +simply, and abstains from all that kind of expenditure which, being an +evidence of wealth and chivalric generosity, elevates a man in the eyes of +the world. That makes me fear that his uncle is either in moderate +circumstances or very avaricious." + +"But, father, permit me to say that the Signor Deodati of Lucca is very +rich and of high birth," replied the young girl, sadly. "Did not the +banker Marco Riccardi give you satisfactory information on that point?" + +"And should he be miserly, Mary, will he accept the conditions I propose? +I shall demand of him the renunciation of a considerable portion of his +possessions in favor of his nephew Geronimo. Would it not be an insult to +you, which your brothers would avenge, were your hand to be refused from +pecuniary motives? I regret that you have so irrevocably fixed your +affections on the Signor Geronimo, when you might have chosen among a +hundred others richer and of higher estate. The head of the powerful house +of Buonvisi had more claim upon my sympathy and yours." + +"Simon Turchi!" said the young girl, sorrowfully bowing her head. + +"What has this poor Signor Turchi left undone during the past three years +to prove his chivalric love?" replied her father. "Festivals, banquets, +concerts, boating on the Scheldt, nothing has been spared; he has expended +a fortune to please you. At one time you did not dislike him; but ever +since the fatal night when he was attacked by unknown assassins and +wounded in the face, you look upon him with different eyes. Instead of +being grateful to the good Turchi, you comport yourself in such a manner +towards him, that I am induced to believe that you hate him." + +"Hate the Signor Turchi!" exclaimed Mary, as if frightened by the +accusation. "Dear father, do not indulge such a thought." + +"He is a handsome, dignified gentleman, my child." + +"Yes, father; he has long been an intimate friend of the Signor +Geronimo."[7] + +Mr. Van de Werve took his daughter's hand, and said, gently: "Geronimo may +be finer-looking to a woman's eye; but his future depends upon his uncle's +kindness. He is young and inexperienced, and he possesses nothing himself. +The Signor Turchi, on the contrary, is rich and highly esteemed in the +world as partner and administrator of the well-known house of Buonvisi. +Think better of your choice, Mary; satisfy my desires and your brothers': +it is not yet too late." + +Tears filled the eyes of the young girl; she replied, however, with a +sweet resignation: "Father, I am your submissive child. Command, and I +will obey without a murmur, and humbly kiss the venerated hand which +imposes the painful sacrifice. But Geronimo! poor Geronimo!" + +At these words her fortitude forsook her; she covered her face with her +hands, and wept bitterly; her tears fell like bright pearls upon the +marble floor. + +For some moments Mr. Van de Werve contemplated his daughter with +ever-increasing pity; then overcome by the sight of her grief, he took her +hand, and tenderly pressing it, he said to her: "Cheer up, my dear Mary, +do not weep. We will see what answer the Signor Deodati will return to the +conditions I will propose to him. Geronimo is of noble birth; if his uncle +will consent to bestow upon him a suitable fortune, your desires shall be +fulfilled." + +"But, dear father," said the still weeping girl, "that depends upon the +magnitude of your demands. If you ask impossibilities of the Signor +Deodati--" + +"No, no, have no anxiety," said Mr. Van de Werve, interrupting her. "I +will endeavor to fulfil my duty as a father, and at the same time to spare +you any future sorrow. Are you satisfied now?" + +Mary silently embraced her father, and her eyes expressed such gratitude +that Mr. Van de Werve was deeply moved, and said, tenderly: + +"Who could refuse you anything? Age, experience, prudence, all yield +before one glance of your eye. Conceal your emotion; I hear some one +coming." + +A servant opened the door, and announced, "The Signor Geronimo." + +The young nobleman thus introduced was remarkable for his fine form, and +the graceful elegance of his manners and carriage. His complexion was of +that light and clear brown which adds so much to the manly beauty of some +Southern nations. The dark beard and hair, his spirited black eyes, gave a +singular charm to his countenance, while his calm and sweet smile +indicated goodness of heart. + +Although upon his entrance he strove to appear cheerful, Mary's eye +detected a concealed sadness. + +The dress of Geronimo was simple in comparison with the rich attire of the +other Italian nobles, his compatriots. He wore a felt hat ornamented with +a long plume, a Spanish cloak, a cloth doublet lined with fur, violet +satin breeches, and gray boots. His modest attire was relieved only by the +sword which hung at his side; for the hilt glittered with precious stones, +and the armorial bearings engraved upon it proved him to be of noble +birth. + +"Che la pace sia in quelle casa!" (May peace be in this house!) he said, +as he entered the hall. + +He bowed profoundly to Mr. Van de Werve, and saluted him most +respectfully; but the traces of tears which he perceived on Mary's face so +startled him that he interrupted his ceremonious greetings, and fixed his +eyes inquiringly upon her. She had been weeping, and yet she smiled +joyously. + +"Mary is naturally very susceptible, Signor Geronimo," said Mr. Van de +Werve. "I was speaking to her of her beloved mother, and she wept. You +appear, and she smiles as though she knew no sorrow." + +The young girl did not await the conclusion of this explanation; before +her father had finished speaking, she led her lover to the window, pointed +to the weathercock, and said: "Look, Geronimo, the wind is from the west." + +"I noticed it last night," replied the young man, with an involuntary +sigh. + +"Rejoice then, for to-day your uncle may be in sight of the city." + +"I do not think so; however, it is possible," said the young man, sadly. + +"How coldly you speak, Geronimo!" exclaimed the young girl, in surprise; +"what cloud obscures your soul?" + +"I myself notice something extraordinary in your manner, signor," remarked +the father. "You seem dejected; have you received bad news of your uncle?" + +Geronimo hesitated for an answer; then, as though endeavoring to drive +away unpleasant thoughts, he said, in a faltering voice: "No, no, it is +not that. I witnessed just now near the Dominican Convent something which +touched me deeply, and I have not yet recovered from the shock. Have you +not heard of a Florentine merchant named Massimo Barberi?" + +"Is he noble?" asked Mary. "I do not remember him." + +"No, a commoner, but a man highly esteemed." + +"I know him well," said Mr. Van de Werve. "I met him lately in company +with Lopez de Galle, for whom he had attended to some financial affairs. +What have you to tell us concerning him?" + +"Something terrible, Mr. Van de Werve. I saw the corpse of poor Barberi +taken out of a sewer; he had two dagger-wounds in his throat. He was +undoubtedly attacked and slain last night." + +"It is had to see so many murders committed in Antwerp," said Mr. Van de +Werve. "This is the fourth during the past month. The victims each time +have been either Spaniards or Italians, and that vengeance or jealousy was +the cause is sufficiently proved by the fact that in no case have the +bodies been despoiled of their money or jewels. This custom of lying in +wait, attacking and killing each other, often without cause, is an outrage +both against God and man. And do you not yourself sometimes fear, Signor +Geronimo, the assassin's dagger?" + +The young man shook his head. + +"For instance," continued Mary's father, "this is the eve of May, I need +not ask if you intend to offer to Mary the homage of a serenade. It is the +custom of your countrymen to pay this attention to young girls, and you +would not omit this opportunity were it not for the advice of a man of +experience. Geronimo, listen to the words of calm reason: do not rashly +expose yourself to the danger of death; abandon your design this time. +Many of your compatriots have aspired to Mary's hand; they have been less +successful than you, and on this account they may harbor unkind feelings +towards you." + +The young man received this advice with a smile which indicated its +refusal. + +"It is difficult, sir, to speak of such things in the presence of the one +who is to be the object of our homage. Permit me, however, the liberty to +decide upon the manner in which I will acquit myself of my duty to this +young lady." + +"But permit me, signor, to tell you," said the old man, in an offended +tone, "that it does you no honor to reject the advice of a man of +experience, in order to carry out an unimportant fancy. Rashness does not +indicate courage, but rather an absence of good sense." + +"Father," exclaimed Mary, in a supplicating tone, "be not angry with +Signor Geronimo; he will incur no danger." + +"Foolish confidence!" said the old man. "Why should Geronimo think himself +less exposed to danger than others? That Geronimo should be rash is +excusable; but, Mary, you deserve a severe reprimand for encouraging your +friend in his perilous design." + +The young girl bowed her head at this reproof of her father, and murmured +as if to excuse herself: "Geronimo has a relic, father." + +This revelation embarrassed the young man, and he glanced reproachfully at +Mary. + +She said, caressingly: + +"Don't be displeased, Geronimo; show the relic to my father, and he will +then know why you do not fear that any accident will happen to you." + +The young man felt that he could not refuse Mary's request. He drew from +under his doublet an object suspended on a steel chain, and, approaching +Mr. Van de Werve, he placed it in his hand. + +It was a flat medal of greenish copper, on which were engraven unknown +letters and signs. A cross between two bent sabres, and beneath them a +crescent, filled up the centre of the medal. At the foot of the cross was +a gray stone, rudely inlaid. The whole was rough and heavy. + +Mr. Van de Werve examined this medal attentively for some time; he turned +it over and over, as though he sought to comprehend the signification of +this singular emblem. + +"A relic!" he murmured. "Here are two cimeters, a crescent, and cabalistic +characters. It is a Mohammedan talisman, and, perhaps, an emblem shocking +to our holy religion!" + +"You are certainly mistaken, sir," replied Geronimo. + +"Is not the cross placed above the crescent, and would not that signify +that the faith of Christ has triumphed over the doctrines of Mahomet?" + +"But why do you call it a relic?" + +"Mary so named it, not I. It is an amulet, and if it has any power, it +derives it from the gray stone beneath the cross. This stone is a +_draconite_, taken, at the risk of life, from the head of a dragon in the +country of the negroes." + +A half contemptuous smile curled the lips of the old man as he +contemplated the talisman in silence. At last he said: "I remember, Signor +Geronimo, to have read in Pliny curious details of the draconite and its +extraordinary powers, but I also remember that the great naturalist +forgets to tell us the inherent qualities of the stone. Alas! signor, +would you trust in this talisman, and believe that it could protect you +against the dagger of the assassin? The people of the South have a strange +piety: in their superstition they confound what is holy with things which +owe their efficacy, if they possess any, to the conjurations of +sorcerers." + +The young noble colored slightly, and replied: "You are mistaken, sir, as +far as I am concerned. For my justification allow me to tell you that this +amulet belonged to a pilgrim; that it rested one entire night of Good +Friday upon the tomb of our Lord at Jerusalem; but I will be candid, and +say to you that I do not consider it possessed of the power to preserve me +from danger. And yet I always wear it with the firm and unshaken +conviction that it will protect me in a critical hour from some +misfortune." + +"Perhaps it belonged to your deceased parents," said Mr. Van de Werve, +struck by the singular explanation of the young man. + +"No, sir," replied Geronimo; "this amulet is to me a cherished souvenir of +a day upon which God gave me the grace to perform a good action. I would +willingly tell you how the amulet fell into my hands, and why I believe in +its power to protect me, but it is a long story." + +"I would, nevertheless, be much pleased if you would satisfy my +curiosity," said the old noble. + +"If you desire it," replied Geronimo, "I will comply with your wishes. + +"You know that five years ago, when I undertook for the first time the +voyage from Lucca to Antwerp, I was made prisoner by Algerian pirates, and +carried as a slave to Barbary. I was sold to a Moorish lord, who made me +work in the fields until my uncle should send the ransom which would +restore me to liberty. In the same field in which some light work was +appointed me, I saw an old blind woman attached like a mule to a plough, +and driven on by blows from a heavy stick. She was a Christian slave, +whose eyes had been put out in wanton cruelty. I learned that she was an +Italian by birth, a native of a small village in the environs of Porto +Fiero, a seaport not far from Genoa. She had no relatives who could pay +her ransom, and she had consequently been fastened to the plough like a +beast of burden until death should come to deliver her. The frightful fate +of this miserable slave so filled me with compassion, that I shed tears of +grief and rage when I heard afar off her piercing cries as the rod of the +overseer descended upon her. One day my indignation was so roused, when +the pagan wretches had knocked her down and were treating her even more +cruelly than usual, that I dared to defend her by force. Had not my master +expected a large sum for my ransom, a frightful death would have been the +punishment of my audacity. After being kept a few days in prison and +harshly treated, I was sent back to the fields to work as before. The +condition of the blind slave was not in the least changed; she was still +inhumanly beaten. Her misfortunes pierced my heart, and I was maddened by +my inability to protect from pagan cruelty a woman who was my sister by +our common faith and a common misfortune. No longer venturing to have +recourse to force, I sought other means to mitigate her sufferings. During +the few hours of repose granted to us, or rather to our overseers, I +hastened to the blind woman and shared with her the best of my food; I +strove to fortify her by the hope that God would liberate her from this +terrible slavery; I told her, that should I ever become free, I would +procure her liberation, even were it necessary to renounce for years my +own pleasures that I might amass sufficient for her ransom. I spoke to her +of our country, of the goodness of God, and of the probability of my +liberation. The poor blind woman kissed my hands, and called me an angel +sent by God to illumine the darkness of her life by the sweet rays of +consolation and piety. I was only a few months her fellow-slave. My uncle, +learning my captivity through messengers I had employed, sent to Algiers +an armed vessel to liberate me. Besides the amount of my ransom, he sent +me means to transport some valuable merchandise from Barbary to Italy. +When I took leave of the blind woman, I was so deeply touched by her +sorrow, that I pondered upon the means of restoring her to liberty. It is +true that in order to effect this, I would be obliged to employ a large +portion of the money sent me by my uncle for the purchase of merchandise, +and I was convinced that my uncle, who was inflexible in exacting fidelity +to commercial regulations, would overwhelm me with his anger, but my heart +gained the ascendency over my reason, and Christian charity triumphed. +Listening only to my compassion, I ransomed the unfortunate woman, and +with my own hands I unbound her chains. That was the happiest moment of my +life." + +Mary and her father were both touched by the recital of the young man. + +"Oh, Geronimo," exclaimed Mary, "may God bless you for having been so +compassionate to the poor Christian slave!" + +"You did well, Geronimo," said Mr. Van de Werve, "and I esteem and love +you more for your generosity to the unfortunate blind woman. How happy her +unexpected liberation must have made her!" + +"When I told her she was free, and that she could accompany me to her +native land, she was almost wild with joy; she laughed and wept by turns; +she cast herself upon the ground, and raising her hands to heaven, thanked +God; she embraced my knees and watered my feet with her tears. Not knowing +how to testify her gratitude, she drew this strange amulet from her bosom +and presented it to me, conjuring me to wear it always. She told me that +it possessed the power of protecting and saving the one who carried it on +his person, when all human aid failed or was insufficient. As to the +origin of the amulet, she only knew that it had been brought back from +Jerusalem by one of her ancestors, who had made a pilgrimage thither in +expiation of an involuntary homicide, and from that time it had been, +religiously guarded in their family as a precious relic. She had no doubt +of its power, and related many strange things to justify her faith. She +maintained that she owed to the amulet her unexpected return to Italy." + +"Does she still live?" asked Mary. + +"When in sight of Italy, I put her on board of a boat bound to Porto +Fiero; I gave her a small sum of money, and begged the boatman to attend +to her comforts. Poor Teresa Mostajo--that is her name--I doubt not, is +living peacefully in her native village, and prays much for me. This is +the only reason why I attribute any virtue to the amulet; I believe in the +protection of this sign because it has been sanctified by an act of +Christian charity, and by the grateful prayers of the poor blind woman +tormented by the pagans for the name of Christ." + +The old cavalier remained a moment silent, absorbed in thought. Then +taking the hand of the young man, he said to him: "I did not know you +before, Geronimo. I hope it may be in my power to prove to you how much +your generosity ennobles you and elevates you in my esteem; but although +your confidence in the amulet rests on so laudable a sentiment, I would +not rely too much upon it. You know the proverb says: 'Help yourself, and +Heaven will help you.'" + +"Do not suppose, Mr. Van de Werve, that on that account I would be guilty +of any foolish imprudence. I know that the eye and sword are good +sentinels. When I pass through the streets at night, I am always well +accompanied, and my hand never leaves the hilt of my sword. Therefore have +no anxiety on this point, and permit me to perform my duty to her to whom +I owe homage and respect." + +At that moment the painted--glass windows trembled under the stroke of a +large clock from some neighboring belfry. This suddenly turned Mary's +thoughts into another channel. + +"The clock of St. James is striking ten," she said. + +"Father, will you walk with me to the dock-yard to see if any new ships +have arrived?" + +"What is the hour of high tide?" her father asked Geronimo. + +"At noon," he replied. + +"Why need we go so soon to the dock-yard?" asked the old cavalier. "Many +days may yet pass before the _Il Salvatore_ appears in the Scheldt. Do not +fear, Mary, that the Signor Deodati will take us by surprise. Don Pezoa, +the agent of the king of Portugal, has given orders that I shall be +notified as soon as the galley we are awaiting is signaled in the river, +at noon." + +He was interrupted by the entrance of a servant, who announced that the +Chevalier John Van Schoonhoven,[8] the bailiff, desired to speak with him. + +Geronimo was about to withdraw, but Mr. Van de Werve said to him, +cordially: + +"Remain, signor; I will send Petronilla, Mary's duenna as a companion for +her; the interview with the Chevalier Schoonhoven may not detain me long. +We will afterwards go to the dock-yard, and we will at least enjoy the +fine weather. Stay, I beg you." + +Hardly had he left the hall when an old woman entered, and seated herself +near the door. She drew a chaplet from her pocket, and commenced praying +in a low voice. This was apparently an habitual act with her, for neither +the young girl nor the young man took the least notice of the duenna. + +Mary approached her lover, and said, gaily: "Rejoice, Geronimo! My father +has just promised not to propose very heavy conditions to your uncle." + +"I am most grateful for his kindness," said the young man, sadly. + +"What can be the matter?" asked Mary, surprised by his indifference. "I +noticed you were depressed when you first came. Be more hopeful; perhaps +the _Il Salvatore_ will ascend the Scheldt to-day." + +"God grant it may not arrive!" said Geronimo, heaving a deep sigh. + +"Do you then fear your uncle's arrival?" exclaimed Mary, in an agitated +voice. + +"Do not speak so loud, Mary; your duenna must not hear what I am about to +communicate to you. Yes; since yesterday morning I have dreaded my uncle's +arrival. Previously I implored it of Heaven as the choicest blessing, and +now the thought of it makes me tremble." + +"Have you then heard from your uncle?" + +"Alas! my friend, at the very moment when all seemed the brightest, when I +was thanking God for a happiness which I thought already mine, a dark +cloud comes to overshadow my life. I seem even now to hear my uncle's +voice pronouncing the cruel sentence which condemns me to a life-long +sorrow." + +The young girl turned deadly pale, and anxiously awaited an explanation +of the mystery. + +"My beloved Mary," he whispered, "it is a secret which I can only confide +to you in part, and which in strict honor I should perhaps conceal +entirely. Four weeks ago a merchant, highly esteemed, was left by a +curious train of circumstances without funds, and he begged me to lend him +ten thousand crowns. Should I refuse his request, the credit of his house +would be irretrievably ruined. His name I considered sufficient security +for ten times the amount he wished to borrow. At all events, although it +pained me to disobey my uncle's positive injunctions, I could not deny the +assistance which was asked of me. I lent the ten thousand crowns, and +obtained a receipt with a written promise of payment in one month. +Yesterday the note fell due; my debtor asks a delay until to-morrow. I met +him an hour ago, and he has not yet obtained the money." + +"But if your debtor is rich and powerful, you need not indulge your fears +to-day; to-morrow, perhaps, he will fulfil his promise," remarked the +young girl, with ill-concealed anxiety. + +"My fears may mislead me, Mary, but I am sure that my debtor's affairs are +in a very bad condition. At his urgent entreaty I made no entry of the +loan upon the books, in order to conceal the transaction from the clerks; +but still I have not the amount in hand. O Mary! my uncle has an eagle eye +in business affairs; he will at once discover the deficit of ten thousand +crowns--a deficit resulting from my lending money: a thing he has always +warned me against, and which, even recently, he strictly forbade. My uncle +is a good father to me, but this act of disobedience is sufficient to +deprive me forever of his favor. I foresee many future evils." + +"Why were you so imprudent, Geronimo? You ought to have refused so large a +loan." + +"I could not possibly refuse, Mary." + +"But you hold an acknowledgment of the debt and a promise of payment. +Summon this merchant before the magistrates; at Antwerp justice is +promptly and impartially dealt to all." + +"Impossible!" replied the young man, in a plaintive voice; "my debtor is a +man to whom I owe many obligations; a complaint from me would be the cause +of irreparable ruin to him. Let us hope that he will succeed in procuring +the ten thousand crowns. He told me even this morning that he would +endeavor to give me bills of exchange on Spain." + +"But of whom are you speaking?" said Mary; "your language is so +mysterious." + +"I will not tell his name. Be not offended by my reserve; there is between +merchants a law of secrecy which honor forbids us to violate." + +Mary appeared to respect this law; but she was evidently absorbed in +bitter reflections. + +Either the communication of his difficulties to his beloved had given him +new strength, or the sight of her sorrow made him affect a confidence he +did not feel, for he said to her in a cheerful manner: + +"Come, Mary, you must not yield to discouragement. Perhaps I exaggerate +the danger. My debtor is a member of a house which equals any other in +consideration and wealth. In a few days, to-day even, or to-morrow, he may +acquit himself of the debt, and should my uncle arrive before the +restitution, I will endeavor to delay his examination of the books." + +He took the young girl's hand, and exclaimed, with joyous enthusiasm: "O +Mary, my beloved, may Heaven be propitious to our vows! May the +benediction of the priest descend upon our union! We will pass in Italy +the first months of our happy life; Italy--that earthly paradise where God +has lavished all the treasures of nature, and man all the treasures of +art." + +They heard Mr. Van de Werve's voice in the hall giving urgent orders to +the servants. + +"Mary," said Geronimo, "your father is coming. I implore you not to +divulge, in any manner, what I have told you. Keep my secret even from +your father; remember that the least indiscretion might cause the ruin of +an honorable merchant." + +"Make haste, Geronimo; Mary, prepare for a drive," exclaimed Mr. Van de +Werve, as he entered the hall. "Signor Deodati has arrived; the _Il +Salvatore_ is in sight. Don Pezoa has just sent me information to that +effect, and he has placed his gondola and boatmen at our service. The +weather is beautiful and calm; we will go to meet the _Il Salvatore_." + +Mary, as though forgetting in this unexpected news all that Geronimo had +told her, ran joyfully and put on her hood before her duenna had time to +approach her. Geronimo also looked happy, and prepared to meet his uncle +without loss of time. + +In a few minutes all was ready; the horses were harnessed to the carriage, +the great gate was flung open, and the equipage was driven rapidly through +the street. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +SIGNOR DEODATI. + + +On that day the Scheldt presented at Antwerp a striking spectacle. Many +ships which had been detained in the North Sea by the east wind were +approaching the city, with their various colored flags floating on the +breeze, while, far as the eye could reach, the broad expanse of water was +covered with sails, and still, in the dim horizon, mast after mast seemed +to arise from the waves as harbingers of an immense flotilla. + +The sailors displayed gigantic strength in casting anchor and manoeuvring +their vessels so as to obtain an advantageous position. The crews of the +different ships vied with each other, and exerted themselves so +energetically that the heavily laden crafts trembled under the strained +cables. From each arose a song wild and harsh as the sharp creaking of the +capstan, but joyous as the triumphant shout of a victorious army. These +chants, sung in every tongue of the commercial world by robust sailors, +seemed, as they were wafted over the river to the city, like the long, +loud acclamations of a vast multitude. + +The only sounds which could be heard in the midst of these confused cries +were the voices of the captains speaking through the trumpets; and when a +Portuguese gallion, coming from the West Indies, appeared before the city, +a salvo of cannon rose like the rolling of thunder above all other sounds. + +The sun shone brightly upon this animated scene of human activity, and +broke and sparkled in colored light up in the rippling waves of the broad +river. + +Hundreds of flags floated in the air; gondolas and longboats furrowed the +waters; from boat and wharf joyous greetings of friends mingled with the +song of the sailors. Even the wagoners from beyond the Rhine, who had +ranged their strongly-built wagons near the cemetery of Burg, in order to +load them with spices for Cologne, could not resist the influence of the +beautiful May-day and the general hilarity; they collected near the gate +of the dock-yard, and entoned in their German tongue a song so harmonious +and sweet, and yet so manly, that every other sound in their vicinity was +hushed. + +At this moment an elegant vehicle passed the gate of the dock-yard, and +stopped near the German wagoners as the last strain of their song died +upon the air. + +A young man, and after him an old man and a young girl richly attired, +alighted from the carriage. + +Those immediately around, merchants as well as workmen, stepped +respectfully aside and saluted Mr. Van de Werve, whilst glancing +admiringly at his daughter. Some Italians of lower rank murmured loud +enough to reach Mary's ears: "_Ecco la bionda maraviglia_." + +Mr. Van de Werve ordered his people to await him at the gate of the +dock-yard, and passed on, saluting those whom he met, to the place where +the Portuguese flag indicated the gondola of Lopez de Galle, which was +prepared to receive him. They threw a carpet across the plank upon which +Mary was to step in passing into the gondola. Mary, her father, and +Geronimo entered the boat; the six oars dipped simultaneously into the +water, and, pushed by the strong arms of the Portuguese sailors, the +gondola sped rapidly through the waves. Swift as a fish and light as a +swan, it skimmed the surface of the Scheldt, and made many a turn through +the numerous vessels until it had succeeded in finding an open way down +the river. Then the sailors exerted all their strength, as if to show the +beautiful young girl what they were capable of in their trade. The +gondola, obeying the impulse given it by the oarsmen, bounded forward +under each stroke of the oars, and gracefully poised itself on the waves +caused by its rapid passage. + +Complete silence reigned in the gondola; the sailors looked with timid +admiration upon the beautiful countenance of the young girl. Mary, with +downcast eyes, was persuading herself that Geronimo's uncle would +undoubtedly consent to their union. The young man was absorbed in thought, +and yielded by turns to joy, hope, and fear. Mr. Van de Werve contemplated +the city, and seemed to enjoy the magnificent spectacle presented by +Antwerp when seen at a distance, and which, with its lofty towers and +splendid edifices, rose from the river like another Venice. + +Suddenly Geronimo rose and pointed in the distance, exclaiming, joyously, +"See, the _Il Salvatore!_" + +Mary, glancing around, eagerly asked: "Where? Is it the vessel bearing a +red cross on its flag?" + +"No, Mary, it is behind the ships of war; it is that large vessel with +three masts--on its flag is a picture of the Saviour: _Il Salvatore_." + +While the gondola rapidly sped on its way, the eyes of all were fixed upon +the galley, in order, if possible, to distinguish the features of those +who stood on deck. + +Suddenly Geronimo clapped his hands, exclaiming, "God be praised! I see my +uncle." + +"Which is he?" inquired Mr. Van de Werve. + +The young man replied, joyously: "Do you not see standing on the +forecastle five or six passengers who wear parti-colored dresses, with +plumed hats? In the midst of them is a man of lofty stature, completely +enveloped in a brown cloak. He has long white hair, and his silvery beard +looks like snow-flakes resting on his dark mantle. That is my old uncle, +Signor Deodati." + +"What a superb-looking old man!" exclaimed Mary, in admiration. + +"In truth," said Mr. Van de Werve, "as well as I can judge at this +distance, his appearance is very striking." + +"My uncle inspires respect wherever he goes," said the young man, +enthusiastically. "His sixty-five years appear on his brow as an aureola +of experience and wisdom; he is learned, good, and generous." + +And waving his hat, he cried out: "Ah, he recognizes us! He salutes us; he +smiles. At last I see him after four years of separation. My God, I thank +thee for having protected him!" + +The young man's joy was so great that Mary and her father were also moved. + +"So lively an affection for your uncle does you credit, Geronimo," said +Mr. Van de Werve. "God loves a grateful heart; may He grant you to-day the +desires of your heart!" + +But the young man did not hear these words of encouragement; standing in +the gondola, he waved to his uncle as if endeavoring to express to him by +signs his joy at seeing him. + +The gondola approached the galley, which slowly ascended the Scheldt in a +favorable wind and with a rising tide. + +The light boat soon gained the large ship. Before the ladder was lowered, +Geronimo caught the cable of the galley, and ere Mary had recovered from +her terror, he had reached the deck and was in his uncle's arms. + +Mr. Van de Werve mounted the ladder cautiously, and approached Signor +Deodati, with whom he exchanged the most cordial salutations. + +Mary remained in the gondola; she saw Geronimo embrace his uncle +repeatedly; she rejoiced to perceive that the eyes of the old man were +filled with tears of emotion. She was still more happy when she saw the +affability with which her father and Geronimo's uncle conversed together, +as though they were old friends. + +Very soon the Signor Deodati descended into the gondola to accompany Mr. +Van de Werve and Geronimo to the city. + +The Flemish cavalier introduced his daughter to the Italian noble. + +The old man gazed upon the ravishing beauty of the young girl in +speechless admiration. Mary's lovely features were illumined by an +enchanting smile which moved the old man's heart; her large blue eyes were +fixed upon him with so soft and supplicating an expression that the Signor +Deodati, extending his hand, murmured: "_E la graziosa donzella!_" (The +beautiful girl!) + +But Mary, encouraged by his look of affection, and unconsciously urged by +a mysterious instinct, extended both hands to the old man, who folded her +in his arms and pressed her to his heart. + +Geronimo, overjoyed at the reception given to Mary by his uncle, turned +aside to conceal his emotion. + +"_Iddio vi dia pace in nostra patria!_ May God grant you peace in our +country, Signor Deodati!" said Mary, taking the old man's hand. "Come sit +by me; I am so happy to know you. Do not think me bold; Geronimo has +spoken so much of you, that I have long respected and loved you. And then, +in our Netherlands we always welcome a stranger as a brother." + +Signor Deodati seated himself by her as she desired, and as the gondola +returned to the city, the old man said, in surprise: "But you speak +Italian like a native of Lucca. How soft and musical my native tongue +sounds from your lips!" + +"There is my teacher," said Mary, pointing to Geronimo. + +"That is not true, my uncle. Her modesty causes her to mislead you. Miss +Van de Werve speaks equally well both Spanish and French, nor is she +ignorant of Latin." + +"Can that be so?" asked the elder Deodati, with an incredulous smile. + +"That is nothing extraordinary in our city of Antwerp," said Mr. Van de +Werve. "Most ladies of noble birth, and even merchants' daughters, speak +two or three foreign languages. It is a necessity rather than a pleasure +for us; for since the people of the South will not or can not learn our +tongue, we are obliged to become familiar with theirs." + +The Signor Deodati, as though a new and sudden thought possessed his mind, +seized his nephew's hand, and fixing his eyes affectionately upon him, +said in a calm tone: "I am pleased with you, Geronimo. Young as you are, +you have conducted prudently the affairs of a large commercial house; you +have acted as an experienced man; in order to please me, you have denied +yourself pleasures which are so seductive to youth. Taking the place of +your father, I have kept a vigilant eye upon you, and it gladdens my old +heart to know that I have in my successor a virtuous cavalier and a +prudent merchant. I know your desires, my son. Be not disturbed, but +hopeful. I undertook a long voyage only to recompense you, if possible, +for your gratitude." + +He arose, and said to Mary: "I am loath to leave you, my dear young lady; +but I have a few words to say privately to your father. You will excuse me +more readily, as I yield my place to Geronimo." + +Saying this, he walked with Mr. Van de Werve to the extremity of the boat, +where both seated themselves upon a bench. + +Trembling with fear, hope, and joyous anticipations, Mary and Geronimo +watched the two parents, endeavoring to divine from the expression of +their countenances the result of their conversation. At first both were +perfectly calm; by degrees they grew more excited; the derisive smile on +the lips of Mr. Van de Werve betrayed the bitterness of his feelings, as +the Signor Deodati in a decided manner counted on his fingers. They were +discussing the great affair--the dowry and inheritance. Their only thought +was money! + +Geronimo turned pale as he saw his uncle shake his head with evident +dissatisfaction; and Mary trembled as she noticed the displeased +expression of her father. + +The private conversation lasted a long time, and still took no favorable +turn; on the contrary, the two old men ceased speaking, as though +displeased with each other. + +Signor Deodati addressed a question to Mr. Van de Werve, to which the +latter replied negatively. + +Both then arose, and approaching Geronimo and Mary, sat down in silence. +Their countenances betrayed vexation and mutual displeasure. + +The young man, with tearful eyes, looked inquiringly at his uncle. Mary +bowed her head, but her heaving bosom gave evidence of the struggle of her +heart. + +For some time there was a painful silence in the gondola. Mr. Van de +Werve contemplated his daughter, who seemed overwhelmed by sorrow. Signor +Deodati was deeply moved by Geronimo's earnest gaze. + +The Italian noble was the first to break silence. "Come, sir," he said, +"let us make these young people happy." + +"With all my heart, signor; but what will you do? My daughter is descended +from an illustrious house; she must live in the world in a manner to do +honor to her birth; as her father, I have duties to fulfil which I cannot +disregard." + +"Poor Geronimo!" said the Signor Deodati, in a tone of compassion, and +with a deep sigh. "You would accuse me of cruelty, would you not? and this +lovely young girl would hate the old man for his insensibility. It was not +for that I crossed the seas in my old age." + +He reflected a few minutes, then extending his hand to Mr. Van de Werve, +he said: "My lord, I wish to show my good-will. I accept entirely your +conditions, and in recompense for my sacrifices I ask only your +friendship. Shall our children then be happy?" + +Mr. Van de Werve grasped cordially the hand which was extended to him, and +said to his daughter: "Mary, embrace this good gentleman; he will be your +second father." + +Mary cast herself into the arms of the old man; a cry of joy escaped the +lips of Geronimo; even the sailors, although they comprehended but little +of what they saw, were touched. + +Whilst they were yet exchanging felicitations, the gondola swept around +the point of land which had concealed the city from view, and Antwerp, +with its thousand vessels, its lofty spires and noble edifices, lay spread +out in all its majestic beauty before the eyes of Signor Deodati. + +A cry of admiration burst from his lips. + +"_O che bella citta!_ What a beautiful city!" he exclaimed. + +"What is that magnificent tower, which like sculptured lace lifts its +beautiful spire proudly to heaven, and like a giant looks down upon all +others? What are those singular buildings whose rounded cupolas and +pointed roofs so far exceed in height the surrounding houses? Oh! let the +gondola float with the current; your city enchants me, and I wish to enjoy +the view for a few moments." + +Mr. Van de Werve gratified the curiosity of the Italian gentleman by +pointing out to him the most remarkable buildings of the city, saying: +"Before you now is the new city constructed at his own expense by +Gillibert de Schoonbeke--a man to whom Antwerp owes its later increase and +the creation of countless streets and houses.[9] Those large and massive +towers, in which you may notice loopholes, and which stand immediately +upon the Scheldt, were the ancient fortifications of the city. That small, +graceful spire is the Convent of Faucon; it is called here, Our Lady of +Valkenbroek. Yonder, near the river, is the church of Borgt, the oldest +temple of our city; for in 642 a wooden chapel stood on the spot, and in +1249 it was consecrated as a parish church, just as it now is.[10] That +lofty edifice at the foot of the gigantic tower of Notre Dame is the +entrepôt of Spain. Every nation has its own manufactories and magazines, +where every one may claim the protection of his flag. The massive, +unfinished tower belongs to the church of Saint James; the original plan +was to elevate it above the spire of Notre Dame, but the work has been +long discontinued for want of funds. Do you see, a little further on, that +square building surmounted by a dome? It is the palace of Fugger, the +Croesus of our times: he was elevated to the nobility by Maximilian on +account of his wealth. Furnishing money to kings and nations, he sees gold +daily pouring into his coffers, and if God does not interfere, the royal +power will bow before that of the opulent banker. On the right you have +the church of Saint Andrew, and near it the convent of Saint Michael, +where our Emperor Charles stays when he visits his good city of +Antwerp."[11] + +While the gondola was skimming over the surface of the water, and Mr. Van +de Werve was explaining to Signor Deodati the various edifices which were +worthy of remark, there stood upon the shore, at a corner of the +dock-yard, a man who coolly followed the boat with his eyes, and who +endeavored to comprehend what was passing in the gondola, and to discover +what might be the emotions of the young man and the young girl who were +seated within it. + +Notwithstanding the fine weather, the man was enveloped in an ample cloak, +and wore a hat with broad brim, over which fell a purple plume. His +doublet was of gold cloth, and his breeches were of brown satin. At his +side glittered the jewelled hilt of a sword. + +He was of lofty stature, and his whole bearing indicated noble birth; his +style of dress and black hair and eyes attested his Italian origin. The +most remarkable thing about his person was a long narrow scar across his +face, as though he had been wounded by a sharp blade. The mark was not +disfiguring, particularly when his features were in repose; but when he +was agitated by some violent passion or uncontrollable emotion, the edges +of the scar assumed different hues, and appeared of a dull white mixed +with red and purple. + +At the moment of which we speak his eyes were fixed upon the gondola with +an expression of irritated jealousy, and his lips were strongly +contracted. The color of the scar had changed with his increasing emotion, +and it was of a deep red. He stood so near the water that his feet touched +it, and thus he prevented any one from passing before him and witnessing +the tumult of his soul. + +Even the peculiar expression of his countenance did not betray the current +of his thoughts; but certainly he was preoccupied by no good design, for +his whole demeanor bespoke a wild despair and burning jealousy. + +For some time he watched in the same attitude the course of the gondola, +which drifted with the current, until he saw the oarsmen seize their oars, +and he supposed they were about to land. + +Then his whole frame shook convulsively under his efforts to control his +emotion. He became exteriorly calm, the scar on his cheek paled, and in an +unconcerned manner, with a light step and bright smile, he walked along +the wharf to the spot where he supposed the gondola would stop. + +Geronimo, who had seen him approaching, sprung upon the bank before the +boat was moored, and ran to him with singular haste. He took his hand, and +said in an undertone: + +"_Ebbene, caro mio Simone?_ Have you obtained the money, Simon? My uncle +has arrived. Should he discover that the money-vault lacks so considerable +a sum, you and I are both lost. But you have the money, have you not? You +will give it to me to-day?" + +"Pity me, Geronimo," said the other, sighing. "Various fatal circumstances +render all my efforts unavailing." + +"You have not the money?" murmured the young man, despairingly. + +"No; to-morrow, or perhaps day after to-morrow."[12] + +"Good heavens! suppose my uncle reproves me in anger. I implore you, +Simon, to procure the amount. Do not cause my destruction!" + +"Oh!" muttered the other, in a hoarse, altered voice, "were I to be the +cause of any misfortune to you, I would avenge you upon myself in a bloody +manner." + +"No, no," said the young man, in a compassionate tone, "banish these +horrible thoughts. I will wait; I will seek a delay, and endeavor to +divert my uncle's attention for a few days. Alas! I am filled with +anxiety: at the very moment, too, that my uncle has consented to my +marriage with Mary!" + +Simon's face became fearfully contorted. + +"Your uncle has consented?" he said, in a stifled voice. + +"And Mr. Van de Werve?" + +"He agrees to it also. O Simon! pardon me my happiness. I know, my poor +friend, that this news is most painful to you; but did we not loyally +promise each other, that were one of us to succeed in our suit, it should +not break our long-tried friendship?" + +"Fool! God has abandoned me!" muttered the other between his teeth. + +"There is my uncle with Mr. Van de Werve," said Geronimo. + +"Cheer up, Simon; hide your emotion. When I am my own master, I will aid +you in your affairs. In the meantime put your trust in God." + +The man with the scar made a powerful effort to control himself, and +advancing cheerfully to meet Mr. Van de Werve, he said to his companion: + +"My emotion was natural under the circumstances; now that the blow has +fallen, it is all over. Pained as I am, Geronimo, I congratulate you +cordially. If I could only obtain the money, and spare you anything +disagreeable! I will do all in my power." + +Mr. Van de Werve joined them, and after the first salutations said to the +old Deodati: "I am happy to present to you my friend, the Signor Simon +Turchi, who is at the head of the house of the Buonvisi, and who +frequently does me the honor to visit me." + +"Ah! I know him well," said Deodati, cordially taking Simon's hand. "The +signor is from Lucca, and the son of an esteemed friend." + +"You are welcome this side of the Alps, Signor Deodati," replied Simon +Turchi. "My father often spoke of your mutual friendship. May God grant +you prosperity in Brabant!" + +"I am under many obligations to you, signor," replied the old Deodati, +"for the affectionate interest you have shown in my nephew. That my +business affairs have been as well transacted in this country as though I +had been here myself, I am indebted to your experience and wise counsels. +I know from Geronimo's letters that he is sensible of the favor and deeply +grateful for it." + +Simon Turchi was about to disclaim the praise bestowed upon him, but the +carriage drew near, and Mr. Van de Werve said: + +"I hope, signor, that you will honor us with your company this evening. We +will pass together a few hours with our noble guest." + +Simon excused himself, saying that some important commercial affairs +demanded his attention; but as Mary and Geronimo urged him to accept the +invitation, he promised to see them, at least for a short time. + +They bade adieu as the carriage drove out of the gate of the dock-yard. + +Simon Turchi followed it with his eyes, immovable as a statue, until the +sound of the rolling wheels was lost in the distance. Then he convulsively +crossed his arms and dropped his head, as though the certainty of a +terrible misfortune had overwhelmed him. + +He remained a long time plunged in thought; but he was startled from his +reverie by a vehicle which dashed along near him, and by the call of the +driver warning him of his danger. He stepped aside and looked around him, +as though seeking a way of escape from the wharf and the crowd of workmen. +He walked slowly towards the church of Saint Walburga, and around the wall +enclosing the cemetery. He entered, wandered awhile among the tombs, until +reaching an obscure spot, where he was concealed by an angle of the +church, he paused. + +He pressed his brow with his hands, as if to shut out painful thoughts; +the scar on his face frequently changed color, and at intervals his whole +frame shook with emotion. At last, as if his reflections had assumed a +determined form, he muttered: + +"The arm-chair? it is not completed! And then he would be too late. A +dagger, a sword, an assassin lying in wait? If Julio were only more +courageous; but he is a cowardly boaster. Why did I take into my service +such a poltroon? He would not dare run the risk of striking a fatal blow; +but I can force him to it, force him even to be bold. I need but pronounce +his real name; but the murder of a friend is a frightful crime; and then, +perhaps, to be discovered, betrayed--to die on a scaffold like a common +felon--I, the head of the house of the Buonvisi!"[13] + +This thought made him shudder. After a few moments' reflection, he said, +more calmly: "I will go to the bailiff Van Schoonhoven; he has espoused my +cause with Mr. Van de Werve; he will, perhaps, be offended that Mary's +hand has been disposed of contrary to his urgent solicitations. Perhaps he +may have influence to prevent the marriage." + +An ironical smile curled his lip. + +"Fool that I am!" he muttered. "And the ten thousand crowns? and the +disgrace of bankruptcy? Oh, the infernal thought! might I not take from a +corpse the acknowledgment of the debt? I will go to Mr. Van de Werve's; I +must speak with Geronimo; I must know where tins evening he--" + +The words died upon his lips, and a sudden terror shook him from head to +foot. + +He had heard behind him the voice of a man who spoke in a low tone, and +who seemed to be a spy. + +Could he have heard what Simon Turchi had so imprudently spoken in this +solitary corner of the cemetery? + +Turning in his anguish, he saw two persons, three or four steps behind +him, looking at him with a mocking air. + +Under other circumstances the Italian cavalier would certainly have called +the unknown men to account for their insolent curiosity; but fear deprived +him of all courage and energy. + +He dropped his head, concealed his face as far as possible, crossed the +cemetery with long and rapid strides, and disappeared behind the wall of +the enclosure. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE PALACE OF SIMON TURCHI, AND WHAT OCCURRED THERE. + + +Not far from the bridge De la Vigne, Simon Turchi had a magnificent +dwelling, where the offices of the commercial house of Buonvisi were +situated; but he possessed also, at the extremity of the city, +pleasure-grounds, where in fine weather he was accustomed to invite his +friends and acquaintances to festivals, banquets, and concerts. His +domains were near the church of Saint George, surrounded by grounds +belonging to the hospital. + +Exteriorly it appeared to be only a wall of enclosure, shaded by lofty +trees, and without openings. Against the horizon were seen two glittering +weathercocks surmounting two small towers arising in the midst of foliage. +Within there was, however, a vast garden diversified with winding paths, +flowery parterres, hillocks, and grottos. Here and there, scattered among +the thickets of verdure, appeared marble statues representing principally +the gods of pagan mythology. In the centre of the garden was a pond, in +which seemed to float a crowd of monstrous animals, such as dragons, +basilisks, lizards, and salamanders. It was a fountain; and when the +robinets were opened these monsters spouted the water in every direction +from their eyes and mouths. + +But at the bottom of the garden and at some distance from the wall of +enclosure was an antique pavilion of gray-stone, the walls of which were +nearly covered with ivy, and which, in spite of their dark hue, presented +a very picturesque appearance. + +With the exception of the small and narrow windows, which were protected +by iron bars, and the staircase of slate which gave admittance, this heavy +building presented nothing remarkable, unless it were two round turrets, +which rose above the surrounding roofs and even above the gigantic trees +in its vicinity. + +The garden had been evidently long neglected, for all the walks were +covered with weeds, and in the flower-beds were the half decayed props +which had supported the plants of the previous autumn. The statues were +spotted by the dust and rain; a fine moss covered the monsters of the +fountains, and the little water remaining in the pond was stagnant. + +These evidences of the absence of man, the sombre hue of the edifice, the +shrubs growing untrimmed, but, above all, the complete silence, gave a +mournful air of abandonment to the place, and in this solitude the soul +was necessarily filled with painful reflections. + +It was already late in the afternoon; the sun was about to sink below the +horizon, its slanting rays illumined only the weathercocks on the top of +the towers. Within the thickets and at the entrance of the grottos, night +already reigned. Not the slightest sound was heard in this place. The +noise of the people at work in the city resounded in the air, the chiming +of the church-bells was wafted from the distance over this solitary +dwelling; but as no sound arose from the habitation itself, the distant +hum from an active multitude rendered the silence of the spot all the more +striking. + +Only at intervals a dull sound like the grating noise of a file seemed to +issue from the old edifice; but it was so indistinct and so often +interrupted that it was not sufficient to destroy the solitude and silence +of the place. + +Suddenly two heavy strokes, as if from a hammer, resounded through the +garden. Some one had knocked at the exterior door for admittance. + +A few moments afterwards a man appeared on the staircase of the pavilion, +and descended into the garden. + +He was tall and slender; his hair and beard were red, and a red moustache +covered his upper lip. His cheeks, though sunken and emaciated, were very +red. His eyes were wild in their expression. His arms and legs were of +extraordinary length; his movements were heavy and slow, as though his +limbs had been dislocated and his muscles without strength. + +His dress denoted him to be a menial: he wore a vest of black leather, a +red doublet and breeches of the same color, without embroidery or +ornament. + +At this moment his sleeves were rolled up, and his thin arms were bare to +the elbows. In his hand he held a file, and apparently he had been +interrupted in some urgent work by the knock at the door. Having reached +the outer door, he drew a key from his doublet, and asked in Italian: + +"Who knocks?" + +"Open the door, Julio; it is your companion Bernardo," was the reply in +the same tongue. + +"Of course, on the way you stopped at the _Camel_, and drank some pots of +Hamburg beer? Did you bring me as much as a pint?" asked the man with the +red beard. "Nothing? have you nothing? I have worked until I am exhausted; +I am dying of hunger, and no one thinks of me. Let me see the spring." + +Saying these words, he took from his companion's hands a bent steel spring +and examined it attentively, closing and opening it as if to judge of its +form and power of resistance. + +Bernardo was a deformed man of low stature; the projection on his back +might be styled a hump--it was so prominent. His physiognomy denoted +pusillanimity; but there was, at the same time, a malicious sparkle in his +eye, and it was with a mocking smile that he contemplated the man with the +red beard. + +The latter said to him in a commanding tone: "The spring appears to be +good. Go bring me a pint of Rhenish wine from the Saint George." + +"You know well that our master has forbidden it. Let me go; the signor +ordered me to return immediately to the factory." + +"Get me the wine, or I will break this spring in a thousand pieces over +your hump." + +"Always threatening!" muttered Bernardo. "You know I am not wanting in +good-will. I will go for the wine; give me the money." + +"Money? I have not a farthing in my pocket. Lend me the price of this +pint." + +"My purse is empty, Julio; but yours? Our master gave you ever so many +shillings yesterday. You told me so yourself." + +"Bah! the dice made way with the whole of it." + +"Hardened gambler!" said Bernardo, with a sigh. "You would risk your soul +at the gaming-table if any one held out to you a gold coin." + +"Very likely!" replied Julio, in an indifferent tone; "my soul is hardly +worth more." + +"What impious words! We are alone now, but there is One above who hears +what we say. He will punish you, Julio." + +The red-haired man shrugged his shoulders. + +"Continue your dissolute habits," resumed Bernardo; "lose your money in +gambling, drown your senses in intoxication: at the end of this path there +is a gallows, and behind it the devil, to whom all such souls are welcome. +Adieu! reflect upon my words, and remember that the justice of God will +one day demand an account of your life. Adieu!" + +Julio sprang towards the small door, locked it, and put the key in his +pocket. + +"Cease this trifling," said the other, evidently ill at ease. + +"Open the door, Julio, or I will complain of you to our master." + +"What do I care for our master?" said the man, laughing. + +"You say, Bernardo, that I shall end my days on the gallows. No, no; the +proverb says, that he who draws the sword shall perish by the sword. I +have pierced so many with my dagger, that my turn must come to fall by the +dagger. Last night, Bernardo, I had rare sport. I knocked down eight, +wounded one in the arm, and as to three or four others whom I left +extended on the ground, my dagger knows better than I what mischief was +done them. Come in with me, and I will tell you all about it." + +"No, I have not time." + +"You must take the time. You shall not leave here until you have heard my +adventures of last night." + +"It is always the same story over again. If I believed you, I would +suppose that the cemeteries were too small to contain the bodies of all +whom you have slain. Open the door, Julio, and let me go, I beg you." + +The other took his hand, and dragging him by force into the house, said: +"I am here alone all day, with no one to whom I can speak one word; it is +enough to paralyze my tongue. You shall listen to my adventures whether +you wish it or not. Judge, Bernardo, by the recital of my great deeds what +an honor it is to you to be the comrade of so intrepid a man. Be not +ill-humored; you know it is useless to resist me. Don't laugh; were I to +try it, I could toss you about like a ball; but you are my friend, and +besides, you are too weak to contend with me. Therefore, fear nothing." + +They reached the house and entered a kind of parlor, where Julio threw +upon the table the spring he held in his hand, and seating himself, he +said to his companion: + +"Take a chair, Bernardo. You are about to hear some strange adventures. Do +you know the ruffian Bufferio? He is a jolly fellow, who cares as little +for the life of a man as for that of a fly. There is not a man in the +parish of Saint Andrew who does not tremble at the sight of him. In a +by-street there is a tavern in a large cellar, where one can hear the +rattling of dice all night long, and they play for piles of gold--where it +comes from, the devil only knows. Late yesterday evening I was passing +through this street, when the noise of the dice fell upon my ear. You must +know, Bernardo, that this sound is as enchanting music attracting me; it +overpowers my will. I descended into the tavern and called for a glass of +beer. I seated myself among the players, and challenged any of them to +play against me. I won and lost; but at last good luck was on my side, and +my pockets were so full that they could hardly bear the weight of the +florins. To console the losers, I ordered the hostess to bring a pint of +wine to each of them; but in spite of my generosity the villains looked at +me angrily, and seemed to excite each other to take revenge upon me. They +strove to pick a quarrel. They were like a band of thieves and assassins; +but the rascals saw with whom they had to deal. My defiant look, my bold +words, my intrepid countenance, kept them at a respectful distance from +me. Suddenly the dreaded Bufferio entered the cellar. He had no sooner +learned from his comrades how fortune had favored me than he challenged me +to play with him. It was just what I wanted. I don't know how it happened, +but I lost every game. Each time we doubled the stakes; a cold sweat +bathed my brow as I saw florin after florin quietly put in the pocket of +my adversary, until I had only one farthing left. This time fortune +favored me; but Bufferio insisted that the dice had not been fairly +thrown, and he swept the table of all the money staked. I sprang to my +feet and called him a cheat. He instantly dealt me a heavy blow. Furious +and thirsting for vengeance, I drew my dagger. Immediately twenty daggers +glittered above my head. Perhaps, Bernardo, you think that I trembled? You +do not know me; when I am thus in the midst of danger, an entire army +could not terrify me; for in whatever other qualities I may be deficient, +I do not lack courage and intrepidity. When I saw the villains about to +rush upon me, I darted forward like a lion, and I cut about on every side +so furiously with my dagger, that all, even to the gigantic Bufferio, fled +from the cellar. I pursued them into the street; there the combat +recommenced; but my adversaries fared badly. In a few moments Bufferio lay +dead upon the ground between two of his comrades; the others, being badly +wounded, had taken flight. I stood alone upon the field of battle, a +triumphant conqueror! I remained in the same spot for a quarter of an +hour, to see if any other enemies would present themselves, but the +wretches had had enough for one night." + +Bernardo listened to this recital with an incredulous smile. When it was +concluded, he silently shook his head. + +"Well! what have you to say of this adventure?" asked Julio. "Might it not +be narrated in the chronicles as an heroic adventure?" + +"Certainly; in your place many others would have died of fright. But this +morning I saw this Bufferio, whom you declare to be dead, walking alive in +the public square." + +"Impossible; you are mistaken." + +"Perhaps so; but I know the ruffian well, for I have twice seen him in the +pillory." + +"If he is not dead, he will certainly not be able to make his appearance +in the streets for six months to come." + +"Of course, you took your money from Bufferio?" + +"How could I?" + +"Since he lay lifeless at your feet, why did you not recover the money he +had stolen from you?" + +The red-haired man was at a loss for an answer; but after awhile he +stammered out: "You are right. In the hurry of the struggle I did not +think of it, and then I had not the time: the watchmen ran on hearing the +noise of the affray, and you may imagine that I did not care to fall into +the hands of the bailiff." + +"I do not understand you; it seems to me you mentioned having remained a +quarter of an hour upon the spot," said Bernardo, with a slight smile. "I +suppose, Julio, there was much blood shed." + +"It flowed in torrents." + +Bernardo eyed his companion from head to foot in great surprise. + +"I would like to ask you something, but you might not understand the joke, +and you would be angry with me," he said. + +"Say candidly what you think," replied his companion. + +"I am extremely surprised, Julio, that there is not the smallest drop of +blood, not the least spot, upon your clothes. With your permission, I will +say you dreamed all that?" + +Julio sprang from his seat, gnashed his teeth, and looked at his +companion as if ready to devour him. + +"What! you dare to laugh at me? Are you then tired of life? Fool! were I +only to lay my hand upon you, you would be crushed to atoms." + +Bernardo arose also, and said, in a tone half ironical and half +supplicating: "Pardon me, Julio; I believe all you told me, and I never +doubted your marvellous courage. If sometimes I laugh at serious things, +do not be offended; this kind of joking is usual with men." + +"If you were not so feeble and powerless a being, I would have already +laid you at my feet," said Julio; "as it is, I long to plunge my dagger in +your breast." + +"Leave it in its scabbard, Julio, and I will go to buy you a _stoop_[14] +of Hamburg beer." + +"Ah, hypocrite!" exclaimed Julio, "then you have money. I will renew my +friendship for you, if you will do me a favor. I am in absolute want of +money; lend me a few shillings, and the first one who insults you, I +promise you, shall be a dead man." + +"But, Julio, were I to give them to you, you would gamble with them at +once." + +"No, you are wrong this time; I would pay for some things our master +ordered me to buy yesterday." + +Bernardo drew a small purse from his doublet, and handed to his companion +its scanty contents. + +"Here is all I possess," he said. "I fear they will go like the others." + +Julio thrust the shillings into his pocket, and muttered: + +"I do not deny that I may go this evening to the parish of Saint Andrew, +to see if any one would dare play against me." + +"Julio, Julio, I pity you!" said Bernardo, sadly. "I do not wish to +lecture you; but you have an unfortunate and aged mother who requires your +aid. You are always talking of sending her assistance, and for six months +past every farthing has been lost at play. Perhaps in the meantime your +mother has suffered for want of food." + +This reproach seemed to affect Julio deeply. He looked down abashed, and +then said, dejectedly: "Bernardo, never speak to me again of my mother. +You touch the only sensitive spot in my heart. And yet you are right; I am +a monster! Oh! this miserable play! I will do better in future. Go away +now, and let me continue my work." + +"What are you making?" asked Bernardo. "This is the third spring you have +ordered, and each time from a different locksmith." + +"It is a secret known only to my master and myself." + +"A secret?" said Bernardo. "Springs, a secret! What can it mean?" + +"Come with me, and I will show you. The signor may be angry if he chooses, +I don't care. But, Bernardo, you must be as silent as one deaf and dumb." + +He conducted his companion to a room, and throwing open the door showed +him a large arm-chair, which in form was like the other chairs around, +excepting that from each arm extended two bent springs. + +"This is what I have worked at, without stopping, for four days. I wish +the bewitched chair to the devil! I have already exhausted myself; but the +new spring is good, and in a few minutes I will have finished." + +Bernardo examined attentively the unfinished chair, and looked frightened. + +"Heavens!" he exclaimed, "a chair for a trap! Do you entrap men here?" + +Julio nodded his head affirmatively. + +Pale from anxiety, Bernardo muttered: "May God preserve me! What crime is +in contemplation? Does our master know anything of this terrible piece of +furniture?" + +"Was it not from him that you received the order to bring me the springs?" + +The humpbacked man made the sign of the cross, and muttered a few +indistinct words. + +Suddenly Julio laughed immoderately, and slapping him on the shoulder +exclaimed: "Foolish boy! he already sees a victim in this chair, and the +blood flowing as freely as in some old woman's story. Be at ease, +Bernardo; this is done only to satisfy a caprice of our master. He intends +to clean the garden and repair the fountain. He will place this arm-chair +in an arbor near the fountain; the guest who seats himself in it will be +caught, and the salamanders may throw the water upon him as long as they +please. It is a mania of our master." + +"What a coward I am!" said Bernardo, laughing at his own fears. "Open the +door now, Julio; I should have been at the factory long ago." + +They both left the house talking together, and they turned their steps +towards the exterior door. + +The red-haired man soon returned alone. He removed the spring from the +parlor-table, and took it with him to the room where he had terrified his +companion by the revelation of his master's secret. He seated himself on +the ground near the chair, and taking some tools he began to arrange the +spring, and to try if it would produce the effect intended. Whilst thus +occupied he laughed aloud, and said: + +"The stupid humpback! One could make him believe that cats laid eggs! He +believed all I told him of Bufferio and his comrades as though they were +gospel truths. The coward! To empty his pocket of its last farthing, it is +only necessary to frighten him! I have two shillings. Night is coming on, +and it is growing dark. Presently I will go to the tavern of the 'Silver +Dice.' I will play at first with a few farthings, then for white pieces, +at last for florins and even crowns! This time I will stop playing as soon +as my pocket is full of money. Then at least I will send something to my +poor mother. In what condition is she now? Perhaps she no longer lives on +earth; that would be better for her. Poor and blind, and her only +dependence a son who must conceal his true name in order to escape the +gallows; a gambler, drunkard--in a word, a real jail-bird! Yes, if fortune +favors me, I will send her something. The signor promised me to have it +conveyed to Lucca. Ah! the spring is fixed. Let me see if the machine does +its duty." + +He rose, placed his hand on the arm of the chair as if about to take his +seat in it; suddenly he sprang aside, exclaiming: "Fool that you are, you +were about to do a fine thing! I would have been caught by my own trap; +and if the signor had forgotten to come this evening, I would have +remained clasped in that traitorous chair. But don't I hear some one +coming? A key grating in the lock of the garden gate? Yes, it is the +Signor Turchi." + +Seating himself on the ground before the arm-chair, with his back turned +to the door, Julio began to work with apparent eagerness; and in order to +assume a greater air of indifference, he sang snatches of a well-known +song. + +The door opened, and Signor Turchi stood upon the threshold. He remained +for an instant motionless, contemplating in silence his servant, who +continued his song as though unconscious of the presence of his master. + +Simon slowly approached him and laid his hand upon his shoulder; but +before he could say a word, Julio drew his dagger from its scabbard, and +springing to his feet, made a motion as if to stab his master. + +"_O cielo, è voi signor?_ Is it you, signor?" cried Julio. "You slip +through the garden like a thief. It is almost dark; an accident might have +happened." + +"Stop your foolish jesting, Julio. A man does not kill another without +finding out with whom he is dealing." + +"Do you think so, signor? Why, if five or six men were to take me by +surprise, not one would be left alive." + +"You speak as if the life of a man were of no more value than that of a +bird." + +"Less, signor; it is not worth a farthing." + +"We will have proof of this," said Simon, in a peculiar tone, as he turned +towards the door. "For years I have heard you boasting; this evening I +will discover what you are--a brave man or a coward." + +Julio drew himself to his full height, put his arms akimbo, and was about +to speak, but his master prevented him. + +"No useless words!" said Simon, imperiously, "Light the lamp, and come to +my bed-room." + +He left the room without making any inquiry in regard to the chair, and +ascended a winding staircase. Opening the door of a large room, he threw +himself upon a chair, and rubbed his brow with his hands like a man +tormented by painful thoughts. + +After awhile his hands fell upon his knees, and his eyes wandering in +feverish agitation through the dim twilight, he muttered: + +"At last it is decided! the murder of a friend! He my friend? He is my +mortal enemy! Has he not deprived me of Mary's love? Has he not destroyed +all my hopes? Has he not devoted me to eternal infamy? His uncle has +consented; he will become his partner, the proprietor of an immense +fortune, the husband of Mary--of Mary, who was destined by her father to +be my wife! He will be powerful, rich, and happy; he will be surrounded by +every luxury; he will astonish the world by the magnificence of his style +of living, and from the pinnacle of his grandeur he will cast an eye of +lawful pride upon Turchi dishonored and ruined! Miserable dog that I am! +Deodati will discover that I owe him ten thousand crowns. He will appeal +to the courts of justice, and I will be condemned as a rogue; they will +discover that I have spent more than I possessed. Outraged, despised, +mocked, shall I fall forever into the abyss of misery and infamy? No, no; +let him die! His death alone can save me. If he perishes as I have +planned, I no longer owe him the ten thousand crowns; Mary becomes my +wife, and I am master of her dowry. In that case I am still the powerful, +honored chief of the house of Buonvisi! But time presses; to-morrow it may +be too late! I hear Julio coming. Upon him rests all my hope." + +The servant entered and placed a lighted candle upon the table. + +"Now, signor," he said, "to what trial do you wish to subject my courage? +However difficult it may be, it will not be beyond my strength." + +"Close the blinds; lower the windows," said Turchi; "sit down and listen +attentively to my words. I am about to talk to you of an important +affair." + +The red-haired man regarded his master with a malicious and incredulous +smile, but he took the seat indicated to him without a word of comment. + +"Julio," said Simon, "I am dejected and undecided. There is a man who +pretends to be my friend, but who has secretly been my bitter enemy. He +has always artfully calumniated and deceived me, and injured me in my +fortune and honor; he has pushed his machinations to such a degree that I +will soon be condemned to eternal infamy and misery, unless, by a bold +stroke of vengeance, I break through the snares he has laid for my +destruction. Be calm, Julio; it does you honor to be inflamed with anger +against the enemies of your master; but listen. I discovered, three days +ago, that it was this treacherous friend who paid the assassins to inflict +the wound of which I still bear the scar on my face. Thus, he first shed +my blood and attempted my life; now he plans my ruin and dishonor. Julio, +what would you do in my place?" + +"What would I do? Ask my dagger, signor; if it could speak, it would tell +you of wonderful exploits." + +"Then you would not hesitate to undertake a difficult task?" + +"Hesitate! you insult me, signor. I would not hesitate were twenty swords +brandished over my head." + +"Understand, Julio, that had I doubted your intrepidity, I would not have +spoken to you of such grave affairs. I give you the highest proof of +confidence by intrusting my vengeance to your hands. I will tell you who +is my enemy, and where you can strike him secretly. Kill him, and you +shall be liberally recompensed." + +This mission appeared unpalatable to Julio. + +"Yes," he stammered; "but that is not my way of acting. I will pick a +quarrel with your enemy, and if he dares to raise a finger against me, he +is a dead man." + +"Impossible; he is of noble birth." + +"And if I insulted him, his valets would fall upon me and beat me." + +"That is true. There is but one way, Julio; I will tell you where you can +stab him at night without the least danger." + +"I? shall I treacherously kill your enemy? This gentleman has never +injured me. Since how long has it been the custom for valets to avenge the +grievances of their masters? It is your own affair, signor." + +"You value the life of a man as little as a farthing, you said," replied +Simon Turchi, with bitter irony; "and now you allege the most puerile +reasons as excuses. You are a coward, Julio." + +"I am not; but I do not choose to lie in wait and stab a man in the dark." + +"That is a feint, a subterfuge, to conceal your cowardice." + +"Since it is so simple and easy, why do you not deal the blow yourself, +signor?" + +The scar on Simon Turchi's face became of a livid white; his whole frame +trembled with rage; but by a strong effort he controlled his emotion, and +after a few moments he said, with a contemptuous smile upon his lips: + +"Four years ago I took you into my service through pity; I have paid you +well, excused all your faults, your intoxication, your passion for +gambling; I have not dismissed you, although you have deserved it a +hundred times; and now, when for the first time you can be useful to me, +you have not the courage. I wished to try you. What I said was only a +jest. To-morrow, Julio, you will leave my service. You are a liar and a +coward." + +"Do not condemn me so severely, signor," said the servant, in a +supplicating tone of voice. "I am willing to risk my life a thousand times +for you; but to lie in wait for an unknown man and kill him +deliberately--this is an infamous crime of which I am not capable." + +"Hypocrite!" exclaimed Simon Turchi; "you speak as though I were ignorant +of your past history. If a price is set upon your head in the city of +Lucca, if at this moment you are under sentence of death, is it not +because you assassinated or helped to assassinate the Judge Voltaï?" + +These words struck Julio with terror. He replied, humbly: + +"Signor, I have already told you that in this affair I was more +unfortunate than guilty. I was upon the spot where the murder was +committed, and I was arrested with those who gave the fatal blow. Believe +me, I knew nothing of their designs. I do not deny that in a contest or +quarrel I spare no one; but up to this moment my dagger has never shed +blood without provocation." + +Simon fixed his eyes upon his servant, and said in a menacing tone: +"Suppose, in order to avenge myself for thy base ingratitude, I should +make known to the superintendent of Lucca who is the man I have in my +service? Suppose I were to tell him that the real name of Julio Julii is +Pietro Mostajo? Who would be bound hand and foot and sent in the hold of a +ship of war to expiate his crimes upon a scaffold in Italy?" + +Julio turned pale and trembled. He moved restlessly upon his chair, and +complained in a low voice of the false accusations and injustice of men; +but his master eyed all his movements in a scornful manner, until at last +the servant, disconcerted, exclaimed impulsively: + +"Tell me what to do; I am ready!" + +"Will you accomplish my orders with unwavering will and without +hesitation?" + +"I must do so, since you compel me to it! But fear nothing; my decision is +made." + +"And suppose that Geronimo Deodati were my enemy?" + +"Geronimo Deodati!" exclaimed Julio, in indescribable terror. "Geronimo, +your intimate friend? That noble and generous cavalier who loves you as a +brother? He is as gentle as a girl!" + +"He is a false friend, a traitor." + +"Geronimo gave you the wound on your face?[15] He would betray you and +seek your ruin? That is false, false! It is impossible!" + +"He is my mortal enemy. You shall kill him, I say!" exclaimed Simon +Turchi, in a menacing voice. + +"Must I kill the Signor Geronimo? Ah! to what horrible crime would you +urge me?" said Julio, in a plaintive tone. + +Simon seized his servant by the arm, shook him violently, and whispered +hoarsely in his ear: "Pietro Mostajo, remember the superintendent of +Lucca!" + +Julio, as if stupefied, said not a word. + +Simon arose and walked towards the door, saying: "It is well; I will go +and deliver you up to justice." + +The terrified servant sprang after him, retained him, and said, +supplicatingly: "I submit myself to your will, and accept the fate I +cannot escape. I have never before committed a murder; you take his blood +upon yourself, do you not, signor? Tell me when I must accomplish this +horrible crime." + +"This very day, Julio." + +"To-day?--so soon?" + +"To-morrow would be too late." + +"Well, command; the sooner the better." + +"To-day is the eve of May. Geronimo intends to serenade Miss Van de Werve. +Only two lute-players will attend him. He invited me to accompany him. I +will go to bed at the factory under pretence of indisposition; all the +servants will know that I have not left my dwelling. Do you put on the old +Spanish cape which has been laid aside for five years; no one will then +recognize you. You must be in Hoboken Street, near the Dominican Convent, +before eleven o'clock. There is at that spot a well which Geronimo must +pass both in going and returning. Hide behind the well until Geronimo +approaches, then rush upon him and deal him a fatal blow; strike several +times. The lute-players are cowards, and they will run away. Take from the +dead body of Geronimo a pocket-book which you will find in a pocket on the +left side of his doublet; there is in this pocket-book a writing which he +took from me by a cheat. Leave the spot after having accomplished this, +and return by the darkest streets; you will not be discovered. Above all, +do not forget the pocket-book." + +Julio's countenance expressed stupefaction and terror. During the +development of the frightful plot he kept his eyes fixed on his master's +lips, and he continued to stare at him without moving. + +"Well," asked his master, "is not the project cunningly devised?" + +"It is astonishing, astonishing!" stammered the servant, lowering his +eyes. + +"You are ready, I suppose, to strike the blow? But why do you hesitate? +Are you afraid?" + +"No, no; but let me reflect a moment," said Julio. + +After a few minutes of silence, he looked at his master, and said: + +"With your permission, signor, I will say that the plan, as you have +arranged it, appears to me to be fraught with danger to yourself. Suppose +that Geronimo should perceive me too soon and defend himself; that by +chance the lute-players should be men of courage; that I should be wounded +or made prisoner: any of these events might occur. I would certainly be +broken on the wheel or burned alive. That, however, would be of little +consequence, if by my death I could be useful to you. But I am your +servant, and known as such by all your acquaintances; and as I could have +no motive of hatred or vengeance against a cavalier who has never spoken +an unkind word to me, you would be at once suspected of having ordered the +murder." + +"And you, I suppose, would betray me?" said Turchi, with bitter irony. + +"Betray you, signor? that would not save myself; but under torture my +tongue might against my will pronounce your name." + +Simon strode up and down the room, muttering between his teeth with +suppressed rage. His servant glanced at him stealthily, with an almost +imperceptible smile of joy and triumph. + +At last Simon stood still in the middle of the room; the scar on his cheek +was of a fiery red, and his eyes rolled around restlessly. + +"Shall I then be forever ruined? Nothing is left me in the world but +misery and infamy! Julio, is the arm-chair progressing?"[16] + +"The arm-chair! Then the arm-chair was destined as a snare for Geronimo?" +said the servant, stupefied. "What do you mean?" + +"No, no, the chair would come too late!" said Simon Turchi, in an agitated +voice. "Talk no more about it; this evening you must lie in wait for +Geronimo and kill him. It is decided; it must be done!" + +"I know a means to accomplish your purpose without danger either to you or +me, signor," said the servant. + +"Ah, if what you say be true! Tell me this means of safety!" + +"There lives in the parish of Saint Andrew a man of giant stature and +strength; he is named Bufferio; he will do anything for money; whether it +be to beat, wound, or kill a man, it is all the same to him. He fulfils +his mission to the satisfaction of his employers, and he never betrays a +secret. He has five or six intrepid companions engaged in the same trade +as himself; they may be relied upon. Give me money to pay this ruffian, +and you need have no anxiety; Bufferio will think that I am acting from +personal vengeance; besides, he does not know me. Thus neither of us will +be suspected nor accused should the affair prove unsuccessful." + +Simon seemed surprised by Julio's words, and he remained a few moments in +deep thought. By degrees a smile parted his lips; it was evident that the +proposed plan met his approval. He opened his purse and put four gold +pieces in Julio's hand. + +"Is that sufficient?" he asked. + +"You jest, signor," replied the servant. "Four gold pieces for the life of +a nobleman!" + +Simon handed him four more. + +"Will that do?" he said. + +"It is not enough yet." + +"How much will be required?" + +"I do not know. Perhaps twenty crowns." + +"Twenty? I have only fifteen about me, with some small change." + +"Give me all, signor. If I had not enough I should be obliged to return +without concluding the affair." + +Simon heaved a deep sigh and emptied the contents of his purse into +Julio's hand. + +"You will bring me back what is left, will you not?" + +"Certainly; but I do not think much will remain." + +"Come, Julio, I am in a hurry to return to the factory. Fulfil your +mission skilfully, and I will recompense you largely. But a thought +strikes me. The pocket-book must not fall into the hands of Bufferio." + +"I had forgotten that," said Julio, embarrassed. + +"Ah! I have it!" said Simon Turchi, after a moment's reflection, "A little +before ten o'clock you must go to the house of Geronimo and tell him I am +ill with fever, and that I have sent you in my place to accompany him +armed. Follow him closely, and when he falls, take the pocket-book from +him. Tell Bufferio that it is an unimportant document." + +Julio made a movement of displeasure on receiving this new order. He had +rejoiced in the idea of not being obliged to witness this wicked attack, +and now he was commanded to take part in it. For fear of being subjected +to something worse, he did not venture to make any remark. + +"Go now," said Simon Turchi, "and get the old Spanish cape. It may serve +to disguise you from Bufferio. Gird on a sword also, that Geronimo may +think you are armed for the purpose of defending him in case of attack." + +The servant took the lamp from the table and prepared to obey the order. + +"What are you doing?" said his master. "Are you going to leave me in the +dark? Are you afraid to go without a light?" + +"I might knock my head against the beams, for I have forgotten where the +cape was put." + +"You had it in your hands only three days ago. You are afraid in the dark, +Julio. Take the lamp." + +The servant soon returned. He had the Spanish cape around his shoulders. +It was a wide cloak, in which the whole body might be wrapped; and when +the hood was drawn down it entirely concealed the face. + +The master and servant descended the staircase in silence and approached +the little garden-gate. There Julio put the lamp upon the ground and +extinguished it. + +The lock grated as the key turned; the door was opened and closed, and +Simon Turchi and his servant disappeared in the dark and solitary street. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION--THE ASSASSINATOR SLAIN. + + +A black shadow gliding like an almost impalpable spot, might be seen +moving along the street of Saint John. + +Thick clouds covered the sky. Not a star was visible. Here and there--at +the corners of the streets and alleys--flickered a small lamp, lighted +before an image of the Virgin; but these slight flames, far from +diminishing the obscurity, shone in the foggy atmosphere as glowworms in +the woods, which glitter but do not give light. + +Silence reigned in the deserted streets. If the inhabitants, behind their +oaken windows, heard occasionally some sound interrupting the stillness of +the night, it was the hurried step of some benighted artisan who made as +much noise as possible with his feet in order to frighten away the +robbers; or it was the slow tread of a highwayman, who, listening +attentively and peering through the darkness, was on the watch for his +prey; or it might be the watchmen, who cried the hour and made the +pavement resound under the stroke of their halberds as if to give +evil-doers a warning of their approach. + +The shadow gliding at this moment along the street of St. John was that of +a man completely enveloped in a large cloak, his head so covered by the +hood that his eyes alone were visible. As in passing before an image of +the Virgin a feeble ray from a lamp fell upon him, one might have seen as +he hurried along that his hand rested on the hilt of his sword. + +Was this person an evil-doer, bent upon the commission of some crime, or, +fearing danger, was he securing to himself the means of defence? + +However that may be, he pursued his way undisturbed and reached a narrow +winding alley, from beneath the ground of which seemed to proceed the +confused noise of many voices. + +The man stopped at the entrance of a cellar, to which admission was gained +by a ladder, and listened to the joyous sounds which issued from within. + +He put his hand in his pocket and chinked some pieces of money. + +"The sign of the _Silver Dice_!" said he, sighing. "How merry they are! +The dice are rolling upon the table. Shall I not risk a shilling? Only +one?" + +Yielding to the irresistible temptation, he placed his foot upon the +ladder; but a sudden thought seemed to arrest him. He sprang back, +trembling, and hastened from the cellar. A little farther in the street he +stopped and murmured in an anxious voice: + +"Heavens! what was I about to do? Risk the money upon dice? I would +certainly have lost the whole. Pietro Mostajo, do not forget the +Superintendent of Lucca! I am saved. Infernal temptation! I was about to +stake my head. But, perhaps, I would not be unlucky. I might win a +fortune. The temptation returns. No, no, I must go seek Bufferio, and I +have no time to lose. He lives yonder: a low dark door beside the pump." + +As he said these last words, he proceeded down the alley, but soon stopped +near the pump, and said in an undertone: + +"Bufferio lives here. How dark it is! I can hardly see the door; but I am +not mistaken. Here the terrible ruffian has his lair. Strange, how I +tremble! Perhaps it is a warning of some misfortune about to happen to me! +Suppose they should take my money and murder me to conceal the theft. What +shall I do? Shall I tell my master that I could not find Bufferio? Alas! +the Superintendent of Lucca!" + +After a moment of anxious thought he walked towards the low door, saying, +with a sigh: + +"Come, come; I can do nothing else. Of two evils choose the least!" + +Although his words indicated an energetic resolution, his hand trembled as +he raised the knocker of the little door and twice let it fall. + +It gave out a deep hollow sound, as though it were the door of a vault for +the dead. + +A long time passed, and no noise within gave evidence that his call was +heeded. + +The visitor became still more terrified in the supposition, that no one +was in the house, and that consequently he would be obliged to return, +without concluding the affair, to his master, who would not believe him. + +In the little dark door was a small opening, protected by a grating. +Behind the iron bars two eyes were fixed on the person who had knocked, +and if he had been left apparently unnoticed, it was probably because two +inquisitive eyes endeavored to pierce the darkness in order to recognize +the untimely visitor. + +A harsh voice at last asked from behind the grating: + +"Who knocked?" + +The man in the cloak started back. The unexpected question so close to his +ear made him tremble violently. However, he soon controlled himself and +replied in Italian: + +"Woman, I do not understand the Flemish tongue. You must know Italian, as +Bufferio is a Roman. Tell me if Bufferio is at home." + +"Who are you?" she replied, in Italian jargon. + +"Who am I? I come to arrange a secret affair with Bufferio, and I do not +choose to tell my name." + +"You are an agent of the bailiff, and you wish to deceive me. Go on your +way and leave me in peace. Bufferio is not at home." + +The man took some pieces of silver from his pocket and rattled them +together. + +"You are mistaken, woman. I have need of the services of Bufferio for an +important affair. He may gain a few crowns of gold. I come with the cash +in hand: you understand." + +Two bolts grated in their rusty staples, and the door opened. + +"Enter, signor," said the woman, "and follow me." + +"I do not see you; it is as black as Erebus; where is the staircase?" +cried out the other. + +"Follow me, signor. Give me your hand; I will precede you." + +She seized the hand of the visitor, and whilst guiding him to the +staircase, she said: + +"Your hand trembles, signor. Are you afraid?" + +"I afraid!" said the other, in a faltering voice. "Afraid of what? The +darkness makes me totter." + +"It may be, signor; but I thought your hand was cold and trembling. Here +is the staircase; now follow me." + +The man ascended the staircase behind her, stumbling up the well-worn +steps, striking his head and elbows against invisible objects, and +grumbling and swearing as if to show that he was not agitated by fear. + +Having reached the first story, the woman opened a door and introduced her +companion into a room lighted by the smoking flame of an iron lamp. She +showed him a miserable chair, and said: + +"Sit down, signor, if you please, and wait a while. I will go call +Bufferio, he is engaged at play in the neighborhood. Should any one knock +at the door during my absence, pay no attention to it; I will lock the +door on the outside and take the key with me." + +The man looked at her surprised and troubled. Her bony limbs, the gray +locks which fell upon her cheeks, her large mouth and long teeth, made her +appear to his eyes a hideous being, a worthy companion for Bufferio. + +He listened to the sound of her receding steps, until he heard the key +grate in the lock of the door. + +Then he looked around him and examined with mistrust and surprise the +apartment of Bufferio and the objects it contained. + +The room was neither well furnished nor clean: a table, three rickety +chairs, an oaken bench, a few earthenware vessels near the fireplace, and +a bed, constituted all the furniture. It was not, however, these common +objects which fixed the gaze of the visitor. What he could not see without +shuddering, was the number of strange arms suspended all around the walls +of the room. In the midst of rusty swords, sharp daggers and knives of +every size and shape, he saw short clubs with iron heads, steel chains +like the bit of a horse, ropes with running knots, and various other +articles whose use was inexplicable to him, although he was convinced that +these singular instruments were intended for no good purpose. + +On the table, beside the lamp, was a large knife, and near it a piece of +linen and some sand for scouring, showing that the woman had been occupied +in cleaning these arms when the knock at the door interrupted her. + +All these instruments of murder filled with terror the heart of the man +who was contemplating them. He turned his eyes away from them, trembling +as he reflected upon the horror of his position. However, a few moments +only were left him, for the door of the house soon opened and he heard +steps on the staircase. + +The woman entered and said: + +"Bufferio will soon be here. When he has the dice in his hand, it is +difficult to tear him away. Nevertheless, he will come. I think, signor, +that he has drank deeply. Look well to yourself, and if you value your +life, do not irritate him, for he would make as little scruple of +maltreating you as he would of crushing a worm. Apart from that, he is the +best man in the world." + +She seated herself at the table, took up the knife and linen, and +continued her occupation, whilst observing the stranger with a suspicious +eye. + +He had pulled the hood of the cloak over his face and seated himself in +silence, fixing his eye vaguely upon space, like a man wearied by long +waiting. He was deeply agitated, and from time to time his whole frame +shook. Every time that he glanced towards the table he met the penetrating +look of the frightful Megæra, who, while continuing to clean the blade of +the large knife, considered him from head to foot, and seemed endeavoring +to discover who he was and with what intention he had come. + +At last, no longer able to resist his feeling of anxiety, he rose and +said: + +"Woman, show me the way out. I have not time to wait longer. I will return +to-morrow, during the day." + +"I hear Bufferio whistling in the street," she replied. + +"He is even now placing the key in the door." + +The stranger, as if perfectly satisfied with this intelligence, fell back +in his chair, with a suppressed sigh, and listened in an agony of fear to +the heavy footsteps on the staircase. + +Bufferio appeared at the door, and looked distrustfully at the man who had +interrupted him at his game. + +The ruffian Bufferio was of giant build. He was obliged to stoop in order +to enter the door. His head was thrown back defiantly, and his hand rested +upon the hilt of a dagger which was held by his girdle. A broad-brimmed +hat shaded his face; his whole dress was of dark-brown cloth, scarcely +distinguishable in the darkness of night. Under his prominent eyebrows +twinkled very small eyes, and a cruel, withering smile played about his +mouth. + +He made an imperious gesture to the woman and pointed to the door. She +left the room grumbling, but gave no other evidence of dissatisfaction. + +The ruffian shut the door, took a chair, and said to the stranger, in a +rough and coarse voice: + +"_Perche me disturba?_ Why do you disturb me? Who are you?" + +This question was very embarrassing to the stranger. He replied, +stammering: + +"Is it necessary, Signor Bufferio, that you should know my name before +doing me a service for which I will pay you liberally?" + +On hearing these words, the ruffian struck his forehead with his hand, as +if he thought he recognized the voice of the visitor; but he did not stop +to reflect longer. + +"Come tell me quickly what you want; they are waiting for me at the tavern +of the _Silver Dice_, and I have no time to lose." + +"It is an affair of importance, Signor Bufferio." + +"Yes; my wife told me I might gain a few crowns of gold. Speak. Why do you +beat about the bush in this manner? What embarrasses you? Do you think +you are dealing with a dishonest man? Fear nothing. Not a hair of your +head shall be touched in my house." + +This assurance restored the stranger's confidence, and he said, in a more +steady voice: + +"Signor Bufferio, you must know that I have an enemy who insults and +outrages me, and who threatens to drive me to ruin." + +"I understand. You wish to be avenged by my instrumentality." + +"Yes, signor. How many golden crowns do you ask for such a service?" + +"That depends upon the rank of the individual, and upon the kind of +service you desire. A few blows with a stick, a scratch on the face, do +not cost as much as a mortal wound." + +"The wound must be mortal, signor." + +"And who is your enemy? A nobleman or a common citizen? Rich or poor?" + +"He is a nobleman, signor, and the possessor of an ample fortune." + +"A nobleman? And who are you, who make yourself responsible for payment?" + +"I am a poor servant out of service." + +The ruffian smiled incredulously. + +"Ah!" said he, ironically, "a poor servant out of service! Come, throw +back your hood. You have red hair; you often play at dice; your name is +Julio; you live near the bridge _De la Vigne_ with the Signor Simon +Turchi. Is not that true? You were trying to deceive me." + +Julio, thus unexpectedly recognized, was mute from astonishment, and, +trembling from head to foot, stared at the ruffian, who did not appear in +the least displeased, but said, in an encouraging tone: + +"Be calm; you need not be disturbed because I know who you are. My trade +is to keep the most important affairs secret. Fear nothing, I will not +betray you." + +It was some minutes before Julio had recovered himself sufficiently to +speak. + +"I am sorry that you know my name," said he; "but no matter. I desire to +know, Signor Bufferio, what price you demand for ridding me forever of my +enemy?" + +"Your enemy?" said the ruffian, laughing. "A gentleman your enemy? You are +still endeavoring to deceive me. You mean your master's enemy?" + +"No, my personal enemy, who has calumniated me to my master, and who has +striven to have me ignominiously discharged." + +"And you offer me golden crowns? How long is it since servants became +possessed of such treasures? You request to have a mortal wound inflicted +upon a gentleman? Well, you must give me fifteen gold crowns." + +"Fifteen crowns!" exclaimed Julio, with assumed astonishment. "So large a +sum! I do not own that much." + +"Then pay me twelve; but it must be in advance, before I strike the blow." + +"I will pay you immediately, before leaving." + +"Give me your hand, Julio; it is a bargain. Now tell me exactly what you +or your master requires of me." + +"Not my master: I alone." + +"It is all the same. What am I to do, and when is it to be done?" + +"This very night, Bufferio." + +"To-night? This will oblige me to renounce my game with the Portuguese +sailor; and yet I might have won some gold pieces there." + +"Listen, Signor Bufferio. To-night, at eleven o'clock, a young nobleman, +accompanied by two lute-players, will come from the direction of the +convent of the Dominicans; he will turn the corner at Prince Street, and +will proceed towards the church of St. James. He will thus be obliged to +pass before the stone well at the head of Hoboken Street. You will conceal +yourself behind the well with two or three faithful companions, and as the +young gentleman passes, you will attack and kill him." + +"The affair has been well planned," remarked the ruffian. "I could manage +it by myself; but since you desire it, I will take with me a couple of my +brave companions. How will I recognize the one I am to strike?" + +"His dress is entirely brown, and his cap is ornamented with a white +plume; in the darkness you will be able to perceive only the white plume: +that will be a certain sign." + +Bufferio shook his head doubtfully. + +"Have you nothing else to observe?" he asked. + +"I will merely inform you that I will accompany the young gentleman, and +when he falls, I will take from his person a writing, which, if it were +discovered, might involve me in great danger. You will recognize me by +this Spanish cape, and I will cry out very loud, that you and your men may +know that I am not an enemy." + +"Now where are the gold crowns?" + +"Do you accept the commission, Bufferio?" + +"I will fulfil it as though I were laboring for myself." + +Julio took from his pocket some gold crowns, then continued to draw them +out one by one, until he held twelve in his hand. He endeavored to conceal +from the ruffian that he possessed more than the sum agreed upon; but +Bufferio must have suspected his intention, for he smiled, and said in a +decided manner: + +"You have more gold crowns. I knew it from the first; people do not +generally enter into such affairs with only the sum absolutely required. +You need not deceive me. Give me the stipulated amount; I ask no more." + +As soon as the other had handed him the money, Bufferio approached the +lamp, examined and weighed each piece of gold, and then said: + +"It is good coin. Have no anxiety, Julio, I will go for my comrades. There +is but little time left--only a good half hour." + +Julio took leave of the ruffian, and was about to quit the room, but he +stopped and said: "Signor Bufferio, you will not tell your companions who +requested this service of you?" + +"I tell nothing to my companions. The proverb says, If you wish to lose +your liberty, trust your secrets to others." + +"You perfectly understand what you have to do?" + +"Yes, yes. At eleven o'clock, behind the well in Hoboken. Street, a young +gentleman with a white plume in his hat. Be quiet, I myself will deal the +blow, and I will not miss the mark." + +"Adieu, Bufferio." + +"Adieu, Julio." + +The ruffian accompanied the servant to the lower story, opened the door of +the street, and closed it behind him. + +When Julio found himself in the open air, he walked a short distance, then +stopped, drew a long breath as if a heavy weight had fallen from his +shoulders, and said, joyously: + +"Heavens! what an escape! I doubt if I am really alive. The difficult +affair is at last concluded. The signor says that I am a coward. I would +like to see him in that room with that infernal woman and the terrible +Bufferio. Now I must go to Geronimo. My greatest difficulty is yet to +come. If I get through it successfully, I may well say that I was born +under a lucky star. But I cannot tarry, I have still a long distance to +walk." + +He quickened his pace and soon reached the street on which the Dominican +Convent stood; he passed the Abbey of Saint Michael and the Mint, and +entered the grand square without being molested. + +On the way he kept his hand in his pocket, that he might enjoy the +pleasure of passing the gold coin through his fingers. He muttered to +himself that he had gained three gold crowns which his master would never +see again, were he to live a hundred years. Once free from his present +care and anxiety, he would take his seat at a gaming-table, where he would +remain all day, and perhaps he could win heaps of gold. + +Absorbed in these thoughts, he reached Geronimo's residence and knocked at +the door. It was soon opened, and he was conducted into a room on the +ground floor, where the young gentleman, in his cap and cloak, seemed to +be waiting the arrival of friends. + +"Peace be to this house!" said Julio, bowing. "Signor, I bring you a +message which I would deliver with more pleasure were it less sad. My poor +master is ill with fever, and is unable to leave his bed. He begs you to +excuse him from accompanying you to-night to the serenade." + +Geronimo's countenance assumed an expression of deep compassion. The young +man concluded that his own happiness, his approaching marriage with Miss +Van de Werve, had touched the heart of his poor friend, and that his +present state of health was the consequence of these painful emotions. + +"Did the fever attack him suddenly, Julio?" he asked. "Is he very ill?" + +"No, signor. It may not have any bad consequences; but he could not +venture to expose himself to the cold and damp night-air." + +Geronimo seemed in deep thought. + +"Signor, my master did not send me solely to inform you of his +indisposition; he directed me to accompany you to the serenade, and to +protect you in case of danger. He knows how courageous I am, and that were +five or six to attack you, I would not flee before them." + +"I accept your services, Julio. You always seemed to me to be a devoted +servant. The lute-players have not yet arrived. Go to the kitchen and tell +the cook to give you a pint of beer." + +Julio went to the kitchen, but found the cook asleep. He awoke him, gave +him his master's order, and received the pint of beer. + +He expected, while drinking, to talk with the servant, and he had +commenced speaking of quarrels, combats, knives, and the heroic deeds in +which he had been the actor, but the servant had scarcely seated himself +before he fell again into a deep sleep. Julio emptied his glass in +silence, until a knock at the door and the sound of stringed instruments +announced the arrival of the lute-players. + +Geronimo called him, and on entering the ante-chamber he found Geronimo +ready to go out with the lute-players. + +Julio was troubled on remarking that these latter were armed. If these +people were brave men, Bufferio and his comrades would have to deal with +an equal number of adversaries. Who could foresee the termination of the +struggle? However, he felt reassured on reflecting that Geronimo and the +lute-players, being attacked unexpectedly, would not have time to defend +themselves. + +They left the house together, passed the Dominican Convent, and soon +reached Prince Street, at the upper end of which was the stone well behind +which Bufferio was concealed, if he had been faithful to his promise. + +Up to that time Julio had walked in advance of the others, in order to +appear bold and intrepid; he now commenced to fall back, and placed +himself in the rear. His heart failed him; for, however well the plans +had been laid, the blow might miss its aim, or might not cause death. + +They were within about one hundred feet of the well. + +The young gentleman, wholly ignorant of the danger which threatened him, +was thinking of his unhappy friend, Simon Turchi, overpowered by a heart +sorrow, tossing on a bed of suffering, while he was on his way to serenade +his beloved Mary. He also, in his own mind, deplored the involved +condition of Simon's business affairs, and determined to save him, even at +the cost of great personal sacrifices, as soon as his marriage would +render him independent. + +What would the young cavalier have thought had he known that at a few +steps, distance from him, three assassins, hired by Simon Turchi, were +lying in wait to kill him. But no, his mind was filled with compassion and +affectionate feelings for his cruel enemy. + +The little band was not far from Hoboken Street; Julio gazed fixedly into +the darkness to discover if any one was near the well. + +Suddenly he perceived a dark shadow advancing. Trembling in an agony of +fear, and in order to make himself known to the ruffians, Julio suddenly +drew his sword and exclaimed: + +"_Al assassino! Ajusto! ajusto!_ Murder! help! help!" + +But he had spoken too soon for the success of his designs; for, being put +upon his guard by this exclamation, Geronimo drew his sword, and placed +his back against the wall of the house that he might not be assailed from +behind. + +The lute-players, screaming from fright, ran away, and Julio stood in the +middle of the street brandishing his sword. + +All this had passed almost instantaneously after the first alarm given by +Julio. The man whom he had seen coming from the well, followed by two +companions, rushed to the side of the street where Geronimo had made a +stand to defend himself. The assassin, who was in advance of the two +others, fell upon Geronimo and gave him a sword-thrust which he supposed +pierced his body; but a skilful movement parried the blow, and the +aggressor himself fell with such force upon Geronimo's sword that the +blade passed through his body. + +The assassin fell heavily, and in a plaintive voice, as though bidding +adieu to life, exclaimed: + +"_O mojo!_ I die! Bufferio is dead!" + +Disregarding the villain who had fallen, the gentleman rushed upon the +other two and wounded one in the shoulder. Convinced that they had to deal +with a powerful and skilful adversary, they turned and fled, Geronimo +pursuing them far beyond the well. + +Julio followed him, crying, vociferating, and striking with his sword in +the dark, as though he were contending with numerous enemies. When +Geronimo returned with the servant to the spot where he had left the dead +body of the ruffian, he found three or four watchmen calling for help. +Many heads were thrust from the windows, and one citizen even ventured out +of his house with a lamp in his hand. + +The watchmen, having inquired as to what had taken place, examined the +body to see if there were any signs of life. + +"Leave him!" said one; "it is Bufferio. God be praised! the man has at +last met the fate which he deserved." + +In the meantime, Julio had commenced to boast. He related that he had to +deal with two assassins at once, that he had wounded one in the face, and +pierced the other with his sword. How the latter had been able to run +away, was unaccountable; no doubt he would be found near at hand, dead or +dying. + +The young gentleman, who really believed the story of Turchi's servant, +thanked him for his assistance, and acknowledged that he owed his life to +him, as he had given the warning of the approach of the assassins. + +The dead body was removed behind the well until the city authorities +should order its burial. + +The head watchman approached Geronimo, and said to him: + +"Where do you live, signor? Two of my men will accompany you, lest some +other accident might befall you. Do not refuse the offer. The villains who +escaped might be on the watch for you, in order to avenge the death of +their companions." + +"What shall I do?" said the gentleman to Julio. "I cannot give the +serenade without the lute-players, and, besides, I could not sing after +such emotion. But Miss Van de Werve is expecting it, and if I do not go, +she will imagine that some accident has happened to me. It would be better +for me to see Mr. Van de Werve, so as to remove any cause of anxiety. I +accept your offer, watchmen, and I will liberally recompense the services +you render me. I must return to Kipdorp, and you will do me the favor to +wait a few minutes, in order to accompany me to my dwelling. Follow me." + +Geronimo, the watchmen, and Julio soon reached the residence of Mr. Van de +Werve. He knocked, and was immediately admitted. + +The young gentleman again thanked Julio with the liveliest gratitude for +his assistance, and promised to tell his master how courageously he had +acted, and the eminent services he had rendered him. + +Julio bade adieu, and hastened to his master's dwelling. He was about to +knock, but, to his great terror, the door was opened at once, as though +some one were waiting for him. + +"Is it you, Julio?" asked a man, in the darkness. + +The servant recognized his master's voice, and entered the door. + +"Well," said he, in a stifled tone, "is he dead?" + +"Who?" + +"Who! Geronimo?" + +"On the contrary, Bufferio is dead. Geronimo ran him through the body." + +"Then you have not the pocket-book?" + +"Certainly not." + +"And the gold crowns?" + +"I gave them to Bufferio." + +"Pietro Mostajo, you have betrayed me!" hissed the infuriated signor in +the ear of his servant, shaking him convulsively by the arm. "Tell me +quickly what has happened! Tremble, stupid coward! the Superintendent of +Lucca shall know who you are!" + +"_Ebbene che sia!_" answered Julio. "Then the Signor Geronimo shall also +know who hired Bufferio to assassinate him." + +A hoarse cry like a stifled groan resounded through the vestibule. The +door was closed. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +VAN DE WERVE'S RECEPTION--SIMON TURCHI'S JEALOUSY AND HATRED. + + +Mr. Van de Werve, whose large fortune justified a lavish expenditure, was +accustomed to receive at his residence every month the principal gentlemen +of Antwerp, strangers as well as citizens. His love for art and science +induced him to bring together the best artists and the most noted literary +men of the day with the high-born, wealthy, and influential members of +society at Antwerp; and his house had become the rendezvous of all that +was excellent and celebrated in the city. + +Nearly the whole of the anterior part of the house was occupied by a vast +hall, called the _Ancestral Hall_, because it was decorated by numberless +souvenirs of his illustrious family. The walls, for a certain distance +were sculptured in oak wood, so artistically designed, and so delicately +wrought, that at the first glance it looked like embroidery in various +colors. To produce this effect, the natural brown of the oak had been left +in some places. All the rest shone with gold and silver, which was +relieved by a beautiful scarlet, brilliant yellow, and the softest +sky-blue. The many small figures scattered over the ornaments were highly +gilded. From the wooden wainscot arose slight pillars, which, uniting in +the Gothic style, supported the heavy beams of the ceiling. Six of these +beams were visible: all were covered with highly colored sculptures. Their +decorations harmonized with, those of the wainscot, and seemed an +expansion of it, as though the architect wished the exquisite ornaments of +the beams of the ceiling to be considered a luxuriant verdure, springing +from trunks rooted in the oaken wainscot. + +The escutcheon of the Van de Werve family, together with the families +allied to them, was artistically sculptured in the wood. The emblems and +devices were in profusion: lions, wild boars, eagles, ermines, bands and +crosses of gold, silver, green, and blue quartz, so numerous and +sparkling, that when the noonday sun penetrated into the hall, the eye +could with difficulty bear the dazzling magnificence. + +The armorial bearings of the Van de Werves, Lords of Schilde, painted in +larger proportions than the others, were at the extremity of the hall. +They consisted of a black boar on a field of gold, quartered by three +chevrons of silver on black, surmounted by a helmet ornamented by +mantlings of black and gold, and above this was a boar's head. + +Around these family arms shone a large number of escutcheons of smaller +size; among others, the coat of arms of the Wyneghem, the Van Immerseel, +the Van Wilre, the Van Mildert, the Van Coolput, the Van Bruloch, and the +Van Zymaer, families the most nearly related to that of Van de Werve. + +Above the wainscot, within the niches formed by the pillars, hung the +portraits of some of the most illustrious ancestors of William Van de +Werve, as well as his own, in which he was represented as captain of a +German company in the service of Charles V. + +The portraits did not occupy all the panels formed in the richly carved +oak. In a large number appeared valuable paintings from the pencil of the +most celebrated masters of Netherlands. The eye rested on the creations of +the immortal brothers Van Eyck, the touching Quintin Massys, the +intellectual Roger Van der Weydens, the spiritual Jerome Bosch, the +laborious Lucas de Leyde, and others whose names were favorably mentioned +in the world of art. + +In a corner of the room, beside the fireplace, stood a piano richly +enamelled in woods of different colors, and upon it lay two lutes and a +violin--a proof that the charming art of music was cultivated by the +family of Mr. Van de Werve. + +From the ceiling were suspended six gilded chandeliers; on the mantelpiece +were two candelabras; along the walls, where the pillars formed +projections, numerous sconces were fastened; and when Mr. Van de Werve +received his friends in the evening, the reflection of the numberless wax +candles from the many gold and silver ornaments gave a princely air to the +hall. + +Three days after the attempted assassination of Geronimo by the ruffian +Bufferio, Mr. Van de Werve was to entertain his friends in the evening, it +being the time appointed for their reunion. Although he had been deeply +moved by the murderous assault, and his daughter Mary had scarcely +recovered from the shock, he had not withdrawn the invitations, hoping +that the social gathering might help to dissipate painful thoughts. + +At the appointed hour the dwelling of Mr. Van de Werve was in a blaze of +light. The large double door was thrown open, and in the vast hall were +crowds of domestics, the attendants of the guests who had already arrived. + +The large parlor was filled with persons of different conditions and ages. +There were, however, only men present, for this evening was by a previous +arrangement to be devoted to artists, men of letters, and notable men of +commerce. + +The first salutations had been exchanged among the guests of Mr. Van de +Werve; they had separated according to their pleasure in different groups, +and were engaged in cordial and familiar conversation. + +Five or six of the more aged were seated near a table examining some new +works which excited their admiration; others, whose more simple attire +proclaimed them to be artists, were showing each other their designs; +another party, evidently formed of young noblemen, surrounded Geronimo, +and were asking particulars of the recent attempt upon his life. + +At the end of the room, not far from the fireplace, were collected the +foreigners who were engaged in commerce at Antwerp. Although they had +assembled for amusement, they were conversing, through habit, upon the +expected arrival of vessels, and the price of gold and different kinds of +merchandise. Among these foreigners was to be seen every description of +costume, and every variety of tongue could be heard. The Spaniard found +himself beside a native of Lucca, the Portuguese near the Florentine, the +English with the Genoese, the German next to the Venetian; and, as on +Change at Antwerp, they found means to understand each other. + +Mr. Van de Werve had at first remained near the door in order to welcome +his guests as they entered; but supposing that the greater part of those +invited had arrived, he left this place and was walking from group to +group, joining in conversation for a few moments, and saying some pleasant +words to each. + +The old Deodati had seated himself in an arm-chair apart. So many had +welcomed him on his arrival at Antwerp, and he had been the object of so +much polite attention, that, being fatigued from standing and talking, he +was now seeking some repose. + +By his side was Simon Turchi, conversing familiarly and in a low tone with +the old man. The hypocrite feigned an extraordinary affection for the +venerable nobleman, and flattered him by every expression of respect and +esteem. They had already spoken of the attempted assassination, and Simon +Turchi had expressed his astonishment, for he did not believe that +Geronimo had an enemy in the world. It was quite likely that Bufferio had +made a mistake as to the individual, a thing which might easily have +happened in so dark a night. + +While Simon Turchi, with apparent calmness, thus conversed with the old +gentleman, he was evidently meditating some wicked design; for while +talking, his eyes incessantly wandered to Geronimo, and he endeavored to +divine from his countenance the subject of his conversation. He did not +for one instant lose sight of Mary's betrothed. + +After speaking of the assassination, the old Deodati glanced around the +room upon the different groups of guests, and he asked Turchi: + +"Who is the gentleman in purple velvet, who is the object of such marked +respect from the merchants around him? I do not mean the tall old man, I +am acquainted with him, he is the rich Fugger of Augsburg; I am speaking +of the one who stands beside him." + +"He is a banker, signor," replied Simon Turchi. "He is very rich, and his +name is Lazarus Tucher. The gentleman before him is the head of the house +of the Hochstetter. The gentlemen conversing with him belong to the +distinguished commercial houses of the Gigli, the Spignoli, and the +Gualterotti. A little apart, and behind them, is Don Pezoa, the +superintendent of the king of Portugal; he is speaking with Diégo d'Aro, +and Antonio de Vaglio, superintendents from Spain. The gentlemen near them +are Italian and Portuguese merchants, whose names I could tell you, for I +know them all, but such details would not interest you." + +"I am indebted to you for your kindness, Signor Turchi," replied Deodati. +"My nephew, Geronimo, would give me all this information, but he is +surrounded by his young friends, and as he sees me with you, he is +undoubtedly convinced that I could not be in better or more agreeable +company. Have the kindness to tell me the name of the fine-looking old man +seated near the table, and to give me some information regarding those who +are listening to him with so much attention." + +"Around the table, signor, are the most learned men of Netherlands. That +gray-headed orator is the old Graphæus, secretary of the city of Antwerp, +and the author of several well written Latin works. The young man, on +whose shoulder he leans, is his son, Alexander, who is also very learned. +Before him is seated Abraham Ortelius, the great geographer, who is +regarded as the Ptolemy of his age. Beside Ortelius is his friend and +fellow-laborer Gerard, also a learned geographer, and one of the +luminaries of the day. The only one whose dress indicates his Italian +birth is Louis Guicciardini, a Florentine gentleman, who is here for the +purpose of collecting materials for an extensive work on the Low +Countries, and particularly on the powerful commercial city of Antwerp. +The gentleman plainly dressed, with a black beard, holding a book in his +hand, is Christopher Plantin; he is engaged in establishing at Antwerp a +printing-press of great importance. Its dimensions are so large that it +will occupy the ground on which several spacious houses now stand; +hundreds of workmen will be employed all day in composing, correcting, and +printing books in every civilized tongue. You must not fail, signor, to +visit the building; even in its unfinished state it will cause you +astonishment." + +"The Netherlands is a favored country," said the old Deodati. "If the +climate is not as mild as in our own beautiful Italy, the men are bold, +active, intelligent, industrious, and learned, and they possess all the +qualifications requisite for the material prosperity and moral progress of +a nation. I am surprised to see you, who are a foreigner, as well +acquainted with the inhabitants as a native." + +"I have lived here many years," replied Turchi. "These gentlemen are +frequent visitors at the house of Mr. Van de Werve, and I have seen them +so often, that I know them as old friends. Look at the corner near the +piano, where those collected together laugh merrily, jest, and chat +socially. You may easily recognize them by their light playful manners as +artists." + +"Yes. Is not that handsome man with noble features Frans Floris, the +Flemish Raphael?" + +"Yes; he was presented to you yesterday by Mr. Van de Werve, and you may +remember how enthusiastically he eulogized Italian art." + +"Near him is a singular-looking person; his very attitude is amusing, and +his gestures force one to laugh." + +"He is Peter Breughel, a humorist, who so designs his pictures that they +seem painted only by way of jest. He is, however, in good repute as an +artist. I saw recently one of his pictures in which he represents the +Saviour carrying his cross to Calvary. In this he represents pilgrims with +their staves, Spanish soldiers in doublets, monks and nuns; there is even +a statue of the Blessed Virgin suspended on a tree, and that at a time +when there was no Christianity, no Saint James of Compostella, neither +convents nor Spaniards." + +"That is indeed singular," said Deodati, smiling. "It seems to me that +such conceits do but very little honor to the artist. Is it a custom among +other artists in the Netherlands to sport thus with holy things?" + +"No; Signor Breughel is an exception. The other gentlemen in company with +the Flemish Raphael are more serious men. Michael Coxie, whom you may +distinguish by the gray doublet, excels in his portraits of women. The +handsome young man standing behind him is Martin de Vos, a pupil of +Floris; he evinces a high order of talent and gives promise of great +perfection in his art. The others, as well as I can recognize them at this +distance, are Lambert Van Noord, Egide Mostaert, William Key, Bernard de +Rycke, and the two brothers Henry and Martin Van Cleef, all celebrated +historical, fancy, or portrait painters. Near them is Master Grimmer, a +famous landscape-painter; and the gentleman now speaking is a certain Ack +of Antwerp, who has painted the large glass windows of the church of Saint +Gudula at Brussels. The old man sitting apart near the piano is Christian; +he has marvellous skill in playing on many instruments, but he excels most +on the violin. You will probably hear him this evening." + +Simon Turchi continued to converse familiarly with the Signor Deodati, who +was charmed with his intelligence, but still more with the kind +consideration which made him refrain from joining in the general +conversation in order to entertain an old man. + +Geronimo had several times approached his uncle, but each time the latter +had playfully sent him away, telling him that the agreeable company of the +Signor Turchi sufficed for him, and that he preferred a quiet +conversation. + +In the meantime the conversation among the guests had become more general. +Noblemen and bankers, merchants and literary men, manufacturers and +artists, were mingling with each other; rank and condition were +disregarded, and the animated conversation of the company resounded +through the hall like the humming of a swarm of bees. + +At this moment the servants entered, bringing silver waiters on which were +wines of every description, pastry, cakes, rare fruits, and other +refreshments. + +They passed through the room offering the wines to the guests. + +"Gentlemen, a glass of Malmsey, Rhenish wine, claret, sherry, Muscatel?" + +Whilst these delicious drinks and delicacies were thus distributed, +Geronimo never lost sight of Mr. Van de Werve, but observed him with an +eye full of hope and expectation. + +When at last he saw Mr. Van de Werve leave the room, a bright smile +illumined his face. Geronimo knew that Mr. Van de Werve sometimes +gratified his friends and acquaintances by allowing his beautiful daughter +to be present at their evening reunion for about an hour, and he had been +impatiently awaiting the moment when the young girl would appear. + +Simon Turchi, although apparently so unmoved, had constantly watched +Mary's betrothed, noticed the radiant expression of his countenance, and +understood the cause. + +Mary was coming! Perhaps the whole company would know that his suit had +been rejected, and that Geronimo had succeeded where the powerful +administrator of the house of Buonvisi had failed! + +This thought deeply wounded his pride. He scowled at Geronimo, who was +looking in another direction. Rage and jealousy goaded him almost to +madness; he felt that the scar on his face, by its deepening hue, would +betray his emotion, and to conceal it he covered his eyes with his hand. + +Deodati asked him with interest: + +"What is the matter, Signor Turchi? Are you ill?" + +"The heat is intolerable," said Simon, endeavoring to master his feelings. + +"Heat?" murmured Deodati; "it does not seem to me very warm. Shall I +accompany you for a few moments to the garden, signor?" + +But Turchi raised his head, and smiling in an unconcerned manner, said: + +"Many thanks, signor, for your kindness. I feel much better. I had been +looking too long at the large lustre, and its brilliant light made me +dizzy. But let us rise, signor, there is the beautiful Mary, _la bionda +maraviglia_!" + +Mr. Van de Werve appeared at this moment at the door, and introduced his +beloved child. A murmur of admiration ran through the assembly, and room +was made for the father and daughter. + +The beauty of Mary surpassed all expectation. Her dress consisted of a +flowing robe of silver-colored satin, with no other ornament than a girdle +of gold thread. Her own blonde hair was arranged around her head in the +form of a crown, in the centre of which were placed some white flowers +fastened by choice pearls. But the admiration of the spectators was +excited by her large blue eyes, her brilliant complexion, the dignified +sweetness of her expression, the gentle, innocent, modest smile which +mirrored on her face the peace and joy of her soul. + +Geronimo had never before seen Mary dressed in this style. On the +contrary, she generally wore dark or unobtrusive colors. Decked as she now +was in pure white, she had the appearance of a bride. It was, of course, +by her father's request; but what did it mean? Did he intend by this to +make it known that Mary was betrothed, and would soon be wedded? Such +thoughts as these agitated Geronimo as the young girl accompanied her +father into the room. + +The old Deodati rose and advanced to meet her. Simon Turchi took advantage +of this movement to retire a short distance; for, as his eye fell on the +beautiful girl, rage filled his heart as he reflected that this noble and +pure woman would have been his wife had not Geronimo blasted the happiness +of his life. + +The lightning-like glance of hate and envy which he cast upon Geronimo was +a sinister menace of death. Happily for him, all eyes were turned towards +the young girl, otherwise many a one might have read the dark soul of +Simon Turchi and discovered the horrible design he had conceived. + +Mr. Van de Werve introduced his daughter to his guests. All expressed in +courteous terms their admiration and their pleasure in her society. + +The noble young girl received the felicitations and compliments addressed +to her with a gentle and dignified self-possession. There were in her +manner and tone of voice a rare modesty and reserve, and at the same time +an exquisite politeness. Still more astonishing was her rich and varied +knowledge. Whether conversing with a Spaniard, Frenchman, Italian, or +German, she spoke to each in his own tongue; but the beautiful Italian +language assumed additional sweetness on her lips. + +When presented to the old Deodati, she took both his hands and spoke to +him so tenderly and affectionately that, overcome by emotion, he could +only say a few grateful words in acknowledgment. + +Passing by Simon Turchi, she said cheerfully: + +"God be praised, Signor Turchi, that your health is so soon restored! I am +happy to see you here this evening. I am sincerely grateful to you, +signor, for the friendship you manifest to the nephew of Signor Deodati. +You have a good and generous heart, and I thank God for having given so +devoted a friend to Geronimo and his uncle!" + +The gentle words of the young girl were intolerable torture to Turchi; the +wound on his face, betraying his emotion, became of a deep-red color. And +yet it was absolutely necessary for him to appear calm, and to reply +cordially to the kind salutation of the young girl; for there were at +least twenty persons near him and within hearing of what passed. + +By a powerful effort he mastered his emotion, referring it to the +impression made upon him by her appearance. He spoke also of sacrifices, +which, even when voluntarily made, painfully wound the heart; of a +self-abnegation which could find its consolation in the happiness of a +friend, but which failed not to leave a sting in the soul that had +cherished fallacious hopes. + +Mary understood him, and was grateful for his kindness. + +"Thanks, thanks, signor," she said, warmly, as she passed on to salute +other guests. + +When Mary approached the piano, and addressed a few kind words to Master +Christian, many Italian gentlemen begged her to favor them with a +_canzone_. + +With her father's permission, the young girl consented to gratify the +guests. She hesitated awhile as to the language in which to sing, and was +turning over the leaves of a book handed her by Master Christian. The old +Deodati expressed a wish to hear a song in the language of the Low +Countries, and begging pardon of the Italian gentlemen, Mary said she +would sing a _Kyrie Eleison_ in her maternal tongue. + +Master Christian seated himself at the piano, to accompany her, and +commenced a prelude. + +The first notes of the young girl were like a gentle murmur. By degrees +her voice became firmer and stronger, until at the end of each strophe the +word _eleïson_ rose like a sonorous hymn to heaven. + +The measure was remarkably slow, simple, and full of a tranquil melody. +Mary evidently felt the peculiar character of this chant, for instead of +endeavoring to add to the effect, she softened still more her singularly +sweet voice, and let the words drop slowly from her lips, as if the +songstress herself were ravished in contemplation and was listening to +celestial music. + +At first the Italian gentlemen exchanged glances, as if to express the +thought that this chant could not compare with the brilliant lively style +of the Italian music. But this unfavorable opinion was not of long +duration. They, like all others, soon yielded to the irresistible +fascination of Mary's exquisite voice. They listened with such rapt +attention that not the slightest movement was made in the room, and one +might have heard the murmur of the leaves in the garden as they were +gently stirred by the breeze of May. + +Mary had concluded her song and lifted her eyes to heaven with an +expression of adoration. All who gazed upon her felt as though they were +contemplating an angel before the throne of God. Even Simon Turchi was +subdued by admiration, and he even momentarily lost sight of the hatred +and jealousy which lacerated his heart. + +Mary thus sang: + + Kyrie! Lo, our God comes, + Mankind to save from ill and bless: + What grateful joy should break our gloom + And fill our hearts with happiness! + + Kyrie eleison!--God is born! + A virgin mother gives him birth; + And sin's dark bonds asunder torn, + Sweet heaven again inclines to earth. + + Kyrie!--hear!--the sacred font + + Pours forth its saving waters free-- + And Thou impressest on our front + The sign that drives our foes away. + + Christe!--anointed victim!--Thou, + Who in thy death bestowest life-- + The healing remedy for woe-- + Ah! earth with many a woe is rife. + + Christe eleison!--brother dear-- + Our liberator from all ill-- + Strong in Thy virtue, free from fear, + And be our help to virtue still. + + Christe eleison! God and man-- + Our only consolation here-- + Oh! do not leave us 'neath the ban + Of sorrow perilous and drear. + + Oh! Kyrie, Father--Kyrie Son-- + Kyrie Spirit--we adore + The Triune God--Thee, only One! + Grant we may praise Thee evermore! + +Silence reigned in the room some moments after the last sound had died +away, and then arose a murmur of admiration, and the young girl was +overwhelmed with felicitations. + +Whilst being thus complimented, Mary noticed Geronimo at a little distance +from her. Desirous, perhaps, of escaping the praises lavished upon her, +or, it may be, yielding to a real desire, she approached the young man, +drew him towards the piano, and insisted upon his singing an Italian aria. + +Geronimo at first refused, but his uncle requested him to yield to the +entreaties of the young girl. Taking up a lute, he hastily tuned it, and +sang the first word of the aria _Italia!_ in such a tone of enthusiasm +that it struck a responsive chord in every Italian heart. The notes fell +from his lips like a shower of brilliant stars; his bosom heaved, his eyes +sparkled, and his rich tenor voice filling the hall produced an +indescribable effect upon the auditors. As his song proceeded, it seemed +to gain in expression and vigor, and as he repeated the refrain _Mia bella +Italia!_ for the last time, his compatriots were so carried away by their +enthusiasm that, forgetful of decorum, all, even the most aged, waved +their caps, exclaiming: + +"_Italia! Italia!_" + +Tears stood in the eyes of many. + +Geronimo was complimented by all present. His uncle called him his beloved +son, Mary spoke to him in the most flattering manner, and Mr. Van de Werve +shook hands with him cordially. + +As to Simon Turchi, he was overpowered; all he had just seen and heard was +such a martyrdom; jealousy so gnawed his heart that he sank deeper and +deeper into the abyss of hatred and vengeance. He stood a few steps from +Geronimo, his eyes downcast, and trembling with emotion. + +No one noticed him. Had he attracted attention, his friends would have +supposed that, like the other Italians, he had been moved by the chant of +his compatriot. + +Turchi soon roused himself. Like a man who has taken a sudden resolution, +he walked up to Geronimo, smiled pleasantly, and threw his arms around his +neck. + +"Thanks, thanks, Geronimo!" he exclaimed. "You have made me truly happy by +giving me additional cause to be proud of my country." + +While embracing him, he also whispered: + +"Geronimo, I wish to speak privately to you this evening. I will go to the +garden presently; try to follow me; you will be pleased." + +Having said these words, he fell back as if to make way for Mr. Fugger, +the rich banker, who wished to offer his congratulations. + +The servants reappeared in the hall with wines and various delicacies. + +Master Christian was tuning his violin. The guests, informed that this +excellent artist was about to entertain them with his wonderful skill, +drew near the piano. + +Geronimo, perplexed by the words of Simon Turchi, watched his friend and +sought an opportunity to speak to him alone. He saw him leave the room, +and as the entrance of the servants with refreshments, and the desire of +the guests to approach Master Christian, had caused a stir among the +company, the young man was enabled to rejoin Simon in the garden. + +The garden, situated in the rear of the house, although not large, was +crossed by several winding paths, and along the wall were wide-spreading +trees and blocks of verdure. + +When Geronimo entered the garden, he perceived several persons who had +left the heated apartment to enjoy the fresh air, and who were walking in +different directions. + +As he was seeking in the dim light to distinguish Simon Turchi, the latter +approached from an arbor, took his arm and led him in silence to a retired +part of the garden, where he seated himself on a bench, and said in low +tone: + +"Sit down, Geronimo! I have good news for you." + +"Ah! have you succeeded in obtaining the money?" + +"I have been successful. But come nearer! no one must overhear us. A +foreign merchant, whom I saved two years ago from dishonor and ruin, at +the risk of my own destruction, will furnish me with the means of +returning you the ten thousand crowns." + +"God be praised!" said Geronimo, with a sigh of relief. "He will not long +delay, I hope, to fulfil his generous designs." + +"I will pay you to-morrow what I owe you." + +"To-morrow? how fortunate!" + +"But, Geronimo, I cannot bring you the money; you must come for it +yourself." + +"It would be a trifle were I obliged to go to Cologne." + +"You need not go so far. Only go to my country-seat near the hospital. +Silence! some one approaches!" + +After a moment's silence, Turchi resumed: + +"He has passed. You must know, Geronimo, that the foreign merchant desires +his presence in Antwerp to remain unknown, and I have promised to keep him +concealed in my garden for several days.[17] He wishes to assist me, but +he is over-prudent and distrustful. I will sign the receipt for the sum he +lends me. He requires, for greater security, that you sign it also." + +"What mystery is this?" said the young man. "I must sign with you for +security! Who is this merchant? Is he a fugitive from justice?" + +"What has that to do with the affair? It is not my secret, Geronimo, and I +promised to conceal his name. If you be saved from your present +embarrassment, will you not have attained your object? It is true that you +will be my security, but the ten thousand crowns will be in the money +vault, and your uncle will not find one florin missing. Your only danger +would arise from an inability on my part to meet the note. But you need +fear nothing in that respect. In a few months my resources will be +abundant. I take this step only to save you from a present imminent +danger. You must know, Geronimo, that I would prefer to have you alone for +my creditor." + +"Certainly, Simon, and I am most grateful to you for your kindness. Will +this merchant give me the amount in coin?" + +"No, but in bills of exchange on Milan, Florence, and Lucca." + +"Good and reliable bills, Simon?" + +"You shall be the judge before accepting them. Fear nothing, you shall be +fully satisfied." + +"Well, I will go. After Change, between five and six o'clock, will that +answer?" + +"It makes no difference to me, provided I know the hour beforehand." + +"Expect me, then, to-morrow, between five and six o'clock. But let us +return to the house. Our long absence might cause remark." + +Simon Turchi arose, but remained standing in the same spot, and said: + +"Geronimo, I have promised the merchant that none but yourself shall know +of his presence in Antwerp. Say nothing, therefore, to your uncle, to +Mary, nor to any one else. The least indiscretion might disarrange our +plans, and be perilous to the stranger. Come alone, without any +attendant." + +"I will do as you direct," said Geronimo, "but it will be impossible for +me to remain until dark. My uncle will be seriously displeased if I go out +again at night without a sufficient guard." + +"I will not detain you over half an hour." + +At that moment a servant from the house entered the garden looking for +Geronimo. + +"Signor Geronimo," he said, "Mr. Van de Werve is inquiring for you, as +Miss Van de Werve is about to retire from the company, and Signor Deodati +wishes to return home. He is awaiting you." + +The two gentlemen followed the servant; on the way, Turchi again said in a +low voice: + +"To-morrow, between the hours of five and six." + +The old Deodati was already at the door with five or six attendants. He +was displeased by the long absence of his nephew, and was about to +remonstrate with him. But, by Turchi's explanation, this want of attention +was pardoned, and he was even permitted to bid a hasty adieu to Mary and +her father. + +He returned almost immediately, and offering his arm to his uncle, he +left Mr. Van de Werve's house. + +As he moved on, Simon Turchi glanced at him entreatingly, as if to insist +upon secrecy. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +SIMON TURCHI WREAKS HIS VENGEANCE ON GERONIMO. + + +It was about five o'clock in the afternoon. Julio was seated in one of the +rooms of his master's dwelling, his arms crossed upon his breast. Absorbed +in deep thought, he had his eyes fixed on an arm-chair which stood near +the only window in the room, and from time to time he shook his head with +an expression of anxious doubt. + +The footsteps of a man in the room above interrupted his reflections; an +ironical smile passed over his features as he muttered: + +"He calls me a coward, the dastard that he is! For one hour he has been +running about from room to room as though pursued by invisible spectres. +How cunningly he has devised the whole affair in his own interest. Julio +is to kill poor Geronimo! Julio is to bury the body in the cellar! Julio +is to do all by himself! When we deal with false people, we must be on our +guard. His intention is clear enough to me; he wishes to secure means, in +case of necessity, of accusing me alone of the crime. He may threaten and +rage as much as he pleases; he shall deal the mortal blow him self, or +Geronimo shall leave this place unharmed." + +Julio remained silent for a few moments, passed his hand across his brow, +and said, looking at the chair: + +"Think that in one hour that infernal seat will hold a corpse! The corpse +of the most noble, affable gentleman I have ever known. May his good angel +prevent him from visiting this cut-throat place! Signor Turchi will kill +him; but I must aid him.[18] What will be the end of this bloody tragedy? +The scaffold for the master, and the gallows for the servant. This is the +consequence of my disorderly life. Had I not gone, in a moment of +intoxication, and without knowing it, to the place where Judge Voltaï was +assassinated, I would not have been obliged to fly from my country, and +Signor Turchi would not have it in his power to force me to become his +accomplice in a frightful crime. The old cure of Porto-Fino said truly, +that 'Sin is a labyrinth; if once we enter, we loose the thread which +enables us to return to virtue.' Ah! would I were with my mother in Italy. +Useless wish. It is too late; I am banished from my country, and a price +set on my head." + +He reflected for a few moments, then, with a gesture of impatience, he +resumed: + +"Come, come; of what good are all such thoughts? I am in his power, and I +must yield to necessity; but once let the blow be struck, once let him +commit a crime of which I can produce the proofs, then I will be master, +and in my turn I will cry in his ears: 'Simon Turchi, fear the bailiff and +the executioner!' At the present moment I am powerless; if I took any +means to prevent the attempt, he might destroy all evidence of his +criminal design, and deliver me up to the authorities of Lucca. I would be +taken into Italy and broken on the wheel, in the very place where my poor +old mother lives. I have always been a cause of sorrow to her; at least I +will spare her this last disgrace. But the signor is coming down. He will +reiterate his entreaties to me to strike the fatal blow; but I will not +have the blood of this innocent gentleman on me." + +Simon Turchi was approaching. His face was very pale, but the scar which +furrowed his cheek was of a more ashy hue. He did not tremble, but he +walked precipitately, and he clasped his hands convulsively, like a man +whose impatience can brook no delay. + +He noticed that his servant was in deep thought, his head bowed upon his +chest, and it was only on his near approach that Julio suddenly roused +from his preoccupation. He entered the room and said: + +"Julio, the hour is nigh. Of what are you thinking? Are you afraid?" + +"Afraid?" replied Julio, with a light laugh; "why should _I_ be afraid?" + +"True, true," murmured Simon, "since I alone shall shed his blood." + +"But," continued Julio, "if I have no cause for personal fear, would not +love for my master fill me with painful thoughts? Signor, you are playing +for dangerous stakes." + +"Who will know what has taken place here?" + +"Who? Is there not an eye above which sees all? And whilst here, in the +deepest secrecy, you immolate a human being to your thirst for vengeance, +will not God hear the cry of agony of the Signor Geronimo?" + +Julio saw, with a secret joy, that his words made his master tremble, +although he tried to dissemble his feelings under an assumed +insensibility. + +"What a good joke!" replied Simon; "Pietro Mostajo talking of God! My +precautions are too well taken; when the cellar will be the depository of +the secret, there will be none to tell it." + +"Do you think so, signor? When has such a murder ever remained concealed? +It is not surprising that I bowed my head in thought. In imagination I saw +such terrible things that I dare not tell them to you. Tears still fill my +eyes at the thought." + +"What did you see?" asked Turchi, with increasing anxiety. + +"What did I see? The bailiff and his attendants. They bound a man's hand's +behind his back; they dragged him through the streets like an odious +criminal; the people cast filth and dirt upon the prisoner, and cried out, +'Murderer!' What did I see? A scaffold, and on this scaffold an +executioner and one condemned to death; then a sword glittered in the +sunlight, it fell, a stream of blood flowed, and a head rolled in the +dust." + +The servant stopped intentionally; but his master convulsively caught his +arm, and said in a hoarse voice: + +"What then? What then?" + +"And then the crowd applauded and poured out maledictions upon the name." + +"Whose name?" + +"Yours, signor?" + +Simon Turchi was so overpowered by the picture thus presented of his +probable end, that he uttered a cry of terror and sprang back, trembling. +He cast down his eyes for a moment in silence. + +Julio contemplated the signor, thus overpowered by emotion, with a +derisive smile. He had not called up this vivid scene solely as a means to +induce his master to renounce his perilous enterprise; his motive was also +to terrify him and to revenge himself for the violence he had been forced +to endure from him. + +The impression made upon Simon Turchi by this highly-wrought prediction +did not last long. He raised his head, and said, in a contemptuous manner: + +"Base hypocrite; it is your own fear which excites your imagination to see +such things. The most courageous man would become cowardly with the +cowardly. It is unfortunate for me that I need you, otherwise I would soon +rid myself of your presence. But I, at least, will not recoil from the +undertaking. Speak; tell me how far I may depend upon you. The clock will +soon strike, and there is no time for hesitation." + +"We will see which of us will the more coolly perform his part of the +task. You are mistaken, signor; fear does not disturb me. Sympathy for you +suggested the train of thought, and I considered it my duty to place +before your eyes once more the abyss into which you might fall." + +"Be silent; it is too late," exclaimed Simon Turchi, beside himself with +rage. "Fool, do you desire my ruin--my eternal dishonor? Shall I let my +enemy live? Shall I let him--him the husband of Mary Van de Werve--look +down upon me from the height of his grandeur and felicity? No, no. I +myself will be, must be, happy, rich, prosperous; and even should all +escape my grasp; should the scaffold be my lot, the rage of vengeance +which lacerates my heart must be satisfied.... Nothing, nothing, can +restrain me; and, Julio, were you an obstacle in my path, I would pass +over your dead body to strike a fatal blow at him who has poisoned my +life. Do not attempt to thwart me, or I will crush you where you stand." + +At these words Simon Turchi placed his hand on the hilt of his sword; his +face was scarlet, his lips trembled, and his eyes flashed. + +This threat did not disturb Julio, probably because he thought his master +could not execute it. An ironical smile played upon his lips; he stepped +back one or two paces, drew his knife, and said, mockingly: + +"It would be strange, signor, if Geronimo should find us engaged in a +combat. It might save his life." + +"What! would you dare?" + +"Why not? Do you think Julio would permit himself to be led like a sheep +to the slaughter?" + +"Listen! Ho comes!" exclaimed Simon Turchi, starting with terror. + +The repeated strokes of the knocker resounded through the court-yard where +the little door gave entrance into the garden. + +"Julio, I ask you again," said Turchi, anxiously, "what reliance I may +place upon you?" + +"I will do what I have promised--neither more nor less." + +"Then go open the door. Be guarded in your words, and show no disquietude. +Bring him to this room; tell him that I am engaged with the foreign +merchant; if he does not sit down at once, watch a favorable moment to +lead him to the arm-chair. Then call me and I will do the rest." + +"You, then, are determined to make me entice the Signor Geronimo to sit +down in the arm-chair?" + +Turchi replied in a threatening voice and with flashing eyes: + +"Pietro Mostajo, remember the Superintendent of Lucca." + +Julio left the building, went to the garden-gate and opened it. + +"Benvenuto, Signor Geronimo," he said, "what good luck brings you here on +a visit to my master? It is a long time since we have seen you." + +"It is indeed a long time," replied the young noble with a genial smile, +as he walked towards the house. "But the place looks so wild and uncared +for. Did not the Signor Turchi speak of having the garden put in order?" + +"Yes; but for some time my master has been very melancholy, and nothing +seems to give him pleasure." + +"I know it, Julio; but things will be better for him now." + +"Would that your words were true, signor!" + +"What a heavy sigh, Julio. You excite my fears. Is your master ill?" + +The servant felt the importance of self-control, if he would not arouse +the gentleman's suspicions. He therefore said, in a careless manner: + +"Nothing is the matter, signor. My master is very well, and to-day is in a +good humor. Ever since I saw Bufferio's sword lifted against you, I have +suffered from an occasional sudden palpitation of the heart. I find relief +only in a deep sigh." + +As they thus talked together, he conducted Geronimo to the room containing +the large arm-chair. + +"Signor Geronimo," he said, "my master is up-stairs. I will inform him of +your arrival. Please be seated." + +Julio left the room; but instead of ascending the staircase, he hid +himself behind a door and listened attentively to hear the clasping of the +springs of the chair. + +After having waited in vain, for a long time, he returned to the room, and +said to the gentleman: + +"Signor, my master begs you to excuse him for a while. He is engaged +transacting some business with the merchant of whom he spoke to you +yesterday. They are preparing a writing for you. Have the kindness to wait +a few moments." + +He now thought that Geronimo would, of his own accord, take the arm-chair, +and with a beating heart he observed his movements. But he was +disappointed, for the young cavalier stood at the window, gazing +thoughtfully into the garden. + +Although Julio knew with what mistrust and impatience his master was +counting each passing moment, he said to Geronimo, with assumed +indifference: + +"It is at least half a mile from the Dominican Convent to this place, and +you must be fatigued after your walk. Will you not rest in this arm-chair, +signor?" + +"No, I thank you. I am not in the least fatigued. I love to look at those +beautiful trees clothed in their fresh May verdure." + +An involuntary movement of impatience escaped the servant. + +"You need not remain here on my account, Julio," said Geronimo. "Go to +your work; I will stay alone." + +"I have no urgent occupation, signor. If I still remain, contrary to your +wish, it is to ask you a question; and yet I fear that you will be +displeased at my boldness." + +"Not at all, Julio. Can I render you any service? It will give me pleasure +to show my gratitude for the courage with which you defended me when I was +attacked by the ruffians." + +"I had no reference to that. I heard you were about to marry the beautiful +Miss Van de Werve. The news rejoiced me; but may your humble servant make +free to ask you if it be true?" + +The name of his betrothed flushed his cheek with joy, and he answered, +with a smile: + +"Yes, Julio, it is true." + +"How blessed you are, signor!" + +"Yes, Julio, God has bestowed upon me the greatest earthly blessing, for +which I shall eternally thank him. On the solemn day of our nuptials you +will have cause to rejoice." + +"I, signor?" + +"Yes, you, Julio. Miss Van de Werve wishes to recompense you herself for +the assistance you gave me against Bufferio and his comrades. The day of +my marriage you will receive a new cloak, a new doublet, new small-clothes +of fine cloth and silk, such as a servant has never worn." + +Julio, touched by this proof of kindness, stammered his thanks +indistinctly. He heard the young man speaking to him and telling him how +richly he deserved such a present, but he paid no attention to the words; +he was endeavoring to bring himself to the degree of audacity requisite to +fulfil his master's orders. Geronimo stood immediately in front of the +arm-chair. + +With bitter repugnance, but incited by the fear that no more favorable +opportunity would present itself, he approached Geronimo as though to +express his thanks anew. With one bound he sprang upon him, placed a hand +on either shoulder, and pushed him forcibly into the chair.[19] + +The seat of the deceptive piece of furniture sank down; from the arms +started two powerful springs, which caught the young man around the waist, +and held him so tightly against the back of the chair that it was +impossible for him to move. + +"Julio, Julio, what horrible jest is this?" he exclaimed. "Is it a trap? +Do you act by your master's orders?" + +But the servant, without saying a word in reply, left the room, closing +the door behind him. + +"Tell me, Julio," asked Turchi, descending the staircase to meet his +servant, "is he caught?" + +"The chair has done its work," replied Julio; "go do yours. Lose no time; +he might give an alarm which would betray us. The fear of death gives +superhuman strength to a man's lungs. Signor, it seems to me that my head +is not safe on my shoulders. How does yours feel?" + +But Simon Turchi heeded not this jest. He muttered a few indistinct words, +drew his sword, and rushed down the steps to wreak his vengeance on the +unfortunate Geronimo. + +The servant remained where his master left him, listened to his footsteps +until he heard the door of the fatal room open and then close again. + +At first no sound reached his ear, but soon he heard Geronimo calling for +help, and his master mocking and menacing him; at least he judged this by +the tones of their voices, for he was too far off to distinguish the +words. Urged by feeling rather than curiosity, he descended the staircase, +and listened at the door of the room in which so horrible a crime was +about to be committed. + +He heard Geronimo say, in an earnest, pleading tone: + +"Dear Simon, your mind is deranged. You, my friend, kill me! It is +impossible. Put down that dagger; at least let me not die without +confession. If it be the ten thousand crowns exasperating you, I make you +a present of them; tear up in my presence the acknowledgment of the debt, +and I will never speak to you of it again." + +"Mary, Mary Van de Werve!" howled Simon Turchi, with biting sarcasm. + +"I will renounce her hand and leave for Italy, and never again will I see +a country so fatal to me, to her, to all that I love." + +"It is too late--too late. You must die!" + +"No, no, Simon; in pity to yourself do not imbue your hands in my innocent +blood. God sees us; your conscience will torture you; never again will +there be peace for you on earth, and your poor soul will be miserable for +all eternity. No, Simon, do not kill me." + +Then came a frightful cry, as though he were crushed, and Julio heard a +sound which seemed like that of a dagger against metal. + +This blow, however--if it were a blow--was not mortal, for Geronimo raised +his voice with the strength of despair, and cried out: + +"Help! help! Simon, let me live! Mercy! mercy!" + +Then a mournful groan escaped his lips, while, as his voice died away, h +prayed: + +"My God, my God, forgive him! I am dying." + +On hearing the conclusion of this horrible tragedy, Julio retired to the +foot of the staircase. He had hardly reached it, when the door of the room +opened, and his master appeared. + +Disfigured as Simon Turchi's countenance had been by the thirst for +revenge, crime made it still more frightful. The signor could hardly have +been recognized. His hair stood upright; his eyes rolled in their sockets; +a hard, hoarse sound escaped his lips; blood dripped from his hands. + +He ran by his servant without speaking to him, ascended the staircase, and +having reached his room he threw himself panting upon a chair. + +Julio, who had followed him, placed himself before him, and asked: + +"Well, signor, is the deed accomplished?" + +"It is; let me take breath," said Turchi, breathing heavily. + +After waiting a few moments, Julio resumed: + +"Did he offer any resistance, that you are so fatigued, signor?" + +"Resistance? No; but when I attempted the first time to pierce him to the +heart, the blade of my dagger struck against metal, and grated harshly. He +wears a breastplate, Julio. Could he have suspected my intentions?" + +Turchi's dagger had evidently struck the amulet which the young man always +wore around his neck. + +"Possibly," replied Julio, "Geronimo may wear some guard on his breast; it +is the place against which a poignard is always aimed, and no one is +secure in the darkness of night from the assault of an enemy or an +assassin; but what is there in this circumstance to move you so deeply?" + +"So much blood spouted from the wound. The sight of the blood, together +with Geronimo's piteous cries, struck me with anguish and horror. I +tottered so that I feared I would fall before completing the work; but +happily I gained the strength to finish what I had commenced. I pierced +his throat with my poignard, and hushed his voice forever." + +"And is he really dead?" + +"Not a drop of blood is left in his veins." + +Simon Turchi had recovered from his excessive emotion. He arose and said: + +"I must wash the blood from my hands, and efface the least spot that +might betray me. Then I must go on Change and transact some business with +people who will remember to have seen me there at that time. Later, I will +call on Mr. Van de Werve. I must be seen in different places and speak +with many people. Go down, Julio, and drag the corpse to the cellar. Then +clear away every sign of blood. I need not tell you that your life, as +well as mine, depends upon the care with which you perform this task." + +"I know it, signor. The blow has been struck, and I am not a man to +neglect the precautions necessary to escape the gallows, if I can." + +"I have accomplished my task, Julio; go do yours." + +"Drag the corpse, by myself, into the cellar? No, no, signor; you must +help me." + +"I have not the time, Julio. I must go immediately to the city." + +"It is of no consequence to me. I will not remain alone in this cut-throat +place." + +"And what if I ordered you to do so?" exclaimed Turchi, trembling with +anger. + +"You would do so in vain, signor. You will work with me until all is +done." + +"Pietro Mostajo, do you dare to defy me, and that too at the very moment +when the blood is boiling in my veins? Do as I command, or before night +the authorities of Lucca shall know who you are." + +"Ah!" said Julio, with a scornful laugh, "Pietro Mostajo and the +authorities of Lucca have lost their power over me. As long as I had no +proofs of crime against you, I had cause to fear you; but would you dare +now to reveal my real name, now that by one word I can deliver you into +the hands of the executioner? Hereafter, signor, you will speak to me +neither so harshly nor so haughtily. In this affair there is neither +master nor servant. We are two men, guilty of the same crime. Draw your +dagger, if you choose. Vain threat! Can you do without me?" + +Simon Turchi grit his teeth in impotent rage; but soon recovering himself, +he took his servant's hand, and said beseechingly: + +"You are right, Julio; we are rather two friends than master and servant. +Let me then, as friend and companion, implore a favor at your hands. You +must see that it is important for me to go without delay to the factory to +change my dress. For the safety of both of us I ought to leave immediately +for the city, in order to prevent suspicion. Geronimo is not heavy; you +can, without difficulty, drag him down stairs." + +The servant shook his head, but was evidently hesitating. + +"Come, Julio; I beg, I entreat you to do what the safety of both of us +requires. You still hesitate, Julio? I will reward you generously. This +very evening I will give you two crowns if you tell me you have done +faithfully and carefully what I have requested." + +"Will you be here, signor, when I return from the cellar?" + +"I don't know, Julio; as soon as I have washed off the blood, I shall +leave. Make haste, and possibly you may find me here. In all events I will +wait for you this evening at the factory, and besides the two crowns, I +will give you a whole bottle of Malmsey." + +"Agreed," said Julio; "I will do my best to please you." + +He descended the staircase, and when he reached the room where the +horrible murder had been committed, he stood for a moment with his arms +folded. He turned pale and shook his head compassionately. + +The poor Geronimo was extended in the chair, with his eyes closed. His +head had fallen on the arm of the chair; his two hands were joined, as if +in prayer for his cruel murderer. His garments were saturated with blood, +and his feet rested in a pool of blood. There was a large wound in his +neck and another in his breast; his face was not in the least stained, and +although it was covered by the pallor of death, his countenance wore a +sweet, tranquil expression, as though he had gently fallen asleep. + +"Poor Signor Geronimo!" said Julio, sighing heavily. "Beauty! generosity! +wealth! all fallen under the blade of a wretch! What is man's life? He, +however, will in heaven, with God, be indemnified for his horrible death. +And we? But the present is not the time for reflections and lamentations; +my pity will not restore this corpse to life. I must now close my eyes to +the future, and fulfil my horrible task." + +He knelt behind the chair, passed his arm under it, and turned a screw. +The springs opened and loosed their hold upon the inanimate body. + +Julio held it by the arms and dragged it through the hall until he reached +a staircase conducting to a cellar. There he left the corpse, entered an +adjoining room, and returned with a lamp. Holding the light in his hand, +he descended until he reached a subterranean passage. Very deep under the +ground, and at the end of this passage, was a kind of vaulted cellar +closed by a heavy door. Julio opened the door, and by the light of the +lamp examined a grave which had been dug in one corner of the cellar, and +on the sides of which lay the earth which had been excavated.[20] + +After a rapid survey, he placed the lamp outside the door against the wall +of the passage, and returned for the dead body. + +When he had carried his burden as far as the subterranean passage, he +panted for breath and seemed overcome by fatigue. He, however, exerted all +his strength in order to finish as soon as possible his painful task, and +dragged the corpse into the cellar. There he let it fall upon the side of +the grave already prepared for its reception. After resting a few moments, +he was about to cast it into the grave and cover it with earth, but he +desisted, saying: + +"Bah! the poor young man will not run away. Perhaps Signor Turchi has not +yet left. At any rate, I will first wash away the blood stains, and then I +will return to bury the body." + +He took the lamp and left the cellar, without closing the door. + +On reaching the room he found that his master had gone. + +The solitude disquieted him, particularly as it was now nearly dark, and +he could hardly hope to finish before night cleaning the blood-stained +floors and staircase. + +He appeared, however, to submit to necessity, and prepared for his work by +getting water and brushes. + +The evening was far advanced, and still Julio was occupied in scouring. +How it happened he could not understand, but new spots of blood were +continually appearing, even in places that he had washed several times. +This was particularly the case in the room where the murder had been +committed. Do what he would, he could not efface the marks of blood. The +sweat poured down his cheeks and he vented his rage in angry words against +his master. + +It may have been fatigue, or perhaps the deepening shades of night +rendered his nervous system sensitive to the slightest impression; for at +the least sound of the wind through the leaves of the trees, at the least +grating of the weathercock as it turned on its pivot, he stopped his work +and looked anxiously around him. + +He succeeded, however, in stifling these emotions, and continued his labor +on the fatal spot where the chair had stood. + +Finally he arose, took the lamp, examined attentively the whole floor, and +said, with a kind of satisfaction: + +"At last I have finished! He who could discover a spot there could see +through a stone. My arms are almost broken; I can scarcely straighten +myself. Now for my last task! a grave is soon filled; in a half hour I +shall be far from this accursed place." + +Saying these words, he left the room, and taking the lamp descended again +the staircase leading to the cellar. + +When he had reached the middle of the subterranean passage, he suddenly +stopped, turned pale from terror, and looked tremblingly around him. He +thought he heard something, an unusual, mysterious sound, faint but +distinct. + +Having listened for some time, he concluded that his imagination had +deceived him. Summoning up all his resolution, he walked on towards the +cellar, and through the open, door he saw the corpse of Geronimo lying as +he had left it. + +As he was approaching the cellar, full of anxiety and slackening his pace, +suddenly a human voice fell upon his ear. There was articulate sound, no +spoken word, but only a hollow groan. + +Julio, in an agony of terror, dropped the lamp. The oil extinguished the +flame, and thus left in total darkness he fled from the cellar as rapidly +as he could by groping along the wall. His heart beat violently, and his +limbs tottered under him. + +He recovered himself a little only after attaining a distant apartment and +lighting a lamp. Here he remained a long time seated and buried in +thought; various expressions of fear, anger, and even raillery flitted +across his face. + +At last he arose, drew a knife from its scabbard, and trying its +sharpness, murmured: + +"I cannot bury him alive! Therefore I am forced to deal the death-blow! +No, no, I will not; I have even braved the vengeance of my perfidious +master in order not to imbue my hands in his blood, and I will not now be +guilty of it. But what can I do? I have no other alternative. I must +either bury him alive or kill him! And I cannot stay here all night." + +He took up the lamp and slowly and silently he cautiously descended the +stairs leading to the cellar; after some hesitation he entered; Geronimo's +body still lay in the position he left it. + +Julio had taken this time a much larger lamp, and it lighted the whole +cellar; he heard no sound from the breast of the unfortunate victim, +although he saw plainly that life was not extinct, for there was a slight +heaving of the breast. + +After listening a moment, Julio muttered, with a kind of joy: + +"No additional cruelty is necessary. He is in his death-agony, and he will +soon die. I will shut the door and finish my work to-morrow. But my master +will ask if all is done? He need know nothing of this circumstance. But I +long to get away; and may the vengeance of God fall upon this spot +to-night, and blot out all memento of it!" + +Shortly after he left the garden, and with rapid strides threaded the +obscure streets to rejoin his master, and also to cast off his +blood-stained garments. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +GRIEF AT GEROME'S ABSENCE--TURCHI'S HYPOCRISY. + + +Mary Van De Werve was in her own apartment, kneeling before a silver +crucifix; she seemed bowed down by a weight of woe. Her head rested upon +her clasped hands. She had been weeping bitterly; for there were traces of +tears upon the _prie-Dieu_. + +Had a stranger surprised the young girl in this attitude, he might have +thought that sleep had overpowered her during prayer; but the gasping +breath and heaving chest sufficiently attested that she had not sunk in +sleep, but that she was plunged in an expressible sorrow. + +Behind her was seated an old woman, her duenna, with a rosary in her hand. +She gazed upon the young girl with deep compassion; from time to time she +shook her head, and wiped away the tears which dimmed her eyes whenever +Mary's sighs became heavier. + +For some time the silence was unbroken; Mary even appeared somewhat +calmer, when suddenly, influenced by some peculiarly painful thought, she +extended her arms to heaven and cried out; + +"My God and my Saviour! through thy precious blood spare his life! Have +mercy on him! reject not the prayer of my broken heart!" + +Again her head fell on her hands, as if this burning petition had +exhausted her strength. The duenna approached her, took her arm, +endeavored to lift her, and said, authoritatively: + +"My lady, you must rise and cease your prayer. God may be displeased with +you for thus deliberately endangering your health. Come, obey me." + +Mary arose without reply, and took the seat offered her by the duenna. She +was very pale, and her eyes were swollen from weeping. + +The duenna looked upon her with an eye of pity; she took her hand, and +said, gently: + +"Mary, my child, you cannot continue this; such an excess of sorrow would +shorten your days. And what pain to the poor Geronimo on his return, to +find you condemned to a short and suffering life! Through love for him, I +beg you to control yourself." + +"On his return?" repeated Mary, raising her tearful eyes to heaven. + +"Why not?" replied the duenna. "Why despair before being certain of the +evil you dread? More extraordinary things have happened." + +"Already five days--five centuries of suspense and fear! Ah! Petronilla, +what a frightful night I passed! I saw Geronimo extended on the ground, +the pallor of death on his face, a large wound was in his breast, and his +lifeless eyes were fixed on me as if with his last breath he had bade me +adieu." + +"These are illusions caused by grief, Mary." + +"More than twenty times I saw him thus; in vain I strove to shut out the +horrible vision; day alone brought me relief." + +The duenna took her hand, and said, tenderly: + +"You are wrong, Mary, to cherish your grief in this manner. Your dreams at +night were but the reflection of your thoughts by day. I, too, saw +Geronimo in sleep more than once." + +"You, too, Petronilla, you saw Geronimo?" exclaimed the young girl, with +emotion, as though she feared the confirmation of her own terrific dream. + +"Why not, Mary; do I think of him less than you?" + +"You saw him dying, did you not?" + +"On the contrary, I saw him return joyfully and cast himself into the arms +of his uncle and embrace your father. And you, my child, I saw you +kneeling on this same _prie-Dieu_, thanking God that your dreams were +false and deceiving." + +Mary smiled as she listened to the duenna's consoling words, but scarcely +had Petronilla ceased speaking than she suspected the artifice. + +"You deceive me through friendship and compassion," she said, sadly. "I am +grateful to you, my good Petronilla; but tell me to what cause you can +attribute Geronimo's absence. Come, call upon your imagination; find a +possible, probable explanation." + +Disconcerted by this direct interrogation, the duenna shook her head. + +"There is no plausible reason," said Mary. + +The old Petronilla, in the greatest embarrassment, stammered out a few +words as to an unexpected journey, secrets he might be unable to divulge; +she even suggested that his friends might have prevailed upon him to join +in a party of pleasure; but all these were such vague suppositions that +Mary plainly saw in them an acknowledgment that she could find no +reasonable explanation of Geronimo's absence. + +Mary's tears flowed faster. + +"Oh, Petronilla!" she exclaimed, in heart-rending tones; "the light of my +life is forever extinguished. Geronimo, so young, so good, so noble, so +gifted, the unfortunate victim of a mysterious murderer! Frightful +thought! and no room for hope! Mercy, my God, mercy! My heart is breaking; +never more will I see him in this world." + +And uttering a cry of anguish, she covered her face with her hands. + +"I acknowledge, Mary," said the duenna, dejectedly, "that Geronimo's +absence is inexplicable; but why look on the worst side and accept it as +truth? You know that during the last four days every possible effort has +been made to discover Geronimo. Mr. Van Schoonhoven, the bailiff, has +pledged his honor to find him dead, or alive." + +Mary wept in silence, and heeded not the words of the duenna. + +"Perhaps, my child," the old woman resumed, "this very day the doubt which +has caused you so much suffering for five days may be cleared up. Do not +close your heart against all hope. I remember that once an individual was +sought for weeks, and found alive when there seemed almost a certainty of +his death. The bailiff was speaking of it this morning to your father, and +I recollect having heard my parents relate it. It happened to a banker, +Liefmans, who was considered very wealthy." + +The young girl regarded the duenna with an air of doubt. + +"They found him after several weeks of absence? Had he gone on a journey +without giving notice to any one?" + +"No; he was discovered in the cellar of a house in the little by-street of +Sureau. Robbers had laid in wait for him in the darkness of night, and +cast him bound into a subterranean cave, in order to obtain a heavy +ransom. The agents of the bailiff discovered him and liberated him +unharmed. If God has so decreed, why may not the same have happened to the +Signor Geronimo? You are silent, Mary. You cannot deny that a similar +train of circumstances may have been the cause of his disappearance. Is it +not so? but you yield to despair, and even in the act of begging +consolation from Almighty God, you reject obstinately every motive of +consolation." + +"Pity me, dear Petronilla," answered the young girl; "your kind words are +a solace to me, but I dare not open my heart to the whisperings of hope. +If I accepted your explanations, and afterwards heard of Geronimo's death, +it would be double suffering to me. No, no, rather let me encourage the +feeling that there is no room for hope." + +"It is impossible to make any impression upon her," said the duenna, in a +disappointed manner, and as if she were resolved to cease her efforts and +to abandon the young girl to her grief. + +The silence was broken by the sound of voices in the hall. + +"I hear the voice of the Signor Deodati," said the duenna; "perhaps he +brings tidings." + +Mary rose quickly to descend; but Petronilla wished to detain her, saying: + +"My child, in pity to a sorrowing old man, restrain your grief. Control +yourself, Mary, for yesterday each word you uttered pierced the heart of +the poor Deodati like a dagger. It would be cruel and guilty in you to +cause his tears to flow anew; at his age such affliction wears down the +strength and shortens life." + +"No, Petronilla, I will hide my feelings, and I will appear hopeful. I saw +that the old man was overpowered by anxiety and trouble. Trust me, +Petronilla, and let me go; I must know from the Signor Deodati if he has +received any information." + +The duenna accompanied the young girl to the door of the room where Mr. +Van de Werve and Signor Deodati were conversing together, but she let her +enter alone. + +As soon as Mary's eye fell on the old man, and she read in his face the +sorrow of his soul, she uttered a stifled cry of anguish. She cast her +arms around his neck, and rested her head on his shoulder. + +The Signor Deodati, deeply moved, seated her by his side, and said, with +tender compassion: + +"My poor Mary, we have no tidings yet of our Geronimo. Are we not unhappy? +Why did not God recall me to himself ere this? Did I leave Italy and come +hither to drink the bitter dregs in my chalice of life? Could I weep like +you, Mary, I might find some relief, but old age has dried up my tears. +Alas! alas! where is my poor Geronimo, the child whom God gave me, to +close my eyes on the bed of death? I would give my fortune to save him, +and the little that remains to me of life to know that he still lives." + +Tears filled Mr. Van de Werve's eyes as he contemplated his daughter and +the desolate old man; but he controlled his emotion, and said: + +"Mary, I requested you to stay in your own apartment, because you cannot +moderate the expression of your sorrow. You have disregarded my desire. I +willingly pardon you, my child; but if you wish to remain longer with +Signor Deodati, you must exercise some self-control; otherwise I shall +send for your duenna to take you away." + +He then added, in a more gentle manner: + +"Now, Mary, I beg, I supplicate you, comprehend the duty devolving upon +you. Be courageous, and do your best to console our unhappy friend." + +With a heroic effort Mary raised her head, and although still weeping, +said: + +"You are right, father. We grieve as though there were no room for hope; +but--but--" + +So great was the violence she was doing herself that she could scarcely +draw her breath; but conquering this emotion, she resumed: + +"Ah! signor, we cannot know. God is so good, and Geronimo has so pure a +heart!" + +"God is indeed good, my child; but his designs are impenetrable. If I +could only imagine some probable cause to explain my nephew's absence. But +nothing--nothing!" + +"The bailiff gave us, this morning, a reason for supposing that Geronimo +may yet return to us unharmed." + +"You speak of the banker Liefmans, do you not, father?" + +"Yes, my child. He disappeared suddenly. A fortnight had passed in useless +inquiry; his parents had the service for the dead offered for him, and he +was found alive and well in a cellar, where some robbers had imprisoned +him, in order by it to obtain a large sum of money." + +"And the same may happen, to Geronimo!" said Mary, with a confidence she +did not feel, in order to aid her father in his kind intentions. + +Signor Deodati shook his head incredulously. + +Mary took his hand tenderly, and said, cheerfully: + +"We must hope, signor. Perhaps the Lord in his mercy will grant that our +fears may not be realized. Would we not for the remainder of our lives +offer our grateful prayers to heaven?" + +"Yes, yes; during our whole lives. And I would go in my old age to Our +Lady of Loretto to express my boundless gratitude to the Madonna. But +suppose he has fallen under the assassin's sword?" + +Mary shuddered at the thought, but she interrupted the old man. + +"Signor, Geronimo possessed an amulet which had rested on the tomb of our +Lord. He was convinced that it would preserve him from a violent death, +and he always wore it around his neck." + +"I know the circumstances under which the amulet was given him," replied +Deodati. "I myself had some faith in this talisman, because it was the +recompense of a good action; but we have no proof that the woman who gave +it to Geronimo had any certain knowledge of its efficacy. However, Mary, +we will still hope. Your sweet voice has mitigated my sorrow. May my poor +nephew be restored to me. The happiness I expected in my old age may yet +be a reality. You, Mary,--pure image of piety, goodness, and love,--you +will be my child! And when old Deodati will be called to leave this world, +he will see you and Geronimo by his dying bed, like two angels, pointing +out to his expiring goal the path to heaven. Oh! no, no; this would be too +much happiness. My mind wanders. And yet, Mary, let us hope!" + +The young girl was deeply moved by the picture of that happiness which she +had thought was lost to her forever. Her eyes were suffused with tears; +her limbs trembled, and had not a stern look from her father reminded her +of her duty, her oppressed heart would have found relief in sobs. + +Mr. Van de Werve thought it better to change the conversation, and said to +Deodati: + +"Let us not forget, signor, that we are men, and that it becomes us to +bear up courageously under a painful suspense, and in a manner to which a +young girl might be unequal. Have you heard nothing since the morning? +Have you not seen Signor Turchi?" + +"I spoke to Signor Turchi about an hour before 'Change," said the old +gentleman, more calmly. "The good Turchi! he seemed even more dejected +than we. Within the last five days, he has lost so much flesh that one +would scarcely recognize him. He does not give himself a moment's repose. +From morning until night he is running about from place to place, seeking +Geronimo as though he were a beloved brother." + +"Truly," said Mary, "his is a generous heart. Poor Simon! I have sometimes +been unjust to him; but it is in affliction that we learn who are our true +friends. For the rest of my life I will respect and esteem him." + +"He will meet me here, presently," replied Deodati. "He may have some +particular communication to make to me, for he seemed to desire a private +conversation. The arrival of some merchants of his acquaintance prevented +him from speaking to me. I almost quarrelled with Signor Turchi." + +"Quarrelled!" said Mr. Van de Werve, in astonishment. + +"Yes; but it was to his praise, at least. He told me that it was his +intention to offer a large reward to the first person who would bring +certain tidings of Geronimo." + +"How grateful I am for his generous friendship!" said Mary. + +"Of course," continued the old man, "I would not permit it. Whilst +thanking him for his kindness, I told him that I would offer the reward +myself. I left Signor Turchi in company with the merchants, and went to +the town-hall for the purpose; but when I arrived there, I found a decree +of the burgomaster already issued, promising three hundred florins for any +information of Geronimo.[21] I spoke with the bailiff at noon. He told me +that, notwithstanding the most active search, no trace had yet been +discovered of Bufferio's wife, nor of his companions. All of them must +have left the country immediately after the ruffian's death. But this +afternoon the bailiff expects to hear the result of several important +researches ordered by him this morning. If he receives any communication +of consequence he will come himself to impart it to us. I hear the clock +strike five. Signor Turchi will soon be here." + +During this explanation Mary remained immovable--her eyes cast down. She +had probably heard only confusedly what had just been said, for her +thoughts were evidently far away. + +It was only when the servant threw open the door and announced Signor +Turchi that the young girl, aroused from her reverie, rose hastily and +went eagerly to meet him, as though she expected him to be the bearer of +important news. + +Mr. Van de Werve and Deodati also met him at the door; Mary involuntarily +took both his hands in hers, and all three regarded him inquiringly. + +"Alas! my friends, I know nothing," said Turchi, in a voice which seemed +but the echo of a bruised and broken heart. "All my efforts have proved +unsuccessful. I have vowed before God to spare no expense or trouble in +order to discover what has become of my unfortunate friend; but so far +impenetrable darkness covers the terrible secret. What shall we do? Let us +hope that the bailiff and his officers may be more fortunate than myself, +who have only my anxiety and affection to guide me." + +The words of Simon Turchi effaced the last lingering hope from Mary's +heart, and she seated herself, exhausted from previous emotion. + +Turchi drew a chair beside her, regarded her with an expression of +profound compassion, and said: + +"My poor Mary, your affliction is intense! I know by my own sorrow how +your loving heart is suffering from this terrible suspense!" + +The young girl lifted her eyes to his face, and she saw the tears running +down his cheeks. Then she began to weep bitterly, and sobbing, she said: + +"Thanks, thanks, Simon! I will beg Almighty God to recompense your +affection and generosity." + +Simon's countenance at this moment presented a singular appearance, from +the remarkable contrast between the pallor of his cheeks and the deep +scarlet which marked the margin of the scar on his face. The hypocrite +could shed tears at pleasure and assume an expression of extreme sorrow, +but the scar was not submissive to his will, and in spite of him its +deepening red betrayed the wicked joy of his heart at the gentle and +affectionate words of the young girl. + +These words encouraged him to hope that he might fully attain the prize +for which he strove. He had, it is true, taken from his murdered friend +the proof of the debt of ten thousand crowns; true he had, as he supposed, +buried all evidence of his crime in the subterranean vault; but this did +not satisfy him. In order to feel that he had received the price of the +frightful assassination, in order to remain rich, powerful, and honored, +he required the hand of the beautiful Mary Van de Werve. He well knew that +a long time must elapse before the consummation of his hopes; still, from +the very day that he had committed the murder, he commenced to lay his +schemes, weigh his words, and so direct his plans that sooner or later he +would certainly take Geronimo's place in Mary's heart. He felt secure of +the consent of the young girl's father. It was on this account that he +feigned excessive sorrow, and gazed upon Mary with tearful eyes, as though +the sight of her grief pierced him to the heart. + +He took Mary's hands in his, and said: + +"Do not yield, to despair, Mary; all hope is not lost. Last night a +thought--a strange thought--occurred to my mind. And if I be correct, +there are still well-founded reasons for expecting Geronimo's return." + +"Speak, Simon," said Mary, anxiously. "Tell us this thought." + +Signor Turchi cast down his eyes in feigned embarrassment. + +"Impossible, Mary; it is a secret which I have no right to divulge." + +"Alas! is even this consolation refused me?" she exclaimed, despairingly. + +"This is unkind, Simon," said Mr. Van de Werve. "Why do you cheer us up +and awaken our curiosity only to cast us down by your silence? Give no +names; but at least give us some idea of the reasons we have for hope." + +Simon Turchi shrugged his shoulders. + +"Ah, signor," said Deodati, reproachfully, "you are ungenerous. This +morning before 'Change you were about to confide the secret to me, when +you were interrupted by the approach of friends. Tell it to me now." + +Simon glanced expressively at Mary, as if to convey the idea that her +presence prevented him from complying with the old man's request. + +"Mary," said Mr. Van de Werve, "I beg you to go to your room. These +varying emotions are more than you can bear; if I learn anything of +interest, I will, my child, communicate it to you at once." + +The young girl rose without reply, but she glanced reproachfully at Simon +Turchi. + +"Do not blame me, Mary," he said; "I am deeply grieved to cause you pain; +only rest assured that what I do is caused by affection for Geronimo and +yourself." + +Without noticing this excuse the young girl obeyed her father, and slowly +left the room. + +"Now," said Mr. Van de Werve, "what is the secret you wish to impart to +us?" + +"I am greatly embarrassed," replied Simon Turchi, shaking his head +doubtfully; "my intention was to speak only to Signor Deodati of the +affair; perhaps it would be indiscreet in me to reveal to you also, Mr. +Van de Werve, a secret which, under different circumstances--" + +"For the love of God, abandon these useless evasions!" said Signor +Deodati, roused to a high pitch of excitement by his impatience. "Why +should not Mr. Van de Werve know that which, in your opinion, would give +us a clue to my nephew?" + +"Since I am forced to speak," said Turchi, with a sigh, "approach and +listen." + +As soon as Deodati and Mr. Van de Werve had drawn their chairs nearer to +him, Simon said in an undertone, as if he feared his words might be +overheard: + +"Have you not remarked, Mr. Van de Werve, that for some time past Geronimo +has been disturbed and anxious; that even in the midst of cheerful +conversation he appeared absent-minded; in a word, that some great trouble +seemed weighing upon him?" + +"I have noticed it," said Mr. Van de Werve. + +"And you, Signor Deodati?" + +"I have also remarked it. But what do you infer from this?" + +"About a month ago I interrogated Geronimo as to the cause of his +melancholy, and he informed me in confused, vague terms, that he had lost +a considerable sum at play_." + +"At play!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, overpowered by astonishment. + +"Was Geronimo a gambler?" exclaimed Deodati, with ill-suppressed +indignation. + +"It is the custom at Antwerp to play for money, and often for considerable +sums of money," continued Simon Turchi. "I never remarked that my friend +Geronimo had a passion for play. However that may be, I could never +discover to whom he had lost the amount, nor would he tell me how much it +was. His melancholy and agitation were caused by the circumstance I have +just mentioned. He was tortured by the certainty that his uncle would +discover, upon examination, the loss of a large amount, which was not +accounted for on the books. I proposed to advance him the deficit, but he +absolutely refused, because he preferred to meet his uncle's just anger +rather than deceive him." + +This revelation was stunning to the old Deodati. Nothing could have more +keenly wounded the honorable, high-toned nobleman than the thought that +Geronimo had been so dishonest and ungrateful as to use the funds of the +establishment in gambling. + +Trembling with emotion, he asked: + +"You say the sum is considerable. What is the amount?" + +"I have no idea, signor. Perhaps you might discover it by an examination +of the books." + +There was a short silence. Mr. Van de Werve's eyes were fixed upon the +ground. Signor Deodati passed his hand across his brow, and was absorbed +in painful thoughts. + +Simon watched for a few moments, with an inquisitive eye, the effect of +this revelation upon his two companions, trying to penetrate their very +souls. Then he said to Deodati: + +"You look on the bad side of the affair, signor. If there were not a +brighter, reverse side, I would have considered the confidence of my +friend sacred, and guarded his secret until death. Up to this time we all +feared, nay, considered it certain, that Geronimo had fallen under the +assassin's steel. Now I begin to think that, in order to escape his +uncle's anger, he has left the city and country." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve. + +"Impossible?" repeated Turchi, "he would have gone ere this, had I not +persuaded him that he would obtain his uncle's pardon. Even on the day of +your arrival, Signor Deodati, when Geronimo met me in the dock-yard on the +bank of the Scheldt, he begged me to inquire for an English vessel which +would leave on that or the next day, and secretly to engage his passage on +board. You may well know that I combated this foolish project, and I left +him only when he promised me to abandon the idea." + +"Could he so lightly sacrifice my daughter's love?" said Mr. Van de Werve. +"Were his expressions of affection for her only hypocrisy? No, no; nothing +can induce me to believe that." + +"His love was real," replied Turchi, "and its very depth, perhaps, blinded +his judgment. He thought that the discovery of his losses at the +gaming-table would inevitably deprive him of all hope of Mary's hand. My +poor friend! he wished to fly from the fate which threatened him, that he +might not witness the affliction of his beloved uncle." + +No one replied to Simon's remarks, and he said, with hypocritical +surprise: + +"How sad you both are! You should rather rejoice at my revelation. Is it +not a happiness to think that Geronimo, although guilty of a fault, is +still alive, and not to be forced to believe that he is forever lost to +our affection by a frightful death?" + +Old Deodati arose and said: + +"My friends, I must leave you; my mind is troubled; I am ill. Besides, I +wish to discover by the books the truth or falsity of Signor Turchi's +statement. Do not attempt to detain me, I beg you. Adieu! May God guard +you!" + +Simon Turchi prepared to accompany the old man; but whilst they were +speaking together the bailiff, Messire John Van Schoonhoven, suddenly +entered, and without the formality of a salutation, he exclaimed: + +"Gentlemen, I have news!" + +Turchi trembled and turned pale; but as the unexpected announcement of the +bailiff had startled the others, his emotion was not attributed to terror. + +"For the love of God be calm, gentlemen, and do not anticipate too much. I +do not know what has become of the unfortunate Geronimo, but I have just +cause to hope that we will soon find him--at least we have a clue.' I have +learned, beyond doubt, that on the day of his disappearance, about five +o'clock in the evening, he was seen beyond the Square of Meir. A monk from +the Dominican Convent, who knows him well, saluted him and noticed the +direction he went. Acting upon this information, one of my most +intelligent subordinates has been tracing him. A banker saw him pass +through the quarter of the Jews. This is all I know at present, but these +facts are sufficient to determine the direction of our researches, and may +perhaps lead to a fortunate issue. By early dawn to-morrow I will collect +all the agents at my disposal; I will divide them into small bands, and I +will order them to search every house, cellar, and garden in a certain +part of the city, and that in the most thorough manner, without leaving a +spot unexamined.[22] I myself will superintend the work, and will visit in +person each hand of workmen to see that my commands are properly +executed." + +Simon Turchi had covered his face with his hands, in order to conceal his +terror. + +Surprised by his emotion, the bailiff said: + +"What have I said, Signor Turchi, to excite so much feeling?" + +"Ah, you know not how much suffering you cause me," replied Simon. "I +thought I was about to learn from your lips that my friend was safe, and +what do you promise me if your search proves successful? Only his dead +body!" + +"It is true," said the bailiff. "It is no use to deceive you. My opinion +is that he has been assassinated in some by-street near the hospital +grounds, or in one of the dark alleys between the parishes of Saint George +and Saint Andrew. But I am determined to discover the truth. Dead or +alive, I will find him, even if it be necessary to tear up the pavements +of all the cellars, and dig up all the gardens to the depth of ten feet. +The whole city is in a state of excitement; the people complain of the +authorities of Antwerp as though we were accomplices in the crime. This +affair shall be brought to light, I pledge my honor and my name." + +"I thank you for your zeal and solicitude," stammered Turchi. "May God +direct your steps! How we will all bless you, if you restore Geronimo +alive to us."[23] + +"I have little hope, little hope, signor; but all things are possible," +said the bailiff, shaking his head. + +Deodati took his hand, and said: + +"Messire Van Schoonhoven, I am most grateful to you. Excuse me for the +remaining longer in your honorable company; but I am indisposed, and I +must return home. May God protect you, signor." + +"And are you going also, Signor Turchi?" asked the bailiff. + +When Simon gave him to understand, by a glance of the eye, that he could +not let the old man go alone, he took his hand affectionately, and said: + +"I understand, signor; you are right. Adieu, until to-morrow." + +Turchi offered his arm to Deodati, and supported his tottering steps. They +took leave of Mr. Van de Werve, who accompanied them to the door, and +admiring Simon Turchi's kindness, he followed them with his eyes as long +as they were in sight. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +SIMON TURCHI TRIES TO CONCEAL HIS CRIME. + + +After having accompanied Deodati to his residence, Simon Turchi went to +his own dwelling near the bridge _De la Vigne_. + +He was greatly excited, either by extreme anxiety or by a feverish +impatience; for he descended to the ground-floor, entered his office, +pretended to be looking for some papers, went up stairs again, paced the +room, opened the window, looked up and down the street, closed the window +petulantly, and at last, stamping his foot, he angrily exclaimed: + +"The miserable gamester! he is in some tavern drinking, gambling, amusing +himself, while I am here on burning coals, almost overpowered by anxiety +and terror! Julio, Julio, if I escape the fate which now threatens me, I +will have my revenge for your ingratitude!" + +Again he went to the window, and again he was disappointed. Thoroughly +discouraged, he threw himself upon a chair, heaved a heavy sigh, and after +a moment's silence exclaimed in accents of despair: + +"Alas! alas! is it then true that my crime cannot remain concealed? Who +was it, to my great misfortune, who sent the Dominican brother just to the +spot to meet Geronimo, and thus furnished the bailiff with a clue to the +murder? Who put the Jewish banker on his track, so that the constables +might be led to my garden? Who suggested the idea to the bailiff to search +the cellars? Was it chance? But chance is blind, and does not proceed +with such precision to the fulfilment of a purpose. How frightful if God +himself conducted justice! if the Supreme Judge, who cannot be deceived, +has condemned me to an infamous death! How vain then all hope, all effort +to escape!" + +Overpowered by these reflections, Simon Turchi bowed his head upon his +breast; his hands worked convulsively, and at intervals heart-rending +sighs escaped him. + +Confusedly arose before him a horrible vision: he saw the scaffold +erected; he beheld the sword of the executioner glitter in the sunlight; +he heard the shouts of the populace calling down the vengeance of heaven +upon his guilty head and devoting his name to eternal infamy; he seemed to +feel the mysterious stroke from the uplifted blade, for his frame shook +violently, and he uttered a piercing cry of anguish. + +He thrust his hand into his doublet, and drew from it slowly a small phial +half filled with a yellow liquid, and held it before him with a shudder of +disgust and horror. + +"Poison, deadly poison!" he muttered. "He who has the courage to take a +few drops will sleep a sweet sleep from which there is no awakening. And +is this my only refuge from the ignominy of the scaffold? Instead of +wealth and happiness, is a miserable death to be the price of my crime? +No, no; I must chase away these horrible thoughts." + +He replaced the phial in his doublet, and abandoned himself again to his +dark reflections; but at last he conquered, in a measure, his dejection, +and he said, less despairingly but still sorrowfully: + +"And yet everything was going on so smoothly! I had recovered my note; the +possession of the ten thousand crowns enabled me to conceal for the +present the ruined condition of my affairs; Mary did not appear +indifferent to me, and Geronimo being out of the way, I was certain of +succeeding with her in the course of time. I would in that case become +rich and powerful; her dowry would be sufficient to save me from poverty +and a humiliating discovery. Alas! why do the people accuse the +magistrates of want of zeal? Things more surprising than the +disappearance of Geronimo have happened lately without any disturbance +among the populace. It was the public feeling that forced the bailiff to +make extraordinary efforts to discover what had become of him; it will be +the cause of my destruction! Can there be a mysterious impulse to this +unwonted excitement of the multitude? Vainly then would I struggle to +escape! Would it not be God himself pursuing me?" + +The recurrence of this thought struck terror to the soul of Simon Turchi, +and he buried his head in his hands. Suddenly he started up, and although +his lips twitched convulsively, he said, in a firm, strong voice: + +"Ah! ah! fatality is a spur which inspires the most cowardly with coinage. +Avaunt, foolish fears! I must struggle on to the end. The bailiff seeks a +corpse; he pledges his honor to discover one. Let him find it! Suppose he +should find it elsewhere than in my summer-house? in a sewer, for example? +Ah! anxiety had clouded my mind! Still, still, I have means for triumph! +Oh, if Julio-would come! Could I only imagine in what tavern the rascal is +gambling, I would send Bernardo for him." + +Saying these words, he approached the window and looked out. + +"There comes the loiterer! He walks as composedly as if nothing weighed +upon his conscience! He cares not for the preservation of my honor and my +life; since the death of Geronimo he hates and despises me. I must appear +angry and indignant, for should he suspect the fear and anxiety torturing +my soul, he would be insolent, and perhaps would laugh at my anguish." + +As Julio approached the house, Simon attracted his attention by loud +talking, and having succeeded in this, he made signs of his impatience and +anger until Julio reached the door. He then closed the window, and +assuming an expression of rage he turned to meet his servant. + +When Julio on entering saw his master standing with folded arms and +menacing countenance, a slight and ironical smile flitted across his face. + +"Wretch!" exclaimed Simon, "did I not order you to await me here after +Change? Look well to yourself, or I will avenge myself by your blood. You +laugh! beware, or I will crush you like a worm!" + +"Come, come, signor, why give way to such useless anger? It is not long +since Change. It is not my fault that you have been obliged to wait." + +"Have you not been going from tavern to tavern, gambling, as you have been +doing the last five days?" + +"Yes, truly. I was intolerably thirsty; but if I was not here in time, you +must blame the clock of Notre Dame; it could not have struck right, I am +sure. So be calm, signor: you know that your anger makes no impression on +me. Make haste and tell me what you want me to do. We lose precious time +in this nonsensical sort of talk. I left some friends to come and receive +your orders, and I must add that I intend returning to them as soon as I +have fulfilled your commands. You need not shake your fist at me, nor get +into a passion; it will do no good." + +The disrespectful language of his servant wounded and provoked Turchi; but +perhaps seeing how useless it was to give expression to his feelings, he +suddenly changed his manner. Tears filled his eyes; grief was depicted +upon his countenance, and seating himself, he sighed and said: + +"Forgive me, Julio, for my harsh words; they were spoken in impatience. It +is too early yet for you to do what I wish, and I was wrong to complain of +your long absence." + +The servant, surprised at his master's humble language, regarded him +distrustfully. + +"Is there any danger?" he demanded. + +Turchi took his hand, and said, piteously: + +"Alas! Julio, my friend, to-morrow, in all probability, we will be cast, +manacled, into a dungeon, there to await an infamous death." + +"Is it not your own fear, signor, which inspires such a thought?" asked +Julio, trembling. + +"No; I have heard a terrible piece of news. Geronimo was seen in the +Quarter of the Jews, and he was met going towards the Hospital Grounds. +The bailiff has determined to search to-morrow morning all the cellars in +that vicinity, and even to dig the ground on the spot where my garden +lies. The police agents are to proceed at daybreak to the Hospital +meadows, and as they cannot fail to remark that the earth has been newly +turned up, they will certainly discover what they seek. You pushed +Geronimo into the arm-chair; you buried his body; consequently you will +accompany me to the scaffold, unless, in your capacity of servant, they +may choose to hang you or break you on the wheel. O Julio! does not this +information awaken you to a sense of our perilous condition?" + +"From whom did you learn all that?" asked the affrighted servant. + +"From the bailiff himself." + +"From his own lips?" + +"Yes, my friend, from his own lips. In spite of your courage and coolness, +I think I may say that you have no stronger desire than myself to die by +the hand of the executioner." + +Julio put his hand to his throat and said, dejectedly: + +"The affair looks serious. I seem to be strangling; I feel the rope around +my neck. It is all your fault, signor. Why did you murder your best +friend? Did I not warn you that so frightful a crime would come to light?" + +"Call it crime, if you will; but at least my just vengeance is satisfied, +and now neither complaints nor recriminations can recall the past nor +shelter us from danger." + +"But, signor, what can we do to escape punishment?" + +"There is a means, easy and certain. There is a means; but, Julio, it +requires good will and resolution. May I rely upon you for this last +effort?" + +"What would not one be willing to do in order to escape this gallows or +the wheel?" + +"Then listen to me. I told you that the bailiff would search the cellars. +If he finds the corpse in my house, we are both ruined." + +"Certainly, signor." + +"But suppose it be found in another place, far from this spot, who would +suspect us of the murder?" + +"An excellent thought!" exclaimed Julio, joyfully. "We must carry the dead +body to a distant street and leave it there." + +"Not so. They would naturally suppose that it had been removed to that +spot from some other place. A better plan is to throw it into the sewer in +the Vleminck Field. The officers of justice will then conclude that +Geronimo fell under the hand of some unknown assassin." + +"That is still better! Ah! signor, you frightened me without cause. I +place very little value on my life, and yet the thought of a certain death +shatters my nerves. Now I am myself again. But how shall we manage to +transport Geronimo's body to the Vleminck Field?" + +"It was for that purpose, Julio, that I was waiting so impatiently for +you," said Simon Turchi; "it was because I needed your aid to execute a +project which will save us both. Nothing is easier. You will disinter the +body, and you will throw it into the sewer."[24] + +"Alone?" said the servant, in a tone which prognosticated a refusal. + +"Why not alone, since you are able to do it?" + +"It is very easy, signor, for you to say: 'Take the body on your shoulders +and traverse three or four streets.' Signor Geronimo is heavier than you +suppose, and I doubt if by the exertion of all my strength I could carry +it twenty steps." + +Simon Turchi took his servant's two hands in his, and said, +supplicatingly: + +"Julio, my friend, be generous; it is not a difficult task for one like +yourself. Reflect that it is our only means of safety; it is as much for +your interest as mine. I will recompense you largely, and I will be +grateful to you all my life." + +"Well, signor, if you say so, I will try it; but I am afraid it will turn +out badly. I shall be obliged to rest on the way, and that will take more +time than will be prudent. And then how shall I be able each time to +replace the body on my shoulders? It requires two to transport it with +sufficient rapidity." + +"Two?" said Turchi, "You know well that we can confide our secret to no +one." + +"To escape death, one would submit to anything. Suppose you help me +yourself, signor?" + +"I!" replied Turchi, shuddering, "I carry a dead body through the streets! +I, a nobleman! No, no; better a dungeon and death!" + +"What a strange sentiment of honor!" muttered the astonished servant. +"Would to God, signor, that you had sooner remembered that you were a +nobleman, we would not thus be seeking, in mortal anguish, the means to +save our lives. Consider the affair as you will, you must confess that if +I carry the corpse alone, ten chances to one we shall be discovered." + +While the servant thus spoke, Turchi seemed preoccupied by torturing +thoughts. After a moment he said, with a sigh: + +"Alas! there is no other means; it is dangerous, but necessity demands it. +Julio, go to the summer-house, and I will send Bernardo this evening to +help you." + +"What" said Julio, ironically, "will you reveal your secret?" + +"No; I will command him, under penalty of his life, to do whatever you +order him; threaten to stab him at the least show of resistance, and he +will obey you." + +"Impossible! Signor Bernardo is a good, pious man. He would inform upon +us. I might as well put the halter around my neck. I will have none of his +aid." + +Simon Turchi, in despair at the failure of all his efforts to succeed in +his design, paced the floor impatiently. Suddenly he stopped before his +servant, and with sparkling eyes he said, in a suppressed voice: + +"Julio, there must be an end to all this hesitation. We have no choice, +and whatever may be the means, we must not deliberate in presence of the +death which menaces us. Stab Bernardo, and throw him into the sewer above +the body of Geronimo."[25] + +"Oh, signor, murder Bernardo!" exclaimed Julio, in horror. "And do you +suppose that he would not defend himself? that he would not give the +alarm? In that case, your servant would be recognized, and thus they would +put them on the track of the criminals. Your mind wanders." + +Grinding his teeth in his agony, Turchi tossed his arms convulsively, and +at last said, hoarsely: + +"You will not undertake it alone? You have not the wish to succeed. Coward +that you are, for what are you fit but to boast and drink and gamble in +the taverns? Would that I had never seen you! Leave the corpse in the +cellar; let the bailiff discover it there; we will see which of us will +meet the more courageously an infamous death!" + +A prey to the keenest emotion, he fell back in his chair, and while +uttering bitter invectives against his servant, he tore his hair in real +or feigned despair. + +The sight of-his master's desolation seemed to make some impression upon +Julio; he regarded him compassionately, and at last said, kindly: + +"Come, signor, calm yourself. All is not lost, and if my good-will can +save you, I will show you that Julio has the courage and resolution to +carry him through a difficult enterprise. Since you think I am able to +take the corpse alone to the sewer, I will attempt it. Perhaps I may +overrate the difficulties. Be calm, and rely upon my word." + +The signor knew that once having made up his mind, his servant would +unhesitatingly execute what he had undertaken, and he comprehended by his +manner that his promise was seriously made. He pressed his hand, and said, +joyfully: + +"Thanks, Julio, I owe to you my honor and my life. I will never forget it, +and when once the sword, now hanging over my head, is removed, I will +reward you magnificently. Go now to the country-house, disinter the body, +and carry it up to the ground-floor. This will give you less work later. +Fill the grave thoroughly, and as far as possible destroy all appearance +of the earth having been recently dug." + +Julio apparently let his master's words fall unheeded on his ear; he +suddenly struck his forehead with his fist, as if an unwelcome idea had +forced itself upon him. + +"What is the matter?" asked Turchi, anxiously. + +"Fool that I am!" exclaimed Julio. + +"Speak lower," said Simon. "What troubles you?" + +"Did you not notice, signor, how bright it was last night? It is clear +weather, and the moon is full! How could I carry a dead body to the sewer +with such light to betray me? It is impossible; I cannot think of it." + +These words forced from Simon a cry of anguish. He seemed crushed under +the fate which was visibly pursuing him. The cowardice and ill-will of his +servant had not cast him into despair like this last obstacle; for he well +knew that either by threats or promises of reward he could overcome +Julio's resistance; but what could prevent the moon from shining? It was +clear that no way remained of removing Geronimo's body from the cellar, +and the officers of the law would infallibly discover where the murder had +been committed. + +It was then true that for him there was no escape from ruin; that a +mysterious power opposed all his plans; perhaps God himself was +interposing to prevent him from saving his life. + +The supposition made him shudder; nevertheless he tortured his mind to +discover some plank of safety; a thousand tumultuous thoughts presented +themselves. Might they not bury the body in a retired spot of the garden, +plunge it in the basin of the fountain, or conceal it under the stones of +the grotto? But none of these plans could be accomplished without leaving +traces which would lead to certain discovery. + +Suddenly a happy idea seemed to occur to him, for his face brightened; he +arose and said: + +"Julio, you must leave the country; it is your only means of safety." + +"I leave the country!" said Julio; "and you, signor?" + +"Would that I could accompany you! but I cannot say as you can: 'Where my +body is, there is all I have and all I care for.' I must of necessity +remain here: I have many interests to detain me." + +Julio was astonished by the advice. + +"Where shall I go? In Italy a price is set upon my head; I dare not be +seen beyond the mountains. It is too late for me to leave for England; +there are no vessels ready to sail. What could I do in Germany, ignorant +of the language of the country and without means of subsistence?" + +"Save your life, Julio; go to Germany," said Turchi. "I will give you +money, plenty of money." + +The deep red of the scar on his master's face, his expression of cunning, +his evident satisfaction, made Julio suspect some deception. He was +unable at first to imagine his secret design; but a light suddenly broke +upon his mind, and recoiling with horror and anger, he exclaimed: + +"What an odious trap you are setting for me! You intend to accuse me of +the murder in my absence? And while poor Julio, charged with a double +crime, finds no resting-spot upon earth, you will enjoy here in entire +security, in the midst of wealth and honor, the price of the innocent +blood which you have shed. No, no, I will bring no new anathema on my +head." + +"You are silly, Julio," said Simon Turchi, disdainfully. "Should we be +arrested to-morrow, and the truth known, would you not be equally punished +for having treacherously pushed Geronimo into the chair?" + +"Yes; but all would know that I neither conceived the crime, nor profited +by its commission." + +"A fine consolation, to contend on the scaffold!" said the signor +ironically, repressing his impatience. "But I will speak to you plainly +and without reserve. I will state my conditions; if you refuse them, then +all is at an end between us. Each of us is at liberty to save himself even +at the sacrifice of the other. The worst part of the whole is that I might +feel myself obliged, for my own security, to make known to the authorities +of Lucca who you are." + +The servant regarded his master with an expression of disgust and +aversion. + +"These are my conditions," said Simon. "You will leave immediately for +Germany, and reach the Rhine as soon as possible. I will give you two +hundred crowns. Procure a carriage and horse at the very first village, +and do not stop until you are in a place of safety. To prevent any +detention on the way, I will give you a letter to Signor Mazzuchelli, a +banker at Cologne. If on the journey you are asked why you have undertaken +it, say that you are on urgent business for your master, and if necessity +require it, show the letter; but once in Cologne, do not present the +letter to Mazzuchelli. Two hundred crowns! that is a fortune, Julio. With +that you can live luxuriously for two or three years. And what difference +will it make whether you know the language of the country or not. Money +understands and speaks all languages."[26] + +"And when the two hundred crowns are spent, what will become of me?" said +the servant. + +"I will not forsake you, Julio," said Turchi. "Whenever you need money, +inform me of it, and I will send you enough to keep you from want. But you +must change your name and simply notify me that you need money to continue +your business. And your new name? It seems to me that 'Marco Castagno' +would answer. What say you?" + +Julio shook his head doubtfully, muttering between his teeth. Although the +promise of two hundred crowns was seductive, he hesitated to accept his +master's proposition. + +"Why deliberate so long?" said Simon. "I offer you a certain means of +escaping the gallows, and you hesitate! Moreover, I secure you a life of +ease, independent, without cares, the free, joyous life of a lord, and yet +you refuse." + +Julio seemed to have come to a decision. + +"Will you give me two hundred crowns?" he demanded. + +"Two hundred crowns in coin." + +"Before my departure?" + +"Immediately." + +"Give them to me. I am in a hurry to depart." + +"I will go for them," said Turchi, leaving the room. + +Julio seated himself and rested his head upon his hands. But he had not +long for reflection; his master returned after a short absence. + +Simon Turchi held a purse in his hands. He went to the table and counted +out four piles of gold pieces. + +The sight of so much money made an impression on Julio, and he approached +the table. Joy sparkled in his eyes, and whilst he contemplated the +shining pieces, he nodded his head with an air of satisfaction. + +"You see," said Simon, "that the sum is correct, and you will not find the +gold heavy to carry. Now put it in your doublet. Going down stairs I +reflected upon your good-will, and I considered whether I might not avoid +accusing you of the murder of Geronimo, and my friendship for you +suggested a means. Now that I am sure of being able, under any +circumstances, of exculpating myself, it is not necessary for me to bring +any accusation against you. Besides, Julio, I dislike to be separated from +you. If in two or three months I could bring you back without danger, I +would be delighted." + +"I would be well pleased, signor," said Julio, with a sigh. + +"In order to secure this chance to ourselves, Julio, you must, before +leaving, go to the country-house, level, as far as possible, the earth in +the cellar, throw sand and dust upon the grave, and then fill the cellar +with fire-wood and empty casks." + +"But, signor, that would take time." + +"That is of no consequence. At this hour there are too many people passing +through the city gates. It is better for you to pass the night at the +pavilion, and to-morrow morning, as soon as the gates are open, you will +leave. At daybreak you will be certain of meeting no one who would notice +what direction you had taken. I suggest this for your own sake, Julio, not +mine; for suppose the officers of the law should search my summer-house, +those precautions would divert their attentions from the cellar, while +otherwise they would infallibly discover that the earth had been recently +dug. Perhaps, through respect for me, the bailiff may exempt my lands from +search. In either case I will wait until the impression made by the murder +has worn away. I will say nothing of you, except that you left me in +consequence of a sharp rebuke, and that I do not know what has become of +you. As soon as the present excitement subsides and the search is +abandoned, I promise to recall you. Now will you go to the pavilion and +accomplish faithfully what I advise?" + +"I will." + +"Do not forget your new name." + +"Marco Castagno? It is easily remembered." + +"Yes; Marco Castagno, and you are travelling on business. I had nearly +forgotten the letter of recommendation. Wait here an instant; do not come +down-stairs. I will write it at once." + +When Julio was left alone he put his hand in his pocket, chinked the gold +coins, and drew out a handful for the pleasure of contemplating them; but +he soon returned the money to his doublet, and fell into deep thought. + +"If," he muttered, "I could only set off at once! Here I am obliged to +pass a whole night in that accursed pavilion! The signor thinks that +Geronimo has been buried for five days, and his corpse is still above +ground. To fill up the grave is not much. Suppose I let that alone, and +leave this evening with the money? No, no; I will execute faithfully what +I promised. My master is so generous to me, I will show him that I am not +ungrateful." + +"Here is the letter of recommendation," said Simon Turchi, entering the +room. "It is in the name of Marco Castagno. Forget your other names, and +be prudent, remembering that the least indiscretion might cost our lives. +Go to the pavilion, Julio. I bid you adieu, with the hope of soon seeing +you again at Antwerp." + +"Shall I not take my clothes, signor, or a traveling cloak?" + +"No; the cloak you have on will suffice. Were you seen with any baggage, +your intention might be suspected. Appear indifferent. You can buy +whatever you may need." + +The servant extended his hand to his master, and going to the door, said: + +"Adieu, signor; if you do not refuse to aid me when I am in want, I will +keep your secret faithfully." + +"Do your work in the cellar carefully, Julio. I wish you a pleasant +journey." + +Julio descended the staircase and walked slowly down the street. + +His master opened the window and watched him until he was out of sight. + +Simon Turchi drew a long breath, as though the weight of a mountain had +been removed from his heart. A smile lighted up his face, and he said in +an accent of intense joy: + +"He has gone! Now I have nothing to fear. The bailiff may find the body; +Julio committed the crime; I know nothing of it; I am as innocent as a +lamb. Ah! I thought I was lost. Now I must arrange my plans as though I +were certain of the discovery of the body. I feel new strength; hope and +certainty animate my heart. Mary, Mary, your name, your fortune, your love +will be mine. My life will yet be crowned with grandeur, wealth, and +happiness." + +And in feverish excitement he closed the window. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +GERONIMO RESURRECTED. + + +The clock in the steeple of Saint George struck seven, and night was +coming on, when Julio opened the garden-gate of his master's country-seat +and walked with a light step towards the house. + +He kept one hand wrapped in his cloak, as if to conceal some object; the +other was in his pocket, turning over the gold pieces given him by Simon +Turchi. Joy sparkled in his eyes, as he said to himself: + +"God be praised! I resisted the temptation. They urged me to drink and +play at the 'Swan,' but my gold coins reminded me that I had a serious +duty to perform. After work comes the recompense. What I hold in my hand +will indemnify me for the thirst I have suffered and for the time lost. It +is the very best Spanish wine--as dear as if it were melted silver, and as +strong as if it were liquid fire." + +On entering a room in the house, he drew two bottles from his doublet and +one from under his cloak, placed them upon the table, and looked at them +longingly. + +"No, no, not now; presently! Business first. Your bewitching smile cannot +seduce me. Patience, my friends; an hour hence we will become acquainted. +To fill up a grave and roll some empty casks into the cellar is a small +matter. But it is getting so dark that I can no longer distinguish the +image of the emperor on the gold pieces; I must light the lamp." + +Taking a wooden box from the mantelpiece, he drew out a flint and struck +it. It was some time before the tinder took fire, and Julio laughed at his +own failures; but at last he succeeded in his efforts, and a large lamp +made the whole room bright with its rays. + +Julio approached the table and said: + +"Now at least I can gratify the desire which has irritated my nerves +during the last hour. To possess two hundred crowns, to be as rich as a +banker, to feel my pockets weighed down by gold, and still unable to feast +my eyes on the treasure! Now I am alone; there is no one to ask whence it +came. The time has arrived. I may enjoy my wealth without anxiety!" + +He drew an arm-chair to the table, reclined in it comfortably, with +extended limbs, and placed the gold coin by handfuls under the light of +the lamp. + +After searching his pocket and doublet and convincing himself that all the +crowns were spread out before him, he heaped them up and ran his hands +through them as if to enjoy the sparkle and jingle of the gold. He held +his breath, for fear of losing the least sound; with eyes wide open he +contemplated the brilliant treasure. + +For a long time Julio remained, with a smile of happiness upon his lips, +in mute admiration, and, perhaps scarcely aware of what he was doing, he +ranged the crowns in a line and counted them; then he separated them into +piles of twenty pieces each; then he tossed them from hand to hand, until, +wearied of this amusement, he looked at them musingly. At last he +exclaimed in a joyous outbreak: + +"Two hundred crowns! What will I do with them? How will I spend them? +Shall I drink Malmsey, Muscatel, the very best, such as brings pleasure to +the heart? But at that rate I shall soon see the end of my money. Shall I +play for florins and crowns? That would be an excellent means, certainly, +of either becoming a hundred times richer or of losing every farthing. +Strange! how fearful and avaricious money makes me! I do not even care to +play; no, I will not do it. I will dress like a nobleman: in satin, +velvet, and silk; I will drink and eat of the most exquisite dishes; I +will Jive in luxury and abundance, as though the world were a terrestrial +paradise. Ah, what a glorious life! + +"But what a cowardly wretch I am! My only anxiety is to know how to spend +or rather squander this treasure, and at this moment there lives, far from +me, one who perhaps is stretching out her hand to me to beg an alms! My +poor mother! she may even need bread. Were she to curse her ungrateful +son, would he not have deserved it a hundred times? I am afraid of myself! +With ten crowns, with the twentieth part of what I am going to throw away +in dissipation, she might be saved from misery for more than a year. Why +did I not give twenty crowns to my master to send to her? Suppose I return +to the factory to execute this good thought? Impossible! Signor Turchi +would be enraged; besides, I have no confidence in him. I will inquire, +when in Germany, if she still lives, and if she be in want I will send her +money." + +He took up twenty crowns, one by one, from the table, counted them, +regarded them wistfully, and said, as he dropped them into his pocket: + +"Twenty crowns! that is a large sum; but it may make my blind old mother +happy. I will put her portion by itself." + +His eye again rested on the glittering coin. The sight appeared to deject +him. + +"How visibly it has diminished!" he said, sighing. "I believed my treasure +inexhaustible, and by one thought the twentieth part has disappeared. Will +it not go as fast in Germany? Will not gambling and drinking deprive me of +the whole in a few months and leave me in misery? What sombre thoughts! A +moment ago, and everything wore a smiling aspect; now, my mind is tortured +by fear and anxiety. But why need I be troubled? When I have spent the two +hundred crowns, Signor Turchi will send me more. But it is not well to +rely too much upon that; his head may fall under the axe of the +executioner. In that case I would be as badly off myself. The discovery +would drive me from Germany into Netherlands or Italy. Instead of living +in luxury, I would infallibly fall into the lion's jaw, and the gallows or +the wheel would be my well-merited fate. But if the murderer of Geronimo +be not discovered, I can return quietly, and my master would receive me +kindly for fear I would betray his secret. That depends in a great measure +upon my care in acquitting myself of the task entrusted to me. I will +accomplish it loyally and well. The sight of this gold no longer gives me +pleasure. A full cup of wine first, and then to work bravely!" + +He uncorked one of the bottles and half emptied it; then muttering a few +words as to the strength and energy imparted by the liquor, he took the +lamp, and fixing his eye on the bottle, said: + +"It will take me only a few minutes to throw the body into the grave and +fill it up; but the rest of the work will require more than an hour. That +is a long time to be separated from you, is it not? To keep me company, I +will take the half-empty bottle; that will not hinder me from doing my +duty properly; on the contrary, it will give me courage and strength. Now +to work!" + +He re-corked the bottle, put it inside of his doublet, took the lamp, and +slowly descended the staircase. + +The passage leading to the cellar in which Julio had thrown Geronimo's +body was rather long, and he had time to feel the effect of the wine, and +it so raised his spirits that he commenced jesting about hid past anxiety, +and on nearing the cellar he sang the first notes of a joyful song. + +But the words expired upon his lips, he trembled in every limb, and turned +ashy pale. + +A voice answered him from the cellar. + +Immovable from terror, Julio fixed his eyes upon the door, and strove to +comprehend the words which fell indistinctly upon his ear. + +"Heavens!" he exclaimed, "it is Geronimo; he lives!" + +Shuddering, he withdrew a short distance down the passage, and was for a +time as motionless as a statue. At last, with deep emotion, he said: + +"What can this mean? The signor said at the first thrust his dagger met +metal, but that the wound in his neck was deep. Suppose it were merely a +flesh-wound? What shall I do? Shall I let him live?" + +He was painfully undecided. + +"Impossible!" he said. "It would be the death-warrant of both my master +and myself. I must choose between his death and ours. Implacable fatality +urges me on--in truth, I have no choice. One blow, and all is over! I must +not hesitate; my knife is sharp." + +He drew his dagger from its scabbard, examined the blade, tried it with +his finger. He shuddered, and a cry of horror escaped him. + +"Fatal position!" he exclaimed. "To kill a man in cold blood! an innocent +man! What harm has poor Geronimo ever done me? Stab him! My heart fails +me--I cannot perpetrate such a cruelty. And yet, and yet I must! The crime +horrifies me, but I have no alternative. Only by the sacrifice of his life +can my master escape the scaffold, and I the gallows. Fate irresistibly +pursues me; I am the slave of necessity--I must follow whither it leads!" + +With staggering step and in a blind frenzy, Julio ran down the passage, +caught his dagger between his teeth, put the key in the lock, and turned +the light so that it might fall upon his victim. + +He stopped trembling in the middle of the cellar, and pity filled his soul +as his eye rested on Geronimo. He had indeed drawn his dagger to complete +the horrible crime; but now, touched and moved by compassion, he +considered the unfortunate young man, who extended to him his suppliant +hands and begged for help. + +Geronimo was kneeling on the side of the grave which had been dug to +receive his corpse. His face was partly covered with clotted blood; the +portion visible was excessively pale, and his cheeks were so sunken that +those few days of suffering had left only the skin to cover his bones. His +eyes, rolling wildly, were sunk in their sockets; his neck, weakened by +the wound, could not support his head, which fell upon his right shoulder. +His clothes were blood-stained and covered with dirt. It was evident that +in his struggle against death he had dragged himself around the tomb to +try, if possible, to escape it. + +"Whoever you may be," cried out Geronimo, "for the love of God, one drop +of water!" + +His voice was weak, but capable of moving the hardest heart. + +Julio shook his head, without speaking. + +"Water! water!" repeated the young man. "I am burning up, consumed by +thirst. Water! water! one drop of water! Save me from a frightful death!" + +Moved by pity and forgetting, as it were, his own situation, Julio thrust +his hand under his doublet, drew out the bottle, uncorked it, and without +speaking gave it to the wounded gentleman. He uttered a cry of joy, seized +the bottle with feverish energy, and kissed with transport the hand which +presented him the saving beverage. + +Julio, with palpitating heart, watched the unfortunate Geronimo, as with +trembling joy he placed the bottle to his lips, as if the contents were +imparting to him a new life. + +And indeed, after having quaffed a deep draught, Geronimo appeared to have +new strength; for a sweet smile appeared upon his face, his eyes sparkled +with gratitude, and lifting his hands to Julio, he said: + +"May God bless you! you have saved me from a frightful death. May Heaven +hear my prayer and reward you on the day of judgment for all the good I +may have done in my life. The light blinded me; I could not see. Are you +not Julio?" + +This recognition struck Geronimo with terror, and in a feeble and +discouraged voice he said: + +"Julio, Julio, you pushed me into the chair!" + +Then seeing the dagger in Julio's hands, he shuddered. + +"A dagger in your hand! Ah! you come to kill me?" + +"Yes, signor," replied Julio, sadly, "I come to take your life; but do not +suppose I fulfil this fatal mission without emotion; on the contrary, my +heart bleeds for you, and I feel an indescribable repugnance to deal the +fatal blow." + +"Ah! you are not merciless; you will have pity on me," said Geronimo. + +"Impossible!" replied Julio. "Fatality governs us both; it has irrevocably +condemned you to death, and me to inhumanity. All prayer, all supplication +is useless; nothing can save your life. I beg you, signor, not to increase +the difficulties of my task; accept with resignation a fate you cannot +escape." + +A sharp cry escaped Geronimo, as these unfeeling words convinced him that +all hope was lost. + +"My God!" he exclaimed, "is it then true that this dungeon is to become my +tomb? Must I die without confession? Shall my body lie in unconsecrated +ground? Oh, mercy! mercy!" + +"Necessity is a merciless law, signor," replied Julio, "and I have more +cause than you to complain of its harshness. You, at least, will receive +in heaven the recompense of your innocent life, while I must commit here a +crime from which I recoil with horror, but which is forced upon me by an +irresistible power, and for which my poor soul will stand accused before +the judgment-seat of God. But do not cherish a deceitful hope; there is no +hope for you. Before I depart from here, that grave must receive your +body. That I did not immediately on entering fulfil my sad mission is +partly owing to the fact that an uncontrollable compassion paralyzed my +arm, but still more, to my desire to afford you time to say some prayers. +Therefore prepare your soul for its last passage. I will wait patiently +even for a quarter of an hour. Pray with a tranquil mind--I will not +strike without giving notice." + +Saying these words, Julio put down the lamp replaced his dagger in its +scabbard, and seated himself on a block of wood which was in a corner of +the cellar. + +Geronimo, overwhelmed by Julio's insensibility, bowed his head upon his +breast. For some time he neither spoke nor moved, seeming to accept his +fate with complete resignation. But the terror of death again possessed +him. + +"Impossible!" he exclaimed. "You will not kill me, Julio? I conjure you, +by your soul's salvation, not to imbrue your hands in my blood!" + +And the unfortunate young man endeavored to drag his feeble body to +Julio's feet; but the latter drew his dagger in a threatening manner. + +Geronimo uttered a cry of despair, crawled back to the side of the grave, +and fell exhausted on the ground, where he bewept his sad fate. + +His stifled sobs were so heart-breaking that Julio's soul was stirred +within him, and without being conscious of it, he wiped away the tears +which fell from his eyes. + +In a voice full of compassion he said: + +"Come, signor, be calm, and submit with resignation to the irrevocable +decree of fate. When one has lived like you in the fear of God, honorably +and loyally, death is but the passage to a better life." + +A cry of indignation mingled with the convulsive sobs of the young +gentleman. + +"I understand you," said Julio; "you think that my pity is a cruel irony; +you believe me to be inhuman. Even in the tomb you might justly call down +maledictions on the head of the murderer who of his own will and choice +would deprive you of life. But, alas! signor, I have neither will nor +choice in the matter. To-morrow the officers of justice will search this +house and cellar." + +"To-morrow!" exclaimed Geronimo, a new hope-springing up in his heart. + +"If I let you live, they would infallibly find you here," pursued Julio. +"This hope inspires you with joy; vain hope! signor, for should it be +realized, my master would perish on the scaffold, and I would expiate my +crime on the gallows!" + +"Julio," said Geronimo, beseechingly, "I will remove all suspicion from +you; I will declare you innocent; I will reward you magnificently." + +"It would be useless, signor. The law knows no mercy. My master would +betray the part I had in the deed; and do you think the judges would +pardon me for having pushed you into the chair?" + +"Save me, spare my life, Julio; and if necessary for your acquittal, I +will kneel to the bailiff, I will appeal to the emperor himself." + +"There is another reason, unknown to you, signor," replied Julio, +bitterly. "I am a fugitive, condemned to death by the laws of Italy. My +master alone knows my real name. The least infidelity on my part would +make him deliver me into the hands of those who for five years have been +seeking me. Think you, then, that it is in my power to spare you? It is my +own and my master's death you demand. And what a death! For him, the axe +of the executioner and eternal infamy to his family; for me, the rack, the +wheel, the gallows. Do not blame me then, signor; do not contend against +implacable fate; employ your last moments in prayer, or tell me that you +are ready to receive the mortal blow. Nothing can save you; that open tomb +tells you a sad but pitiless truth. Again I beg you, signor, lift up your +heart to God, and do not force me to make use of sudden violence." + +"Die so young and guiltless!" lamented Geronimo. "Never again to see the +light of heaven! O Mary, my beloved! how you will deplore my fate! My poor +uncle! sorrow will bring your gray hairs to the grave!" + +The accents of despair made Julio shudder; but he said, in a cold manner: + +"Are you ready, signor?" + +"A moment more, one moment for prayer!" said Geronimo. + +He joined his hands and uttered a fervent prayer; but although he +apparently accepted his fate with resignation, it was equally evident that +his soul struggled against the death which was hanging over him. + +By degrees, however, prayer brought resignation and consolation to +Geronimo, for the nervous trembling of his limbs ceased and his voice +became more distinct and calm. + +Julio fixed his eyes on Geronimo, and his heart was touched when he +thought he heard him ask pardon of God for his enemies; but when the lips +of the young man pronounced his own name in ardent supplication, and he +distinctly heard his unfortunate victim praying for the soul of his +murderer, Julio dropped his knife, and said, with a deep sigh: + +"My courage has forsaken me! I have not the strength to accomplish this +cruel act." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Geronimo, as Julio pronounced these words, "it is a voice +from heaven speaking to your heart. Hearken to it. Have pity on me! spare +my life!" + +Julio was too absorbed in his own thoughts to heed Geronimo. In accents of +despair he muttered: + +"Frightful situation! Beside the very grave I have dug for him, he prays +for my soul! And can I shed his blood? But there is no help for it. I +must--I must!" + +The young gentleman remarked the struggle in Julio's soul, and he mustered +up all his strength to approach him; but Julio, seeing Geronimo's design, +picked up his knife, took the lamp, and left the cellar, saying: + +"It is useless, signor. Fate is more powerful than we are; and struggle as +we may against its inevitable decrees, they must be accomplished! The +sight of your sorrow has deprived me of all courage. I go to regain +strength. I will soon return. Be prepared, for this time I will act +without delay!" + +He closed the door and walked slowly down the passage. Having reached his +room, he stamped with anger, uttered desperate words, struck his forehead +with his fist, vented his impatience, because he could see no solution of +his difficulties. He paced the room like a madman, fought the air, +stopped, resumed his walk,--until exhausted he threw himself into a chair. +Sorrow, anguish, and rage, by turns were depicted on his countenance. He +lamented the necessity of the murder, and complained in bitter terms of +his sad fate. But in vain he tortured his brain--not a ray of light came +to illumine his darkness. The pitiless "I must do it!" was the invariable +refrain. + +By chance his eye fell upon the two bottles which he had placed upon the +table, and as if the sight had inspired him with a sudden resolution, he +seized one of the bottles, uncorked it, and putting it to his lips, drank +a long draught, stopped a moment for breath, then emptied the bottle. + +He remained some time immovable as if to test the influence of the wine on +his mind, swallowed half of the second bottle, drew his dagger, took the +lamp, and descended the stairs, saying: + +"Now my courage will not fail me! No more words: a single blow and all +will be over! I must strike him in the back; he wears a cuirass on his +breast." + +Opening the door of the cellar, he placed the lamp on the ground without +speaking, and raising his dagger, he walked directly towards Geronimo, who +lifted his hands imploringly. + +Within a few steps of his victim, Julio, with an exclamation of surprise, +stopped suddenly as if immovable. His eye fell upon an object which +Geronimo held in his hand and extended to him, as though it had power to +turn aside the mortal blow. + +It was a flat copper medal, in the centre of which was a cross and other +emblems, and attached to it was a bright steel chain. + +Julio, forgetful of what he was about to do, sprang forward, seized the +strange medal, examined it closely, and said, in astonishment: + +"This amulet in your hands, signor! What does it mean? How came you by +it?" + +Geronimo, whose every thought was fixed upon death, was too much startled +by the sudden transition to reply immediately. + +"Speak, tell me whence comes this amulet? Who gave it to you?" + +"From Africa--from a blind woman," answered Geronimo, almost +unintelligibly. + +"In Africa? And the woman's name?" said Julio, beside himself with +impatience. + +"Mostajo. Teresa Mostajo!" + +"Teresa Mostajo! You are then the liberator of my poor blind mother!" + +"Then you will spare my life! God of mercy, I thank thee, there is still +hope!" + +But Julio heeded not the words of the young man. + +"This amulet," he said, "recalls my native village. I see again my father, +mother, friends. I see myself as I was before dissipation led me to sin +and vice. This amulet, brought by my grandfather from Jerusalem, protected +my father against many dangers, saved my mother's life; and you, signor, +you owe to the same amulet escape from a violent death, for it turned +aside my master's dagger from your breast. Strange and mysterious power +which thus shields the victim from his executioner!" + +"Julio," said Geronimo, "keep me not in suspense. Say that you will not +take my life. Be merciful to the man whose name is blessed by the lips of +your mother!" + +"Fear not, signor; rather than shed one drop of your blood, I would pay +the penalty of my guilty life on the gallows. But I must reflect upon our +peculiar situation, for my mind is not clear; perhaps I may discover a +means of escape. Do not disturb me, I beg you." + +He withdrew to the corner of the cellar where he had been previously +seated, and remained motionless for some time, without giving any sign of +the agitation of his mind. + +Geronimo regarded him at first with a look of joyful anticipation; by +degrees, however, his face wore an expression of sadness and surprise; it +seemed to him that Julio had fallen asleep. He was mistaken, however, for +Julio arose after a while, and said: + +"Now I see my way clearly. I will save you, signor; but in doing that, I +might as well avoid securing a halter for myself. You must have patience +until to-morrow. It is now about nine o'clock in the evening, and the +time, I know, will be very long to you. But you must submit to a condition +which is necessary for the preservation of my own life. To-morrow, at +daybreak, I shall quit the city and country. Before leaving, I will set +you at liberty. Do not attempt to shake my resolution; let me go now, +signor, and expect with confidence your deliverance." + +Geronimo joined his hands, and said, feebly: + +"Thanks, thanks, and may the good God show you the mercy you have shown to +me! I have yet a favor to implore, a benefit to ask." + +"Speak, signor, what do you wish?" + +"It is long since I awoke from my death-like stupor. I know not how long, +and I am tormented by hunger and thirst; you have kept life in me by the +wine so kindly bestowed, but now my body demands nourishment. Give me +bread." + +"Bread!" said Julio, "there is not a mouthful of food in the house." + +But seeing Geronimo's eyes fixed in supplication upon him, he added: + +"It is not late; perhaps I may find some shop still open. I will return +presently; remain quiet, and have no anxiety, signor." + +He took the lamp, left the cellar, closing the door after him, and +ascended to his room. There folding his arms, he began to muse: + +"How strange! the young merchant who, at the risk of his own life, +defended my mother from her Moslem master, who paid her ransom, and +liberated her from slavery--that merchant was Geronimo! By some mysterious +influence the amulet protected his heart from the blade of his vindictive +enemy; and when I am about to shed his blood, behold, the amulet paralyzes +my arm. It is incomprehensible!" + +The current of his thoughts changed. Seizing the half empty bottle, he +drank its contents. + +"Strange," said he, "how the bad effects of liquor are controlled by the +emotions! I have taken enough to deprive me of consciousness, and I feel +my mind as clear as though I had not touched a drop. This last draught, +however, has mounted to my brain. So it is decreed that my master, Simon +Turchi, must die upon the scaffold? It is disagreeable for both of us, but +I could not help it. I shall not know what to do when the two hundred +crowns are spent; necessity will force me to seek other resources, even at +the risk of the gallows, and in all probability the fatal noose will +encircle my neck. Bah! if it is predestined, who can prevent it? My master +and I will receive only what we deserve. But I am forgetting the starving +young gentleman; I must go out to procure him some food. It will be a fine +opportunity to drink a pint of wine at the _Swan_; that cannot be closed +yet, for gamblers do not keep early hours. Only one pint in passing! not +more, for if my reason became clouded, I cannot answer for the +consequences; but there is no need to fear that, for my life is at stake. +I will return in half an hour." + +He extinguished the lamp, and hastily traversed the garden. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +SIMON TURCHI'S ALARM--CRIME BEGETS CRIME. + + +Some time after the hour of Change, Simon Turchi had returned home, and +was apparently preparing to go out again, for he had changed his doublet +for one of a darker color, and his cloak lay on a chair beside him. + +The signor was in high spirits; he carried his head proudly, a radiant +smile illumined his countenance, and from time to time he rubbed his hands +with an air of triumph. Julio had left for Germany! Nothing could have +prevented his departure, for he had not been seen in the city. Simon +Turchi has therefore no cause for fear, for if, contrary to expectation, +his garden be searched and the corpse of Geronimo be discovered, the +murder could easily be fastened upon Julio. + +Already, by vague remarks to his servants and acquaintances, Turchi had +prepared the way for making the accusation in case of necessity. He had +exhibited great anxiety at Julio's absence the night before and during +that day. He said that he had sharply reproved his servant for his +dissipated habits and his neglect of duty. Julio had left him in evident +anger. + +The servants, who could not comprehend their master's anxiety, thought +that he might be in some tavern, drowning his feelings with drink and +awaiting the night to return home. To this Turchi answered that he had +remarked for some time Julio's strange manner, that he seemed so +absent-minded, was often heard to sigh and weep--in a word, something +weighty appeared pressing on his conscience. + +Early in the morning he sent Bernardo to the pavilion to see if Julio were +there. Bernardo reported that there was no evidence of his having been +there, except two empty bottles upon a table. Simon pretended that he had +the bottles placed in the room, and Bernardo thought no more of the +affair. + +Simon Turchi would have satisfied himself by personal examination if Julio +had thoroughly performed his work before his departure, but he feared to +excite attention by his appearance in that direction; or, perhaps, he +might even be obliged to assist at the search of his garden, should the +bailiff refuse to exempt it. He determined to go to the cellar at +nightfall, when the search must be interrupted, to examine the +arrangements made by Julio. When therefore twilight was commencing to +replace the glare of day, and Simon was certain of not meeting the +officers of the law, he threw his cloak around his shoulders, turned with +a light step and joyous heart the corner of the street, and took the +direction to the square of Meir. + +He had gone but a short distance, when he met Messire John Van +Schoonhoven. + +A smile lighted up Turchi's countenance. He was delighted to be +accidentally brought into the bailiff's company, as he would thus learn +the result of the researches already made. + +After a polite salutation, Messire Van Schoonhoven said: + +"I am happy to meet you. I was on my way to your house." + +"To my house?" said Turchi. "Have you news of my friend?" + +"No, signor; I wish to see you concerning an affair which, although not +serious, necessitates a conversation with you. I would have spoken to you +on this subject this evening when at Mr. Van de Werve's, but the place was +inappropriate to such discussions." + +"Return then with me," stammered Turchi, with ill-disguised anxiety. + +"Where were you going, signor?" said the bailiff. + +"I was going to take a walk along the Scheldt, in order to seek some +diversion to the grief I feel for the disappearance of the unfortunate +Geronimo." + +"What I have to say, signor, need not interfere with your walk. I will +accompany you a part of the way and enjoy with you the evening breeze." + +The bailiff turned and walked by Turchi's side. + +Looking around, to assure himself that they were not overheard, Messire +Van Schoonhoven said: + +"The affair in question would not require so many precautions were I not +bailiff and you my friend. But in consequence of these two reasons, my +mission becomes painful, and I must claim in advance your forbearance. You +know that my agents are searching every house, building, and garden in the +vicinity of the Hospital Grounds where Geronimo was last seen. The +greatest part of this quarter has been carefully examined without any +result." + +Simon Turchi perfectly understood the bailiff's design, and although his +heart beat painfully, he mastered his emotion, and said in an indifferent +tone: + +"And you think, Messire Van Schoonhoven, that my garden should be searched +in like manner? It is very natural. No one is above the law--the knight +and the peasant are there equal." + +"Believe me, signor, that the thought of so disrespectful a conduct +towards an honorable nobleman, and that nobleman my friend for years, +would never have occurred to me. But the search became a necessity without +any fault of mine. The presence of at least twenty of my agents in that +quarter attracted the curious. A crowd followed those engaged in the +search, and when it was noticed that your summer-house was the only one +exempted, the magistrates were openly accused of injustice. The people +were told that this was done by my order; but so great was the commotion +that the affair reached the ears of the burgomaster and the constables, +and these gentlemen waited on me, urging me to visit your garden likewise, +so as to remove all cause of complaint." + +"This explanation is wholly unnecessary, at least as far as regards +myself," interrupted Simon Turchi. "I desire you to search my +country-house as you do all the other dwellings in the vicinity." + +They were not far from the bridge of Meir, and they ceased speaking, as in +so frequented a place they were in danger of being overheard. Farther on, +Turchi said: + +"I acknowledge, however, that I am hurt and irritated by the disrespect +and audacity of the populace. One might be tempted to suppose that they +considered me capable of killing my best friend! My blood boils at the +idea of such a suspicion!" + +Simon gladly availed himself of the opportunity thus offered of +attributing to a just indignation the cruel anxiety which tortured him. He +had anticipated the announcement just made him by the bailiff, and in +consequence had taken suitable measures to screen himself in case of +discovery; but now a terrible doubt as to the result of the search, and as +to the confidence which might be reposed in his statements, arose in his +mind. The least unforeseen accident, the slightest oversight in his +arrangement, might be his ruin. + +"It is scandalous!" he exclaimed, shaking his fist. "To express publicly +the opinion that a nobleman could so far degrade himself as to become a +secret assassin! I will know who my insolent calumniators are, and I will +then see if justice has power at Antwerp to protect an innocent stranger +against the defamation of the people!" + +"Calm yourself, signor," said Messire Van Schoonhoven; "I comprehend your +well-founded indignation; but you are mistaken if you think the +perquisition ordered by the burgomaster and constables be, in your regard, +aught but a condescension to the clamors of the multitude. As for myself, +I beg you not to be displeased with me for accomplishing my duty." + +"You need offer no excuse, messire," said Simon, speaking more calmly. "It +is but proper and natural to search my garden. I am irritated solely by +the insolence of the people. Do your duty, and continue to honor me with a +friendship of which I am proud, and of which I will always strive to be +worthy." + +"When will it be convenient to you, Signor Turchi, to have the officers +visit your house?" asked the bailiff. + +"The time is perfectly indifferent to me." + +"But appoint an hour; I would regret causing you any inconvenience or +trouble." + +Simon Turchi reflected a moment, and said: + +"To-morrow morning urgent affairs demand my attention; come then about +noon." + +"Suppose we say two o'clock?" + +"Very well; between two and three." + +"I will call for you to accompany me, signor. Do not be disturbed by this +domiciliary visit; it implies no suspicion, but, as I said before, it is a +simple condescension to the populace. Shall I have the honor of meeting +you this evening at the house of Mr. Van de Werve?" + +"I do not know, messire. Mary's excessive grief affects me so much that it +haunts me day and night. Would that I could offer the least consolation to +the afflicted young girl! But of what use is it to mingle my tears with +hers, when there is no ray of hope to illumine the darkness of her +despair?" + +Messire Van Schoonhoven pressed Simon's hand. + +"Your sincere friendship for Geronimo does you honor, signor," he said. +"Were he your own brother, you could not be more deeply grieved. And how +great is your generosity! Geronimo was your friend, but he was at the same +time an obstacle to the accomplishment of the dearest wish of your heart. +Through affection for him you have sacrificed your fondest hopes of +happiness. But the inexplicable disappearance of Geronimo spreads out +before you a brighter future. Time will alleviate the bitterness of Mary's +sorrow, and who so well as yourself, signor, could restore her to +happiness--you who possess her father's confidence and esteem?" + +"Speak not of such things," said Simon. "I would gladly yield all the +happiness the future might have in store for me to see my friend once more +unharmed. But alas! alas!" + +"That does not prevent me, signor, from cherishing the hope that, if +Geronimo is really dead, you may one day receive the reward of your +sincere friendship and your magnanimous generosity. To-morrow at two +o'clock! May God be with you, signor!" + +"And may He protect you, messire!" + +Simon Turchi watched him until he was lost to sight, and then glanced +around in order to note the degree of darkness. He drew his cloak closely +around him, and walked rapidly down a side street, which soon brought him +before the gate of his own garden. Unlocking the door, he traversed the +walk rendered almost invisible by the darkness. + +Beaching the house, he lighted a lamp and ascended the stairs to a room, +which, in better times, he was accustomed to use as a bed-room, when +occasionally he passed the night at the pavilion. + +Casting his cloak upon a chair, he seated himself near a table, evidently +a prey to distracting thoughts. He drew a phial from his doublet, and +fixed his eyes upon it. By degrees, however, the clouds seemed to pass +from his mind. He replaced the phial in his doublet, and said, calmly: + +"Why am I so terrified? Did I not expect the search? Have not my +precautions been well taken? What have I to fear? Julio is already at +such a distance that he cannot be overtaken. If the corpse be found in the +cellar, I will impute the crime to Julio. My explanation will be such that +there will be no room for suspicion. But suppose it should be known! O +torturing doubt! What a desperate game! Wealth, honor, power, and the hand +of Mary Van de Werve, against my life and the honor of my family! Triumph +and happiness on the one hand; disgrace and death on the scaffold on the +other! Suppose I go to the bailiff, and accuse Julio of the murder? That +would put me above suspicion. But no; the search will be superficial, mere +matter of form for the sake of appearances. If Julio as arranged things +properly, they will merely cast a glance into the cellar. My presence will +be a restraint upon the officers, and will prevent them from pushing their +search so far as to imply a suspicion. If they do not find the body, as is +probable, the affair will forever remain secret, and I will have in future +no cause for alarm. I must take courage and descend into the cellar, to +see how Julio performed the task assigned him before his departure." + +He approached a large wardrobe, took from it a bottle, poured out a large +glass of wine and drank it. Lighted by the lamp, he descended the +staircase and approached the cellar; but before proceeding through the +subterranean passage, he hesitated and stepped back: + +"Singular!" he said; "I am overpowered by fear! I recoil in terror before +that dark cave, as though the dead could arise from the grave to take +revenge. What! I had the courage to stab him while living, and yet I +tremble upon approaching the spot where lie his inanimate remains! Away +with this childish terror!" + +However bold his words, the Signor Turchi did not become calm, and his +heart beat violently as he again slowly approached the entrance to the +cellar. He hesitated an instant, as he looked down the long, dark passage, +but was about to proceed, when a noise outside the building made him shake +with fear. + +"What can it be? Am I not mistaken? Some one unlocks the garden-gate! Will +I be found here? Am I betrayed?" + +After a moment of torturing doubt he fled from the cellar to his room, his +hair bristling with terror. + +"They open the door of the house! They are within! They come! Great +heavens! What can it mean?" + +A man appeared on the threshold of the room in which Simon Turchi had +taken refuge. + +"Julio! it is Julio!" exclaimed Simon, in despair. + +The servant reeled under the influence of liquor. His cheeks were flushed, +his eyes wandering, and while the smile upon his lips indicated a +disagreeable surprise at the presence of his master, it also said plainly +that he feared not Simon's anger. He held in his hand a small wheaten +loaf, but he hid it hastily under his doublet as if unwilling for Turchi +to see it. + +Casting upon him a look of fury, Simon Turchi sprang to his feet, clenched +his fist, and exclaimed in a rage: + +"This is too much! Infamous traitor! cowardly rascal! whence do you come? +Does hell itself bring you here for the destruction of both of us? Speak, +base drunkard, and tell me why you are here! Quick, or I will stretch you +dead at my feet. I thirst for your blood." + +Julio drew his knife from the scabbard and stammered, in a voice +indistinct from intoxication: + +"Wait awhile, signor. Wine, good wine has dulled my senses. You want to +kill me? It would be very fortunate for one of us to die here--the +executioner would have less work. But which of us must first render our +account before the supreme tribunal, my knife and your dagger will decide. +I am ready." + +"Insolent wretch!" cried Turchi, grinding his teeth, "my own safety and +yours compel me to a painful circumspection; but beware how you brave me! +Tell me why you are not on your way to Germany." + +"You ask me something that I don't know myself. But let me see. Just as I +was about to leave I went to the _Swan_, and drank a few pints of wine. +This morning, when I awoke, I was seated before a table at the _Silver +Dice_. How I came there, I cannot tell. It was then too late for me to +pass the gate. I determined to wait until to-morrow, and I came here to +take a night's rest before setting out on the journey." + +"And you played at dice?" said Turchi. + +"I think I did; for the rattling of the dice still sounds in my ears." + +"And the money? the two hundred crowns?" + +"Be quiet, signor, on that point. I ask you for nothing. What business is +it of yours that I have spent or lost a few pieces of gold, provided I +leave for Germany to-morrow at daybreak?" + +Simon Turchi was like one frenzied. + +"Yes," he exclaimed, "and at the first tavern you meet on the way you will +drown your senses with drink, and you will squander my money." + +"Not so, signor; rely upon me--I will leave to-morrow morning at daybreak, +and if I drink on the way it will only be to quench a burning thirst." + +Simon Turchi's eye shone with a sudden and mysterious light, excited by +some secret thought. He became calm, and shrugging his shoulders, said +quietly, as though he submitted with resignation to the contradictions +which he could not avoid: + +"I ought, Julio, to punish your want of fidelity. If the bailiff had come +here to-day, as I expected, your culpable neglect of duty would have +placed us both in the hands of justice. Fortunately the visit will not be +made before noon to-morrow. As your negligence has had no evil +consequences, I fully pardon you, upon condition that you leave the city +before sunrise, and that you travel without stopping until you reach the +Rhine." + +"Never fear this time, signor," replied Julio. "I will pass the night +here, and at early dawn I will be beyond the city gate. In the first +village I will buy a horse, and I will make such speed that he who would +catch me must needs have wings." + +He yawned, stretching his arms above his head, and said: + +"I am overpowered by fatigue and sleep. If you have no other directions to +give, permit me, signor, to go to bed, that I may be ready for the +morning." + +"Then I may rely upon you, Julio?" + +"Have no anxiety about my journey; the rising sun will not find me at +Antwerp." + +"Are you certain?" + +"As certain as I am that a halter hangs over my head, and over yours +something quite as disagreeable." + +This jest of his servant made Turchi convulsively contract his lips, but +he restrained any expression of feeling, and arose, saying: + +"Julio, would you like a glass of good Malmsey?" + +"Ah, signor," replied the servant, "I was just thinking that a cup of +Malmsey would relieve my parched throat, when, lo! my desire finds an echo +in your heart." + +"One single glass--a parting bumper." + +"One or many, signor, as you wish--either will be welcome; but the +excellent wine locked in the cupboard of your room will be particularly +acceptable." + +"Well, Julio, come with me, and we will drink to the happy termination of +your journey." + +He arose, traversed a passage, and ascended to the upper story. The +servant followed him staggering, and trying to steady himself by the wall. + +Having reached his bed-room, Turchi drew a second chair to the table, and +said: + +"Sit down, Julio; here is a bottle already opened. If I did not fear its +effects, we would empty it in honor of your departure." + +Julio sat down, and held the bottle before the lamp. + +"Bah!" he exclaimed, "it only contains about four glasses. You need not +trouble yourself about that quantity." + +Signor Turchi took two large glasses from the cupboard, placed them on the +table, and filled their to the brim. + +"A pleasant journey to you, Julio," he said, "and may you arrive safely at +your destination." + +They both emptied their glasses at one draught, but the servant pushed his +glass to his master, saying: + +"Oh, the divine liquor! it is a cooling balm to my burning throat. One +more glass, signor, I beg you." + +Simon filled the glasses again, and said: + +"Yes, but on condition that you wait awhile before drinking it." + +Hoping that his obedience might procure him a third glass, Julio resisted +the temptation to gratify himself at once. + +In the meantime, Turchi contemplated his servant with a peculiar +expression. There was a malicious sparkle in his eye, and a smile of +triumph on his lips. He evidently had some purpose in thus watching Julio; +but what could be his secret design? + +At last he pretended that he was about to take the wine, but by a quick +movement he upset it. + +With an exclamation of impatience he raised the glass, and said: + +"It is a sin to spill such wine. Now I have no more in which to drink your +health. Get another bottle, Julio, from the cupboard; it is perhaps the +last time that we shall drink together. On the third shelf, the bottle +with the long neck." + +Julio arose with difficulty from his chair, and staggered to the cupboard. + +Simon Turchi thrust his hand in his doublet, and drew out a very small +phial. He hastily poured nearly the whole contents into Julio's glass, and +immediately concealed the phial; and although he trembled in every limb, +he said, calmly: + +"A little higher, Julio--to the left; that is the right bottle." + +The servant brought the bottle to his master, who uncorked it; but as he +was about to pour out the wine, he said: + +"Empty your glass, Julio; this is a different wine, and the mixture would +spoil both." + +Julio drank the wine, but no sooner had he swallowed it than he exclaimed: + +"What was in my glass? It had a strange, bitter taste. Did you put poison +in it?" + +"What a silly idea!" said Turchi, turning pale. + +"You are capable of such a deed, signor." + +"The lees gave the bad taste, Julio. Take another glass, and it will pass +away." + +Emptying his glass again, Julio said: + +"You are right; it is gone. I never tasted anything in my life more +disagreeable." + +Turchi watched his servant narrowly. With assumed carelessness he said: + +"Take care, Julio, to be up by daybreak. Go on foot to the village of +Lierre; buy a good horse there, and make all possible haste to reach +Diest; that is the shortest route, and you will be more likely to escape +notice than on the highway. Once in Cologne, you are out of danger; but be +careful not to remain there. Merchants from Antwerp frequently visit that +city; you might possibly be recognized and arrested. You must leave the +territories of the emperor. When the affair is forgotten, and when by my +marriage with Miss Van de Werve I will have acquired a considerable +fortune, I will send for you, and you will live with me as a friend rather +than a servant. You shall spend your days in pleasure, and you will never +have cause to regret what you have done for me. But, Julio, you do not +answer? Is not such a fate desirable?" + +"I am overpowered by sleep," stammered Julio, almost unintelligibly. + +A triumphant smile flitted across Turchi's face. + +"To-morrow at two o'clock," he continued, "the officers of justice will +make a domiciliary visit here, but the bailiff will permit no search which +intimates a suspicion. Since you have filled the cellar with fire-wood and +empty casks, the bailiff will be satisfied that all is right. Perhaps, +Julio, I may be able to recall you in two or three months." + +Julio's head had fallen upon the table, but from time to time he started +and muttered some indistinct words, showing that he was not in a deep +sleep. Without once removing his eye from him, Simon continued to speak, +although he was convinced that Julio no longer heard his words. + +Suddenly Julio groaned. His head and limbs fell as though he had been +struck by death; but the heaving of the chest and the deep scarlet of the +cheeks proved that he was in a heavy sleep. + +Simon quietly contemplated him for a while longer with a smile of +satisfaction. Then he arose, approached his servant, shook him violently, +and cried out: + +"Julio, Julio, wake up!" + +Julio did not stir. + +"It succeeds according to my wishes," he said. "The poison is doing its +work. He is deaf and insensible; he reposes in an eternal sleep. Life will +be extinguished by degrees until sleep makes way for death. But I must not +tarry. I must act quickly and forget nothing. And first the money!" + +He searched Julio's pocket, and found in it one hundred and twenty crowns. +After counting them on the table, he exclaimed: + +"Eighty crowns spent already! It is impossible. He has either lost them at +the gaming-table, or been robbed while he was sleeping in the tavern." + +Still doubtful, he examined his garments, and found in a purse under his +girdle the twenty crowns which he had destined for his mother. + +"Ah, ah!" said Simon, laughing; "I had not all; I hear the sound of gold." + +He put the twenty crowns with the rest of the money, and having satisfied +himself that no more remained on the person of Julio, he was about to +transfer the crowns to his pocket, when a sudden idea occurred to his +mind. + +"If I leave all this money on his person, they might think he had been +paid to commit the deed; if I leave nothing, there will be no reason to +conclude that he killed the Signor Geronimo to rob him. I wonder how much +money Geronimo generally carried about him. I should suppose five or six +crowns, or perhaps ten. I will leave six crowns and all the small change. +And the keys? He must keep them, or, of course, he could not have entered +without my knowledge. But should he be roused to consciousness by the +death-agony, he might have sufficient strength to get out. I will leave +him all the keys but that of the outer building. Iron bars render the +place secure; he could not even enter the garden. Now I will put the phial +in his doublet--no, in the pocket of his girdle; it will be as easily +found. I will remove the bottles and everything which could indicate the +presence of two persons." + +He locked up the bottles and glasses, arranged the chairs, and wiped up +the wine which had been spilled on the table and the floor. + +While thus engaged, he muttered to himself: + +"I must not remain longer. I myself must go to the bailiff and accuse +Julio of the murder. Shall I go this evening? No; they might come and find +him alive, and a powerful antidote might perhaps rouse him from sleep. +To-morrow, then--to-morrow morning. But how shall I explain the affair? +When and how did he reveal his crime? Night will suggest a means. All is +done. I will go home and appear calm and cheerful." + +He threw his cloak around his shoulders, took the lamp from the table, and +walked to the door. There he stopped for a moment to contemplate his +victim and precipitately descended the staircase. At the foot of the steps +he extinguished the light, traversed the garden, opened the gate, and +disappeared in the darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +FOOD AT LAST--DEATH OF JULIO. + + +When Julio left the cellar for the purpose of procuring bread, Geronimo +cast himself on his knees, full of gratitude to God, to return thanks for +the unexpected deliverance. + +Julio had said "soon," but an hour passed, then another, then many more, +and he came not. + +A painful doubt began to take possession of Geronimo's mind. Had an +accident happened to Julio? Had he perhaps cruelly abandoned his victim? +Had he set out for Germany with the certainty that hunger would kill him +whom the dagger had spared? + +The unfortunate cavalier had no means of measuring the flight of time. +What in the immutable darkness of his prison seemed to him a century, +might in reality be only a few hours, and the promised bread would soon +appear to his eyes as the star of safety--in a quarter of an hour, in a +minute--that very instant. + +By such reflections Geronimo sought to endure patiently the pangs of +hunger. He put his ear to the keyhole and ceased breathing that he might +catch the slightest sound. Alas! hour after hour passed in unbroken +silence. Although Geronimo knew not whether it was day or night, his +increasing sufferings were to him a sure indication of the passage of +time. For a while he encouraged himself by the thought that Julio would +not bring him the promised bread until dawn, and that he would give him at +the same time food and liberty. + +This hope by degrees diminished, and at last vanished entirely. The +suffering young man could not longer deceive either his body or his mind; +it became evident to him that the hour which he had hoped would restore +him to freedom had long passed. + +He had been abandoned--devoted to a cruel martyrdom, a frightful death! He +was then to die in the midst of the torments of hunger--to die slowly in +indescribable suffering, and fall into the yawning grave prepared for him! + +Struck with terror by the conviction thus forced upon him, the unfortunate +cavalier arose despairingly and ran panting and crying around the cellar, +as though he could thus escape the death which menaced him. + +The pain of his wounds was increased by this violent and feverish +agitation. His breast heaved under his difficult respiration, but the +gnawing hunger which agonized him made these sufferings seem light. +Falling to the ground from exhaustion, he commenced, as soon as he had +gained a little strength, his struggle against the tortures of hungry. At +times his despair was cheered by the thought that even yet Julio might +come. But Julio was plunged by the influence of poison into a mortal +sleep, and in all probability would appear before Geronimo at the +judgment-seat of God. + +Hoping against hope, the young man seated himself on the ground. The +violence of his sufferings seemed to abate and leave him at rest for a few +moments. His thoughts wandered to all he loved upon earth, but the respite +was of short duration. Soon the agony he endured drew from him piercing +cries. During his long martyrdom no torment had equalled the present. It +seemed as though he were being devoured by flames, or as if molten lead +were coursing through his veins. + +He writhed in convulsions, beat his breast, and in heart-rending accents +called upon God for help. But nothing relieved his horrible sufferings. + +He filled the air with his groans and screams, he beat the door with blind +fury, tore the flesh from his fingers in his useless efforts to make an +opening in his prison-walls, and ran from side to side as though the pangs +of hunger had driven him mad. + +At last, exhausted and convinced that there was no escape, that he must +soon enter into his last agony, he threw himself upon the ground, bowed +his head and joined his hands in prayer, begging for resignation to meet +the death which would end his cruel martyrdom. His mind now appeared +clear, and he was perfectly conscious, for after a while he shed a torrent +of tears. His lips moved, giving utterance to confused sounds, but by +degrees his words became more distinct, and fixing his eye in the darkness +on the spot where he knew the grave had been dug, he said: + +"No more hope! All is over. I must die! The grave yawns to receive me. +Alas! what a place for my mortal remains! Forgotten, unknown, concealed by +the darkness of a horrible crime! Not a tear will fall upon the tomb of +the unfortunate victim; not a cross will mark the spot where I lie; not a +prayer will be whispered over my body! Death approaches. Ah! I must not +thus cling to life; I will pray and lift my hands in supplication to God. +He alone--" + +He stopped under the influence of a sudden emotion. + +"Heavens! did I not hear a noise?" + +He listened breathlessly for a time to catch the indistinct sound he +thought he had heard; but he was mistaken. + +"Why should I hope, when hope is no longer possible? Let me rather seek +strength in the consideration of the better life which awaits me. The +death I endure will purify me from all my sins. If God, in His +impenetrable designs, has appointed this to be my earthly fate, He will, +in His mercy, take into account before his judgment-seat what I have +innocently suffered here below. Consoling hope, which, encourages me to +look with confidence into eternity! + +"And yet my life was so happy! Everything in the world smiled upon me; my +path was strewn with roses; the future spread out before me like a +cloudless sky resplendent with stars. God had not only given me health, +fortune, and peace of heart, but also the hope of uniting my fate with +that of a lovely young girl. Mary Van de Werve! the incarnation of all +that men admire and heaven loves: virtue, piety, modesty, charity, beauty, +love! Alas! alas! must I leave all that? Must I say a last adieu, renounce +my hopes, and never see her again? Die and sleep forever in an unknown +tomb, while she lives!" + +A cry of anguish escaped him. But it was caused rather by his train of +thought than by the adieu he had just spoken, for he added, in a suppliant +voice: + +"Pardon, O Lord, pardon! Thy creature clings to life; but be not angry +with the weakness of my nature. Should I die by the terrible death of +starvation, I humbly accept Thy holy will, and I bless Thy hand which +deals the blow! God of mercy, grant that I may find grace with Thee!" + +Calmed by this invocation, he resumed, with less emotion and in a tone +which proved that his soul had received consolation: + +"And if I be permitted in my last hour to offer to Thee my supplications, +I pray Thee, O God of mercy, to spare my uncle, and let not my misfortune +deprive him also of life. He was my father and benefactor; he taught me to +live in the fear of Thy holy name. By the cruel sufferings which I endure, +by my terrible death, have pity on him! Let Thy angels also guard and +protect the pious and pure young girl who is before Thee as an immaculate +dove! Jesus, Saviour of mankind, on the cross you prayed to your heavenly +Father for those who crucified Thee. Demand not an account of my blood +from my enemy. Pardon him, lead him back to the path of virtue, and after +death grant him eternal rest! My strength fails; the sweat of death is on +my brow. O my God! in this, my last hour, grant me the grace to die with +Thy love alone in my heart, and Thy holy name alone upon my lips!" + +The last words of this prayer had scarcely fallen from his lips, when he +cried aloud, arose trembling, and eagerly fixed his eyes upon the opposite +wall, upon which a faint streak of light flickered. + +"O my God! what means this?" he exclaimed. "Light? light? a voice? Is some +one coming? Is there still hope? I shall not die! Cruel dream! Frightful +illusion! But no, it is indeed a light; it becomes brighter. I hear a +human voice. Alas! this suspense is worse than death!" + +Tottering from weakness, and supporting himself by the sides of the wall, +he gained the door, and trembling between hope and fear, he put his eye to +the keyhole in order to discover who was approaching his person. + +He saw in the distance a man with a lamp in his hand; but his gestures +were so strange, and his countenance so singular, that he was at a loss to +know whether it were a human being, or only a creation of his own +disordered brain. + +Still he heard confused sounds in the passage; a voice seemed to complain, +curse, and call for aid. + +By degrees the mysterious apparition drew nearer, and Geronimo recognized +the servant of Simon Turchi; but why was Julio writhing in such horrible +convulsions? Why was his face so horribly contorted? Why did he threaten +and rage in such harsh accents? + +A horrible conviction forced itself upon Geronimo's mind. Julio had sought +in drink the courage necessary to accomplish the work which fate exacted +of him. He had thus drowned his senses, and had come now to slay his +victim without mercy. + +The thought for the moment roused his fears; but he remembered that he had +just offered to God his life in expiation of his sins. He retired to the +other side of the cellar, knelt by the side of the grave, and with a smile +upon his lips and his eyes lifted to heaven, he calmly awaited the fatal +blow. + +He heard Julio trying to insert the key in the lock as if his hand were +unsteady. He noticed that there was no finger in his tone of voice; on the +contrary, the cries which escaped him were rather those of alarm and +distress; but before he had time for reflection the door opened. + +Julio put down the lamp as if his strength had entirely failed him, and +fell upon the ground, exclaiming in a supplicating voice: + +"O signor, help, help! I am poisoned! A burning fire consumes me! Take +pity on me! For the love of God, deliver me from this torture!" + +"Poisoned!" exclaimed Geronimo, hastening to Julio. "What has happened to +you? The mark of death is on your face!" + +"Simon Turchi gave me last night poisoned wine, in order to destroy the +witness who could prove your death by his hand. He made me pay Bufferio to +assassinate you. He wishes to marry Mary Van de Werve, and he desires to +remove any cause of fear that his happiness may be disturbed. Ah! the +poison consumes me!" + +"Tell me, Julio, what I can do for your relief." + +Saying this, he knelt by Julio, and threw open his doublet to give him +air: + +"Thanks, thanks, O my God! here is bread!" exclaimed Geronimo, almost wild +with joy, and snatching with feverish haste the small loaf which Julio had +concealed, and which he had entirely forgotten since his fatal stupor. + +The young man, absorbed in satisfying his devouring hunger, no longer +heeded Julio's complaints, but having soon appeased its cravings, he took +his hands, saying: + +"I bless you, Julio, and may the omnipotent God reward you in heaven. Tell +me what I can do to save you. Set me at liberty, and I will fly for +physician and priest. The keys--quick, the keys!" + +"Alas!" said Julio, in a hopeless voice, "my cruel murderer took from me +the keys of the door. We are shut up in the building. But I cannot die +thus, consumed by poison, without confession, without hope of pardon for +my soul! Go up-stairs, signor, call aloud, break open the door, wrest the +iron bars from the windows. Collect all your strength, take pity on me and +help me!" + +Geronimo seized the keys, and, lighted by the lamp, he hastily traversed +the subterranean passage, and mounted the staircase. + +The gray dawn was appearing in the east, but to the eyes of the young man +so long accustomed to utter darkness it was almost as bright as noonday. + +Convinced that Julio's condition demanded immediate aid, Geronimo hastily +tried all the keys in the exterior door, pulled all the bolts, endeavored +to wrench the door from the hinges, and worked with so much energy that at +last he fell from weakness. + +Taking a short rest, he arose, threw up the windows, shook the iron bars, +ran up-stairs and called aloud for help. But all his efforts were +useless--the pavilion was too far removed from any habitation to permit +him to indulge the hope that his voice, weak as it was, could be heard. + +In running through the building--almost maddened by despair--to seek an +outlet, he entered the kitchen, where he perceived a vessel full of water. +The sight filled him with joy. Perhaps water, taken in large quantities, +might deaden the effects of the poison and save Julio's life. At any rate, +he had no other remedy, and as it was his only hope, he grasped at it as +if it were an inspiration from heaven. + +Filling a pitcher, he ran with it to the cellar, and radiant with joy, +approached Julio, who had barely strength to ask in a feeble voice: + +"Is the priest coming? Will the doctor be here? Ah! it is too late!" + +"Drink," said Geronimo, holding the pitcher to his lips; "the water will +cool the inflammation and refresh you." + +Julio took the water. + +"Thank you, signor; it is useless, the water does me no good." + +"Take more, I beg you, Julio,--as much as you can." + +Julio obeyed mechanically and nearly emptied the pitcher. His respiration +became very labored, and the sweat ran in big drops from his brow. + +"Do you feel better, Julio?" asked the young man. + +"A little better; the heat is not so burning." + +"There is still hope!" exclaimed Geronimo, joyfully. "Take courage, Julio; +have confidence in the mercy of God. When all human aid fails us, then God +gives his omnipotent assistance." + +"But," said Julio, "my heart beats so feebly, my limbs are benumbed. +Signor, I am dying. The poison is killing me." + +"Die? Julio! You have delivered me from death, and shall I be powerless to +save you? What shall I do? O my God, what can I try?" + +"Think no more of it, signor," said the dying man. "I feel that there is +no hope. Alas! I was partly the cause of your bitter sufferings: I pushed +you into the chair; I intended to kill you, the deliverer of my blind +mother! Take pity on me! Let not your just malediction follow my poor soul +into eternity. Pardon me, signor, pardon!" + +"Speak not thus, Julio. But for you, that yawning grave would now cover my +corpse. Shall I refuse pardon to you who spared my life? No; I will pray +for you, I will give alms for the repose of your soul. Have confidence in +the goodness of God." + +"Confidence?" said Julio, in a dying voice. "I shudder to think of the +judgment which awaits me. In this, my death agony, I see with frightful +clearness. I dare not hope in God's mercy. I have done nothing to merit +it. A dark veil is before my eyes." + +The death-rattle was in his throat. + +Geronimo passed his arm around his neck and raised his head, and seeing +Julio's eyes fixed upon him, he said, tenderly and fervently: + +"Julio, listen to me! You say you dare not hope in the mercy of God' Have +you forgotten that Jesus Christ shed his blood to redeem fallen man? Do +you not know that there is joy before the angels when a sinner, by sincere +repentance, escapes the eternal enemy of man and enters triumphant into +heaven? You repent, do you not? You sincerely repent?" + +Julio bowed affirmatively. + +"Ah!" exclaimed Geronimo, "if I cannot save your body from death, at least +let me keep your soul from eternal torments. Oh! if I could thus repay the +debt of gratitude I owe you! Julio, were God to prolong your life, would +you renounce evil and return courageously and sincerely to the path of +duty and virtue? You say yes? You implore God's mercy, do you not? You +have confidence in the inexhaustible treasure of his goodness? Then, +Julio, raise your dying eyes to heaven, direct your last thoughts to Him +who is the source of all mercy, and with full confidence let your soul +wing its flight to the supreme tribunal. Already from the highest heaven +God absolves the repentant sinner!" + +A triumphant hope illumined the countenance of Julio as he endeavored to +raise his eyes to heaven. + +"Saved--his soul is saved!" exclaimed Geronimo, transported with a pious +joy. + +A slight convulsion passed over the limbs of Julio, his muscles became +paralyzed, his head fell heavily on Geronimo's shoulder, and drawing his +last breath, he murmured, almost unintelligibly: + +"Mercy! O my God!" + +"He is dead!" said Geronimo. "May thy soul receive my fraternal embrace in +its passage to eternity! May this mark of reconciliation weigh in the +balance of eternal justice!" + +He bent over the dead; but as if contact with the corpse had deprived him +of his little remaining strength, he fell as it were lifeless. Not a limb +moved, his arms dropped motionless, his eyes closed, it seemed that his +soul had also taken its flight to heaven to accompany the soul of Julio +before God's judgment seat. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +IS IT HIS GHOST?--THE GUILTY EXPOSED. + + +It was scarcely eight o'clock in the morning when Signor Deodati was on +his way to the residence of Mr. Van de Werve. + +The old merchant was walking very slowly, with his eyes cast down. From +time to time he shook his head, as if disturbed by painful thoughts. His +countenance expressed dissatisfaction rather than sorrow; indeed, it might +even be said to indicate angry and bitter feelings. + +The servant who opened the door ushered him into a parlor and went to call +his master. Deodati threw himself into a chair, covered his face with his +hands, and was so absorbed in thought that he was not aware of Mr. Van de +Werve's entrance. + +"Good morning, signor," said the Flemish noble, saluting him. "Your early +visit encourages me to hope that you have news of our poor Geronimo." + +"Bad news, Mr. Van de Werve, bad news," said the old man, with tearful +eyes. "Sit down near me, for I have not power to raise my voice." + +"I notice, signor, that you are very pale. Are you ill?" + +"My emotion has its origin in something worse than illness. Day before +yesterday Signor Turchi asserted in your presence that Geronimo had lost a +considerable sum at play, and that he had fled the country to escape my +just indignation. Great as was my confidence in Turchi, I could not credit +the truth of this revelation. I determined to seek in my nephew's accounts +the marks of his ingratitude, or rather the proofs of his innocence. I +passed a portion of the night in calculating over and over again; for the +invariable result was so frightful that my mind and heart refused to +accept the evidence of my senses. The sum lost in gambling by my nephew is +incredible." + +"What!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, "then the Signor Turchi was not +mistaken in his suspicions?" + +"Ten thousand crowns!" said Deodati sighing. + +"Ten thousand crowns!" replied Mr. Van de Werve. "Impossible! That is a +fortune of itself." + +"And yet it is true. There is a deficit of ten thousand crowns in the +money vault of the house, and there are exactly ten thousand crowns +unaccounted for on the books. Not a line, not a mark refers in any manner +to the employment or destination of this sum. Evidently it must have been +used otherwise than in the business transactions of the house, and as +Geronimo himself told the Signor Turchi that he had lost a considerable +amount at play, I am forced in spite of myself to admit the painful truth. +Ten thousand crowns! Can neither virtue nor fidelity be found upon earth? +A child whom I treated as my own son, whom I loved with blind affection, +and over whose welfare I would have watched as long as I lived. And this +is the return for all my love! Ah! signor, this ingratitude is like a +dagger in my heart." + +Mr. Van de Werve gazed abstractedly as if in deep thought. Then he said, +seriously: + +"You are truly unhappy, signor, and I commiserate your sorrow. How can it +be possible? All is deceit and perfidy. Geronimo seemed the soul of virtue +and loyalty; he lived with so much economy and conducted himself so +honorably, that to those who knew him not he might have appeared either a +poor man or a precocious miser. And this tranquil, modest, prudent young +man loses at the gaming-table ten thousand crowns, the property of his +benefactor! His laudable course of conduct was but a base hypocrisy!" + +"And nevertheless," murmured the old Deodati, "my unfortunate nephew had a +pure and loving heart! Might not his blindness have been the effect of one +solitary and momentary error? Perhaps so. Man sometimes meets fatal +temptations which attract him irresistibly, but to which he yields only +once in his life." + +"Why then did he fly, and thus acknowledge his guilt? No, signor, no +excuse can palliate such misdeeds. I burn with indignation at the thought +that such signal favors have met with such cold and base ingratitude. The +idea of your affliction restrains me from speaking of the outrage done my +daughter. Fortunately, the reputation and social position of my family is +such as to screen it from the consequences of such an act. But, signor, I +hope you will agree with me that there can no longer be a question of an +alliance between my daughter and your nephew. He may return and obtain +your pardon, but that will not change my determination. From this day +forward the Signor Geronimo is as a stranger whom we have never known." + +Deodati regarded the irritated nobleman with tearful eyes, and seemed to +deprecate the inflexible decree. + +Mr. Van de Werve took his hand, and said in a calmer manner: + +"Be reasonable, signor, and do not let yourself be blinded by affection. +What a dishonor to my name, were I to permit a man with so tarnished a +reputation to enter my family! Could I confide the happiness of my good +and noble child to one who was not withdrawn from a culpable love of play +by life-long benefits? Could I accept as my son a man whom I could not +esteem, whom on the contrary I would despise for his ingratitude to you? +Acknowledge with me that such a union is impossible, and let us talk no +more of it. Be still my friend, however, as long as you remain at +Antwerp." + +The merchant shook his head, and after a few moments' silence, he replied: + +"Alas! I ought to admit that there is no hope of realizing this honorable +alliance. What happiness Geronimo has staked on the cast of a die! I thank +you, Mr. Van de Werve, for your proffered friendship, but I shall not +remain at Antwerp. To-day I shall beg Signor Turchi to settle up the +affairs of the house in this city. Now that I have no one in the world to +care for, none for whom to work and amass money, I shall retire from +commerce. I have ordered the _Il Salvatore_ to be provisioned, and I shall +set sail by the first favorable wind." + +"You are right, signor. By returning to your own beautiful country, you +will the sooner forget this misfortune." + +"God knows when I will revisit my country!" replied the old man. + +"Are you not going to Italy?" demanded Mr. Van de Werve. + +"No, sir; but to England." + +"In search of your nephew? Signor Turchi led us to suppose that he had +sought refuge in that island. I admire your unbounded love for a man so +little deserving of it; but, signor, you require rest. Follow my advice: +go to Italy, and do not shorten your life by the sorrows which may await +you in England." + +"The advice is no doubt good," replied Deodati; "but I cannot follow it. +However guilty he may be, Geronimo is the only son of my deceased brother, +whom I promised on his death-bed to watch over his child as if he were my +own. Were I to abandon Geronimo entirely, he might be pushed by want and +misery into the path of vice, perhaps of infamy. I will fulfil my duty to +the last. If I love him less than formerly, at least I will save him from +utter ruin." + +"What generosity!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, in admiration. "You travel +about in search of your nephew; you endanger your health. I foresee that +he has but to speak to obtain pardon. And this great sacrifice, this +magnanimous affection meets with such a return! It is frightful!" + +"No, sir," replied Deodati, "I will not pardon Geronimo. He will never be +the same to me. Should I find him, or should he return to me, I will give +him an income sufficient to keep him from want; that being done, I shall +renounce the world and retire into a cloister, to await there in solitude +and peace the time when it may please God to call me to himself." + +Mr. Van de Werve heard the street-door open, and said eagerly to the old +merchant: + +"Signor, my daughter is at church and may return at any moment. I beg you +not to speak of these things in her presence. Since the disappearance of +Geronimo, she does nothing but weep and pray; no consideration alleviates +her sorrow, nothing consoles her. If she were suddenly to lose all hope, +it might cause her death. Heavens! Signor Turchi, what has happened to +him?" + +He arose hastily and regarded in astonishment Simon Turchi, who entered +and attempted to speak, but the words seemed to die upon his lips; for he +stood trembling in the centre of the room, uttering unintelligible sounds. +He was pale as death. + +Deodati arose also, and looked inquiringly at Turchi. + +The latter said, hurriedly: + +"I went to the house of the bailiff; he was not at home. He has been sent +for, and he will be here immediately with his officers to accompany me to +my garden. Oh! I have terrible news to communicate; but my mind wanders, I +am losing my senses. I can tell nothing, particularly to you, Signor +Deodati. Unhappy old man! Why did God reserve such a trial for your old +age?" + +"Another misfortune? Speak, Simon, speak," said Deodati, in suppliant +tones, and trembling from anxiety. + +Turchi fell, as if from exhaustion, upon a chair, and said, in a voice +broken by sobs: + +"No, signor, ask me nothing; I could not break your heart by such stunning +tidings. Alas! alas! who anticipated such a misfortune? My unhappy friend! +my poor Geronimo!" + +A torrent of tears fell from his eyes, and while Deodati and Mr. Van de +Werve begged him to tell the cause of big extraordinary emotion, he +stammered: + +"Oh! let me be silent; despair tortures my heart. I can tell no one but +the bailiff; he will soon be here. If I could but doubt! But no, it is too +true; there is no more hope! May the God of mercy receive his poor soul +into heaven!" + +"Of whom do you speak?" exclaimed Deodati. "His soul? Whose soul? +Geronimo's?" + +Steps were heard in the vestibule. Simon Turchi went to the door, and +said: + +"Here is the bailiff! He will know the secret which is breaking my heart." + +The bailiff entered the room, looked around in surprise, and at last said +to Simon Turchi, who continued to talk confusedly: + +"You have sent for me in all haste, in order to make a terrible +revelation; I am here with my officers. Have you discovered Geronimo's +assassins? Speak, Simon, and tell us what you know." + +"So horrible is this secret, messire, that my tongue refuses to tell it. +Ah! if I could forever--" + +"Calm yourself, signor," said the bailiff, with perfect self-possession. +"What have you learned?" + +"But--but I must be alone with you. The news I have to communicate must +not be revealed before Signor Deodati." + +The old man said, with tearful eyes: + +"You are cruel, Signor Simon! What could you say more terrible? You speak +of Geronimo's soul; you announce his death, and yet you leave me in this +horrible doubt. Speak, I conjure you." + +All that Simon Turchi had said was only a deception practised upon his +auditors, in order to make them believe that grief had affected his mind, +and to prepare the way for his revelation. + +At last he appeared to yield to necessity, and said: + +"God grant that the frightful news may not afflict you as it did me! +Listen! you know that two days ago my servant Julio left my service +because I severely reproved his irregularities. This disquieted me, +because I had noticed that he was pursued by some secret remorse. Just +now, hardly a half hour ago, I left my residence, and was going towards +the Dominican church to pray for my poor friend. On the way I thought of +my servant Julio, and feared that in his despair he might have taken his +life. When I was near the bridge, I heard my own name timidly pronounced. +I turned and saw Julio. I commenced to reproach him with his absence, but +putting his finger on his lips, he whispered: + +"'Signor, I beg you to follow me; I have a secret to reveal to you.' + +"His manner and tone of voice were so peculiar that I accompanied him to a +retired spot. His revelation caused me such intense grief that I could +hardly stand, and I was obliged to support myself against the wall as I +received the confession of the penitent assassin." + +A cry of horror escaped Deodati. Eager to hear the remainder, Mr. Van de +Werve gazed fixedly upon the narrator. The bailiff was more calm--he +listened attentively and nodded his head, as if he foresaw the conclusion +of Turchi's narrative. + +"I hardly dare continue," he said. "My soul revolts--but I must disregard +my feelings," and in a more tranquil manner, he resumed: + +"Shuddering with horror, I heard Julio say: + +"'Master, I have committed a frightful murder. Remorse pursues me as a +malediction from God. I shall put an end to my guilty life. In an hour I +shall be in eternal torments, but I wish the body of my victim to be +buried in holy ground. Go to your pavilion. In the lowest cellar, at the +extremity of the subterranean passage, you will find the corpse of Signor +Geronimo buried.'" + +Tears fell fast from the eyes of Signor Deodati, and sobs convulsed his +frame. + +Turchi continued: + +"'Signor Geronimo!' I exclaimed, in terror. 'Have you killed my poor +friend?' + +"'Yes, I put to death Signor Geronimo. I needed money to spend at the +taverns, and you would not give it to me. I killed him in order to get the +money he might have about him. Adieu! This very day all will be over with +me.' Before I had sufficiently recovered from the shock to think of +seizing Julio, he had disappeared. Probably, to-day--" + +"Heavens!" exclaimed Simon Turchi, "I hear Miss Van de Werve." + +"For the love of God, not a word in her presence," said Mr. Van de Werve. + +Mary entered the room, looking around anxiously. She had seen the officers +at the door, and she seemed to inquire of her father the cause of their +presence. + +She remarked her father's pallor and embarrassment. Simon Turchi looked +down, as if in despair. Deodati covered his face with his hands. + +A cry of anguish escaped the young girl, and she glanced in turns at her +father, Deodati, Turchi, and the bailiff; but they each seemed anxious to +avoid her eye. + +"Go to your room, Mary," said Mr. Van de Werve. + +"Give me this proof of affection. Ask nothing." + +The young girl, struck by these evidences of some misfortune, ran to her +father and exclaimed, joining her hands: + +"Speak, father, and tell me what has happened. Leave me not in this +terrible suspense. Tell me that they have not found Geronimo's dead body. +Alas! he is dead! Is it not so?" + +Throwing her arms around her father's neck, she wept bitterly, conjuring +him to tell her the cause of their emotion. + +Without giving her any explanation, Mr. Van de Werve attempted to lead his +daughter out of the room; but she, like one crazed by grief, released her +hand from her father's, fell upon her knees before Turchi, and exclaimed: + +"By the love you bore him, signor, take pity on me and tell me what has +happened to him. Let me not leave the room under the frightful conviction +that he is dead!" + +Turchi remained silent, gazing upon her with an expression of profound +sadness. + +"You, too, are implacable, inexorable!" she said, rising. + +"But you, at least--his uncle, his father--will be more merciful." + +She ran to the weeping merchant, gently forced his hands from his face, +and conjured him, in piteous accents, to give her some information which +would relieve the torturing suspense. + +The old Deodati, still weeping, threw his arms around her neck, and +murmured: + +"God bless you, my child, for your love. Let us pray for him!" + +Mr. Van de Werve had left the room to call Petronilla. He returned with +her, and said to his daughter: + +"Mary, go with your duenna. You must not remain here longer." + +The young girl seemed not to hear her father's words, for she was +immovable as if petrified by grief. + +He added, in an impatient, severe tone: + +"Mary, leave the room. I wish it; I command it. Obey me." + +She arose and walked slowly towards the door. Tears flowed down her +cheeks; she supported her trembling limbs by leaning on the arm of her +duenna. Mr. Van de Werve feared she would lose consciousness before +reaching her own apartment. + +All, with the exception of the perfidious Turchi, were moved by compassion +for the unhappy young girl. + +As the duenna opened the door to let her mistress pass out, strange sounds +were heard in the vestibule. + +Mary started, and stepped back into the room, as though in presence of +some apparition. + +"It is his ghost, his spirit," she exclaimed, "arisen from the grave to +demand vengeance upon his murderers!" + +She gazed with intense emotion, then added, in accents of the wildest joy: + +"He smiles upon me; it is himself! He lives! It is Geronimo!" + +Pronouncing this cherished name, she fell insensible in the arms of her +attendant, who, assisted by the bailiff, carried her to an armchair. + +Signor Geronimo entered. His face was as pale and fleshless as that of a +skeleton. The wound he had received in his neck appeared like a large spot +of clotted blood--his garments were disordered, soiled, and blood stained. +He seemed really a spectre just arisen from the tomb. + +As soon as Turchi recognized his victim, he recoiled, uttering a cry of +terror; and imagining that God had permitted a miracle in order to punish +his crime, he extended his trembling hands to Geronimo, as if to implore +pardon. + +The young man cast upon him a look of disgust and contempt, and exclaimed: + +"You here, assassin? Tremble, for the Supreme Judge will demand of you an +account of my blood and of Julio's death." + +A murmur of surprise and terror ran through the room; all eyes were fixed +on Simon Turchi, who seemed crushed by Geronimo's words. + +Having thus addressed Turchi, Geronimo rushed into his uncle's arms and +embraced him in a transport of joy. + +"Oh, unexpected happiness!" he exclaimed. "It is permitted me to see my +uncle again in this world! I know you have suffered; you have suffered as +a father deprived of his only child! No more sorrow now. I will repay you +for your tender affection; I will love you; I will show my gratitude; I +will venerate you. Ah! bless the God of mercy, who has saved me from the +fangs of that tiger thirsting for my blood! But Mary, where is Mary? Ah! +there she is! My beloved friend, what has happened?" + +He ran to the insensible young girl, knelt before her, and endeavored to +recall her to consciousness by every endearing epithet. + +In the meantime Mr. Van de Werve aided the duenna in her exertions to +restore animation. Taking advantage of this, Simon Turchi walked towards +the door with the intention of making his escape; but the bailiff +discovering his design, drew his sword and placed himself in the doorway. + +Then Simon Turchi understood the fate awaiting him. He bowed his head and +covered his face with his hands. He trembled in every limb, and his breast +heaved with sighs of anguish. Every expectation of escape by flight, or by +making an appeal for pardon, vanished as he beheld the indignant +expression of the bailiff. + +Mary at last recovered from the faint into which she had fallen. She +looked around her in surprise, as if ignorant of what had happened; but +when Geronimo's voice fell in joyous accents on her ear, a bright smile +irradiated her countenance, and she exclaimed: + +"It is not a dream! He lives! I see him once more! Geronimo! Geronimo!" + +The young noble was too overpowered to do more than call the name of his +beloved. + +Only a few minutes had elapsed since Geronimo's entrance; all were too +much moved to express their surprise in words. But the bailiff resolved to +put an end to this harrowing scene by the performance of a painful duty. + +He said, in an imperative manner: + +"Signor Geronimo, be pleased to interrupt for a moment the expression of +your happiness. By the authority of the law I ask you what has happened, +and why you stigmatize the Signor Turchi as an assassin. Approach, and +obey my order." + +Turchi, foreseeing that his frightful crime was about to be revealed, +writhed convulsively and was covered with shame and confusion. He dared +not look upon his accuser. + +"Declare the truth," ordered the bailiff. + +"Five or six weeks ago," said Geronimo, "Simon Turchi told me that +unforeseen circumstances made it an imperative necessity for him to raise +the sum of ten thousand crowns, adding that if he did not succeed in +obtaining it immediately, the credit of his house would be gone, and that +he himself would be irretrievably ruined. He needed the sum, he said, only +for one month. I lent him the ton thousand crowns, and at his earnest +solicitation, in order to conceal the knowledge of this loan from the +clerks, I made no entry upon the books of the transaction, but was +satisfied with an acknowledgment in writing of the debt." + +Old Deodati made an exclamation of joy, ran to his nephew, and embraced +him affectionately. + +"God be praised! Dear Geronimo, you restore me to life. That wicked man +tried to persuade me that you had lost ten thousand crowns at play. You +were too virtuous, too grateful for that, my beloved boy!" + +"Observe the respect due the law, Signor Deodati. Continue your statement, +Signor Geronimo." + +"What an odious falsehood!" said the young man. + +Then turning to the bailiff, he continued: + +"When we last met in this house, Signor Turchi told me that a foreign +merchant, who wished to remain unknown, would repay me the ten thousand +crowns. I was to go to his country-house alone, and secretly to return the +note I held, and receive reliable bills of exchange upon Italy. When I +went, Julio, Simon Turchi's servant, pushed me into a chair prepared as a +trap, in which my body was caught and held immovable by steel springs. +Then Simon entered with a dagger in his hand; he took from me the note, +and destroyed it in my presence. He attempted to stab me in the breast, +but the blow was warded off by a copper amulet which I wore around my +neck. I then received in my neck what I considered a mortal wound; I felt +my blood flowing freely, and I bade, as I supposed, an eternal adieu to +life." + +Old Deodati, without being aware of it, had drawn his sword from the +scabbard as if he were about to pierce Turchi to the heart; but he was +restrained by a look of severity from the bailiff, although he continued +playing with the hilt, and muttering in an undertone menaces against the +murderer. + +"I awoke to consciousness," continued Geronimo, "in a dark dungeon; I was +lying beside a grave which had been dug to receive my remains. When Julio +returned to bury my corpse, he found me living. He was about to kill me, +but he recognized the amulet I wore around my neck, and I was saved. The +old blind woman who gave me the amulet as a recompense for delivering her +from the hands of the Moslems was Julio's mother. Last night Signor Turchi +gave poisoned wine to Julio, who died in my arms, declaring to me that +Signor Turchi hired Bufferio to assassinate me. I labored for hours before +I succeeded in obtaining egress from the garden. Now behold me saved from +a frightful death through the miraculous protection of God, and restored +to all that is dear to me on earth!" + +The bailiff's voice was heard, issuing his commands, in the vestibule. +Turchi comprehended the order. He cast himself on his knees, extended his +hands, and weeping, cried out: + +"Oh! Messire Van Schoonhoven,--Geronimo,--I have been guilty of a +frightful crime. I deserve your hatred, your contempt and death; but have +pity on me! Spare me the shame of the scaffold; do not cover my family +with eternal infamy. Exile me to the ends of the earth; but pardon, +pardon, deliver me not to the executioner!" + +Five officers of justice appeared at the door. + +"What are your commands?" asked the chief. + +"Bind the signor's hands behind his back!" + +"Heavens! bind my hands like a thief!" exclaimed Turchi. + +"Bind the hands of a nobleman?" repeated the chief in surprise. + +"Execute my order immediately! This nobleman is an infamous robber and a +cowardly assassin. Cast him in the deepest dungeon; he shall pay the +penalty of his crime upon the scaffold." + +The command was promptly obeyed, and Turchi, in spite of his resistance, +was dragged from the room followed by the bailiff. + +Mary and Geronimo wept with joy. Deodati claimed their attention saying: + +"My dear children, let us fulfil a sacred duty of gratitude. God has so +visibly protected innocence that the feeling of His presence in our midst +overpowers me. Your hopes will become a reality. Let us pray!" + +He knelt before the crucifix, bowed his head and joined his hands. + +Geronimo and Mary knelt beside the old man, Mr. Van de Werve behind them. + +For a long time they lifted their grateful hearts in thanksgiving to the +God of goodness. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +MARY VAN DE WERVE'S (NOW MADAME GERONIMO DEODATI) DEPARTURE FOR ITALY--THE +PUNISHMENT OF SIMON TURCHI. + + +It was six o'clock in the morning. + +The height of the sun indicated that the warm season of summer had +replaced the mild month of May. It was apparently a festival day at +Antwerp, for through all the gates people poured from the surrounding +country into the city. The streets were filled with persons of all ages, +who, talking and laughing, hastened to the centre of the city, as though +they anticipated some magnificent spectacle. + +Before Mr. Van de Werve's residence was a compact mass of citizens who +seemed impatient at the delay. Through a sentiment of respect, they were +perfectly quiet, speaking in very low tones, and making way to afford a +passage through the crowd every time that a cavalier or any notable +personage presented himself for admission into the house. + +The attraction to the centre of the city must have been very powerful, for +the greater part of those who passed neither stopped nor turned their +heads. Some approached, and learning upon inquiry as to the cause of the +gathering, that Miss Van de Werve was about to leave for Italy, they +immediately resumed their walk, as if the sight of this departure were no +equivalent to the imposing spectacle they were going to witness. A few, +however, remained in order to discover the real object of so large a +concourse of people. + +An old gray-headed peasant, after having listened to the conversation +going on among the peasants, recognized in the crowd a man from his own +village, who had been residing for some time in the city, near the church +of Saint James, and who consequently, he thought, must be better informed +than the others in regard to Miss Van de Werve. + +He elbowed his way through the crowd until he reached his friend, struck +him on the shoulder, and said: + +"What is going on here, Master John, to collect such an assembly? I heard +some one say that Miss Van de Werve was about to leave for Italy." + +"Ah! Master Stephen," said the other, "call her Madame Geronimo Deodati." + +"Is she married?" + +"One would say, Master Stephen, that our village is at the other end of +the world. Even the children of Antwerp bless this marriage as a striking +proof of God's justice." + +"I did hear, friend John, that God had visibly avenged virtue and punished +crime. The assassin dies by a frightful death, and the victim becomes the +husband of the noblest and wealthiest young lady in the marquisate. Do you +know her, Master John?" + +"Do I know her? She passes my house twice every day in going to church. I +furnish the family with bread, and I have frequent opportunities of +speaking with this amiable young lady." + +"I would like to see her," said the old man, "but if I wait, I shall +arrive too late at the public square." + +"You need not fear," replied Master John. "The executioner's car will not +leave the prison for an hour to come." + +The peasant hesitated as to what he should do. + +"Are you sure that the young lady will leave at once?" + +"Immediately, Master Stephen. Mr. Van de Werve urges the departure--he +wishes to be out of the city before the executioner commences his work." + +"Why," said the peasant, "did they wait until to-day? In their place I +would have gone long ago." + +"Ah!" replied Master John, "here is another evidence of God's intervention +in these terrible affairs. The vessel which bears them to Italy has been +ready to sail for a week. During all that time the wind blew constantly +from the south-west; it changed to the east only last night, so that their +departure before was impossible. But the tide is high now and will +commence to ebb at the very hour fixed for the death of the assassin. You +see that God himself willed Mr. Van de Werve to remain here until his +vengeance was accomplished." + +"Does she go to Italy to reside?" + +"Oh, no; she only goes on a wedding trip. She will return in the course of +a year, when the impression of the perfidy and cruelty of Simon Turchi +will be less painful. Back, back, Master Stephen, they are coming!" + +From the crowd arose a joyous shout. Each was anxious to approach Madame +Deodati. Those who did not know her desired to see the noble young woman +whose name was so painfully connected with the bloody history of Simon +Turchi, and who was esteemed a model of pure virtue, fervent piety, and +ideal beauty. The neighbors and those who had the honor of knowing her +collected in order to salute her, to bid her a respectful and cordial +adieu, and to wish her a happy voyage. + +Mary Van de Werve, now Madame Geronimo Deodati, appeared at the door +accompanied by her husband. As soon as the people perceived her, loud and +long acclamations greeted her; they waved their caps, clapped their hands, +rent the air with their cries of joy, and strove to obtain a glance of the +angelic features of the beautiful lady and the noble countenance of her +husband, who had been so miraculously preserved, by the providence of God, +from the hands of his cruel enemy, Simon Turchi. + +Mr. Van de Werve walked by his daughter's side; the old Deodati was near +his beloved nephew Geronimo. Then followed Mary's two married brothers and +a large number of her father's near relatives and friends, as well as many +Italians, Portuguese, and Spaniards, who wished to escort Geronimo to the +ship. + +When Mary heard the benedictions and joyous shouts of the people, and saw +all eyes fixed upon her with looks of love, the blood mantled to her +cheeks, and she modestly cast down her eyes. But immediately raising them, +she saluted the crowd as a mark of her gratitude for their kindness. The +multitude, at a sign from Mr. Van de Werve, opened a passage for the +party, and they proceeded to the Scheldt amid acclamations testifying the +love and respect they inspired. Their drive resembled a triumphal +procession. The old Deodati was deeply moved. He seemed rejuvenated. A +sweet smile was upon his lips, and he looked proudly upon Geronimo. Thus +full of the thought of their future happiness, they reached the dock-yard. +In the middle of the Scheldt was the _Il Salvatore_, decked with flags and +rocking upon the waves as if conscious of the precious treasure about to +be confided to it. + +A part of the sailors were occupied in unmooring the vessel; even the +harsh grating sound of the capstan could be heard on the wharf. The rest +of the crew manned the masts, and they waved their caps in the air, +shouting: + +"_Benvenuto! benvenuto! Viva, viva la nostra signora!_" + +At the same time the sound of five or six cannon from the _Il Salvatore_ +boomed over the waters, prolonged by the echoes from either side as it +floated down the river. The multitude replied by three cheers, and the +last reverberation of the cannon was lost in the _vivas_ of those on the +shore and ships. + +In the meantime parents and friends were bidding adieu. Many tears were +shed, and it was with tearful eyes that Mary Van de Werve received upon +her brow her brothers' kiss. + +The _Il Salvatore_ weighed anchor; the sails caught the wind, and the +vessel floated majestically down the river with the tide. + +Mr. Van de Werve, Deodati, and their two happy children, entered the bark +which awaited them. Petronilla seated herself beside her mistress. They +exchanged a last adieu, and the eight oars fell simultaneously in the +water. The bark, under the strokes of the robust oarsmen, cut the waves in +a rapid course. + +At this moment Geronimo's eyes were filled with tears. Lifting his eyes to +heaven, he said: + +"Blessed be Thou, my God, for all the sufferings Thou hast sent me; +blessed be Thou for Thy infinite goodness. I thank Thee for the wife it +has pleased Thee to give me; she will be my companion in my much loved +country. A thousand thanks for all Thy benefits!" + +The bark had reached the galley. A ladder was lowered, and, aided by the +sailors, the party ascended the deck. The pilot gave the signal, the sails +were unfurled, the ship rocked for a moment as if courting the breeze, +and then it rapidly cleaved the waves. + +The cannon again boomed from the _Il Salvatore_, and again the +acclamations of the crowd rent the air. + + * * * * * + +The sounds had hardly died away when the spectators, as if impelled by one +thought, immediately retired, and made all speed to reach the central part +of the city. + +The crowd which left the wharf so precipitately soon arrived at the grand +square, but they found it already occupied by so compact a mass of human +beings, that it was impossible for them to penetrate it. As far as the eye +could reach, there was a sea of heads; all the windows were crowded with +women and even children; the roofs swarmed with curious spectators; the +iron balustrades seemed to bend under the weight of the children who had +climbed upon them. + +A solemn silence reigned in the midst of the vast multitude. Not a sound +was heard save the slow and mournful tolling of the death-bell, and at +intervals a scream so piercing, so frightful, that those who listened to +it turned pale and trembled. Every eye was fixed upon a particular spot, +whence clouds of smoke curled in the air, and from which escaped the cries +of distress. + +What passed that day on the grand square of Antwerp is thus related by +Matthew Bandello, Bishop of Agen, who lived at that period, and who wrote +from the testimony of an eye-witness: + + * * * * * + +"Upon the appointed day, Simon Turchi was enclosed in the same chair and +driven on a wagon through the streets of Antwerp, the good priest +accompanying him and exhorting him. When they reached the grand square, +the chair was removed from the wagon. The executioners lighted a slow +fire, which they kept alive with wood, but in such a manner that the +flames should not rise too high, but sufficed to roast slowly the unhappy +Turchi. The priest remained as near to him as the heat permitted, and +frequently said to him: + +"'Simon, this is the hour for repentance!' + +"And Simon, as long as he could speak, replied: + +"'Yes, father.'" + + * * * * * + +Simon Turchi evinced great repentance and much patience, and he accepted +with resignation the painful and infamous death to which he was condemned. +When it was certain that he was dead, his body, partially consumed, was +conveyed outside the city gates and attached to a stake by an iron chain. +The dagger with which he had stabbed Geronimo was thrust into his side. +The stake was so placed on the public road that it could be seen by all +who passed, in order that the punishment inflicted for murder might serve +as a warning to others, and prevent the commission of infamous crimes. + + + + +THE END. + + + + +ENDNOTES + + +[Footnote 1: "All the foreign merchants who resided at Bruges, with the +exception of a few Spaniards, established themselves here about the year +1516, to the great disadvantage of Bruges and to the advantage of +Antwerp."--Le Guicciardini, _Description of the Low Countries_. Arnhem, +1617, p. 113.] + +[Footnote 2: C. Schibanius, in his _Origines Antwerpien Sum_, says that he +has often seen in the Scheldt twenty-five hundred vessels, many of which +were detained at anchor for two or three weeks before being able to +approach the wharf.] + +[Footnote 3: The stables, and coach-houses used by this company for +transportation still exist at Antwerp. Although they are now occupied as +barracks, they preserve their original name--_Hessenhaus_.] + +[Footnote 4: See the statistics of population given by Schibanius in the +_History of Antwerp_, by Mertens & Torfo, Part IV., ch. v.] + +[Footnote 5: The inhabitants of Antwerp are experienced and skilled in +commercial affairs, and although they may not have left their own country +the greater part of them, even the women, can speak four, five, and +sometimes seven different languages.] + +[Footnote 6: "The nobles of Netherlands do not engage in commerce like the +Italian noblemen from Venice, Florence, Genoa, and Lucca."--L. +Guiccardini, _Description of the Low Countries_, p. 140.] + +[Footnote 7: "Two well-known Italian merchants, both of noble birth, +natives of Lucca, who were great friends." Van Mertens, _History of the +Low Countries_, Vol. I.] + +[Footnote 8: The bailiff (schoat) was the representative of the prince in +the prosecution of crimes. He alone, and his agents by his orders, could +make arrests, except in cases of flagrant crime or of persons lying in +wait. This high functionary was also called the _margrave_, because the +margrave of the Low Countries was, in virtue of that office, the bailiff +of the city of Antwerp.] + +[Footnote 9: "It is estimated that three thousand new houses were either +erected by himself, or by others through his assistance."--Mertens & +Torfo, _History of Antwerp_.] + +[Footnote 10: This church was demolished at the commencement of this +century. The spot upon which it stood is now called the "_Plain of Saint +Walburga_."] + +[Footnote 11: In the _History of Antwerp_, by Mertens & Torfo, Part IV., +chapter iii., is found a view of the city, from the banks of the Scheldt, +as it was in 1556, and details concerning the principal edifices.] + +[Footnote 12: "Geronimo went to Simon and demanded payment of the sum +lent, and for which he held a note. Turchi made various excuses, and put +off payment from day to day."--_Matteo Bandello._] + +[Footnote 13: "A fierce desire of vengeance took possession of Simon, and +he sought to kill Geronimo."--_Matieo Bandello._] + +[Footnote 14: A measure of four pints.] + +[Footnote 15: "One night, when passing through the streets, he received +from the hands of an enemy an ugly wound in the face. He suspected +Geronimo of having inflicted it; in which he was mistaken, for the author +of the attack was afterwards discovered."--_Matteo Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 16: "After Simon Turchi had determined to revenge himself, and +after long consideration, he ordered a large wooden arm-chair, to which +were attached two iron bars, so arranged that whoever should sit down in +it would be caught by the legs below the knees, and would be unable to +move."--Van Meteren, _History of the Low Countries_.] + +[Footnote 17: "Geronimo, a merchant from Lyons desires to see you, but as +he does not wish to be known at Antwerp now, he is concealed in my garden. +He begs that you will meet him there."--_Matteo Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 18: "This chair being made, he told one of his servants, named +Julio, who was proscribed in Italy, and under sentence of death."--Van +Meteren, _History of the Low Countries_.] + +[Footnote 19: "And the said Julio pushed Geronimo into a large arm-chair, +which sprang and closed."--_Origin and Genealogy of the Dukes and +Duchesses of Brabant_. Antwerp, 1565; p. 308.] + +[Footnote 20: "In the cellar ... in a grave which had been prepared by the +said Julio to bury Geronimo after the commission of the murder."--_Origin +and Genealogy of the Dukes and Duchesses of Brabant_.] + +[Footnote 21: _Order and Proclamation of Messire Van Schoonhoven, bailiff, +and of the Burgomaster, Constables, and Council of the city of Antwerp_: + +"It having come to the knowledge of the bailiff, burgomaster, and +constables of this city that Geronimo Deodati, a merchant of Lucca, went +out yesterday afternoon, about four o'clock, from his residence in this +city, near the Convent of the Dominicans, and that he was seen for the +last time beyond the Square of Meir, and since then he has not been heard +of, and we know not what has become of him, so that there is great +suspicion that the said Geronimo has been maltreated, or even put to +death; therefore, the magistrates of the same city do proclaim that he who +first will give information as to what has become of the said Geronimo, +will receive the sum of three hundred florins."--_Extract from the "Book +of Laws of the City of Antwerp_."] + +[Footnote 22: "The bailiff said that the magistrates had determined to +search all the stables, cellars, and gardens, to discover whether the +ground in any of these places had been recently dug."--E. Van Meteren, +_History of the Low Countries_.] + +[Footnote 23: "Simon Turchi was known to be a perverse and immoral man; in +a word, he was a compound of every vice and every evil +inclination."--_Matteo Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 24: "Go and do what I have commanded you. Disinter the body, +take it on your shoulders and cast it into the sewer which is in the +square where the three streets meet."--_Simon Turchi_.--_Matteo +Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 25: "I will send Bernardo to help you, and I will order him to +obey you, whatever you may command. When you have thrown the body into the +sewer, you can, by a quick movement, push Bernardo in also. The sewer is +deep, and whoever falls into it is immediately drowned."--_Matteo +Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 26: "Simon Turchi begged Julio to take the crime upon +himself."--Van Meteren, _History of the Low Countries_.] + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Amulet, by Hendrik Conscience + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13835 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Amulet + +Author: Hendrik Conscience + +Release Date: October 22, 2004 [EBook #13835] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AMULET *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Valerine Blas and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + +THE AMULET. + +BY HENDRIK CONSCIENCE, + +AUTHOR OF "THE CURSE OF THE VILLAGE," +"THE HAPPINESS OF BEING RICH," +"VEVA," +"THE LION OF FLANDERS," +"COUNT HUGO OF CRAENHOVE," +"WOODEN CLARA," +"THE POOR GENTLEMAN," +"RICKETICKETACK," +"THE DEMON OF GOLD," +"THE VILLAGE INN-KEEPER," +"THE CONSCRIPT," "BLIND ROSA," +"THE MISER," +"THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER," ETC. + +Translated Expressly for this Edition. + + + +TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. + + +In the "Amulet," Hendrick Conscience has worked up an incident which +occurred at Antwerp, in the 16th century, into a story of great power +and deep interest. It was a dark and bloody deed committed, but swift +and terrible was the retribution, strikingly illustrating how God +laughs the sinner to scorn, and how the most cunningly devised schemes +are frustrated, when He permits the light of His avenging justice to +expose them in their enormity. On the contrary, it forcibly proves that +virtuous actions, sooner or later, bear abundant fruit even in this +world. If a man's sins bring upon his head a weight of woe, so do his +good deeds draw down the benedictions of heaven and serve as a shield to +protect him from his enemies. + +S.J.F. + +_Baltimore_. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. PAGE +ANTWERP 9 + +CHAPTER II. +SIGNOR DEODATI 30 + +CHAPTER III. +THE PALACE OF SIMON TURCHI, AND WHAT OCCURRED THERE 43 + +CHAPTER IV. +THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION--THE ASSASSINATOR SLAIN 64 + +CHAPTER V. +VAN DE WERVE'S RECEPTION--SIMON TURCHI'S JEALOUSY +AND HATRED 79 + +CHAPTER VI. +SIMON TURCHI WREAKS HIS VENGEANCE ON GERONIMO 96 + +CHAPTER VII. +GRIEF AT GERONIMO'S ABSENCE--TURCHI'S HYPOCRISY 112 + +CHAPTER VIII. +SIMON TURCHI TRIES TO CONCEAL HIS CRIME 128 + +CHAPTER IX. +GERONIMO RESURRECTED 143 + +CHAPTER X. +SIMON TURCHI'S ALARM--CRIME BEGETS CRIME 157 + +CHAPTER XI. +FOOD AT LAST--DEATH OF JULIO 171 + +CHAPTER XII. +IS IT HIS GHOST?--THE GUILTY EXPOSED 180 + +CHAPTER XIII. +MARY VAN DE WERVE'S (NOW MADAME GERONIMO DEODATI) +DEPARTURE FOR ITALY--THE PUNISHMENT OF SIMON +TURCHI 193 + + + + +THE AMULET. + +CHAPTER I. + + +Previous to the close of the fifteenth century, the direction taken by +European commerce remained unchanged. America had not been discovered, and +the only known route to India was by land. + +Venice, enthroned by her central position as queen of commerce, compelled +the nations of Europe and Asia to convey to her port all the riches of the +world. + +One single city, Bruges in Flanders, serving as an international mart for +the people of the North and South, shared, in some measure, the commercial +prosperity of Venice; but popular insurrections and continual civil wars +had induced a large number of foreign merchants to prefer Brabant to +Flanders, and Antwerp was becoming a powerful rival to Bruges. + +At this period two great events occurred, by which a new channel was +opened to trade: Christopher Columbus discovered America, and Vasco de +Gama, by doubling the Cape of Good Hope, pointed out a new route to India. +This latter discovery, by presenting another grand highway to the world, +deprived Venice of the peculiar advantages of her situation, and obliged +commerce to seek a new emporium. Portugal and Spain were the most powerful +nations on sea; countless ships left their ports for the two Indies, and +brought back spices, pearls, and the precious metals for distribution +throughout the Old World. This commercial activity required an emporium in +the centre of Europe, halfway between the North and the South, whither +Spaniards, Portuguese, and Italians, as well as French, English, Germans, +Swedes, and Russians, could resort with equal facility as to a perpetual +mart for all the commodities exchanged between the Old and the New +World.[1] + +A few years before the commencement of the religious wars which proved so +disastrous to the country, Antwerp was in a most flourishing condition. +Thousands of ships of every form and size covered its broad river like a +forest of masts, whose many-colored flags indicated the presence of +traders from all the commercial nations of the globe. + +Portuguese gallions carried thither the gems and spices of the East; +Spanish gallions the gold and silver of America; Italian vessels were +laden with the delicate fruits and rich stuffs of the Southern countries; +German vessels with grains and metals; and all returned to their own +countries heavily freighted with other merchandise, and made way for the +ships which were continually arriving, and which, according to +contemporary chronicles, were often obliged to wait six weeks before they +succeeded in approaching the wharf.[2] + +Small craft, such as _hers_, ascended the Scheldt, and even ventured out +to sea in order to trade with the neighboring people. Transportation into +the interior of the country was effected by means of very strong wagons, +several hundred of which daily left Antwerp. The heavy vehicles which +conveyed merchandise through Cologne to the heart of Germany were called +_Hessenwagens_.[3] + +This extraordinary activity induced many foreigners to establish +themselves in a city where gold was so abundant, and where every one might +reasonably hope for large profits. + +At the period of which we speak, Antwerp counted among its inhabitants +nearly a thousand merchants from other countries, each of whom had his own +attendants; one chronicle estimates, perhaps with some exaggeration, the +number of strangers engaged in commerce at five thousand.[4] + +Twice a day these merchants met on Change, not only for purposes of trade +and for information of the arrival of ships, but principally for banking +operations. + +To convey an idea of the amount of wealth at the disposal of the houses of +Antwerp, it suffices to say that the king of Portugal obtained in one day +in this city a loan of three millions of gold crowns, and Queen Mary of +England contracted a debt of seventy millions of francs. + +One merchant, called the rich Fugger, left at his death legacies amounting +to nearly six millions of gold crowns, a sum which for that period would +seem fabulous, if the fact were not established by indisputable documents. + +This wealth and the presence of so many nations vying with each other had +carried luxury to such a height that magistrates were frequently obliged +to publish edicts, in order to restrain the lavish expenditure. This was +not done on account of the foreign inhabitants of the place, but for the +advantage of many noble families and the people of the middle classes, who +were tempted by the example of others to a display of magnificence which +might have seriously injured their fortunes. + +The greater part of the Italian merchants from Lucca, Genoa, Florence, and +other cities beyond the Alps, were noblemen, and from this circumstance +they were thrown into intimate intercourse with the noble families of +Antwerp, all of whom spoke fluently three or four languages, and who +particularly studied to speak with purity and elegance the soft Italian +idiom.[5] + +In the _Hipdorp_, not far from the Church of St. James, stood an elegant +mansion, which was the favorite resort of the élité of the Italian +merchants. It was the residence of William Van de Werve, lord of Schilde. + +Although this nobleman did not himself engage in mercantile transactions, +because the aristocratic families of Brabant regarded commerce as an +occupation unsuitable to persons of high birth,[6] he was very cordial and +hospitable to all strangers whose rank entitled them to admission to his +home circle. Moreover, he was extremely wealthy, luxurious in his manner +of living, and so well versed in three or four different languages, that +he could with ease enter into an agreeable and useful conversation in +either of them. + +The house of Mr. Van de Werve had still other attractions to noble +foreigners. He had a daughter of extraordinary beauty, so lovely, so +modest, notwithstanding the homage offered to her charms, that her +admirers had surnamed her _la bionda maraviglia_, "the wonderful blonde." + +One morning in the year 1550 the beautiful Mary Van de Werve was seated in +her father's house in a richly sculptured arm-chair. The young girl had +apparently just returned from church, as she still held in her hand a +rosary of precious stones, and her hood lay on a chair near her. She +seemed to be engrossed by some pleasing thought which filled her heart +with a sweet anticipation, for a slight smile parted her lips, and her +eyes were upraised to heaven as if imploring a favor from Almighty God. + +Against the wall behind her hung a picture from the pencil of John Van +Eyck, in which the great master had represented the Virgin in prayer, +whilst she was still ignorant of the sublime destiny that awaited her. + +The artist had lavished upon this masterpiece the most ardent inspirations +of his pious and poetic genius, for the image seemed to live and think. It +charmed by the beauty of feature, the majestic calm of expression, the +sweetness of the smile, the look full of love cast from earth to heaven. + +There was a striking resemblance between the creation of the artist and +the young girl seated beneath in almost the same attitude. In truth, the +youthful Mary Van de Werve was as beautiful as the poetical representation +of her patroness. She had the same large blue eyes, whose expression, +although calm and thoughtful, revealed a keen sensibility and a tender, +loving soul; her golden hair fell in ringlets over a brow of marble +whiteness, and no painter had ever traced a cheek of lovelier mould or +more delicate hue; her whole being expressed that calm recollection and +attractive gravity which is the true poetry of the immaterial soul, and +which was comprehended only by the believing artists of the North before +the material inspiration of pagan art had been transmitted to them from +the South. + +Mary Van de Werve was most richly attired; but there was in her dress an +absence of ornament which appeared strange at that period of extreme pomp +and show. A waist of sky-blue velvet encircled her slender form, and a +brocade skirt fell in large folds to her feet. Only on her open sleeves +appeared some gold thread, and the clasp which fastened the chamois-skin +purse suspended from her girdle was encrusted with precious stones. + +All her surroundings betokened her father's opulence: large stained-glass +windows, covered with the armorial bearings of his ancestors, cast their +varied hues upon the inlaid marble floor; tables and chairs of oak, slabs +supporting exquisite statuary from the chisel of the most celebrated +artists, were ranged along the walls; an ivory crucifix surmounted a +silver basin of rare workmanship containing holy water. Even the massive +andirons, which stood in the broad fireplace, were partly of gold and +ornamented with the coat of arms. + +Her prayer was finished, or it might be that her thoughts had taken +another turn; she arose and walked slowly towards the large window which +overlooked the garden. She fixed her eyes upon the beautiful blue sky; her +countenance was bright, as though a sweet hope filled her heart, and a +rosy hue suffused her cheeks. + +An old man at this moment entered the room. Heavy moustaches shaded his +lips, and a long beard fell upon his breast. There was something grave and +severe in his imposing appearance and even in his dress; for although his +doublet was of gold cloth, his whole body was enveloped in a long cloak, +whose dark color was relieved by a lining of white fur. + +"Good morning, Mary," he said, as he approached the young girl. + +"May the blessing of God always be with you, dear father," she replied. +"Come, see how lovely the sky is, and how brightly the sun shines." + +"It is charming weather; we might almost imagine ourselves in the month of +May." + +"It is the eve of May, father." And with a joyous smile she drew her +father to the window, and pointing to the sky, said: "The wind has +changed; it blows from the direction of England." + +"True; since yesterday it has been south-east." + +"So much the better; the ships which have been kept out at sea can ascend +the Scheldt with to-day's or to-morrow's tide." + +"And you hope," said Mr. Van de Werve, shaking his head, "that among these +vessels will be found the _Il Salvatore_, which is to bring the old Signor +Deodati from Lucca?" + +"I have so long implored of heaven this favorable wind," replied the young +girl. "I thank the God of mercy that my prayer has been heard!" + +Mr. Van de Werve was silent; his daughter's words had evidently made a +disagreeable impression upon him. + +She passed her arm caressingly around his neck, and said: + +"Dear father, you are sorrowful; and yet you promised me to await +tranquilly the arrival of Signor Deodati." + +"It is true, my child," he replied; "but, as the time approaches when I +must come to a decision, my soul is filled with anxiety. We are the +descendants of an illustrious family, and our style of living should be so +magnificent as to reflect credit on our rank. The Signor Geronimo, whom +you seem to prefer to all others, lives very economically; he dresses +simply, and abstains from all that kind of expenditure which, being an +evidence of wealth and chivalric generosity, elevates a man in the eyes of +the world. That makes me fear that his uncle is either in moderate +circumstances or very avaricious." + +"But, father, permit me to say that the Signor Deodati of Lucca is very +rich and of high birth," replied the young girl, sadly. "Did not the +banker Marco Riccardi give you satisfactory information on that point?" + +"And should he be miserly, Mary, will he accept the conditions I propose? +I shall demand of him the renunciation of a considerable portion of his +possessions in favor of his nephew Geronimo. Would it not be an insult to +you, which your brothers would avenge, were your hand to be refused from +pecuniary motives? I regret that you have so irrevocably fixed your +affections on the Signor Geronimo, when you might have chosen among a +hundred others richer and of higher estate. The head of the powerful house +of Buonvisi had more claim upon my sympathy and yours." + +"Simon Turchi!" said the young girl, sorrowfully bowing her head. + +"What has this poor Signor Turchi left undone during the past three years +to prove his chivalric love?" replied her father. "Festivals, banquets, +concerts, boating on the Scheldt, nothing has been spared; he has expended +a fortune to please you. At one time you did not dislike him; but ever +since the fatal night when he was attacked by unknown assassins and +wounded in the face, you look upon him with different eyes. Instead of +being grateful to the good Turchi, you comport yourself in such a manner +towards him, that I am induced to believe that you hate him." + +"Hate the Signor Turchi!" exclaimed Mary, as if frightened by the +accusation. "Dear father, do not indulge such a thought." + +"He is a handsome, dignified gentleman, my child." + +"Yes, father; he has long been an intimate friend of the Signor +Geronimo."[7] + +Mr. Van de Werve took his daughter's hand, and said, gently: "Geronimo may +be finer-looking to a woman's eye; but his future depends upon his uncle's +kindness. He is young and inexperienced, and he possesses nothing himself. +The Signor Turchi, on the contrary, is rich and highly esteemed in the +world as partner and administrator of the well-known house of Buonvisi. +Think better of your choice, Mary; satisfy my desires and your brothers': +it is not yet too late." + +Tears filled the eyes of the young girl; she replied, however, with a +sweet resignation: "Father, I am your submissive child. Command, and I +will obey without a murmur, and humbly kiss the venerated hand which +imposes the painful sacrifice. But Geronimo! poor Geronimo!" + +At these words her fortitude forsook her; she covered her face with her +hands, and wept bitterly; her tears fell like bright pearls upon the +marble floor. + +For some moments Mr. Van de Werve contemplated his daughter with +ever-increasing pity; then overcome by the sight of her grief, he took her +hand, and tenderly pressing it, he said to her: "Cheer up, my dear Mary, +do not weep. We will see what answer the Signor Deodati will return to the +conditions I will propose to him. Geronimo is of noble birth; if his uncle +will consent to bestow upon him a suitable fortune, your desires shall be +fulfilled." + +"But, dear father," said the still weeping girl, "that depends upon the +magnitude of your demands. If you ask impossibilities of the Signor +Deodati--" + +"No, no, have no anxiety," said Mr. Van de Werve, interrupting her. "I +will endeavor to fulfil my duty as a father, and at the same time to spare +you any future sorrow. Are you satisfied now?" + +Mary silently embraced her father, and her eyes expressed such gratitude +that Mr. Van de Werve was deeply moved, and said, tenderly: + +"Who could refuse you anything? Age, experience, prudence, all yield +before one glance of your eye. Conceal your emotion; I hear some one +coming." + +A servant opened the door, and announced, "The Signor Geronimo." + +The young nobleman thus introduced was remarkable for his fine form, and +the graceful elegance of his manners and carriage. His complexion was of +that light and clear brown which adds so much to the manly beauty of some +Southern nations. The dark beard and hair, his spirited black eyes, gave a +singular charm to his countenance, while his calm and sweet smile +indicated goodness of heart. + +Although upon his entrance he strove to appear cheerful, Mary's eye +detected a concealed sadness. + +The dress of Geronimo was simple in comparison with the rich attire of the +other Italian nobles, his compatriots. He wore a felt hat ornamented with +a long plume, a Spanish cloak, a cloth doublet lined with fur, violet +satin breeches, and gray boots. His modest attire was relieved only by the +sword which hung at his side; for the hilt glittered with precious stones, +and the armorial bearings engraved upon it proved him to be of noble +birth. + +"Che la pace sia in quelle casa!" (May peace be in this house!) he said, +as he entered the hall. + +He bowed profoundly to Mr. Van de Werve, and saluted him most +respectfully; but the traces of tears which he perceived on Mary's face so +startled him that he interrupted his ceremonious greetings, and fixed his +eyes inquiringly upon her. She had been weeping, and yet she smiled +joyously. + +"Mary is naturally very susceptible, Signor Geronimo," said Mr. Van de +Werve. "I was speaking to her of her beloved mother, and she wept. You +appear, and she smiles as though she knew no sorrow." + +The young girl did not await the conclusion of this explanation; before +her father had finished speaking, she led her lover to the window, pointed +to the weathercock, and said: "Look, Geronimo, the wind is from the west." + +"I noticed it last night," replied the young man, with an involuntary +sigh. + +"Rejoice then, for to-day your uncle may be in sight of the city." + +"I do not think so; however, it is possible," said the young man, sadly. + +"How coldly you speak, Geronimo!" exclaimed the young girl, in surprise; +"what cloud obscures your soul?" + +"I myself notice something extraordinary in your manner, signor," remarked +the father. "You seem dejected; have you received bad news of your uncle?" + +Geronimo hesitated for an answer; then, as though endeavoring to drive +away unpleasant thoughts, he said, in a faltering voice: "No, no, it is +not that. I witnessed just now near the Dominican Convent something which +touched me deeply, and I have not yet recovered from the shock. Have you +not heard of a Florentine merchant named Massimo Barberi?" + +"Is he noble?" asked Mary. "I do not remember him." + +"No, a commoner, but a man highly esteemed." + +"I know him well," said Mr. Van de Werve. "I met him lately in company +with Lopez de Galle, for whom he had attended to some financial affairs. +What have you to tell us concerning him?" + +"Something terrible, Mr. Van de Werve. I saw the corpse of poor Barberi +taken out of a sewer; he had two dagger-wounds in his throat. He was +undoubtedly attacked and slain last night." + +"It is had to see so many murders committed in Antwerp," said Mr. Van de +Werve. "This is the fourth during the past month. The victims each time +have been either Spaniards or Italians, and that vengeance or jealousy was +the cause is sufficiently proved by the fact that in no case have the +bodies been despoiled of their money or jewels. This custom of lying in +wait, attacking and killing each other, often without cause, is an outrage +both against God and man. And do you not yourself sometimes fear, Signor +Geronimo, the assassin's dagger?" + +The young man shook his head. + +"For instance," continued Mary's father, "this is the eve of May, I need +not ask if you intend to offer to Mary the homage of a serenade. It is the +custom of your countrymen to pay this attention to young girls, and you +would not omit this opportunity were it not for the advice of a man of +experience. Geronimo, listen to the words of calm reason: do not rashly +expose yourself to the danger of death; abandon your design this time. +Many of your compatriots have aspired to Mary's hand; they have been less +successful than you, and on this account they may harbor unkind feelings +towards you." + +The young man received this advice with a smile which indicated its +refusal. + +"It is difficult, sir, to speak of such things in the presence of the one +who is to be the object of our homage. Permit me, however, the liberty to +decide upon the manner in which I will acquit myself of my duty to this +young lady." + +"But permit me, signor, to tell you," said the old man, in an offended +tone, "that it does you no honor to reject the advice of a man of +experience, in order to carry out an unimportant fancy. Rashness does not +indicate courage, but rather an absence of good sense." + +"Father," exclaimed Mary, in a supplicating tone, "be not angry with +Signor Geronimo; he will incur no danger." + +"Foolish confidence!" said the old man. "Why should Geronimo think himself +less exposed to danger than others? That Geronimo should be rash is +excusable; but, Mary, you deserve a severe reprimand for encouraging your +friend in his perilous design." + +The young girl bowed her head at this reproof of her father, and murmured +as if to excuse herself: "Geronimo has a relic, father." + +This revelation embarrassed the young man, and he glanced reproachfully at +Mary. + +She said, caressingly: + +"Don't be displeased, Geronimo; show the relic to my father, and he will +then know why you do not fear that any accident will happen to you." + +The young man felt that he could not refuse Mary's request. He drew from +under his doublet an object suspended on a steel chain, and, approaching +Mr. Van de Werve, he placed it in his hand. + +It was a flat medal of greenish copper, on which were engraven unknown +letters and signs. A cross between two bent sabres, and beneath them a +crescent, filled up the centre of the medal. At the foot of the cross was +a gray stone, rudely inlaid. The whole was rough and heavy. + +Mr. Van de Werve examined this medal attentively for some time; he turned +it over and over, as though he sought to comprehend the signification of +this singular emblem. + +"A relic!" he murmured. "Here are two cimeters, a crescent, and cabalistic +characters. It is a Mohammedan talisman, and, perhaps, an emblem shocking +to our holy religion!" + +"You are certainly mistaken, sir," replied Geronimo. + +"Is not the cross placed above the crescent, and would not that signify +that the faith of Christ has triumphed over the doctrines of Mahomet?" + +"But why do you call it a relic?" + +"Mary so named it, not I. It is an amulet, and if it has any power, it +derives it from the gray stone beneath the cross. This stone is a +_draconite_, taken, at the risk of life, from the head of a dragon in the +country of the negroes." + +A half contemptuous smile curled the lips of the old man as he +contemplated the talisman in silence. At last he said: "I remember, Signor +Geronimo, to have read in Pliny curious details of the draconite and its +extraordinary powers, but I also remember that the great naturalist +forgets to tell us the inherent qualities of the stone. Alas! signor, +would you trust in this talisman, and believe that it could protect you +against the dagger of the assassin? The people of the South have a strange +piety: in their superstition they confound what is holy with things which +owe their efficacy, if they possess any, to the conjurations of +sorcerers." + +The young noble colored slightly, and replied: "You are mistaken, sir, as +far as I am concerned. For my justification allow me to tell you that this +amulet belonged to a pilgrim; that it rested one entire night of Good +Friday upon the tomb of our Lord at Jerusalem; but I will be candid, and +say to you that I do not consider it possessed of the power to preserve me +from danger. And yet I always wear it with the firm and unshaken +conviction that it will protect me in a critical hour from some +misfortune." + +"Perhaps it belonged to your deceased parents," said Mr. Van de Werve, +struck by the singular explanation of the young man. + +"No, sir," replied Geronimo; "this amulet is to me a cherished souvenir of +a day upon which God gave me the grace to perform a good action. I would +willingly tell you how the amulet fell into my hands, and why I believe in +its power to protect me, but it is a long story." + +"I would, nevertheless, be much pleased if you would satisfy my +curiosity," said the old noble. + +"If you desire it," replied Geronimo, "I will comply with your wishes. + +"You know that five years ago, when I undertook for the first time the +voyage from Lucca to Antwerp, I was made prisoner by Algerian pirates, and +carried as a slave to Barbary. I was sold to a Moorish lord, who made me +work in the fields until my uncle should send the ransom which would +restore me to liberty. In the same field in which some light work was +appointed me, I saw an old blind woman attached like a mule to a plough, +and driven on by blows from a heavy stick. She was a Christian slave, +whose eyes had been put out in wanton cruelty. I learned that she was an +Italian by birth, a native of a small village in the environs of Porto +Fiero, a seaport not far from Genoa. She had no relatives who could pay +her ransom, and she had consequently been fastened to the plough like a +beast of burden until death should come to deliver her. The frightful fate +of this miserable slave so filled me with compassion, that I shed tears of +grief and rage when I heard afar off her piercing cries as the rod of the +overseer descended upon her. One day my indignation was so roused, when +the pagan wretches had knocked her down and were treating her even more +cruelly than usual, that I dared to defend her by force. Had not my master +expected a large sum for my ransom, a frightful death would have been the +punishment of my audacity. After being kept a few days in prison and +harshly treated, I was sent back to the fields to work as before. The +condition of the blind slave was not in the least changed; she was still +inhumanly beaten. Her misfortunes pierced my heart, and I was maddened by +my inability to protect from pagan cruelty a woman who was my sister by +our common faith and a common misfortune. No longer venturing to have +recourse to force, I sought other means to mitigate her sufferings. During +the few hours of repose granted to us, or rather to our overseers, I +hastened to the blind woman and shared with her the best of my food; I +strove to fortify her by the hope that God would liberate her from this +terrible slavery; I told her, that should I ever become free, I would +procure her liberation, even were it necessary to renounce for years my +own pleasures that I might amass sufficient for her ransom. I spoke to her +of our country, of the goodness of God, and of the probability of my +liberation. The poor blind woman kissed my hands, and called me an angel +sent by God to illumine the darkness of her life by the sweet rays of +consolation and piety. I was only a few months her fellow-slave. My uncle, +learning my captivity through messengers I had employed, sent to Algiers +an armed vessel to liberate me. Besides the amount of my ransom, he sent +me means to transport some valuable merchandise from Barbary to Italy. +When I took leave of the blind woman, I was so deeply touched by her +sorrow, that I pondered upon the means of restoring her to liberty. It is +true that in order to effect this, I would be obliged to employ a large +portion of the money sent me by my uncle for the purchase of merchandise, +and I was convinced that my uncle, who was inflexible in exacting fidelity +to commercial regulations, would overwhelm me with his anger, but my heart +gained the ascendency over my reason, and Christian charity triumphed. +Listening only to my compassion, I ransomed the unfortunate woman, and +with my own hands I unbound her chains. That was the happiest moment of my +life." + +Mary and her father were both touched by the recital of the young man. + +"Oh, Geronimo," exclaimed Mary, "may God bless you for having been so +compassionate to the poor Christian slave!" + +"You did well, Geronimo," said Mr. Van de Werve, "and I esteem and love +you more for your generosity to the unfortunate blind woman. How happy her +unexpected liberation must have made her!" + +"When I told her she was free, and that she could accompany me to her +native land, she was almost wild with joy; she laughed and wept by turns; +she cast herself upon the ground, and raising her hands to heaven, thanked +God; she embraced my knees and watered my feet with her tears. Not knowing +how to testify her gratitude, she drew this strange amulet from her bosom +and presented it to me, conjuring me to wear it always. She told me that +it possessed the power of protecting and saving the one who carried it on +his person, when all human aid failed or was insufficient. As to the +origin of the amulet, she only knew that it had been brought back from +Jerusalem by one of her ancestors, who had made a pilgrimage thither in +expiation of an involuntary homicide, and from that time it had been, +religiously guarded in their family as a precious relic. She had no doubt +of its power, and related many strange things to justify her faith. She +maintained that she owed to the amulet her unexpected return to Italy." + +"Does she still live?" asked Mary. + +"When in sight of Italy, I put her on board of a boat bound to Porto +Fiero; I gave her a small sum of money, and begged the boatman to attend +to her comforts. Poor Teresa Mostajo--that is her name--I doubt not, is +living peacefully in her native village, and prays much for me. This is +the only reason why I attribute any virtue to the amulet; I believe in the +protection of this sign because it has been sanctified by an act of +Christian charity, and by the grateful prayers of the poor blind woman +tormented by the pagans for the name of Christ." + +The old cavalier remained a moment silent, absorbed in thought. Then +taking the hand of the young man, he said to him: "I did not know you +before, Geronimo. I hope it may be in my power to prove to you how much +your generosity ennobles you and elevates you in my esteem; but although +your confidence in the amulet rests on so laudable a sentiment, I would +not rely too much upon it. You know the proverb says: 'Help yourself, and +Heaven will help you.'" + +"Do not suppose, Mr. Van de Werve, that on that account I would be guilty +of any foolish imprudence. I know that the eye and sword are good +sentinels. When I pass through the streets at night, I am always well +accompanied, and my hand never leaves the hilt of my sword. Therefore have +no anxiety on this point, and permit me to perform my duty to her to whom +I owe homage and respect." + +At that moment the painted--glass windows trembled under the stroke of a +large clock from some neighboring belfry. This suddenly turned Mary's +thoughts into another channel. + +"The clock of St. James is striking ten," she said. + +"Father, will you walk with me to the dock-yard to see if any new ships +have arrived?" + +"What is the hour of high tide?" her father asked Geronimo. + +"At noon," he replied. + +"Why need we go so soon to the dock-yard?" asked the old cavalier. "Many +days may yet pass before the _Il Salvatore_ appears in the Scheldt. Do not +fear, Mary, that the Signor Deodati will take us by surprise. Don Pezoa, +the agent of the king of Portugal, has given orders that I shall be +notified as soon as the galley we are awaiting is signaled in the river, +at noon." + +He was interrupted by the entrance of a servant, who announced that the +Chevalier John Van Schoonhoven,[8] the bailiff, desired to speak with him. + +Geronimo was about to withdraw, but Mr. Van de Werve said to him, +cordially: + +"Remain, signor; I will send Petronilla, Mary's duenna as a companion for +her; the interview with the Chevalier Schoonhoven may not detain me long. +We will afterwards go to the dock-yard, and we will at least enjoy the +fine weather. Stay, I beg you." + +Hardly had he left the hall when an old woman entered, and seated herself +near the door. She drew a chaplet from her pocket, and commenced praying +in a low voice. This was apparently an habitual act with her, for neither +the young girl nor the young man took the least notice of the duenna. + +Mary approached her lover, and said, gaily: "Rejoice, Geronimo! My father +has just promised not to propose very heavy conditions to your uncle." + +"I am most grateful for his kindness," said the young man, sadly. + +"What can be the matter?" asked Mary, surprised by his indifference. "I +noticed you were depressed when you first came. Be more hopeful; perhaps +the _Il Salvatore_ will ascend the Scheldt to-day." + +"God grant it may not arrive!" said Geronimo, heaving a deep sigh. + +"Do you then fear your uncle's arrival?" exclaimed Mary, in an agitated +voice. + +"Do not speak so loud, Mary; your duenna must not hear what I am about to +communicate to you. Yes; since yesterday morning I have dreaded my uncle's +arrival. Previously I implored it of Heaven as the choicest blessing, and +now the thought of it makes me tremble." + +"Have you then heard from your uncle?" + +"Alas! my friend, at the very moment when all seemed the brightest, when I +was thanking God for a happiness which I thought already mine, a dark +cloud comes to overshadow my life. I seem even now to hear my uncle's +voice pronouncing the cruel sentence which condemns me to a life-long +sorrow." + +The young girl turned deadly pale, and anxiously awaited an explanation +of the mystery. + +"My beloved Mary," he whispered, "it is a secret which I can only confide +to you in part, and which in strict honor I should perhaps conceal +entirely. Four weeks ago a merchant, highly esteemed, was left by a +curious train of circumstances without funds, and he begged me to lend him +ten thousand crowns. Should I refuse his request, the credit of his house +would be irretrievably ruined. His name I considered sufficient security +for ten times the amount he wished to borrow. At all events, although it +pained me to disobey my uncle's positive injunctions, I could not deny the +assistance which was asked of me. I lent the ten thousand crowns, and +obtained a receipt with a written promise of payment in one month. +Yesterday the note fell due; my debtor asks a delay until to-morrow. I met +him an hour ago, and he has not yet obtained the money." + +"But if your debtor is rich and powerful, you need not indulge your fears +to-day; to-morrow, perhaps, he will fulfil his promise," remarked the +young girl, with ill-concealed anxiety. + +"My fears may mislead me, Mary, but I am sure that my debtor's affairs are +in a very bad condition. At his urgent entreaty I made no entry of the +loan upon the books, in order to conceal the transaction from the clerks; +but still I have not the amount in hand. O Mary! my uncle has an eagle eye +in business affairs; he will at once discover the deficit of ten thousand +crowns--a deficit resulting from my lending money: a thing he has always +warned me against, and which, even recently, he strictly forbade. My uncle +is a good father to me, but this act of disobedience is sufficient to +deprive me forever of his favor. I foresee many future evils." + +"Why were you so imprudent, Geronimo? You ought to have refused so large a +loan." + +"I could not possibly refuse, Mary." + +"But you hold an acknowledgment of the debt and a promise of payment. +Summon this merchant before the magistrates; at Antwerp justice is +promptly and impartially dealt to all." + +"Impossible!" replied the young man, in a plaintive voice; "my debtor is a +man to whom I owe many obligations; a complaint from me would be the cause +of irreparable ruin to him. Let us hope that he will succeed in procuring +the ten thousand crowns. He told me even this morning that he would +endeavor to give me bills of exchange on Spain." + +"But of whom are you speaking?" said Mary; "your language is so +mysterious." + +"I will not tell his name. Be not offended by my reserve; there is between +merchants a law of secrecy which honor forbids us to violate." + +Mary appeared to respect this law; but she was evidently absorbed in +bitter reflections. + +Either the communication of his difficulties to his beloved had given him +new strength, or the sight of her sorrow made him affect a confidence he +did not feel, for he said to her in a cheerful manner: + +"Come, Mary, you must not yield to discouragement. Perhaps I exaggerate +the danger. My debtor is a member of a house which equals any other in +consideration and wealth. In a few days, to-day even, or to-morrow, he may +acquit himself of the debt, and should my uncle arrive before the +restitution, I will endeavor to delay his examination of the books." + +He took the young girl's hand, and exclaimed, with joyous enthusiasm: "O +Mary, my beloved, may Heaven be propitious to our vows! May the +benediction of the priest descend upon our union! We will pass in Italy +the first months of our happy life; Italy--that earthly paradise where God +has lavished all the treasures of nature, and man all the treasures of +art." + +They heard Mr. Van de Werve's voice in the hall giving urgent orders to +the servants. + +"Mary," said Geronimo, "your father is coming. I implore you not to +divulge, in any manner, what I have told you. Keep my secret even from +your father; remember that the least indiscretion might cause the ruin of +an honorable merchant." + +"Make haste, Geronimo; Mary, prepare for a drive," exclaimed Mr. Van de +Werve, as he entered the hall. "Signor Deodati has arrived; the _Il +Salvatore_ is in sight. Don Pezoa has just sent me information to that +effect, and he has placed his gondola and boatmen at our service. The +weather is beautiful and calm; we will go to meet the _Il Salvatore_." + +Mary, as though forgetting in this unexpected news all that Geronimo had +told her, ran joyfully and put on her hood before her duenna had time to +approach her. Geronimo also looked happy, and prepared to meet his uncle +without loss of time. + +In a few minutes all was ready; the horses were harnessed to the carriage, +the great gate was flung open, and the equipage was driven rapidly through +the street. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +SIGNOR DEODATI. + + +On that day the Scheldt presented at Antwerp a striking spectacle. Many +ships which had been detained in the North Sea by the east wind were +approaching the city, with their various colored flags floating on the +breeze, while, far as the eye could reach, the broad expanse of water was +covered with sails, and still, in the dim horizon, mast after mast seemed +to arise from the waves as harbingers of an immense flotilla. + +The sailors displayed gigantic strength in casting anchor and manoeuvring +their vessels so as to obtain an advantageous position. The crews of the +different ships vied with each other, and exerted themselves so +energetically that the heavily laden crafts trembled under the strained +cables. From each arose a song wild and harsh as the sharp creaking of the +capstan, but joyous as the triumphant shout of a victorious army. These +chants, sung in every tongue of the commercial world by robust sailors, +seemed, as they were wafted over the river to the city, like the long, +loud acclamations of a vast multitude. + +The only sounds which could be heard in the midst of these confused cries +were the voices of the captains speaking through the trumpets; and when a +Portuguese gallion, coming from the West Indies, appeared before the city, +a salvo of cannon rose like the rolling of thunder above all other sounds. + +The sun shone brightly upon this animated scene of human activity, and +broke and sparkled in colored light up in the rippling waves of the broad +river. + +Hundreds of flags floated in the air; gondolas and longboats furrowed the +waters; from boat and wharf joyous greetings of friends mingled with the +song of the sailors. Even the wagoners from beyond the Rhine, who had +ranged their strongly-built wagons near the cemetery of Burg, in order to +load them with spices for Cologne, could not resist the influence of the +beautiful May-day and the general hilarity; they collected near the gate +of the dock-yard, and entoned in their German tongue a song so harmonious +and sweet, and yet so manly, that every other sound in their vicinity was +hushed. + +At this moment an elegant vehicle passed the gate of the dock-yard, and +stopped near the German wagoners as the last strain of their song died +upon the air. + +A young man, and after him an old man and a young girl richly attired, +alighted from the carriage. + +Those immediately around, merchants as well as workmen, stepped +respectfully aside and saluted Mr. Van de Werve, whilst glancing +admiringly at his daughter. Some Italians of lower rank murmured loud +enough to reach Mary's ears: "_Ecco la bionda maraviglia_." + +Mr. Van de Werve ordered his people to await him at the gate of the +dock-yard, and passed on, saluting those whom he met, to the place where +the Portuguese flag indicated the gondola of Lopez de Galle, which was +prepared to receive him. They threw a carpet across the plank upon which +Mary was to step in passing into the gondola. Mary, her father, and +Geronimo entered the boat; the six oars dipped simultaneously into the +water, and, pushed by the strong arms of the Portuguese sailors, the +gondola sped rapidly through the waves. Swift as a fish and light as a +swan, it skimmed the surface of the Scheldt, and made many a turn through +the numerous vessels until it had succeeded in finding an open way down +the river. Then the sailors exerted all their strength, as if to show the +beautiful young girl what they were capable of in their trade. The +gondola, obeying the impulse given it by the oarsmen, bounded forward +under each stroke of the oars, and gracefully poised itself on the waves +caused by its rapid passage. + +Complete silence reigned in the gondola; the sailors looked with timid +admiration upon the beautiful countenance of the young girl. Mary, with +downcast eyes, was persuading herself that Geronimo's uncle would +undoubtedly consent to their union. The young man was absorbed in thought, +and yielded by turns to joy, hope, and fear. Mr. Van de Werve contemplated +the city, and seemed to enjoy the magnificent spectacle presented by +Antwerp when seen at a distance, and which, with its lofty towers and +splendid edifices, rose from the river like another Venice. + +Suddenly Geronimo rose and pointed in the distance, exclaiming, joyously, +"See, the _Il Salvatore!_" + +Mary, glancing around, eagerly asked: "Where? Is it the vessel bearing a +red cross on its flag?" + +"No, Mary, it is behind the ships of war; it is that large vessel with +three masts--on its flag is a picture of the Saviour: _Il Salvatore_." + +While the gondola rapidly sped on its way, the eyes of all were fixed upon +the galley, in order, if possible, to distinguish the features of those +who stood on deck. + +Suddenly Geronimo clapped his hands, exclaiming, "God be praised! I see my +uncle." + +"Which is he?" inquired Mr. Van de Werve. + +The young man replied, joyously: "Do you not see standing on the +forecastle five or six passengers who wear parti-colored dresses, with +plumed hats? In the midst of them is a man of lofty stature, completely +enveloped in a brown cloak. He has long white hair, and his silvery beard +looks like snow-flakes resting on his dark mantle. That is my old uncle, +Signor Deodati." + +"What a superb-looking old man!" exclaimed Mary, in admiration. + +"In truth," said Mr. Van de Werve, "as well as I can judge at this +distance, his appearance is very striking." + +"My uncle inspires respect wherever he goes," said the young man, +enthusiastically. "His sixty-five years appear on his brow as an aureola +of experience and wisdom; he is learned, good, and generous." + +And waving his hat, he cried out: "Ah, he recognizes us! He salutes us; he +smiles. At last I see him after four years of separation. My God, I thank +thee for having protected him!" + +The young man's joy was so great that Mary and her father were also moved. + +"So lively an affection for your uncle does you credit, Geronimo," said +Mr. Van de Werve. "God loves a grateful heart; may He grant you to-day the +desires of your heart!" + +But the young man did not hear these words of encouragement; standing in +the gondola, he waved to his uncle as if endeavoring to express to him by +signs his joy at seeing him. + +The gondola approached the galley, which slowly ascended the Scheldt in a +favorable wind and with a rising tide. + +The light boat soon gained the large ship. Before the ladder was lowered, +Geronimo caught the cable of the galley, and ere Mary had recovered from +her terror, he had reached the deck and was in his uncle's arms. + +Mr. Van de Werve mounted the ladder cautiously, and approached Signor +Deodati, with whom he exchanged the most cordial salutations. + +Mary remained in the gondola; she saw Geronimo embrace his uncle +repeatedly; she rejoiced to perceive that the eyes of the old man were +filled with tears of emotion. She was still more happy when she saw the +affability with which her father and Geronimo's uncle conversed together, +as though they were old friends. + +Very soon the Signor Deodati descended into the gondola to accompany Mr. +Van de Werve and Geronimo to the city. + +The Flemish cavalier introduced his daughter to the Italian noble. + +The old man gazed upon the ravishing beauty of the young girl in +speechless admiration. Mary's lovely features were illumined by an +enchanting smile which moved the old man's heart; her large blue eyes were +fixed upon him with so soft and supplicating an expression that the Signor +Deodati, extending his hand, murmured: "_E la graziosa donzella!_" (The +beautiful girl!) + +But Mary, encouraged by his look of affection, and unconsciously urged by +a mysterious instinct, extended both hands to the old man, who folded her +in his arms and pressed her to his heart. + +Geronimo, overjoyed at the reception given to Mary by his uncle, turned +aside to conceal his emotion. + +"_Iddio vi dia pace in nostra patria!_ May God grant you peace in our +country, Signor Deodati!" said Mary, taking the old man's hand. "Come sit +by me; I am so happy to know you. Do not think me bold; Geronimo has +spoken so much of you, that I have long respected and loved you. And then, +in our Netherlands we always welcome a stranger as a brother." + +Signor Deodati seated himself by her as she desired, and as the gondola +returned to the city, the old man said, in surprise: "But you speak +Italian like a native of Lucca. How soft and musical my native tongue +sounds from your lips!" + +"There is my teacher," said Mary, pointing to Geronimo. + +"That is not true, my uncle. Her modesty causes her to mislead you. Miss +Van de Werve speaks equally well both Spanish and French, nor is she +ignorant of Latin." + +"Can that be so?" asked the elder Deodati, with an incredulous smile. + +"That is nothing extraordinary in our city of Antwerp," said Mr. Van de +Werve. "Most ladies of noble birth, and even merchants' daughters, speak +two or three foreign languages. It is a necessity rather than a pleasure +for us; for since the people of the South will not or can not learn our +tongue, we are obliged to become familiar with theirs." + +The Signor Deodati, as though a new and sudden thought possessed his mind, +seized his nephew's hand, and fixing his eyes affectionately upon him, +said in a calm tone: "I am pleased with you, Geronimo. Young as you are, +you have conducted prudently the affairs of a large commercial house; you +have acted as an experienced man; in order to please me, you have denied +yourself pleasures which are so seductive to youth. Taking the place of +your father, I have kept a vigilant eye upon you, and it gladdens my old +heart to know that I have in my successor a virtuous cavalier and a +prudent merchant. I know your desires, my son. Be not disturbed, but +hopeful. I undertook a long voyage only to recompense you, if possible, +for your gratitude." + +He arose, and said to Mary: "I am loath to leave you, my dear young lady; +but I have a few words to say privately to your father. You will excuse me +more readily, as I yield my place to Geronimo." + +Saying this, he walked with Mr. Van de Werve to the extremity of the boat, +where both seated themselves upon a bench. + +Trembling with fear, hope, and joyous anticipations, Mary and Geronimo +watched the two parents, endeavoring to divine from the expression of +their countenances the result of their conversation. At first both were +perfectly calm; by degrees they grew more excited; the derisive smile on +the lips of Mr. Van de Werve betrayed the bitterness of his feelings, as +the Signor Deodati in a decided manner counted on his fingers. They were +discussing the great affair--the dowry and inheritance. Their only thought +was money! + +Geronimo turned pale as he saw his uncle shake his head with evident +dissatisfaction; and Mary trembled as she noticed the displeased +expression of her father. + +The private conversation lasted a long time, and still took no favorable +turn; on the contrary, the two old men ceased speaking, as though +displeased with each other. + +Signor Deodati addressed a question to Mr. Van de Werve, to which the +latter replied negatively. + +Both then arose, and approaching Geronimo and Mary, sat down in silence. +Their countenances betrayed vexation and mutual displeasure. + +The young man, with tearful eyes, looked inquiringly at his uncle. Mary +bowed her head, but her heaving bosom gave evidence of the struggle of her +heart. + +For some time there was a painful silence in the gondola. Mr. Van de +Werve contemplated his daughter, who seemed overwhelmed by sorrow. Signor +Deodati was deeply moved by Geronimo's earnest gaze. + +The Italian noble was the first to break silence. "Come, sir," he said, +"let us make these young people happy." + +"With all my heart, signor; but what will you do? My daughter is descended +from an illustrious house; she must live in the world in a manner to do +honor to her birth; as her father, I have duties to fulfil which I cannot +disregard." + +"Poor Geronimo!" said the Signor Deodati, in a tone of compassion, and +with a deep sigh. "You would accuse me of cruelty, would you not? and this +lovely young girl would hate the old man for his insensibility. It was not +for that I crossed the seas in my old age." + +He reflected a few minutes, then extending his hand to Mr. Van de Werve, +he said: "My lord, I wish to show my good-will. I accept entirely your +conditions, and in recompense for my sacrifices I ask only your +friendship. Shall our children then be happy?" + +Mr. Van de Werve grasped cordially the hand which was extended to him, and +said to his daughter: "Mary, embrace this good gentleman; he will be your +second father." + +Mary cast herself into the arms of the old man; a cry of joy escaped the +lips of Geronimo; even the sailors, although they comprehended but little +of what they saw, were touched. + +Whilst they were yet exchanging felicitations, the gondola swept around +the point of land which had concealed the city from view, and Antwerp, +with its thousand vessels, its lofty spires and noble edifices, lay spread +out in all its majestic beauty before the eyes of Signor Deodati. + +A cry of admiration burst from his lips. + +"_O che bella citta!_ What a beautiful city!" he exclaimed. + +"What is that magnificent tower, which like sculptured lace lifts its +beautiful spire proudly to heaven, and like a giant looks down upon all +others? What are those singular buildings whose rounded cupolas and +pointed roofs so far exceed in height the surrounding houses? Oh! let the +gondola float with the current; your city enchants me, and I wish to enjoy +the view for a few moments." + +Mr. Van de Werve gratified the curiosity of the Italian gentleman by +pointing out to him the most remarkable buildings of the city, saying: +"Before you now is the new city constructed at his own expense by +Gillibert de Schoonbeke--a man to whom Antwerp owes its later increase and +the creation of countless streets and houses.[9] Those large and massive +towers, in which you may notice loopholes, and which stand immediately +upon the Scheldt, were the ancient fortifications of the city. That small, +graceful spire is the Convent of Faucon; it is called here, Our Lady of +Valkenbroek. Yonder, near the river, is the church of Borgt, the oldest +temple of our city; for in 642 a wooden chapel stood on the spot, and in +1249 it was consecrated as a parish church, just as it now is.[10] That +lofty edifice at the foot of the gigantic tower of Notre Dame is the +entrepôt of Spain. Every nation has its own manufactories and magazines, +where every one may claim the protection of his flag. The massive, +unfinished tower belongs to the church of Saint James; the original plan +was to elevate it above the spire of Notre Dame, but the work has been +long discontinued for want of funds. Do you see, a little further on, that +square building surmounted by a dome? It is the palace of Fugger, the +Croesus of our times: he was elevated to the nobility by Maximilian on +account of his wealth. Furnishing money to kings and nations, he sees gold +daily pouring into his coffers, and if God does not interfere, the royal +power will bow before that of the opulent banker. On the right you have +the church of Saint Andrew, and near it the convent of Saint Michael, +where our Emperor Charles stays when he visits his good city of +Antwerp."[11] + +While the gondola was skimming over the surface of the water, and Mr. Van +de Werve was explaining to Signor Deodati the various edifices which were +worthy of remark, there stood upon the shore, at a corner of the +dock-yard, a man who coolly followed the boat with his eyes, and who +endeavored to comprehend what was passing in the gondola, and to discover +what might be the emotions of the young man and the young girl who were +seated within it. + +Notwithstanding the fine weather, the man was enveloped in an ample cloak, +and wore a hat with broad brim, over which fell a purple plume. His +doublet was of gold cloth, and his breeches were of brown satin. At his +side glittered the jewelled hilt of a sword. + +He was of lofty stature, and his whole bearing indicated noble birth; his +style of dress and black hair and eyes attested his Italian origin. The +most remarkable thing about his person was a long narrow scar across his +face, as though he had been wounded by a sharp blade. The mark was not +disfiguring, particularly when his features were in repose; but when he +was agitated by some violent passion or uncontrollable emotion, the edges +of the scar assumed different hues, and appeared of a dull white mixed +with red and purple. + +At the moment of which we speak his eyes were fixed upon the gondola with +an expression of irritated jealousy, and his lips were strongly +contracted. The color of the scar had changed with his increasing emotion, +and it was of a deep red. He stood so near the water that his feet touched +it, and thus he prevented any one from passing before him and witnessing +the tumult of his soul. + +Even the peculiar expression of his countenance did not betray the current +of his thoughts; but certainly he was preoccupied by no good design, for +his whole demeanor bespoke a wild despair and burning jealousy. + +For some time he watched in the same attitude the course of the gondola, +which drifted with the current, until he saw the oarsmen seize their oars, +and he supposed they were about to land. + +Then his whole frame shook convulsively under his efforts to control his +emotion. He became exteriorly calm, the scar on his cheek paled, and in an +unconcerned manner, with a light step and bright smile, he walked along +the wharf to the spot where he supposed the gondola would stop. + +Geronimo, who had seen him approaching, sprung upon the bank before the +boat was moored, and ran to him with singular haste. He took his hand, and +said in an undertone: + +"_Ebbene, caro mio Simone?_ Have you obtained the money, Simon? My uncle +has arrived. Should he discover that the money-vault lacks so considerable +a sum, you and I are both lost. But you have the money, have you not? You +will give it to me to-day?" + +"Pity me, Geronimo," said the other, sighing. "Various fatal circumstances +render all my efforts unavailing." + +"You have not the money?" murmured the young man, despairingly. + +"No; to-morrow, or perhaps day after to-morrow."[12] + +"Good heavens! suppose my uncle reproves me in anger. I implore you, +Simon, to procure the amount. Do not cause my destruction!" + +"Oh!" muttered the other, in a hoarse, altered voice, "were I to be the +cause of any misfortune to you, I would avenge you upon myself in a bloody +manner." + +"No, no," said the young man, in a compassionate tone, "banish these +horrible thoughts. I will wait; I will seek a delay, and endeavor to +divert my uncle's attention for a few days. Alas! I am filled with +anxiety: at the very moment, too, that my uncle has consented to my +marriage with Mary!" + +Simon's face became fearfully contorted. + +"Your uncle has consented?" he said, in a stifled voice. + +"And Mr. Van de Werve?" + +"He agrees to it also. O Simon! pardon me my happiness. I know, my poor +friend, that this news is most painful to you; but did we not loyally +promise each other, that were one of us to succeed in our suit, it should +not break our long-tried friendship?" + +"Fool! God has abandoned me!" muttered the other between his teeth. + +"There is my uncle with Mr. Van de Werve," said Geronimo. + +"Cheer up, Simon; hide your emotion. When I am my own master, I will aid +you in your affairs. In the meantime put your trust in God." + +The man with the scar made a powerful effort to control himself, and +advancing cheerfully to meet Mr. Van de Werve, he said to his companion: + +"My emotion was natural under the circumstances; now that the blow has +fallen, it is all over. Pained as I am, Geronimo, I congratulate you +cordially. If I could only obtain the money, and spare you anything +disagreeable! I will do all in my power." + +Mr. Van de Werve joined them, and after the first salutations said to the +old Deodati: "I am happy to present to you my friend, the Signor Simon +Turchi, who is at the head of the house of the Buonvisi, and who +frequently does me the honor to visit me." + +"Ah! I know him well," said Deodati, cordially taking Simon's hand. "The +signor is from Lucca, and the son of an esteemed friend." + +"You are welcome this side of the Alps, Signor Deodati," replied Simon +Turchi. "My father often spoke of your mutual friendship. May God grant +you prosperity in Brabant!" + +"I am under many obligations to you, signor," replied the old Deodati, +"for the affectionate interest you have shown in my nephew. That my +business affairs have been as well transacted in this country as though I +had been here myself, I am indebted to your experience and wise counsels. +I know from Geronimo's letters that he is sensible of the favor and deeply +grateful for it." + +Simon Turchi was about to disclaim the praise bestowed upon him, but the +carriage drew near, and Mr. Van de Werve said: + +"I hope, signor, that you will honor us with your company this evening. We +will pass together a few hours with our noble guest." + +Simon excused himself, saying that some important commercial affairs +demanded his attention; but as Mary and Geronimo urged him to accept the +invitation, he promised to see them, at least for a short time. + +They bade adieu as the carriage drove out of the gate of the dock-yard. + +Simon Turchi followed it with his eyes, immovable as a statue, until the +sound of the rolling wheels was lost in the distance. Then he convulsively +crossed his arms and dropped his head, as though the certainty of a +terrible misfortune had overwhelmed him. + +He remained a long time plunged in thought; but he was startled from his +reverie by a vehicle which dashed along near him, and by the call of the +driver warning him of his danger. He stepped aside and looked around him, +as though seeking a way of escape from the wharf and the crowd of workmen. +He walked slowly towards the church of Saint Walburga, and around the wall +enclosing the cemetery. He entered, wandered awhile among the tombs, until +reaching an obscure spot, where he was concealed by an angle of the +church, he paused. + +He pressed his brow with his hands, as if to shut out painful thoughts; +the scar on his face frequently changed color, and at intervals his whole +frame shook with emotion. At last, as if his reflections had assumed a +determined form, he muttered: + +"The arm-chair? it is not completed! And then he would be too late. A +dagger, a sword, an assassin lying in wait? If Julio were only more +courageous; but he is a cowardly boaster. Why did I take into my service +such a poltroon? He would not dare run the risk of striking a fatal blow; +but I can force him to it, force him even to be bold. I need but pronounce +his real name; but the murder of a friend is a frightful crime; and then, +perhaps, to be discovered, betrayed--to die on a scaffold like a common +felon--I, the head of the house of the Buonvisi!"[13] + +This thought made him shudder. After a few moments' reflection, he said, +more calmly: "I will go to the bailiff Van Schoonhoven; he has espoused my +cause with Mr. Van de Werve; he will, perhaps, be offended that Mary's +hand has been disposed of contrary to his urgent solicitations. Perhaps he +may have influence to prevent the marriage." + +An ironical smile curled his lip. + +"Fool that I am!" he muttered. "And the ten thousand crowns? and the +disgrace of bankruptcy? Oh, the infernal thought! might I not take from a +corpse the acknowledgment of the debt? I will go to Mr. Van de Werve's; I +must speak with Geronimo; I must know where tins evening he--" + +The words died upon his lips, and a sudden terror shook him from head to +foot. + +He had heard behind him the voice of a man who spoke in a low tone, and +who seemed to be a spy. + +Could he have heard what Simon Turchi had so imprudently spoken in this +solitary corner of the cemetery? + +Turning in his anguish, he saw two persons, three or four steps behind +him, looking at him with a mocking air. + +Under other circumstances the Italian cavalier would certainly have called +the unknown men to account for their insolent curiosity; but fear deprived +him of all courage and energy. + +He dropped his head, concealed his face as far as possible, crossed the +cemetery with long and rapid strides, and disappeared behind the wall of +the enclosure. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE PALACE OF SIMON TURCHI, AND WHAT OCCURRED THERE. + + +Not far from the bridge De la Vigne, Simon Turchi had a magnificent +dwelling, where the offices of the commercial house of Buonvisi were +situated; but he possessed also, at the extremity of the city, +pleasure-grounds, where in fine weather he was accustomed to invite his +friends and acquaintances to festivals, banquets, and concerts. His +domains were near the church of Saint George, surrounded by grounds +belonging to the hospital. + +Exteriorly it appeared to be only a wall of enclosure, shaded by lofty +trees, and without openings. Against the horizon were seen two glittering +weathercocks surmounting two small towers arising in the midst of foliage. +Within there was, however, a vast garden diversified with winding paths, +flowery parterres, hillocks, and grottos. Here and there, scattered among +the thickets of verdure, appeared marble statues representing principally +the gods of pagan mythology. In the centre of the garden was a pond, in +which seemed to float a crowd of monstrous animals, such as dragons, +basilisks, lizards, and salamanders. It was a fountain; and when the +robinets were opened these monsters spouted the water in every direction +from their eyes and mouths. + +But at the bottom of the garden and at some distance from the wall of +enclosure was an antique pavilion of gray-stone, the walls of which were +nearly covered with ivy, and which, in spite of their dark hue, presented +a very picturesque appearance. + +With the exception of the small and narrow windows, which were protected +by iron bars, and the staircase of slate which gave admittance, this heavy +building presented nothing remarkable, unless it were two round turrets, +which rose above the surrounding roofs and even above the gigantic trees +in its vicinity. + +The garden had been evidently long neglected, for all the walks were +covered with weeds, and in the flower-beds were the half decayed props +which had supported the plants of the previous autumn. The statues were +spotted by the dust and rain; a fine moss covered the monsters of the +fountains, and the little water remaining in the pond was stagnant. + +These evidences of the absence of man, the sombre hue of the edifice, the +shrubs growing untrimmed, but, above all, the complete silence, gave a +mournful air of abandonment to the place, and in this solitude the soul +was necessarily filled with painful reflections. + +It was already late in the afternoon; the sun was about to sink below the +horizon, its slanting rays illumined only the weathercocks on the top of +the towers. Within the thickets and at the entrance of the grottos, night +already reigned. Not the slightest sound was heard in this place. The +noise of the people at work in the city resounded in the air, the chiming +of the church-bells was wafted from the distance over this solitary +dwelling; but as no sound arose from the habitation itself, the distant +hum from an active multitude rendered the silence of the spot all the more +striking. + +Only at intervals a dull sound like the grating noise of a file seemed to +issue from the old edifice; but it was so indistinct and so often +interrupted that it was not sufficient to destroy the solitude and silence +of the place. + +Suddenly two heavy strokes, as if from a hammer, resounded through the +garden. Some one had knocked at the exterior door for admittance. + +A few moments afterwards a man appeared on the staircase of the pavilion, +and descended into the garden. + +He was tall and slender; his hair and beard were red, and a red moustache +covered his upper lip. His cheeks, though sunken and emaciated, were very +red. His eyes were wild in their expression. His arms and legs were of +extraordinary length; his movements were heavy and slow, as though his +limbs had been dislocated and his muscles without strength. + +His dress denoted him to be a menial: he wore a vest of black leather, a +red doublet and breeches of the same color, without embroidery or +ornament. + +At this moment his sleeves were rolled up, and his thin arms were bare to +the elbows. In his hand he held a file, and apparently he had been +interrupted in some urgent work by the knock at the door. Having reached +the outer door, he drew a key from his doublet, and asked in Italian: + +"Who knocks?" + +"Open the door, Julio; it is your companion Bernardo," was the reply in +the same tongue. + +"Of course, on the way you stopped at the _Camel_, and drank some pots of +Hamburg beer? Did you bring me as much as a pint?" asked the man with the +red beard. "Nothing? have you nothing? I have worked until I am exhausted; +I am dying of hunger, and no one thinks of me. Let me see the spring." + +Saying these words, he took from his companion's hands a bent steel spring +and examined it attentively, closing and opening it as if to judge of its +form and power of resistance. + +Bernardo was a deformed man of low stature; the projection on his back +might be styled a hump--it was so prominent. His physiognomy denoted +pusillanimity; but there was, at the same time, a malicious sparkle in his +eye, and it was with a mocking smile that he contemplated the man with the +red beard. + +The latter said to him in a commanding tone: "The spring appears to be +good. Go bring me a pint of Rhenish wine from the Saint George." + +"You know well that our master has forbidden it. Let me go; the signor +ordered me to return immediately to the factory." + +"Get me the wine, or I will break this spring in a thousand pieces over +your hump." + +"Always threatening!" muttered Bernardo. "You know I am not wanting in +good-will. I will go for the wine; give me the money." + +"Money? I have not a farthing in my pocket. Lend me the price of this +pint." + +"My purse is empty, Julio; but yours? Our master gave you ever so many +shillings yesterday. You told me so yourself." + +"Bah! the dice made way with the whole of it." + +"Hardened gambler!" said Bernardo, with a sigh. "You would risk your soul +at the gaming-table if any one held out to you a gold coin." + +"Very likely!" replied Julio, in an indifferent tone; "my soul is hardly +worth more." + +"What impious words! We are alone now, but there is One above who hears +what we say. He will punish you, Julio." + +The red-haired man shrugged his shoulders. + +"Continue your dissolute habits," resumed Bernardo; "lose your money in +gambling, drown your senses in intoxication: at the end of this path there +is a gallows, and behind it the devil, to whom all such souls are welcome. +Adieu! reflect upon my words, and remember that the justice of God will +one day demand an account of your life. Adieu!" + +Julio sprang towards the small door, locked it, and put the key in his +pocket. + +"Cease this trifling," said the other, evidently ill at ease. + +"Open the door, Julio, or I will complain of you to our master." + +"What do I care for our master?" said the man, laughing. + +"You say, Bernardo, that I shall end my days on the gallows. No, no; the +proverb says, that he who draws the sword shall perish by the sword. I +have pierced so many with my dagger, that my turn must come to fall by the +dagger. Last night, Bernardo, I had rare sport. I knocked down eight, +wounded one in the arm, and as to three or four others whom I left +extended on the ground, my dagger knows better than I what mischief was +done them. Come in with me, and I will tell you all about it." + +"No, I have not time." + +"You must take the time. You shall not leave here until you have heard my +adventures of last night." + +"It is always the same story over again. If I believed you, I would +suppose that the cemeteries were too small to contain the bodies of all +whom you have slain. Open the door, Julio, and let me go, I beg you." + +The other took his hand, and dragging him by force into the house, said: +"I am here alone all day, with no one to whom I can speak one word; it is +enough to paralyze my tongue. You shall listen to my adventures whether +you wish it or not. Judge, Bernardo, by the recital of my great deeds what +an honor it is to you to be the comrade of so intrepid a man. Be not +ill-humored; you know it is useless to resist me. Don't laugh; were I to +try it, I could toss you about like a ball; but you are my friend, and +besides, you are too weak to contend with me. Therefore, fear nothing." + +They reached the house and entered a kind of parlor, where Julio threw +upon the table the spring he held in his hand, and seating himself, he +said to his companion: + +"Take a chair, Bernardo. You are about to hear some strange adventures. Do +you know the ruffian Bufferio? He is a jolly fellow, who cares as little +for the life of a man as for that of a fly. There is not a man in the +parish of Saint Andrew who does not tremble at the sight of him. In a +by-street there is a tavern in a large cellar, where one can hear the +rattling of dice all night long, and they play for piles of gold--where it +comes from, the devil only knows. Late yesterday evening I was passing +through this street, when the noise of the dice fell upon my ear. You must +know, Bernardo, that this sound is as enchanting music attracting me; it +overpowers my will. I descended into the tavern and called for a glass of +beer. I seated myself among the players, and challenged any of them to +play against me. I won and lost; but at last good luck was on my side, and +my pockets were so full that they could hardly bear the weight of the +florins. To console the losers, I ordered the hostess to bring a pint of +wine to each of them; but in spite of my generosity the villains looked at +me angrily, and seemed to excite each other to take revenge upon me. They +strove to pick a quarrel. They were like a band of thieves and assassins; +but the rascals saw with whom they had to deal. My defiant look, my bold +words, my intrepid countenance, kept them at a respectful distance from +me. Suddenly the dreaded Bufferio entered the cellar. He had no sooner +learned from his comrades how fortune had favored me than he challenged me +to play with him. It was just what I wanted. I don't know how it happened, +but I lost every game. Each time we doubled the stakes; a cold sweat +bathed my brow as I saw florin after florin quietly put in the pocket of +my adversary, until I had only one farthing left. This time fortune +favored me; but Bufferio insisted that the dice had not been fairly +thrown, and he swept the table of all the money staked. I sprang to my +feet and called him a cheat. He instantly dealt me a heavy blow. Furious +and thirsting for vengeance, I drew my dagger. Immediately twenty daggers +glittered above my head. Perhaps, Bernardo, you think that I trembled? You +do not know me; when I am thus in the midst of danger, an entire army +could not terrify me; for in whatever other qualities I may be deficient, +I do not lack courage and intrepidity. When I saw the villains about to +rush upon me, I darted forward like a lion, and I cut about on every side +so furiously with my dagger, that all, even to the gigantic Bufferio, fled +from the cellar. I pursued them into the street; there the combat +recommenced; but my adversaries fared badly. In a few moments Bufferio lay +dead upon the ground between two of his comrades; the others, being badly +wounded, had taken flight. I stood alone upon the field of battle, a +triumphant conqueror! I remained in the same spot for a quarter of an +hour, to see if any other enemies would present themselves, but the +wretches had had enough for one night." + +Bernardo listened to this recital with an incredulous smile. When it was +concluded, he silently shook his head. + +"Well! what have you to say of this adventure?" asked Julio. "Might it not +be narrated in the chronicles as an heroic adventure?" + +"Certainly; in your place many others would have died of fright. But this +morning I saw this Bufferio, whom you declare to be dead, walking alive in +the public square." + +"Impossible; you are mistaken." + +"Perhaps so; but I know the ruffian well, for I have twice seen him in the +pillory." + +"If he is not dead, he will certainly not be able to make his appearance +in the streets for six months to come." + +"Of course, you took your money from Bufferio?" + +"How could I?" + +"Since he lay lifeless at your feet, why did you not recover the money he +had stolen from you?" + +The red-haired man was at a loss for an answer; but after awhile he +stammered out: "You are right. In the hurry of the struggle I did not +think of it, and then I had not the time: the watchmen ran on hearing the +noise of the affray, and you may imagine that I did not care to fall into +the hands of the bailiff." + +"I do not understand you; it seems to me you mentioned having remained a +quarter of an hour upon the spot," said Bernardo, with a slight smile. "I +suppose, Julio, there was much blood shed." + +"It flowed in torrents." + +Bernardo eyed his companion from head to foot in great surprise. + +"I would like to ask you something, but you might not understand the joke, +and you would be angry with me," he said. + +"Say candidly what you think," replied his companion. + +"I am extremely surprised, Julio, that there is not the smallest drop of +blood, not the least spot, upon your clothes. With your permission, I will +say you dreamed all that?" + +Julio sprang from his seat, gnashed his teeth, and looked at his +companion as if ready to devour him. + +"What! you dare to laugh at me? Are you then tired of life? Fool! were I +only to lay my hand upon you, you would be crushed to atoms." + +Bernardo arose also, and said, in a tone half ironical and half +supplicating: "Pardon me, Julio; I believe all you told me, and I never +doubted your marvellous courage. If sometimes I laugh at serious things, +do not be offended; this kind of joking is usual with men." + +"If you were not so feeble and powerless a being, I would have already +laid you at my feet," said Julio; "as it is, I long to plunge my dagger in +your breast." + +"Leave it in its scabbard, Julio, and I will go to buy you a _stoop_[14] +of Hamburg beer." + +"Ah, hypocrite!" exclaimed Julio, "then you have money. I will renew my +friendship for you, if you will do me a favor. I am in absolute want of +money; lend me a few shillings, and the first one who insults you, I +promise you, shall be a dead man." + +"But, Julio, were I to give them to you, you would gamble with them at +once." + +"No, you are wrong this time; I would pay for some things our master +ordered me to buy yesterday." + +Bernardo drew a small purse from his doublet, and handed to his companion +its scanty contents. + +"Here is all I possess," he said. "I fear they will go like the others." + +Julio thrust the shillings into his pocket, and muttered: + +"I do not deny that I may go this evening to the parish of Saint Andrew, +to see if any one would dare play against me." + +"Julio, Julio, I pity you!" said Bernardo, sadly. "I do not wish to +lecture you; but you have an unfortunate and aged mother who requires your +aid. You are always talking of sending her assistance, and for six months +past every farthing has been lost at play. Perhaps in the meantime your +mother has suffered for want of food." + +This reproach seemed to affect Julio deeply. He looked down abashed, and +then said, dejectedly: "Bernardo, never speak to me again of my mother. +You touch the only sensitive spot in my heart. And yet you are right; I am +a monster! Oh! this miserable play! I will do better in future. Go away +now, and let me continue my work." + +"What are you making?" asked Bernardo. "This is the third spring you have +ordered, and each time from a different locksmith." + +"It is a secret known only to my master and myself." + +"A secret?" said Bernardo. "Springs, a secret! What can it mean?" + +"Come with me, and I will show you. The signor may be angry if he chooses, +I don't care. But, Bernardo, you must be as silent as one deaf and dumb." + +He conducted his companion to a room, and throwing open the door showed +him a large arm-chair, which in form was like the other chairs around, +excepting that from each arm extended two bent springs. + +"This is what I have worked at, without stopping, for four days. I wish +the bewitched chair to the devil! I have already exhausted myself; but the +new spring is good, and in a few minutes I will have finished." + +Bernardo examined attentively the unfinished chair, and looked frightened. + +"Heavens!" he exclaimed, "a chair for a trap! Do you entrap men here?" + +Julio nodded his head affirmatively. + +Pale from anxiety, Bernardo muttered: "May God preserve me! What crime is +in contemplation? Does our master know anything of this terrible piece of +furniture?" + +"Was it not from him that you received the order to bring me the springs?" + +The humpbacked man made the sign of the cross, and muttered a few +indistinct words. + +Suddenly Julio laughed immoderately, and slapping him on the shoulder +exclaimed: "Foolish boy! he already sees a victim in this chair, and the +blood flowing as freely as in some old woman's story. Be at ease, +Bernardo; this is done only to satisfy a caprice of our master. He intends +to clean the garden and repair the fountain. He will place this arm-chair +in an arbor near the fountain; the guest who seats himself in it will be +caught, and the salamanders may throw the water upon him as long as they +please. It is a mania of our master." + +"What a coward I am!" said Bernardo, laughing at his own fears. "Open the +door now, Julio; I should have been at the factory long ago." + +They both left the house talking together, and they turned their steps +towards the exterior door. + +The red-haired man soon returned alone. He removed the spring from the +parlor-table, and took it with him to the room where he had terrified his +companion by the revelation of his master's secret. He seated himself on +the ground near the chair, and taking some tools he began to arrange the +spring, and to try if it would produce the effect intended. Whilst thus +occupied he laughed aloud, and said: + +"The stupid humpback! One could make him believe that cats laid eggs! He +believed all I told him of Bufferio and his comrades as though they were +gospel truths. The coward! To empty his pocket of its last farthing, it is +only necessary to frighten him! I have two shillings. Night is coming on, +and it is growing dark. Presently I will go to the tavern of the 'Silver +Dice.' I will play at first with a few farthings, then for white pieces, +at last for florins and even crowns! This time I will stop playing as soon +as my pocket is full of money. Then at least I will send something to my +poor mother. In what condition is she now? Perhaps she no longer lives on +earth; that would be better for her. Poor and blind, and her only +dependence a son who must conceal his true name in order to escape the +gallows; a gambler, drunkard--in a word, a real jail-bird! Yes, if fortune +favors me, I will send her something. The signor promised me to have it +conveyed to Lucca. Ah! the spring is fixed. Let me see if the machine does +its duty." + +He rose, placed his hand on the arm of the chair as if about to take his +seat in it; suddenly he sprang aside, exclaiming: "Fool that you are, you +were about to do a fine thing! I would have been caught by my own trap; +and if the signor had forgotten to come this evening, I would have +remained clasped in that traitorous chair. But don't I hear some one +coming? A key grating in the lock of the garden gate? Yes, it is the +Signor Turchi." + +Seating himself on the ground before the arm-chair, with his back turned +to the door, Julio began to work with apparent eagerness; and in order to +assume a greater air of indifference, he sang snatches of a well-known +song. + +The door opened, and Signor Turchi stood upon the threshold. He remained +for an instant motionless, contemplating in silence his servant, who +continued his song as though unconscious of the presence of his master. + +Simon slowly approached him and laid his hand upon his shoulder; but +before he could say a word, Julio drew his dagger from its scabbard, and +springing to his feet, made a motion as if to stab his master. + +"_O cielo, è voi signor?_ Is it you, signor?" cried Julio. "You slip +through the garden like a thief. It is almost dark; an accident might have +happened." + +"Stop your foolish jesting, Julio. A man does not kill another without +finding out with whom he is dealing." + +"Do you think so, signor? Why, if five or six men were to take me by +surprise, not one would be left alive." + +"You speak as if the life of a man were of no more value than that of a +bird." + +"Less, signor; it is not worth a farthing." + +"We will have proof of this," said Simon, in a peculiar tone, as he turned +towards the door. "For years I have heard you boasting; this evening I +will discover what you are--a brave man or a coward." + +Julio drew himself to his full height, put his arms akimbo, and was about +to speak, but his master prevented him. + +"No useless words!" said Simon, imperiously, "Light the lamp, and come to +my bed-room." + +He left the room without making any inquiry in regard to the chair, and +ascended a winding staircase. Opening the door of a large room, he threw +himself upon a chair, and rubbed his brow with his hands like a man +tormented by painful thoughts. + +After awhile his hands fell upon his knees, and his eyes wandering in +feverish agitation through the dim twilight, he muttered: + +"At last it is decided! the murder of a friend! He my friend? He is my +mortal enemy! Has he not deprived me of Mary's love? Has he not destroyed +all my hopes? Has he not devoted me to eternal infamy? His uncle has +consented; he will become his partner, the proprietor of an immense +fortune, the husband of Mary--of Mary, who was destined by her father to +be my wife! He will be powerful, rich, and happy; he will be surrounded by +every luxury; he will astonish the world by the magnificence of his style +of living, and from the pinnacle of his grandeur he will cast an eye of +lawful pride upon Turchi dishonored and ruined! Miserable dog that I am! +Deodati will discover that I owe him ten thousand crowns. He will appeal +to the courts of justice, and I will be condemned as a rogue; they will +discover that I have spent more than I possessed. Outraged, despised, +mocked, shall I fall forever into the abyss of misery and infamy? No, no; +let him die! His death alone can save me. If he perishes as I have +planned, I no longer owe him the ten thousand crowns; Mary becomes my +wife, and I am master of her dowry. In that case I am still the powerful, +honored chief of the house of Buonvisi! But time presses; to-morrow it may +be too late! I hear Julio coming. Upon him rests all my hope." + +The servant entered and placed a lighted candle upon the table. + +"Now, signor," he said, "to what trial do you wish to subject my courage? +However difficult it may be, it will not be beyond my strength." + +"Close the blinds; lower the windows," said Turchi; "sit down and listen +attentively to my words. I am about to talk to you of an important +affair." + +The red-haired man regarded his master with a malicious and incredulous +smile, but he took the seat indicated to him without a word of comment. + +"Julio," said Simon, "I am dejected and undecided. There is a man who +pretends to be my friend, but who has secretly been my bitter enemy. He +has always artfully calumniated and deceived me, and injured me in my +fortune and honor; he has pushed his machinations to such a degree that I +will soon be condemned to eternal infamy and misery, unless, by a bold +stroke of vengeance, I break through the snares he has laid for my +destruction. Be calm, Julio; it does you honor to be inflamed with anger +against the enemies of your master; but listen. I discovered, three days +ago, that it was this treacherous friend who paid the assassins to inflict +the wound of which I still bear the scar on my face. Thus, he first shed +my blood and attempted my life; now he plans my ruin and dishonor. Julio, +what would you do in my place?" + +"What would I do? Ask my dagger, signor; if it could speak, it would tell +you of wonderful exploits." + +"Then you would not hesitate to undertake a difficult task?" + +"Hesitate! you insult me, signor. I would not hesitate were twenty swords +brandished over my head." + +"Understand, Julio, that had I doubted your intrepidity, I would not have +spoken to you of such grave affairs. I give you the highest proof of +confidence by intrusting my vengeance to your hands. I will tell you who +is my enemy, and where you can strike him secretly. Kill him, and you +shall be liberally recompensed." + +This mission appeared unpalatable to Julio. + +"Yes," he stammered; "but that is not my way of acting. I will pick a +quarrel with your enemy, and if he dares to raise a finger against me, he +is a dead man." + +"Impossible; he is of noble birth." + +"And if I insulted him, his valets would fall upon me and beat me." + +"That is true. There is but one way, Julio; I will tell you where you can +stab him at night without the least danger." + +"I? shall I treacherously kill your enemy? This gentleman has never +injured me. Since how long has it been the custom for valets to avenge the +grievances of their masters? It is your own affair, signor." + +"You value the life of a man as little as a farthing, you said," replied +Simon Turchi, with bitter irony; "and now you allege the most puerile +reasons as excuses. You are a coward, Julio." + +"I am not; but I do not choose to lie in wait and stab a man in the dark." + +"That is a feint, a subterfuge, to conceal your cowardice." + +"Since it is so simple and easy, why do you not deal the blow yourself, +signor?" + +The scar on Simon Turchi's face became of a livid white; his whole frame +trembled with rage; but by a strong effort he controlled his emotion, and +after a few moments he said, with a contemptuous smile upon his lips: + +"Four years ago I took you into my service through pity; I have paid you +well, excused all your faults, your intoxication, your passion for +gambling; I have not dismissed you, although you have deserved it a +hundred times; and now, when for the first time you can be useful to me, +you have not the courage. I wished to try you. What I said was only a +jest. To-morrow, Julio, you will leave my service. You are a liar and a +coward." + +"Do not condemn me so severely, signor," said the servant, in a +supplicating tone of voice. "I am willing to risk my life a thousand times +for you; but to lie in wait for an unknown man and kill him +deliberately--this is an infamous crime of which I am not capable." + +"Hypocrite!" exclaimed Simon Turchi; "you speak as though I were ignorant +of your past history. If a price is set upon your head in the city of +Lucca, if at this moment you are under sentence of death, is it not +because you assassinated or helped to assassinate the Judge Voltaï?" + +These words struck Julio with terror. He replied, humbly: + +"Signor, I have already told you that in this affair I was more +unfortunate than guilty. I was upon the spot where the murder was +committed, and I was arrested with those who gave the fatal blow. Believe +me, I knew nothing of their designs. I do not deny that in a contest or +quarrel I spare no one; but up to this moment my dagger has never shed +blood without provocation." + +Simon fixed his eyes upon his servant, and said in a menacing tone: +"Suppose, in order to avenge myself for thy base ingratitude, I should +make known to the superintendent of Lucca who is the man I have in my +service? Suppose I were to tell him that the real name of Julio Julii is +Pietro Mostajo? Who would be bound hand and foot and sent in the hold of a +ship of war to expiate his crimes upon a scaffold in Italy?" + +Julio turned pale and trembled. He moved restlessly upon his chair, and +complained in a low voice of the false accusations and injustice of men; +but his master eyed all his movements in a scornful manner, until at last +the servant, disconcerted, exclaimed impulsively: + +"Tell me what to do; I am ready!" + +"Will you accomplish my orders with unwavering will and without +hesitation?" + +"I must do so, since you compel me to it! But fear nothing; my decision is +made." + +"And suppose that Geronimo Deodati were my enemy?" + +"Geronimo Deodati!" exclaimed Julio, in indescribable terror. "Geronimo, +your intimate friend? That noble and generous cavalier who loves you as a +brother? He is as gentle as a girl!" + +"He is a false friend, a traitor." + +"Geronimo gave you the wound on your face?[15] He would betray you and +seek your ruin? That is false, false! It is impossible!" + +"He is my mortal enemy. You shall kill him, I say!" exclaimed Simon +Turchi, in a menacing voice. + +"Must I kill the Signor Geronimo? Ah! to what horrible crime would you +urge me?" said Julio, in a plaintive tone. + +Simon seized his servant by the arm, shook him violently, and whispered +hoarsely in his ear: "Pietro Mostajo, remember the superintendent of +Lucca!" + +Julio, as if stupefied, said not a word. + +Simon arose and walked towards the door, saying: "It is well; I will go +and deliver you up to justice." + +The terrified servant sprang after him, retained him, and said, +supplicatingly: "I submit myself to your will, and accept the fate I +cannot escape. I have never before committed a murder; you take his blood +upon yourself, do you not, signor? Tell me when I must accomplish this +horrible crime." + +"This very day, Julio." + +"To-day?--so soon?" + +"To-morrow would be too late." + +"Well, command; the sooner the better." + +"To-day is the eve of May. Geronimo intends to serenade Miss Van de Werve. +Only two lute-players will attend him. He invited me to accompany him. I +will go to bed at the factory under pretence of indisposition; all the +servants will know that I have not left my dwelling. Do you put on the old +Spanish cape which has been laid aside for five years; no one will then +recognize you. You must be in Hoboken Street, near the Dominican Convent, +before eleven o'clock. There is at that spot a well which Geronimo must +pass both in going and returning. Hide behind the well until Geronimo +approaches, then rush upon him and deal him a fatal blow; strike several +times. The lute-players are cowards, and they will run away. Take from the +dead body of Geronimo a pocket-book which you will find in a pocket on the +left side of his doublet; there is in this pocket-book a writing which he +took from me by a cheat. Leave the spot after having accomplished this, +and return by the darkest streets; you will not be discovered. Above all, +do not forget the pocket-book." + +Julio's countenance expressed stupefaction and terror. During the +development of the frightful plot he kept his eyes fixed on his master's +lips, and he continued to stare at him without moving. + +"Well," asked his master, "is not the project cunningly devised?" + +"It is astonishing, astonishing!" stammered the servant, lowering his +eyes. + +"You are ready, I suppose, to strike the blow? But why do you hesitate? +Are you afraid?" + +"No, no; but let me reflect a moment," said Julio. + +After a few minutes of silence, he looked at his master, and said: + +"With your permission, signor, I will say that the plan, as you have +arranged it, appears to me to be fraught with danger to yourself. Suppose +that Geronimo should perceive me too soon and defend himself; that by +chance the lute-players should be men of courage; that I should be wounded +or made prisoner: any of these events might occur. I would certainly be +broken on the wheel or burned alive. That, however, would be of little +consequence, if by my death I could be useful to you. But I am your +servant, and known as such by all your acquaintances; and as I could have +no motive of hatred or vengeance against a cavalier who has never spoken +an unkind word to me, you would be at once suspected of having ordered the +murder." + +"And you, I suppose, would betray me?" said Turchi, with bitter irony. + +"Betray you, signor? that would not save myself; but under torture my +tongue might against my will pronounce your name." + +Simon strode up and down the room, muttering between his teeth with +suppressed rage. His servant glanced at him stealthily, with an almost +imperceptible smile of joy and triumph. + +At last Simon stood still in the middle of the room; the scar on his cheek +was of a fiery red, and his eyes rolled around restlessly. + +"Shall I then be forever ruined? Nothing is left me in the world but +misery and infamy! Julio, is the arm-chair progressing?"[16] + +"The arm-chair! Then the arm-chair was destined as a snare for Geronimo?" +said the servant, stupefied. "What do you mean?" + +"No, no, the chair would come too late!" said Simon Turchi, in an agitated +voice. "Talk no more about it; this evening you must lie in wait for +Geronimo and kill him. It is decided; it must be done!" + +"I know a means to accomplish your purpose without danger either to you or +me, signor," said the servant. + +"Ah, if what you say be true! Tell me this means of safety!" + +"There lives in the parish of Saint Andrew a man of giant stature and +strength; he is named Bufferio; he will do anything for money; whether it +be to beat, wound, or kill a man, it is all the same to him. He fulfils +his mission to the satisfaction of his employers, and he never betrays a +secret. He has five or six intrepid companions engaged in the same trade +as himself; they may be relied upon. Give me money to pay this ruffian, +and you need have no anxiety; Bufferio will think that I am acting from +personal vengeance; besides, he does not know me. Thus neither of us will +be suspected nor accused should the affair prove unsuccessful." + +Simon seemed surprised by Julio's words, and he remained a few moments in +deep thought. By degrees a smile parted his lips; it was evident that the +proposed plan met his approval. He opened his purse and put four gold +pieces in Julio's hand. + +"Is that sufficient?" he asked. + +"You jest, signor," replied the servant. "Four gold pieces for the life of +a nobleman!" + +Simon handed him four more. + +"Will that do?" he said. + +"It is not enough yet." + +"How much will be required?" + +"I do not know. Perhaps twenty crowns." + +"Twenty? I have only fifteen about me, with some small change." + +"Give me all, signor. If I had not enough I should be obliged to return +without concluding the affair." + +Simon heaved a deep sigh and emptied the contents of his purse into +Julio's hand. + +"You will bring me back what is left, will you not?" + +"Certainly; but I do not think much will remain." + +"Come, Julio, I am in a hurry to return to the factory. Fulfil your +mission skilfully, and I will recompense you largely. But a thought +strikes me. The pocket-book must not fall into the hands of Bufferio." + +"I had forgotten that," said Julio, embarrassed. + +"Ah! I have it!" said Simon Turchi, after a moment's reflection, "A little +before ten o'clock you must go to the house of Geronimo and tell him I am +ill with fever, and that I have sent you in my place to accompany him +armed. Follow him closely, and when he falls, take the pocket-book from +him. Tell Bufferio that it is an unimportant document." + +Julio made a movement of displeasure on receiving this new order. He had +rejoiced in the idea of not being obliged to witness this wicked attack, +and now he was commanded to take part in it. For fear of being subjected +to something worse, he did not venture to make any remark. + +"Go now," said Simon Turchi, "and get the old Spanish cape. It may serve +to disguise you from Bufferio. Gird on a sword also, that Geronimo may +think you are armed for the purpose of defending him in case of attack." + +The servant took the lamp from the table and prepared to obey the order. + +"What are you doing?" said his master. "Are you going to leave me in the +dark? Are you afraid to go without a light?" + +"I might knock my head against the beams, for I have forgotten where the +cape was put." + +"You had it in your hands only three days ago. You are afraid in the dark, +Julio. Take the lamp." + +The servant soon returned. He had the Spanish cape around his shoulders. +It was a wide cloak, in which the whole body might be wrapped; and when +the hood was drawn down it entirely concealed the face. + +The master and servant descended the staircase in silence and approached +the little garden-gate. There Julio put the lamp upon the ground and +extinguished it. + +The lock grated as the key turned; the door was opened and closed, and +Simon Turchi and his servant disappeared in the dark and solitary street. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION--THE ASSASSINATOR SLAIN. + + +A black shadow gliding like an almost impalpable spot, might be seen +moving along the street of Saint John. + +Thick clouds covered the sky. Not a star was visible. Here and there--at +the corners of the streets and alleys--flickered a small lamp, lighted +before an image of the Virgin; but these slight flames, far from +diminishing the obscurity, shone in the foggy atmosphere as glowworms in +the woods, which glitter but do not give light. + +Silence reigned in the deserted streets. If the inhabitants, behind their +oaken windows, heard occasionally some sound interrupting the stillness of +the night, it was the hurried step of some benighted artisan who made as +much noise as possible with his feet in order to frighten away the +robbers; or it was the slow tread of a highwayman, who, listening +attentively and peering through the darkness, was on the watch for his +prey; or it might be the watchmen, who cried the hour and made the +pavement resound under the stroke of their halberds as if to give +evil-doers a warning of their approach. + +The shadow gliding at this moment along the street of St. John was that of +a man completely enveloped in a large cloak, his head so covered by the +hood that his eyes alone were visible. As in passing before an image of +the Virgin a feeble ray from a lamp fell upon him, one might have seen as +he hurried along that his hand rested on the hilt of his sword. + +Was this person an evil-doer, bent upon the commission of some crime, or, +fearing danger, was he securing to himself the means of defence? + +However that may be, he pursued his way undisturbed and reached a narrow +winding alley, from beneath the ground of which seemed to proceed the +confused noise of many voices. + +The man stopped at the entrance of a cellar, to which admission was gained +by a ladder, and listened to the joyous sounds which issued from within. + +He put his hand in his pocket and chinked some pieces of money. + +"The sign of the _Silver Dice_!" said he, sighing. "How merry they are! +The dice are rolling upon the table. Shall I not risk a shilling? Only +one?" + +Yielding to the irresistible temptation, he placed his foot upon the +ladder; but a sudden thought seemed to arrest him. He sprang back, +trembling, and hastened from the cellar. A little farther in the street he +stopped and murmured in an anxious voice: + +"Heavens! what was I about to do? Risk the money upon dice? I would +certainly have lost the whole. Pietro Mostajo, do not forget the +Superintendent of Lucca! I am saved. Infernal temptation! I was about to +stake my head. But, perhaps, I would not be unlucky. I might win a +fortune. The temptation returns. No, no, I must go seek Bufferio, and I +have no time to lose. He lives yonder: a low dark door beside the pump." + +As he said these last words, he proceeded down the alley, but soon stopped +near the pump, and said in an undertone: + +"Bufferio lives here. How dark it is! I can hardly see the door; but I am +not mistaken. Here the terrible ruffian has his lair. Strange, how I +tremble! Perhaps it is a warning of some misfortune about to happen to me! +Suppose they should take my money and murder me to conceal the theft. What +shall I do? Shall I tell my master that I could not find Bufferio? Alas! +the Superintendent of Lucca!" + +After a moment of anxious thought he walked towards the low door, saying, +with a sigh: + +"Come, come; I can do nothing else. Of two evils choose the least!" + +Although his words indicated an energetic resolution, his hand trembled as +he raised the knocker of the little door and twice let it fall. + +It gave out a deep hollow sound, as though it were the door of a vault for +the dead. + +A long time passed, and no noise within gave evidence that his call was +heeded. + +The visitor became still more terrified in the supposition, that no one +was in the house, and that consequently he would be obliged to return, +without concluding the affair, to his master, who would not believe him. + +In the little dark door was a small opening, protected by a grating. +Behind the iron bars two eyes were fixed on the person who had knocked, +and if he had been left apparently unnoticed, it was probably because two +inquisitive eyes endeavored to pierce the darkness in order to recognize +the untimely visitor. + +A harsh voice at last asked from behind the grating: + +"Who knocked?" + +The man in the cloak started back. The unexpected question so close to his +ear made him tremble violently. However, he soon controlled himself and +replied in Italian: + +"Woman, I do not understand the Flemish tongue. You must know Italian, as +Bufferio is a Roman. Tell me if Bufferio is at home." + +"Who are you?" she replied, in Italian jargon. + +"Who am I? I come to arrange a secret affair with Bufferio, and I do not +choose to tell my name." + +"You are an agent of the bailiff, and you wish to deceive me. Go on your +way and leave me in peace. Bufferio is not at home." + +The man took some pieces of silver from his pocket and rattled them +together. + +"You are mistaken, woman. I have need of the services of Bufferio for an +important affair. He may gain a few crowns of gold. I come with the cash +in hand: you understand." + +Two bolts grated in their rusty staples, and the door opened. + +"Enter, signor," said the woman, "and follow me." + +"I do not see you; it is as black as Erebus; where is the staircase?" +cried out the other. + +"Follow me, signor. Give me your hand; I will precede you." + +She seized the hand of the visitor, and whilst guiding him to the +staircase, she said: + +"Your hand trembles, signor. Are you afraid?" + +"I afraid!" said the other, in a faltering voice. "Afraid of what? The +darkness makes me totter." + +"It may be, signor; but I thought your hand was cold and trembling. Here +is the staircase; now follow me." + +The man ascended the staircase behind her, stumbling up the well-worn +steps, striking his head and elbows against invisible objects, and +grumbling and swearing as if to show that he was not agitated by fear. + +Having reached the first story, the woman opened a door and introduced her +companion into a room lighted by the smoking flame of an iron lamp. She +showed him a miserable chair, and said: + +"Sit down, signor, if you please, and wait a while. I will go call +Bufferio, he is engaged at play in the neighborhood. Should any one knock +at the door during my absence, pay no attention to it; I will lock the +door on the outside and take the key with me." + +The man looked at her surprised and troubled. Her bony limbs, the gray +locks which fell upon her cheeks, her large mouth and long teeth, made her +appear to his eyes a hideous being, a worthy companion for Bufferio. + +He listened to the sound of her receding steps, until he heard the key +grate in the lock of the door. + +Then he looked around him and examined with mistrust and surprise the +apartment of Bufferio and the objects it contained. + +The room was neither well furnished nor clean: a table, three rickety +chairs, an oaken bench, a few earthenware vessels near the fireplace, and +a bed, constituted all the furniture. It was not, however, these common +objects which fixed the gaze of the visitor. What he could not see without +shuddering, was the number of strange arms suspended all around the walls +of the room. In the midst of rusty swords, sharp daggers and knives of +every size and shape, he saw short clubs with iron heads, steel chains +like the bit of a horse, ropes with running knots, and various other +articles whose use was inexplicable to him, although he was convinced that +these singular instruments were intended for no good purpose. + +On the table, beside the lamp, was a large knife, and near it a piece of +linen and some sand for scouring, showing that the woman had been occupied +in cleaning these arms when the knock at the door interrupted her. + +All these instruments of murder filled with terror the heart of the man +who was contemplating them. He turned his eyes away from them, trembling +as he reflected upon the horror of his position. However, a few moments +only were left him, for the door of the house soon opened and he heard +steps on the staircase. + +The woman entered and said: + +"Bufferio will soon be here. When he has the dice in his hand, it is +difficult to tear him away. Nevertheless, he will come. I think, signor, +that he has drank deeply. Look well to yourself, and if you value your +life, do not irritate him, for he would make as little scruple of +maltreating you as he would of crushing a worm. Apart from that, he is the +best man in the world." + +She seated herself at the table, took up the knife and linen, and +continued her occupation, whilst observing the stranger with a suspicious +eye. + +He had pulled the hood of the cloak over his face and seated himself in +silence, fixing his eye vaguely upon space, like a man wearied by long +waiting. He was deeply agitated, and from time to time his whole frame +shook. Every time that he glanced towards the table he met the penetrating +look of the frightful Megæra, who, while continuing to clean the blade of +the large knife, considered him from head to foot, and seemed endeavoring +to discover who he was and with what intention he had come. + +At last, no longer able to resist his feeling of anxiety, he rose and +said: + +"Woman, show me the way out. I have not time to wait longer. I will return +to-morrow, during the day." + +"I hear Bufferio whistling in the street," she replied. + +"He is even now placing the key in the door." + +The stranger, as if perfectly satisfied with this intelligence, fell back +in his chair, with a suppressed sigh, and listened in an agony of fear to +the heavy footsteps on the staircase. + +Bufferio appeared at the door, and looked distrustfully at the man who had +interrupted him at his game. + +The ruffian Bufferio was of giant build. He was obliged to stoop in order +to enter the door. His head was thrown back defiantly, and his hand rested +upon the hilt of a dagger which was held by his girdle. A broad-brimmed +hat shaded his face; his whole dress was of dark-brown cloth, scarcely +distinguishable in the darkness of night. Under his prominent eyebrows +twinkled very small eyes, and a cruel, withering smile played about his +mouth. + +He made an imperious gesture to the woman and pointed to the door. She +left the room grumbling, but gave no other evidence of dissatisfaction. + +The ruffian shut the door, took a chair, and said to the stranger, in a +rough and coarse voice: + +"_Perche me disturba?_ Why do you disturb me? Who are you?" + +This question was very embarrassing to the stranger. He replied, +stammering: + +"Is it necessary, Signor Bufferio, that you should know my name before +doing me a service for which I will pay you liberally?" + +On hearing these words, the ruffian struck his forehead with his hand, as +if he thought he recognized the voice of the visitor; but he did not stop +to reflect longer. + +"Come tell me quickly what you want; they are waiting for me at the tavern +of the _Silver Dice_, and I have no time to lose." + +"It is an affair of importance, Signor Bufferio." + +"Yes; my wife told me I might gain a few crowns of gold. Speak. Why do you +beat about the bush in this manner? What embarrasses you? Do you think +you are dealing with a dishonest man? Fear nothing. Not a hair of your +head shall be touched in my house." + +This assurance restored the stranger's confidence, and he said, in a more +steady voice: + +"Signor Bufferio, you must know that I have an enemy who insults and +outrages me, and who threatens to drive me to ruin." + +"I understand. You wish to be avenged by my instrumentality." + +"Yes, signor. How many golden crowns do you ask for such a service?" + +"That depends upon the rank of the individual, and upon the kind of +service you desire. A few blows with a stick, a scratch on the face, do +not cost as much as a mortal wound." + +"The wound must be mortal, signor." + +"And who is your enemy? A nobleman or a common citizen? Rich or poor?" + +"He is a nobleman, signor, and the possessor of an ample fortune." + +"A nobleman? And who are you, who make yourself responsible for payment?" + +"I am a poor servant out of service." + +The ruffian smiled incredulously. + +"Ah!" said he, ironically, "a poor servant out of service! Come, throw +back your hood. You have red hair; you often play at dice; your name is +Julio; you live near the bridge _De la Vigne_ with the Signor Simon +Turchi. Is not that true? You were trying to deceive me." + +Julio, thus unexpectedly recognized, was mute from astonishment, and, +trembling from head to foot, stared at the ruffian, who did not appear in +the least displeased, but said, in an encouraging tone: + +"Be calm; you need not be disturbed because I know who you are. My trade +is to keep the most important affairs secret. Fear nothing, I will not +betray you." + +It was some minutes before Julio had recovered himself sufficiently to +speak. + +"I am sorry that you know my name," said he; "but no matter. I desire to +know, Signor Bufferio, what price you demand for ridding me forever of my +enemy?" + +"Your enemy?" said the ruffian, laughing. "A gentleman your enemy? You are +still endeavoring to deceive me. You mean your master's enemy?" + +"No, my personal enemy, who has calumniated me to my master, and who has +striven to have me ignominiously discharged." + +"And you offer me golden crowns? How long is it since servants became +possessed of such treasures? You request to have a mortal wound inflicted +upon a gentleman? Well, you must give me fifteen gold crowns." + +"Fifteen crowns!" exclaimed Julio, with assumed astonishment. "So large a +sum! I do not own that much." + +"Then pay me twelve; but it must be in advance, before I strike the blow." + +"I will pay you immediately, before leaving." + +"Give me your hand, Julio; it is a bargain. Now tell me exactly what you +or your master requires of me." + +"Not my master: I alone." + +"It is all the same. What am I to do, and when is it to be done?" + +"This very night, Bufferio." + +"To-night? This will oblige me to renounce my game with the Portuguese +sailor; and yet I might have won some gold pieces there." + +"Listen, Signor Bufferio. To-night, at eleven o'clock, a young nobleman, +accompanied by two lute-players, will come from the direction of the +convent of the Dominicans; he will turn the corner at Prince Street, and +will proceed towards the church of St. James. He will thus be obliged to +pass before the stone well at the head of Hoboken Street. You will conceal +yourself behind the well with two or three faithful companions, and as the +young gentleman passes, you will attack and kill him." + +"The affair has been well planned," remarked the ruffian. "I could manage +it by myself; but since you desire it, I will take with me a couple of my +brave companions. How will I recognize the one I am to strike?" + +"His dress is entirely brown, and his cap is ornamented with a white +plume; in the darkness you will be able to perceive only the white plume: +that will be a certain sign." + +Bufferio shook his head doubtfully. + +"Have you nothing else to observe?" he asked. + +"I will merely inform you that I will accompany the young gentleman, and +when he falls, I will take from his person a writing, which, if it were +discovered, might involve me in great danger. You will recognize me by +this Spanish cape, and I will cry out very loud, that you and your men may +know that I am not an enemy." + +"Now where are the gold crowns?" + +"Do you accept the commission, Bufferio?" + +"I will fulfil it as though I were laboring for myself." + +Julio took from his pocket some gold crowns, then continued to draw them +out one by one, until he held twelve in his hand. He endeavored to conceal +from the ruffian that he possessed more than the sum agreed upon; but +Bufferio must have suspected his intention, for he smiled, and said in a +decided manner: + +"You have more gold crowns. I knew it from the first; people do not +generally enter into such affairs with only the sum absolutely required. +You need not deceive me. Give me the stipulated amount; I ask no more." + +As soon as the other had handed him the money, Bufferio approached the +lamp, examined and weighed each piece of gold, and then said: + +"It is good coin. Have no anxiety, Julio, I will go for my comrades. There +is but little time left--only a good half hour." + +Julio took leave of the ruffian, and was about to quit the room, but he +stopped and said: "Signor Bufferio, you will not tell your companions who +requested this service of you?" + +"I tell nothing to my companions. The proverb says, If you wish to lose +your liberty, trust your secrets to others." + +"You perfectly understand what you have to do?" + +"Yes, yes. At eleven o'clock, behind the well in Hoboken. Street, a young +gentleman with a white plume in his hat. Be quiet, I myself will deal the +blow, and I will not miss the mark." + +"Adieu, Bufferio." + +"Adieu, Julio." + +The ruffian accompanied the servant to the lower story, opened the door of +the street, and closed it behind him. + +When Julio found himself in the open air, he walked a short distance, then +stopped, drew a long breath as if a heavy weight had fallen from his +shoulders, and said, joyously: + +"Heavens! what an escape! I doubt if I am really alive. The difficult +affair is at last concluded. The signor says that I am a coward. I would +like to see him in that room with that infernal woman and the terrible +Bufferio. Now I must go to Geronimo. My greatest difficulty is yet to +come. If I get through it successfully, I may well say that I was born +under a lucky star. But I cannot tarry, I have still a long distance to +walk." + +He quickened his pace and soon reached the street on which the Dominican +Convent stood; he passed the Abbey of Saint Michael and the Mint, and +entered the grand square without being molested. + +On the way he kept his hand in his pocket, that he might enjoy the +pleasure of passing the gold coin through his fingers. He muttered to +himself that he had gained three gold crowns which his master would never +see again, were he to live a hundred years. Once free from his present +care and anxiety, he would take his seat at a gaming-table, where he would +remain all day, and perhaps he could win heaps of gold. + +Absorbed in these thoughts, he reached Geronimo's residence and knocked at +the door. It was soon opened, and he was conducted into a room on the +ground floor, where the young gentleman, in his cap and cloak, seemed to +be waiting the arrival of friends. + +"Peace be to this house!" said Julio, bowing. "Signor, I bring you a +message which I would deliver with more pleasure were it less sad. My poor +master is ill with fever, and is unable to leave his bed. He begs you to +excuse him from accompanying you to-night to the serenade." + +Geronimo's countenance assumed an expression of deep compassion. The young +man concluded that his own happiness, his approaching marriage with Miss +Van de Werve, had touched the heart of his poor friend, and that his +present state of health was the consequence of these painful emotions. + +"Did the fever attack him suddenly, Julio?" he asked. "Is he very ill?" + +"No, signor. It may not have any bad consequences; but he could not +venture to expose himself to the cold and damp night-air." + +Geronimo seemed in deep thought. + +"Signor, my master did not send me solely to inform you of his +indisposition; he directed me to accompany you to the serenade, and to +protect you in case of danger. He knows how courageous I am, and that were +five or six to attack you, I would not flee before them." + +"I accept your services, Julio. You always seemed to me to be a devoted +servant. The lute-players have not yet arrived. Go to the kitchen and tell +the cook to give you a pint of beer." + +Julio went to the kitchen, but found the cook asleep. He awoke him, gave +him his master's order, and received the pint of beer. + +He expected, while drinking, to talk with the servant, and he had +commenced speaking of quarrels, combats, knives, and the heroic deeds in +which he had been the actor, but the servant had scarcely seated himself +before he fell again into a deep sleep. Julio emptied his glass in +silence, until a knock at the door and the sound of stringed instruments +announced the arrival of the lute-players. + +Geronimo called him, and on entering the ante-chamber he found Geronimo +ready to go out with the lute-players. + +Julio was troubled on remarking that these latter were armed. If these +people were brave men, Bufferio and his comrades would have to deal with +an equal number of adversaries. Who could foresee the termination of the +struggle? However, he felt reassured on reflecting that Geronimo and the +lute-players, being attacked unexpectedly, would not have time to defend +themselves. + +They left the house together, passed the Dominican Convent, and soon +reached Prince Street, at the upper end of which was the stone well behind +which Bufferio was concealed, if he had been faithful to his promise. + +Up to that time Julio had walked in advance of the others, in order to +appear bold and intrepid; he now commenced to fall back, and placed +himself in the rear. His heart failed him; for, however well the plans +had been laid, the blow might miss its aim, or might not cause death. + +They were within about one hundred feet of the well. + +The young gentleman, wholly ignorant of the danger which threatened him, +was thinking of his unhappy friend, Simon Turchi, overpowered by a heart +sorrow, tossing on a bed of suffering, while he was on his way to serenade +his beloved Mary. He also, in his own mind, deplored the involved +condition of Simon's business affairs, and determined to save him, even at +the cost of great personal sacrifices, as soon as his marriage would +render him independent. + +What would the young cavalier have thought had he known that at a few +steps, distance from him, three assassins, hired by Simon Turchi, were +lying in wait to kill him. But no, his mind was filled with compassion and +affectionate feelings for his cruel enemy. + +The little band was not far from Hoboken Street; Julio gazed fixedly into +the darkness to discover if any one was near the well. + +Suddenly he perceived a dark shadow advancing. Trembling in an agony of +fear, and in order to make himself known to the ruffians, Julio suddenly +drew his sword and exclaimed: + +"_Al assassino! Ajusto! ajusto!_ Murder! help! help!" + +But he had spoken too soon for the success of his designs; for, being put +upon his guard by this exclamation, Geronimo drew his sword, and placed +his back against the wall of the house that he might not be assailed from +behind. + +The lute-players, screaming from fright, ran away, and Julio stood in the +middle of the street brandishing his sword. + +All this had passed almost instantaneously after the first alarm given by +Julio. The man whom he had seen coming from the well, followed by two +companions, rushed to the side of the street where Geronimo had made a +stand to defend himself. The assassin, who was in advance of the two +others, fell upon Geronimo and gave him a sword-thrust which he supposed +pierced his body; but a skilful movement parried the blow, and the +aggressor himself fell with such force upon Geronimo's sword that the +blade passed through his body. + +The assassin fell heavily, and in a plaintive voice, as though bidding +adieu to life, exclaimed: + +"_O mojo!_ I die! Bufferio is dead!" + +Disregarding the villain who had fallen, the gentleman rushed upon the +other two and wounded one in the shoulder. Convinced that they had to deal +with a powerful and skilful adversary, they turned and fled, Geronimo +pursuing them far beyond the well. + +Julio followed him, crying, vociferating, and striking with his sword in +the dark, as though he were contending with numerous enemies. When +Geronimo returned with the servant to the spot where he had left the dead +body of the ruffian, he found three or four watchmen calling for help. +Many heads were thrust from the windows, and one citizen even ventured out +of his house with a lamp in his hand. + +The watchmen, having inquired as to what had taken place, examined the +body to see if there were any signs of life. + +"Leave him!" said one; "it is Bufferio. God be praised! the man has at +last met the fate which he deserved." + +In the meantime, Julio had commenced to boast. He related that he had to +deal with two assassins at once, that he had wounded one in the face, and +pierced the other with his sword. How the latter had been able to run +away, was unaccountable; no doubt he would be found near at hand, dead or +dying. + +The young gentleman, who really believed the story of Turchi's servant, +thanked him for his assistance, and acknowledged that he owed his life to +him, as he had given the warning of the approach of the assassins. + +The dead body was removed behind the well until the city authorities +should order its burial. + +The head watchman approached Geronimo, and said to him: + +"Where do you live, signor? Two of my men will accompany you, lest some +other accident might befall you. Do not refuse the offer. The villains who +escaped might be on the watch for you, in order to avenge the death of +their companions." + +"What shall I do?" said the gentleman to Julio. "I cannot give the +serenade without the lute-players, and, besides, I could not sing after +such emotion. But Miss Van de Werve is expecting it, and if I do not go, +she will imagine that some accident has happened to me. It would be better +for me to see Mr. Van de Werve, so as to remove any cause of anxiety. I +accept your offer, watchmen, and I will liberally recompense the services +you render me. I must return to Kipdorp, and you will do me the favor to +wait a few minutes, in order to accompany me to my dwelling. Follow me." + +Geronimo, the watchmen, and Julio soon reached the residence of Mr. Van de +Werve. He knocked, and was immediately admitted. + +The young gentleman again thanked Julio with the liveliest gratitude for +his assistance, and promised to tell his master how courageously he had +acted, and the eminent services he had rendered him. + +Julio bade adieu, and hastened to his master's dwelling. He was about to +knock, but, to his great terror, the door was opened at once, as though +some one were waiting for him. + +"Is it you, Julio?" asked a man, in the darkness. + +The servant recognized his master's voice, and entered the door. + +"Well," said he, in a stifled tone, "is he dead?" + +"Who?" + +"Who! Geronimo?" + +"On the contrary, Bufferio is dead. Geronimo ran him through the body." + +"Then you have not the pocket-book?" + +"Certainly not." + +"And the gold crowns?" + +"I gave them to Bufferio." + +"Pietro Mostajo, you have betrayed me!" hissed the infuriated signor in +the ear of his servant, shaking him convulsively by the arm. "Tell me +quickly what has happened! Tremble, stupid coward! the Superintendent of +Lucca shall know who you are!" + +"_Ebbene che sia!_" answered Julio. "Then the Signor Geronimo shall also +know who hired Bufferio to assassinate him." + +A hoarse cry like a stifled groan resounded through the vestibule. The +door was closed. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +VAN DE WERVE'S RECEPTION--SIMON TURCHI'S JEALOUSY AND HATRED. + + +Mr. Van de Werve, whose large fortune justified a lavish expenditure, was +accustomed to receive at his residence every month the principal gentlemen +of Antwerp, strangers as well as citizens. His love for art and science +induced him to bring together the best artists and the most noted literary +men of the day with the high-born, wealthy, and influential members of +society at Antwerp; and his house had become the rendezvous of all that +was excellent and celebrated in the city. + +Nearly the whole of the anterior part of the house was occupied by a vast +hall, called the _Ancestral Hall_, because it was decorated by numberless +souvenirs of his illustrious family. The walls, for a certain distance +were sculptured in oak wood, so artistically designed, and so delicately +wrought, that at the first glance it looked like embroidery in various +colors. To produce this effect, the natural brown of the oak had been left +in some places. All the rest shone with gold and silver, which was +relieved by a beautiful scarlet, brilliant yellow, and the softest +sky-blue. The many small figures scattered over the ornaments were highly +gilded. From the wooden wainscot arose slight pillars, which, uniting in +the Gothic style, supported the heavy beams of the ceiling. Six of these +beams were visible: all were covered with highly colored sculptures. Their +decorations harmonized with, those of the wainscot, and seemed an +expansion of it, as though the architect wished the exquisite ornaments of +the beams of the ceiling to be considered a luxuriant verdure, springing +from trunks rooted in the oaken wainscot. + +The escutcheon of the Van de Werve family, together with the families +allied to them, was artistically sculptured in the wood. The emblems and +devices were in profusion: lions, wild boars, eagles, ermines, bands and +crosses of gold, silver, green, and blue quartz, so numerous and +sparkling, that when the noonday sun penetrated into the hall, the eye +could with difficulty bear the dazzling magnificence. + +The armorial bearings of the Van de Werves, Lords of Schilde, painted in +larger proportions than the others, were at the extremity of the hall. +They consisted of a black boar on a field of gold, quartered by three +chevrons of silver on black, surmounted by a helmet ornamented by +mantlings of black and gold, and above this was a boar's head. + +Around these family arms shone a large number of escutcheons of smaller +size; among others, the coat of arms of the Wyneghem, the Van Immerseel, +the Van Wilre, the Van Mildert, the Van Coolput, the Van Bruloch, and the +Van Zymaer, families the most nearly related to that of Van de Werve. + +Above the wainscot, within the niches formed by the pillars, hung the +portraits of some of the most illustrious ancestors of William Van de +Werve, as well as his own, in which he was represented as captain of a +German company in the service of Charles V. + +The portraits did not occupy all the panels formed in the richly carved +oak. In a large number appeared valuable paintings from the pencil of the +most celebrated masters of Netherlands. The eye rested on the creations of +the immortal brothers Van Eyck, the touching Quintin Massys, the +intellectual Roger Van der Weydens, the spiritual Jerome Bosch, the +laborious Lucas de Leyde, and others whose names were favorably mentioned +in the world of art. + +In a corner of the room, beside the fireplace, stood a piano richly +enamelled in woods of different colors, and upon it lay two lutes and a +violin--a proof that the charming art of music was cultivated by the +family of Mr. Van de Werve. + +From the ceiling were suspended six gilded chandeliers; on the mantelpiece +were two candelabras; along the walls, where the pillars formed +projections, numerous sconces were fastened; and when Mr. Van de Werve +received his friends in the evening, the reflection of the numberless wax +candles from the many gold and silver ornaments gave a princely air to the +hall. + +Three days after the attempted assassination of Geronimo by the ruffian +Bufferio, Mr. Van de Werve was to entertain his friends in the evening, it +being the time appointed for their reunion. Although he had been deeply +moved by the murderous assault, and his daughter Mary had scarcely +recovered from the shock, he had not withdrawn the invitations, hoping +that the social gathering might help to dissipate painful thoughts. + +At the appointed hour the dwelling of Mr. Van de Werve was in a blaze of +light. The large double door was thrown open, and in the vast hall were +crowds of domestics, the attendants of the guests who had already arrived. + +The large parlor was filled with persons of different conditions and ages. +There were, however, only men present, for this evening was by a previous +arrangement to be devoted to artists, men of letters, and notable men of +commerce. + +The first salutations had been exchanged among the guests of Mr. Van de +Werve; they had separated according to their pleasure in different groups, +and were engaged in cordial and familiar conversation. + +Five or six of the more aged were seated near a table examining some new +works which excited their admiration; others, whose more simple attire +proclaimed them to be artists, were showing each other their designs; +another party, evidently formed of young noblemen, surrounded Geronimo, +and were asking particulars of the recent attempt upon his life. + +At the end of the room, not far from the fireplace, were collected the +foreigners who were engaged in commerce at Antwerp. Although they had +assembled for amusement, they were conversing, through habit, upon the +expected arrival of vessels, and the price of gold and different kinds of +merchandise. Among these foreigners was to be seen every description of +costume, and every variety of tongue could be heard. The Spaniard found +himself beside a native of Lucca, the Portuguese near the Florentine, the +English with the Genoese, the German next to the Venetian; and, as on +Change at Antwerp, they found means to understand each other. + +Mr. Van de Werve had at first remained near the door in order to welcome +his guests as they entered; but supposing that the greater part of those +invited had arrived, he left this place and was walking from group to +group, joining in conversation for a few moments, and saying some pleasant +words to each. + +The old Deodati had seated himself in an arm-chair apart. So many had +welcomed him on his arrival at Antwerp, and he had been the object of so +much polite attention, that, being fatigued from standing and talking, he +was now seeking some repose. + +By his side was Simon Turchi, conversing familiarly and in a low tone with +the old man. The hypocrite feigned an extraordinary affection for the +venerable nobleman, and flattered him by every expression of respect and +esteem. They had already spoken of the attempted assassination, and Simon +Turchi had expressed his astonishment, for he did not believe that +Geronimo had an enemy in the world. It was quite likely that Bufferio had +made a mistake as to the individual, a thing which might easily have +happened in so dark a night. + +While Simon Turchi, with apparent calmness, thus conversed with the old +gentleman, he was evidently meditating some wicked design; for while +talking, his eyes incessantly wandered to Geronimo, and he endeavored to +divine from his countenance the subject of his conversation. He did not +for one instant lose sight of Mary's betrothed. + +After speaking of the assassination, the old Deodati glanced around the +room upon the different groups of guests, and he asked Turchi: + +"Who is the gentleman in purple velvet, who is the object of such marked +respect from the merchants around him? I do not mean the tall old man, I +am acquainted with him, he is the rich Fugger of Augsburg; I am speaking +of the one who stands beside him." + +"He is a banker, signor," replied Simon Turchi. "He is very rich, and his +name is Lazarus Tucher. The gentleman before him is the head of the house +of the Hochstetter. The gentlemen conversing with him belong to the +distinguished commercial houses of the Gigli, the Spignoli, and the +Gualterotti. A little apart, and behind them, is Don Pezoa, the +superintendent of the king of Portugal; he is speaking with Diégo d'Aro, +and Antonio de Vaglio, superintendents from Spain. The gentlemen near them +are Italian and Portuguese merchants, whose names I could tell you, for I +know them all, but such details would not interest you." + +"I am indebted to you for your kindness, Signor Turchi," replied Deodati. +"My nephew, Geronimo, would give me all this information, but he is +surrounded by his young friends, and as he sees me with you, he is +undoubtedly convinced that I could not be in better or more agreeable +company. Have the kindness to tell me the name of the fine-looking old man +seated near the table, and to give me some information regarding those who +are listening to him with so much attention." + +"Around the table, signor, are the most learned men of Netherlands. That +gray-headed orator is the old Graphæus, secretary of the city of Antwerp, +and the author of several well written Latin works. The young man, on +whose shoulder he leans, is his son, Alexander, who is also very learned. +Before him is seated Abraham Ortelius, the great geographer, who is +regarded as the Ptolemy of his age. Beside Ortelius is his friend and +fellow-laborer Gerard, also a learned geographer, and one of the +luminaries of the day. The only one whose dress indicates his Italian +birth is Louis Guicciardini, a Florentine gentleman, who is here for the +purpose of collecting materials for an extensive work on the Low +Countries, and particularly on the powerful commercial city of Antwerp. +The gentleman plainly dressed, with a black beard, holding a book in his +hand, is Christopher Plantin; he is engaged in establishing at Antwerp a +printing-press of great importance. Its dimensions are so large that it +will occupy the ground on which several spacious houses now stand; +hundreds of workmen will be employed all day in composing, correcting, and +printing books in every civilized tongue. You must not fail, signor, to +visit the building; even in its unfinished state it will cause you +astonishment." + +"The Netherlands is a favored country," said the old Deodati. "If the +climate is not as mild as in our own beautiful Italy, the men are bold, +active, intelligent, industrious, and learned, and they possess all the +qualifications requisite for the material prosperity and moral progress of +a nation. I am surprised to see you, who are a foreigner, as well +acquainted with the inhabitants as a native." + +"I have lived here many years," replied Turchi. "These gentlemen are +frequent visitors at the house of Mr. Van de Werve, and I have seen them +so often, that I know them as old friends. Look at the corner near the +piano, where those collected together laugh merrily, jest, and chat +socially. You may easily recognize them by their light playful manners as +artists." + +"Yes. Is not that handsome man with noble features Frans Floris, the +Flemish Raphael?" + +"Yes; he was presented to you yesterday by Mr. Van de Werve, and you may +remember how enthusiastically he eulogized Italian art." + +"Near him is a singular-looking person; his very attitude is amusing, and +his gestures force one to laugh." + +"He is Peter Breughel, a humorist, who so designs his pictures that they +seem painted only by way of jest. He is, however, in good repute as an +artist. I saw recently one of his pictures in which he represents the +Saviour carrying his cross to Calvary. In this he represents pilgrims with +their staves, Spanish soldiers in doublets, monks and nuns; there is even +a statue of the Blessed Virgin suspended on a tree, and that at a time +when there was no Christianity, no Saint James of Compostella, neither +convents nor Spaniards." + +"That is indeed singular," said Deodati, smiling. "It seems to me that +such conceits do but very little honor to the artist. Is it a custom among +other artists in the Netherlands to sport thus with holy things?" + +"No; Signor Breughel is an exception. The other gentlemen in company with +the Flemish Raphael are more serious men. Michael Coxie, whom you may +distinguish by the gray doublet, excels in his portraits of women. The +handsome young man standing behind him is Martin de Vos, a pupil of +Floris; he evinces a high order of talent and gives promise of great +perfection in his art. The others, as well as I can recognize them at this +distance, are Lambert Van Noord, Egide Mostaert, William Key, Bernard de +Rycke, and the two brothers Henry and Martin Van Cleef, all celebrated +historical, fancy, or portrait painters. Near them is Master Grimmer, a +famous landscape-painter; and the gentleman now speaking is a certain Ack +of Antwerp, who has painted the large glass windows of the church of Saint +Gudula at Brussels. The old man sitting apart near the piano is Christian; +he has marvellous skill in playing on many instruments, but he excels most +on the violin. You will probably hear him this evening." + +Simon Turchi continued to converse familiarly with the Signor Deodati, who +was charmed with his intelligence, but still more with the kind +consideration which made him refrain from joining in the general +conversation in order to entertain an old man. + +Geronimo had several times approached his uncle, but each time the latter +had playfully sent him away, telling him that the agreeable company of the +Signor Turchi sufficed for him, and that he preferred a quiet +conversation. + +In the meantime the conversation among the guests had become more general. +Noblemen and bankers, merchants and literary men, manufacturers and +artists, were mingling with each other; rank and condition were +disregarded, and the animated conversation of the company resounded +through the hall like the humming of a swarm of bees. + +At this moment the servants entered, bringing silver waiters on which were +wines of every description, pastry, cakes, rare fruits, and other +refreshments. + +They passed through the room offering the wines to the guests. + +"Gentlemen, a glass of Malmsey, Rhenish wine, claret, sherry, Muscatel?" + +Whilst these delicious drinks and delicacies were thus distributed, +Geronimo never lost sight of Mr. Van de Werve, but observed him with an +eye full of hope and expectation. + +When at last he saw Mr. Van de Werve leave the room, a bright smile +illumined his face. Geronimo knew that Mr. Van de Werve sometimes +gratified his friends and acquaintances by allowing his beautiful daughter +to be present at their evening reunion for about an hour, and he had been +impatiently awaiting the moment when the young girl would appear. + +Simon Turchi, although apparently so unmoved, had constantly watched +Mary's betrothed, noticed the radiant expression of his countenance, and +understood the cause. + +Mary was coming! Perhaps the whole company would know that his suit had +been rejected, and that Geronimo had succeeded where the powerful +administrator of the house of Buonvisi had failed! + +This thought deeply wounded his pride. He scowled at Geronimo, who was +looking in another direction. Rage and jealousy goaded him almost to +madness; he felt that the scar on his face, by its deepening hue, would +betray his emotion, and to conceal it he covered his eyes with his hand. + +Deodati asked him with interest: + +"What is the matter, Signor Turchi? Are you ill?" + +"The heat is intolerable," said Simon, endeavoring to master his feelings. + +"Heat?" murmured Deodati; "it does not seem to me very warm. Shall I +accompany you for a few moments to the garden, signor?" + +But Turchi raised his head, and smiling in an unconcerned manner, said: + +"Many thanks, signor, for your kindness. I feel much better. I had been +looking too long at the large lustre, and its brilliant light made me +dizzy. But let us rise, signor, there is the beautiful Mary, _la bionda +maraviglia_!" + +Mr. Van de Werve appeared at this moment at the door, and introduced his +beloved child. A murmur of admiration ran through the assembly, and room +was made for the father and daughter. + +The beauty of Mary surpassed all expectation. Her dress consisted of a +flowing robe of silver-colored satin, with no other ornament than a girdle +of gold thread. Her own blonde hair was arranged around her head in the +form of a crown, in the centre of which were placed some white flowers +fastened by choice pearls. But the admiration of the spectators was +excited by her large blue eyes, her brilliant complexion, the dignified +sweetness of her expression, the gentle, innocent, modest smile which +mirrored on her face the peace and joy of her soul. + +Geronimo had never before seen Mary dressed in this style. On the +contrary, she generally wore dark or unobtrusive colors. Decked as she now +was in pure white, she had the appearance of a bride. It was, of course, +by her father's request; but what did it mean? Did he intend by this to +make it known that Mary was betrothed, and would soon be wedded? Such +thoughts as these agitated Geronimo as the young girl accompanied her +father into the room. + +The old Deodati rose and advanced to meet her. Simon Turchi took advantage +of this movement to retire a short distance; for, as his eye fell on the +beautiful girl, rage filled his heart as he reflected that this noble and +pure woman would have been his wife had not Geronimo blasted the happiness +of his life. + +The lightning-like glance of hate and envy which he cast upon Geronimo was +a sinister menace of death. Happily for him, all eyes were turned towards +the young girl, otherwise many a one might have read the dark soul of +Simon Turchi and discovered the horrible design he had conceived. + +Mr. Van de Werve introduced his daughter to his guests. All expressed in +courteous terms their admiration and their pleasure in her society. + +The noble young girl received the felicitations and compliments addressed +to her with a gentle and dignified self-possession. There were in her +manner and tone of voice a rare modesty and reserve, and at the same time +an exquisite politeness. Still more astonishing was her rich and varied +knowledge. Whether conversing with a Spaniard, Frenchman, Italian, or +German, she spoke to each in his own tongue; but the beautiful Italian +language assumed additional sweetness on her lips. + +When presented to the old Deodati, she took both his hands and spoke to +him so tenderly and affectionately that, overcome by emotion, he could +only say a few grateful words in acknowledgment. + +Passing by Simon Turchi, she said cheerfully: + +"God be praised, Signor Turchi, that your health is so soon restored! I am +happy to see you here this evening. I am sincerely grateful to you, +signor, for the friendship you manifest to the nephew of Signor Deodati. +You have a good and generous heart, and I thank God for having given so +devoted a friend to Geronimo and his uncle!" + +The gentle words of the young girl were intolerable torture to Turchi; the +wound on his face, betraying his emotion, became of a deep-red color. And +yet it was absolutely necessary for him to appear calm, and to reply +cordially to the kind salutation of the young girl; for there were at +least twenty persons near him and within hearing of what passed. + +By a powerful effort he mastered his emotion, referring it to the +impression made upon him by her appearance. He spoke also of sacrifices, +which, even when voluntarily made, painfully wound the heart; of a +self-abnegation which could find its consolation in the happiness of a +friend, but which failed not to leave a sting in the soul that had +cherished fallacious hopes. + +Mary understood him, and was grateful for his kindness. + +"Thanks, thanks, signor," she said, warmly, as she passed on to salute +other guests. + +When Mary approached the piano, and addressed a few kind words to Master +Christian, many Italian gentlemen begged her to favor them with a +_canzone_. + +With her father's permission, the young girl consented to gratify the +guests. She hesitated awhile as to the language in which to sing, and was +turning over the leaves of a book handed her by Master Christian. The old +Deodati expressed a wish to hear a song in the language of the Low +Countries, and begging pardon of the Italian gentlemen, Mary said she +would sing a _Kyrie Eleison_ in her maternal tongue. + +Master Christian seated himself at the piano, to accompany her, and +commenced a prelude. + +The first notes of the young girl were like a gentle murmur. By degrees +her voice became firmer and stronger, until at the end of each strophe the +word _eleïson_ rose like a sonorous hymn to heaven. + +The measure was remarkably slow, simple, and full of a tranquil melody. +Mary evidently felt the peculiar character of this chant, for instead of +endeavoring to add to the effect, she softened still more her singularly +sweet voice, and let the words drop slowly from her lips, as if the +songstress herself were ravished in contemplation and was listening to +celestial music. + +At first the Italian gentlemen exchanged glances, as if to express the +thought that this chant could not compare with the brilliant lively style +of the Italian music. But this unfavorable opinion was not of long +duration. They, like all others, soon yielded to the irresistible +fascination of Mary's exquisite voice. They listened with such rapt +attention that not the slightest movement was made in the room, and one +might have heard the murmur of the leaves in the garden as they were +gently stirred by the breeze of May. + +Mary had concluded her song and lifted her eyes to heaven with an +expression of adoration. All who gazed upon her felt as though they were +contemplating an angel before the throne of God. Even Simon Turchi was +subdued by admiration, and he even momentarily lost sight of the hatred +and jealousy which lacerated his heart. + +Mary thus sang: + + Kyrie! Lo, our God comes, + Mankind to save from ill and bless: + What grateful joy should break our gloom + And fill our hearts with happiness! + + Kyrie eleison!--God is born! + A virgin mother gives him birth; + And sin's dark bonds asunder torn, + Sweet heaven again inclines to earth. + + Kyrie!--hear!--the sacred font + + Pours forth its saving waters free-- + And Thou impressest on our front + The sign that drives our foes away. + + Christe!--anointed victim!--Thou, + Who in thy death bestowest life-- + The healing remedy for woe-- + Ah! earth with many a woe is rife. + + Christe eleison!--brother dear-- + Our liberator from all ill-- + Strong in Thy virtue, free from fear, + And be our help to virtue still. + + Christe eleison! God and man-- + Our only consolation here-- + Oh! do not leave us 'neath the ban + Of sorrow perilous and drear. + + Oh! Kyrie, Father--Kyrie Son-- + Kyrie Spirit--we adore + The Triune God--Thee, only One! + Grant we may praise Thee evermore! + +Silence reigned in the room some moments after the last sound had died +away, and then arose a murmur of admiration, and the young girl was +overwhelmed with felicitations. + +Whilst being thus complimented, Mary noticed Geronimo at a little distance +from her. Desirous, perhaps, of escaping the praises lavished upon her, +or, it may be, yielding to a real desire, she approached the young man, +drew him towards the piano, and insisted upon his singing an Italian aria. + +Geronimo at first refused, but his uncle requested him to yield to the +entreaties of the young girl. Taking up a lute, he hastily tuned it, and +sang the first word of the aria _Italia!_ in such a tone of enthusiasm +that it struck a responsive chord in every Italian heart. The notes fell +from his lips like a shower of brilliant stars; his bosom heaved, his eyes +sparkled, and his rich tenor voice filling the hall produced an +indescribable effect upon the auditors. As his song proceeded, it seemed +to gain in expression and vigor, and as he repeated the refrain _Mia bella +Italia!_ for the last time, his compatriots were so carried away by their +enthusiasm that, forgetful of decorum, all, even the most aged, waved +their caps, exclaiming: + +"_Italia! Italia!_" + +Tears stood in the eyes of many. + +Geronimo was complimented by all present. His uncle called him his beloved +son, Mary spoke to him in the most flattering manner, and Mr. Van de Werve +shook hands with him cordially. + +As to Simon Turchi, he was overpowered; all he had just seen and heard was +such a martyrdom; jealousy so gnawed his heart that he sank deeper and +deeper into the abyss of hatred and vengeance. He stood a few steps from +Geronimo, his eyes downcast, and trembling with emotion. + +No one noticed him. Had he attracted attention, his friends would have +supposed that, like the other Italians, he had been moved by the chant of +his compatriot. + +Turchi soon roused himself. Like a man who has taken a sudden resolution, +he walked up to Geronimo, smiled pleasantly, and threw his arms around his +neck. + +"Thanks, thanks, Geronimo!" he exclaimed. "You have made me truly happy by +giving me additional cause to be proud of my country." + +While embracing him, he also whispered: + +"Geronimo, I wish to speak privately to you this evening. I will go to the +garden presently; try to follow me; you will be pleased." + +Having said these words, he fell back as if to make way for Mr. Fugger, +the rich banker, who wished to offer his congratulations. + +The servants reappeared in the hall with wines and various delicacies. + +Master Christian was tuning his violin. The guests, informed that this +excellent artist was about to entertain them with his wonderful skill, +drew near the piano. + +Geronimo, perplexed by the words of Simon Turchi, watched his friend and +sought an opportunity to speak to him alone. He saw him leave the room, +and as the entrance of the servants with refreshments, and the desire of +the guests to approach Master Christian, had caused a stir among the +company, the young man was enabled to rejoin Simon in the garden. + +The garden, situated in the rear of the house, although not large, was +crossed by several winding paths, and along the wall were wide-spreading +trees and blocks of verdure. + +When Geronimo entered the garden, he perceived several persons who had +left the heated apartment to enjoy the fresh air, and who were walking in +different directions. + +As he was seeking in the dim light to distinguish Simon Turchi, the latter +approached from an arbor, took his arm and led him in silence to a retired +part of the garden, where he seated himself on a bench, and said in low +tone: + +"Sit down, Geronimo! I have good news for you." + +"Ah! have you succeeded in obtaining the money?" + +"I have been successful. But come nearer! no one must overhear us. A +foreign merchant, whom I saved two years ago from dishonor and ruin, at +the risk of my own destruction, will furnish me with the means of +returning you the ten thousand crowns." + +"God be praised!" said Geronimo, with a sigh of relief. "He will not long +delay, I hope, to fulfil his generous designs." + +"I will pay you to-morrow what I owe you." + +"To-morrow? how fortunate!" + +"But, Geronimo, I cannot bring you the money; you must come for it +yourself." + +"It would be a trifle were I obliged to go to Cologne." + +"You need not go so far. Only go to my country-seat near the hospital. +Silence! some one approaches!" + +After a moment's silence, Turchi resumed: + +"He has passed. You must know, Geronimo, that the foreign merchant desires +his presence in Antwerp to remain unknown, and I have promised to keep him +concealed in my garden for several days.[17] He wishes to assist me, but +he is over-prudent and distrustful. I will sign the receipt for the sum he +lends me. He requires, for greater security, that you sign it also." + +"What mystery is this?" said the young man. "I must sign with you for +security! Who is this merchant? Is he a fugitive from justice?" + +"What has that to do with the affair? It is not my secret, Geronimo, and I +promised to conceal his name. If you be saved from your present +embarrassment, will you not have attained your object? It is true that you +will be my security, but the ten thousand crowns will be in the money +vault, and your uncle will not find one florin missing. Your only danger +would arise from an inability on my part to meet the note. But you need +fear nothing in that respect. In a few months my resources will be +abundant. I take this step only to save you from a present imminent +danger. You must know, Geronimo, that I would prefer to have you alone for +my creditor." + +"Certainly, Simon, and I am most grateful to you for your kindness. Will +this merchant give me the amount in coin?" + +"No, but in bills of exchange on Milan, Florence, and Lucca." + +"Good and reliable bills, Simon?" + +"You shall be the judge before accepting them. Fear nothing, you shall be +fully satisfied." + +"Well, I will go. After Change, between five and six o'clock, will that +answer?" + +"It makes no difference to me, provided I know the hour beforehand." + +"Expect me, then, to-morrow, between five and six o'clock. But let us +return to the house. Our long absence might cause remark." + +Simon Turchi arose, but remained standing in the same spot, and said: + +"Geronimo, I have promised the merchant that none but yourself shall know +of his presence in Antwerp. Say nothing, therefore, to your uncle, to +Mary, nor to any one else. The least indiscretion might disarrange our +plans, and be perilous to the stranger. Come alone, without any +attendant." + +"I will do as you direct," said Geronimo, "but it will be impossible for +me to remain until dark. My uncle will be seriously displeased if I go out +again at night without a sufficient guard." + +"I will not detain you over half an hour." + +At that moment a servant from the house entered the garden looking for +Geronimo. + +"Signor Geronimo," he said, "Mr. Van de Werve is inquiring for you, as +Miss Van de Werve is about to retire from the company, and Signor Deodati +wishes to return home. He is awaiting you." + +The two gentlemen followed the servant; on the way, Turchi again said in a +low voice: + +"To-morrow, between the hours of five and six." + +The old Deodati was already at the door with five or six attendants. He +was displeased by the long absence of his nephew, and was about to +remonstrate with him. But, by Turchi's explanation, this want of attention +was pardoned, and he was even permitted to bid a hasty adieu to Mary and +her father. + +He returned almost immediately, and offering his arm to his uncle, he +left Mr. Van de Werve's house. + +As he moved on, Simon Turchi glanced at him entreatingly, as if to insist +upon secrecy. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +SIMON TURCHI WREAKS HIS VENGEANCE ON GERONIMO. + + +It was about five o'clock in the afternoon. Julio was seated in one of the +rooms of his master's dwelling, his arms crossed upon his breast. Absorbed +in deep thought, he had his eyes fixed on an arm-chair which stood near +the only window in the room, and from time to time he shook his head with +an expression of anxious doubt. + +The footsteps of a man in the room above interrupted his reflections; an +ironical smile passed over his features as he muttered: + +"He calls me a coward, the dastard that he is! For one hour he has been +running about from room to room as though pursued by invisible spectres. +How cunningly he has devised the whole affair in his own interest. Julio +is to kill poor Geronimo! Julio is to bury the body in the cellar! Julio +is to do all by himself! When we deal with false people, we must be on our +guard. His intention is clear enough to me; he wishes to secure means, in +case of necessity, of accusing me alone of the crime. He may threaten and +rage as much as he pleases; he shall deal the mortal blow him self, or +Geronimo shall leave this place unharmed." + +Julio remained silent for a few moments, passed his hand across his brow, +and said, looking at the chair: + +"Think that in one hour that infernal seat will hold a corpse! The corpse +of the most noble, affable gentleman I have ever known. May his good angel +prevent him from visiting this cut-throat place! Signor Turchi will kill +him; but I must aid him.[18] What will be the end of this bloody tragedy? +The scaffold for the master, and the gallows for the servant. This is the +consequence of my disorderly life. Had I not gone, in a moment of +intoxication, and without knowing it, to the place where Judge Voltaï was +assassinated, I would not have been obliged to fly from my country, and +Signor Turchi would not have it in his power to force me to become his +accomplice in a frightful crime. The old cure of Porto-Fino said truly, +that 'Sin is a labyrinth; if once we enter, we loose the thread which +enables us to return to virtue.' Ah! would I were with my mother in Italy. +Useless wish. It is too late; I am banished from my country, and a price +set on my head." + +He reflected for a few moments, then, with a gesture of impatience, he +resumed: + +"Come, come; of what good are all such thoughts? I am in his power, and I +must yield to necessity; but once let the blow be struck, once let him +commit a crime of which I can produce the proofs, then I will be master, +and in my turn I will cry in his ears: 'Simon Turchi, fear the bailiff and +the executioner!' At the present moment I am powerless; if I took any +means to prevent the attempt, he might destroy all evidence of his +criminal design, and deliver me up to the authorities of Lucca. I would be +taken into Italy and broken on the wheel, in the very place where my poor +old mother lives. I have always been a cause of sorrow to her; at least I +will spare her this last disgrace. But the signor is coming down. He will +reiterate his entreaties to me to strike the fatal blow; but I will not +have the blood of this innocent gentleman on me." + +Simon Turchi was approaching. His face was very pale, but the scar which +furrowed his cheek was of a more ashy hue. He did not tremble, but he +walked precipitately, and he clasped his hands convulsively, like a man +whose impatience can brook no delay. + +He noticed that his servant was in deep thought, his head bowed upon his +chest, and it was only on his near approach that Julio suddenly roused +from his preoccupation. He entered the room and said: + +"Julio, the hour is nigh. Of what are you thinking? Are you afraid?" + +"Afraid?" replied Julio, with a light laugh; "why should _I_ be afraid?" + +"True, true," murmured Simon, "since I alone shall shed his blood." + +"But," continued Julio, "if I have no cause for personal fear, would not +love for my master fill me with painful thoughts? Signor, you are playing +for dangerous stakes." + +"Who will know what has taken place here?" + +"Who? Is there not an eye above which sees all? And whilst here, in the +deepest secrecy, you immolate a human being to your thirst for vengeance, +will not God hear the cry of agony of the Signor Geronimo?" + +Julio saw, with a secret joy, that his words made his master tremble, +although he tried to dissemble his feelings under an assumed +insensibility. + +"What a good joke!" replied Simon; "Pietro Mostajo talking of God! My +precautions are too well taken; when the cellar will be the depository of +the secret, there will be none to tell it." + +"Do you think so, signor? When has such a murder ever remained concealed? +It is not surprising that I bowed my head in thought. In imagination I saw +such terrible things that I dare not tell them to you. Tears still fill my +eyes at the thought." + +"What did you see?" asked Turchi, with increasing anxiety. + +"What did I see? The bailiff and his attendants. They bound a man's hand's +behind his back; they dragged him through the streets like an odious +criminal; the people cast filth and dirt upon the prisoner, and cried out, +'Murderer!' What did I see? A scaffold, and on this scaffold an +executioner and one condemned to death; then a sword glittered in the +sunlight, it fell, a stream of blood flowed, and a head rolled in the +dust." + +The servant stopped intentionally; but his master convulsively caught his +arm, and said in a hoarse voice: + +"What then? What then?" + +"And then the crowd applauded and poured out maledictions upon the name." + +"Whose name?" + +"Yours, signor?" + +Simon Turchi was so overpowered by the picture thus presented of his +probable end, that he uttered a cry of terror and sprang back, trembling. +He cast down his eyes for a moment in silence. + +Julio contemplated the signor, thus overpowered by emotion, with a +derisive smile. He had not called up this vivid scene solely as a means to +induce his master to renounce his perilous enterprise; his motive was also +to terrify him and to revenge himself for the violence he had been forced +to endure from him. + +The impression made upon Simon Turchi by this highly-wrought prediction +did not last long. He raised his head, and said, in a contemptuous manner: + +"Base hypocrite; it is your own fear which excites your imagination to see +such things. The most courageous man would become cowardly with the +cowardly. It is unfortunate for me that I need you, otherwise I would soon +rid myself of your presence. But I, at least, will not recoil from the +undertaking. Speak; tell me how far I may depend upon you. The clock will +soon strike, and there is no time for hesitation." + +"We will see which of us will the more coolly perform his part of the +task. You are mistaken, signor; fear does not disturb me. Sympathy for you +suggested the train of thought, and I considered it my duty to place +before your eyes once more the abyss into which you might fall." + +"Be silent; it is too late," exclaimed Simon Turchi, beside himself with +rage. "Fool, do you desire my ruin--my eternal dishonor? Shall I let my +enemy live? Shall I let him--him the husband of Mary Van de Werve--look +down upon me from the height of his grandeur and felicity? No, no. I +myself will be, must be, happy, rich, prosperous; and even should all +escape my grasp; should the scaffold be my lot, the rage of vengeance +which lacerates my heart must be satisfied.... Nothing, nothing, can +restrain me; and, Julio, were you an obstacle in my path, I would pass +over your dead body to strike a fatal blow at him who has poisoned my +life. Do not attempt to thwart me, or I will crush you where you stand." + +At these words Simon Turchi placed his hand on the hilt of his sword; his +face was scarlet, his lips trembled, and his eyes flashed. + +This threat did not disturb Julio, probably because he thought his master +could not execute it. An ironical smile played upon his lips; he stepped +back one or two paces, drew his knife, and said, mockingly: + +"It would be strange, signor, if Geronimo should find us engaged in a +combat. It might save his life." + +"What! would you dare?" + +"Why not? Do you think Julio would permit himself to be led like a sheep +to the slaughter?" + +"Listen! Ho comes!" exclaimed Simon Turchi, starting with terror. + +The repeated strokes of the knocker resounded through the court-yard where +the little door gave entrance into the garden. + +"Julio, I ask you again," said Turchi, anxiously, "what reliance I may +place upon you?" + +"I will do what I have promised--neither more nor less." + +"Then go open the door. Be guarded in your words, and show no disquietude. +Bring him to this room; tell him that I am engaged with the foreign +merchant; if he does not sit down at once, watch a favorable moment to +lead him to the arm-chair. Then call me and I will do the rest." + +"You, then, are determined to make me entice the Signor Geronimo to sit +down in the arm-chair?" + +Turchi replied in a threatening voice and with flashing eyes: + +"Pietro Mostajo, remember the Superintendent of Lucca." + +Julio left the building, went to the garden-gate and opened it. + +"Benvenuto, Signor Geronimo," he said, "what good luck brings you here on +a visit to my master? It is a long time since we have seen you." + +"It is indeed a long time," replied the young noble with a genial smile, +as he walked towards the house. "But the place looks so wild and uncared +for. Did not the Signor Turchi speak of having the garden put in order?" + +"Yes; but for some time my master has been very melancholy, and nothing +seems to give him pleasure." + +"I know it, Julio; but things will be better for him now." + +"Would that your words were true, signor!" + +"What a heavy sigh, Julio. You excite my fears. Is your master ill?" + +The servant felt the importance of self-control, if he would not arouse +the gentleman's suspicions. He therefore said, in a careless manner: + +"Nothing is the matter, signor. My master is very well, and to-day is in a +good humor. Ever since I saw Bufferio's sword lifted against you, I have +suffered from an occasional sudden palpitation of the heart. I find relief +only in a deep sigh." + +As they thus talked together, he conducted Geronimo to the room containing +the large arm-chair. + +"Signor Geronimo," he said, "my master is up-stairs. I will inform him of +your arrival. Please be seated." + +Julio left the room; but instead of ascending the staircase, he hid +himself behind a door and listened attentively to hear the clasping of the +springs of the chair. + +After having waited in vain, for a long time, he returned to the room, and +said to the gentleman: + +"Signor, my master begs you to excuse him for a while. He is engaged +transacting some business with the merchant of whom he spoke to you +yesterday. They are preparing a writing for you. Have the kindness to wait +a few moments." + +He now thought that Geronimo would, of his own accord, take the arm-chair, +and with a beating heart he observed his movements. But he was +disappointed, for the young cavalier stood at the window, gazing +thoughtfully into the garden. + +Although Julio knew with what mistrust and impatience his master was +counting each passing moment, he said to Geronimo, with assumed +indifference: + +"It is at least half a mile from the Dominican Convent to this place, and +you must be fatigued after your walk. Will you not rest in this arm-chair, +signor?" + +"No, I thank you. I am not in the least fatigued. I love to look at those +beautiful trees clothed in their fresh May verdure." + +An involuntary movement of impatience escaped the servant. + +"You need not remain here on my account, Julio," said Geronimo. "Go to +your work; I will stay alone." + +"I have no urgent occupation, signor. If I still remain, contrary to your +wish, it is to ask you a question; and yet I fear that you will be +displeased at my boldness." + +"Not at all, Julio. Can I render you any service? It will give me pleasure +to show my gratitude for the courage with which you defended me when I was +attacked by the ruffians." + +"I had no reference to that. I heard you were about to marry the beautiful +Miss Van de Werve. The news rejoiced me; but may your humble servant make +free to ask you if it be true?" + +The name of his betrothed flushed his cheek with joy, and he answered, +with a smile: + +"Yes, Julio, it is true." + +"How blessed you are, signor!" + +"Yes, Julio, God has bestowed upon me the greatest earthly blessing, for +which I shall eternally thank him. On the solemn day of our nuptials you +will have cause to rejoice." + +"I, signor?" + +"Yes, you, Julio. Miss Van de Werve wishes to recompense you herself for +the assistance you gave me against Bufferio and his comrades. The day of +my marriage you will receive a new cloak, a new doublet, new small-clothes +of fine cloth and silk, such as a servant has never worn." + +Julio, touched by this proof of kindness, stammered his thanks +indistinctly. He heard the young man speaking to him and telling him how +richly he deserved such a present, but he paid no attention to the words; +he was endeavoring to bring himself to the degree of audacity requisite to +fulfil his master's orders. Geronimo stood immediately in front of the +arm-chair. + +With bitter repugnance, but incited by the fear that no more favorable +opportunity would present itself, he approached Geronimo as though to +express his thanks anew. With one bound he sprang upon him, placed a hand +on either shoulder, and pushed him forcibly into the chair.[19] + +The seat of the deceptive piece of furniture sank down; from the arms +started two powerful springs, which caught the young man around the waist, +and held him so tightly against the back of the chair that it was +impossible for him to move. + +"Julio, Julio, what horrible jest is this?" he exclaimed. "Is it a trap? +Do you act by your master's orders?" + +But the servant, without saying a word in reply, left the room, closing +the door behind him. + +"Tell me, Julio," asked Turchi, descending the staircase to meet his +servant, "is he caught?" + +"The chair has done its work," replied Julio; "go do yours. Lose no time; +he might give an alarm which would betray us. The fear of death gives +superhuman strength to a man's lungs. Signor, it seems to me that my head +is not safe on my shoulders. How does yours feel?" + +But Simon Turchi heeded not this jest. He muttered a few indistinct words, +drew his sword, and rushed down the steps to wreak his vengeance on the +unfortunate Geronimo. + +The servant remained where his master left him, listened to his footsteps +until he heard the door of the fatal room open and then close again. + +At first no sound reached his ear, but soon he heard Geronimo calling for +help, and his master mocking and menacing him; at least he judged this by +the tones of their voices, for he was too far off to distinguish the +words. Urged by feeling rather than curiosity, he descended the staircase, +and listened at the door of the room in which so horrible a crime was +about to be committed. + +He heard Geronimo say, in an earnest, pleading tone: + +"Dear Simon, your mind is deranged. You, my friend, kill me! It is +impossible. Put down that dagger; at least let me not die without +confession. If it be the ten thousand crowns exasperating you, I make you +a present of them; tear up in my presence the acknowledgment of the debt, +and I will never speak to you of it again." + +"Mary, Mary Van de Werve!" howled Simon Turchi, with biting sarcasm. + +"I will renounce her hand and leave for Italy, and never again will I see +a country so fatal to me, to her, to all that I love." + +"It is too late--too late. You must die!" + +"No, no, Simon; in pity to yourself do not imbue your hands in my innocent +blood. God sees us; your conscience will torture you; never again will +there be peace for you on earth, and your poor soul will be miserable for +all eternity. No, Simon, do not kill me." + +Then came a frightful cry, as though he were crushed, and Julio heard a +sound which seemed like that of a dagger against metal. + +This blow, however--if it were a blow--was not mortal, for Geronimo raised +his voice with the strength of despair, and cried out: + +"Help! help! Simon, let me live! Mercy! mercy!" + +Then a mournful groan escaped his lips, while, as his voice died away, h +prayed: + +"My God, my God, forgive him! I am dying." + +On hearing the conclusion of this horrible tragedy, Julio retired to the +foot of the staircase. He had hardly reached it, when the door of the room +opened, and his master appeared. + +Disfigured as Simon Turchi's countenance had been by the thirst for +revenge, crime made it still more frightful. The signor could hardly have +been recognized. His hair stood upright; his eyes rolled in their sockets; +a hard, hoarse sound escaped his lips; blood dripped from his hands. + +He ran by his servant without speaking to him, ascended the staircase, and +having reached his room he threw himself panting upon a chair. + +Julio, who had followed him, placed himself before him, and asked: + +"Well, signor, is the deed accomplished?" + +"It is; let me take breath," said Turchi, breathing heavily. + +After waiting a few moments, Julio resumed: + +"Did he offer any resistance, that you are so fatigued, signor?" + +"Resistance? No; but when I attempted the first time to pierce him to the +heart, the blade of my dagger struck against metal, and grated harshly. He +wears a breastplate, Julio. Could he have suspected my intentions?" + +Turchi's dagger had evidently struck the amulet which the young man always +wore around his neck. + +"Possibly," replied Julio, "Geronimo may wear some guard on his breast; it +is the place against which a poignard is always aimed, and no one is +secure in the darkness of night from the assault of an enemy or an +assassin; but what is there in this circumstance to move you so deeply?" + +"So much blood spouted from the wound. The sight of the blood, together +with Geronimo's piteous cries, struck me with anguish and horror. I +tottered so that I feared I would fall before completing the work; but +happily I gained the strength to finish what I had commenced. I pierced +his throat with my poignard, and hushed his voice forever." + +"And is he really dead?" + +"Not a drop of blood is left in his veins." + +Simon Turchi had recovered from his excessive emotion. He arose and said: + +"I must wash the blood from my hands, and efface the least spot that +might betray me. Then I must go on Change and transact some business with +people who will remember to have seen me there at that time. Later, I will +call on Mr. Van de Werve. I must be seen in different places and speak +with many people. Go down, Julio, and drag the corpse to the cellar. Then +clear away every sign of blood. I need not tell you that your life, as +well as mine, depends upon the care with which you perform this task." + +"I know it, signor. The blow has been struck, and I am not a man to +neglect the precautions necessary to escape the gallows, if I can." + +"I have accomplished my task, Julio; go do yours." + +"Drag the corpse, by myself, into the cellar? No, no, signor; you must +help me." + +"I have not the time, Julio. I must go immediately to the city." + +"It is of no consequence to me. I will not remain alone in this cut-throat +place." + +"And what if I ordered you to do so?" exclaimed Turchi, trembling with +anger. + +"You would do so in vain, signor. You will work with me until all is +done." + +"Pietro Mostajo, do you dare to defy me, and that too at the very moment +when the blood is boiling in my veins? Do as I command, or before night +the authorities of Lucca shall know who you are." + +"Ah!" said Julio, with a scornful laugh, "Pietro Mostajo and the +authorities of Lucca have lost their power over me. As long as I had no +proofs of crime against you, I had cause to fear you; but would you dare +now to reveal my real name, now that by one word I can deliver you into +the hands of the executioner? Hereafter, signor, you will speak to me +neither so harshly nor so haughtily. In this affair there is neither +master nor servant. We are two men, guilty of the same crime. Draw your +dagger, if you choose. Vain threat! Can you do without me?" + +Simon Turchi grit his teeth in impotent rage; but soon recovering himself, +he took his servant's hand, and said beseechingly: + +"You are right, Julio; we are rather two friends than master and servant. +Let me then, as friend and companion, implore a favor at your hands. You +must see that it is important for me to go without delay to the factory to +change my dress. For the safety of both of us I ought to leave immediately +for the city, in order to prevent suspicion. Geronimo is not heavy; you +can, without difficulty, drag him down stairs." + +The servant shook his head, but was evidently hesitating. + +"Come, Julio; I beg, I entreat you to do what the safety of both of us +requires. You still hesitate, Julio? I will reward you generously. This +very evening I will give you two crowns if you tell me you have done +faithfully and carefully what I have requested." + +"Will you be here, signor, when I return from the cellar?" + +"I don't know, Julio; as soon as I have washed off the blood, I shall +leave. Make haste, and possibly you may find me here. In all events I will +wait for you this evening at the factory, and besides the two crowns, I +will give you a whole bottle of Malmsey." + +"Agreed," said Julio; "I will do my best to please you." + +He descended the staircase, and when he reached the room where the +horrible murder had been committed, he stood for a moment with his arms +folded. He turned pale and shook his head compassionately. + +The poor Geronimo was extended in the chair, with his eyes closed. His +head had fallen on the arm of the chair; his two hands were joined, as if +in prayer for his cruel murderer. His garments were saturated with blood, +and his feet rested in a pool of blood. There was a large wound in his +neck and another in his breast; his face was not in the least stained, and +although it was covered by the pallor of death, his countenance wore a +sweet, tranquil expression, as though he had gently fallen asleep. + +"Poor Signor Geronimo!" said Julio, sighing heavily. "Beauty! generosity! +wealth! all fallen under the blade of a wretch! What is man's life? He, +however, will in heaven, with God, be indemnified for his horrible death. +And we? But the present is not the time for reflections and lamentations; +my pity will not restore this corpse to life. I must now close my eyes to +the future, and fulfil my horrible task." + +He knelt behind the chair, passed his arm under it, and turned a screw. +The springs opened and loosed their hold upon the inanimate body. + +Julio held it by the arms and dragged it through the hall until he reached +a staircase conducting to a cellar. There he left the corpse, entered an +adjoining room, and returned with a lamp. Holding the light in his hand, +he descended until he reached a subterranean passage. Very deep under the +ground, and at the end of this passage, was a kind of vaulted cellar +closed by a heavy door. Julio opened the door, and by the light of the +lamp examined a grave which had been dug in one corner of the cellar, and +on the sides of which lay the earth which had been excavated.[20] + +After a rapid survey, he placed the lamp outside the door against the wall +of the passage, and returned for the dead body. + +When he had carried his burden as far as the subterranean passage, he +panted for breath and seemed overcome by fatigue. He, however, exerted all +his strength in order to finish as soon as possible his painful task, and +dragged the corpse into the cellar. There he let it fall upon the side of +the grave already prepared for its reception. After resting a few moments, +he was about to cast it into the grave and cover it with earth, but he +desisted, saying: + +"Bah! the poor young man will not run away. Perhaps Signor Turchi has not +yet left. At any rate, I will first wash away the blood stains, and then I +will return to bury the body." + +He took the lamp and left the cellar, without closing the door. + +On reaching the room he found that his master had gone. + +The solitude disquieted him, particularly as it was now nearly dark, and +he could hardly hope to finish before night cleaning the blood-stained +floors and staircase. + +He appeared, however, to submit to necessity, and prepared for his work by +getting water and brushes. + +The evening was far advanced, and still Julio was occupied in scouring. +How it happened he could not understand, but new spots of blood were +continually appearing, even in places that he had washed several times. +This was particularly the case in the room where the murder had been +committed. Do what he would, he could not efface the marks of blood. The +sweat poured down his cheeks and he vented his rage in angry words against +his master. + +It may have been fatigue, or perhaps the deepening shades of night +rendered his nervous system sensitive to the slightest impression; for at +the least sound of the wind through the leaves of the trees, at the least +grating of the weathercock as it turned on its pivot, he stopped his work +and looked anxiously around him. + +He succeeded, however, in stifling these emotions, and continued his labor +on the fatal spot where the chair had stood. + +Finally he arose, took the lamp, examined attentively the whole floor, and +said, with a kind of satisfaction: + +"At last I have finished! He who could discover a spot there could see +through a stone. My arms are almost broken; I can scarcely straighten +myself. Now for my last task! a grave is soon filled; in a half hour I +shall be far from this accursed place." + +Saying these words, he left the room, and taking the lamp descended again +the staircase leading to the cellar. + +When he had reached the middle of the subterranean passage, he suddenly +stopped, turned pale from terror, and looked tremblingly around him. He +thought he heard something, an unusual, mysterious sound, faint but +distinct. + +Having listened for some time, he concluded that his imagination had +deceived him. Summoning up all his resolution, he walked on towards the +cellar, and through the open, door he saw the corpse of Geronimo lying as +he had left it. + +As he was approaching the cellar, full of anxiety and slackening his pace, +suddenly a human voice fell upon his ear. There was articulate sound, no +spoken word, but only a hollow groan. + +Julio, in an agony of terror, dropped the lamp. The oil extinguished the +flame, and thus left in total darkness he fled from the cellar as rapidly +as he could by groping along the wall. His heart beat violently, and his +limbs tottered under him. + +He recovered himself a little only after attaining a distant apartment and +lighting a lamp. Here he remained a long time seated and buried in +thought; various expressions of fear, anger, and even raillery flitted +across his face. + +At last he arose, drew a knife from its scabbard, and trying its +sharpness, murmured: + +"I cannot bury him alive! Therefore I am forced to deal the death-blow! +No, no, I will not; I have even braved the vengeance of my perfidious +master in order not to imbue my hands in his blood, and I will not now be +guilty of it. But what can I do? I have no other alternative. I must +either bury him alive or kill him! And I cannot stay here all night." + +He took up the lamp and slowly and silently he cautiously descended the +stairs leading to the cellar; after some hesitation he entered; Geronimo's +body still lay in the position he left it. + +Julio had taken this time a much larger lamp, and it lighted the whole +cellar; he heard no sound from the breast of the unfortunate victim, +although he saw plainly that life was not extinct, for there was a slight +heaving of the breast. + +After listening a moment, Julio muttered, with a kind of joy: + +"No additional cruelty is necessary. He is in his death-agony, and he will +soon die. I will shut the door and finish my work to-morrow. But my master +will ask if all is done? He need know nothing of this circumstance. But I +long to get away; and may the vengeance of God fall upon this spot +to-night, and blot out all memento of it!" + +Shortly after he left the garden, and with rapid strides threaded the +obscure streets to rejoin his master, and also to cast off his +blood-stained garments. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +GRIEF AT GEROME'S ABSENCE--TURCHI'S HYPOCRISY. + + +Mary Van De Werve was in her own apartment, kneeling before a silver +crucifix; she seemed bowed down by a weight of woe. Her head rested upon +her clasped hands. She had been weeping bitterly; for there were traces of +tears upon the _prie-Dieu_. + +Had a stranger surprised the young girl in this attitude, he might have +thought that sleep had overpowered her during prayer; but the gasping +breath and heaving chest sufficiently attested that she had not sunk in +sleep, but that she was plunged in an expressible sorrow. + +Behind her was seated an old woman, her duenna, with a rosary in her hand. +She gazed upon the young girl with deep compassion; from time to time she +shook her head, and wiped away the tears which dimmed her eyes whenever +Mary's sighs became heavier. + +For some time the silence was unbroken; Mary even appeared somewhat +calmer, when suddenly, influenced by some peculiarly painful thought, she +extended her arms to heaven and cried out; + +"My God and my Saviour! through thy precious blood spare his life! Have +mercy on him! reject not the prayer of my broken heart!" + +Again her head fell on her hands, as if this burning petition had +exhausted her strength. The duenna approached her, took her arm, +endeavored to lift her, and said, authoritatively: + +"My lady, you must rise and cease your prayer. God may be displeased with +you for thus deliberately endangering your health. Come, obey me." + +Mary arose without reply, and took the seat offered her by the duenna. She +was very pale, and her eyes were swollen from weeping. + +The duenna looked upon her with an eye of pity; she took her hand, and +said, gently: + +"Mary, my child, you cannot continue this; such an excess of sorrow would +shorten your days. And what pain to the poor Geronimo on his return, to +find you condemned to a short and suffering life! Through love for him, I +beg you to control yourself." + +"On his return?" repeated Mary, raising her tearful eyes to heaven. + +"Why not?" replied the duenna. "Why despair before being certain of the +evil you dread? More extraordinary things have happened." + +"Already five days--five centuries of suspense and fear! Ah! Petronilla, +what a frightful night I passed! I saw Geronimo extended on the ground, +the pallor of death on his face, a large wound was in his breast, and his +lifeless eyes were fixed on me as if with his last breath he had bade me +adieu." + +"These are illusions caused by grief, Mary." + +"More than twenty times I saw him thus; in vain I strove to shut out the +horrible vision; day alone brought me relief." + +The duenna took her hand, and said, tenderly: + +"You are wrong, Mary, to cherish your grief in this manner. Your dreams at +night were but the reflection of your thoughts by day. I, too, saw +Geronimo in sleep more than once." + +"You, too, Petronilla, you saw Geronimo?" exclaimed the young girl, with +emotion, as though she feared the confirmation of her own terrific dream. + +"Why not, Mary; do I think of him less than you?" + +"You saw him dying, did you not?" + +"On the contrary, I saw him return joyfully and cast himself into the arms +of his uncle and embrace your father. And you, my child, I saw you +kneeling on this same _prie-Dieu_, thanking God that your dreams were +false and deceiving." + +Mary smiled as she listened to the duenna's consoling words, but scarcely +had Petronilla ceased speaking than she suspected the artifice. + +"You deceive me through friendship and compassion," she said, sadly. "I am +grateful to you, my good Petronilla; but tell me to what cause you can +attribute Geronimo's absence. Come, call upon your imagination; find a +possible, probable explanation." + +Disconcerted by this direct interrogation, the duenna shook her head. + +"There is no plausible reason," said Mary. + +The old Petronilla, in the greatest embarrassment, stammered out a few +words as to an unexpected journey, secrets he might be unable to divulge; +she even suggested that his friends might have prevailed upon him to join +in a party of pleasure; but all these were such vague suppositions that +Mary plainly saw in them an acknowledgment that she could find no +reasonable explanation of Geronimo's absence. + +Mary's tears flowed faster. + +"Oh, Petronilla!" she exclaimed, in heart-rending tones; "the light of my +life is forever extinguished. Geronimo, so young, so good, so noble, so +gifted, the unfortunate victim of a mysterious murderer! Frightful +thought! and no room for hope! Mercy, my God, mercy! My heart is breaking; +never more will I see him in this world." + +And uttering a cry of anguish, she covered her face with her hands. + +"I acknowledge, Mary," said the duenna, dejectedly, "that Geronimo's +absence is inexplicable; but why look on the worst side and accept it as +truth? You know that during the last four days every possible effort has +been made to discover Geronimo. Mr. Van Schoonhoven, the bailiff, has +pledged his honor to find him dead, or alive." + +Mary wept in silence, and heeded not the words of the duenna. + +"Perhaps, my child," the old woman resumed, "this very day the doubt which +has caused you so much suffering for five days may be cleared up. Do not +close your heart against all hope. I remember that once an individual was +sought for weeks, and found alive when there seemed almost a certainty of +his death. The bailiff was speaking of it this morning to your father, and +I recollect having heard my parents relate it. It happened to a banker, +Liefmans, who was considered very wealthy." + +The young girl regarded the duenna with an air of doubt. + +"They found him after several weeks of absence? Had he gone on a journey +without giving notice to any one?" + +"No; he was discovered in the cellar of a house in the little by-street of +Sureau. Robbers had laid in wait for him in the darkness of night, and +cast him bound into a subterranean cave, in order to obtain a heavy +ransom. The agents of the bailiff discovered him and liberated him +unharmed. If God has so decreed, why may not the same have happened to the +Signor Geronimo? You are silent, Mary. You cannot deny that a similar +train of circumstances may have been the cause of his disappearance. Is it +not so? but you yield to despair, and even in the act of begging +consolation from Almighty God, you reject obstinately every motive of +consolation." + +"Pity me, dear Petronilla," answered the young girl; "your kind words are +a solace to me, but I dare not open my heart to the whisperings of hope. +If I accepted your explanations, and afterwards heard of Geronimo's death, +it would be double suffering to me. No, no, rather let me encourage the +feeling that there is no room for hope." + +"It is impossible to make any impression upon her," said the duenna, in a +disappointed manner, and as if she were resolved to cease her efforts and +to abandon the young girl to her grief. + +The silence was broken by the sound of voices in the hall. + +"I hear the voice of the Signor Deodati," said the duenna; "perhaps he +brings tidings." + +Mary rose quickly to descend; but Petronilla wished to detain her, saying: + +"My child, in pity to a sorrowing old man, restrain your grief. Control +yourself, Mary, for yesterday each word you uttered pierced the heart of +the poor Deodati like a dagger. It would be cruel and guilty in you to +cause his tears to flow anew; at his age such affliction wears down the +strength and shortens life." + +"No, Petronilla, I will hide my feelings, and I will appear hopeful. I saw +that the old man was overpowered by anxiety and trouble. Trust me, +Petronilla, and let me go; I must know from the Signor Deodati if he has +received any information." + +The duenna accompanied the young girl to the door of the room where Mr. +Van de Werve and Signor Deodati were conversing together, but she let her +enter alone. + +As soon as Mary's eye fell on the old man, and she read in his face the +sorrow of his soul, she uttered a stifled cry of anguish. She cast her +arms around his neck, and rested her head on his shoulder. + +The Signor Deodati, deeply moved, seated her by his side, and said, with +tender compassion: + +"My poor Mary, we have no tidings yet of our Geronimo. Are we not unhappy? +Why did not God recall me to himself ere this? Did I leave Italy and come +hither to drink the bitter dregs in my chalice of life? Could I weep like +you, Mary, I might find some relief, but old age has dried up my tears. +Alas! alas! where is my poor Geronimo, the child whom God gave me, to +close my eyes on the bed of death? I would give my fortune to save him, +and the little that remains to me of life to know that he still lives." + +Tears filled Mr. Van de Werve's eyes as he contemplated his daughter and +the desolate old man; but he controlled his emotion, and said: + +"Mary, I requested you to stay in your own apartment, because you cannot +moderate the expression of your sorrow. You have disregarded my desire. I +willingly pardon you, my child; but if you wish to remain longer with +Signor Deodati, you must exercise some self-control; otherwise I shall +send for your duenna to take you away." + +He then added, in a more gentle manner: + +"Now, Mary, I beg, I supplicate you, comprehend the duty devolving upon +you. Be courageous, and do your best to console our unhappy friend." + +With a heroic effort Mary raised her head, and although still weeping, +said: + +"You are right, father. We grieve as though there were no room for hope; +but--but--" + +So great was the violence she was doing herself that she could scarcely +draw her breath; but conquering this emotion, she resumed: + +"Ah! signor, we cannot know. God is so good, and Geronimo has so pure a +heart!" + +"God is indeed good, my child; but his designs are impenetrable. If I +could only imagine some probable cause to explain my nephew's absence. But +nothing--nothing!" + +"The bailiff gave us, this morning, a reason for supposing that Geronimo +may yet return to us unharmed." + +"You speak of the banker Liefmans, do you not, father?" + +"Yes, my child. He disappeared suddenly. A fortnight had passed in useless +inquiry; his parents had the service for the dead offered for him, and he +was found alive and well in a cellar, where some robbers had imprisoned +him, in order by it to obtain a large sum of money." + +"And the same may happen, to Geronimo!" said Mary, with a confidence she +did not feel, in order to aid her father in his kind intentions. + +Signor Deodati shook his head incredulously. + +Mary took his hand tenderly, and said, cheerfully: + +"We must hope, signor. Perhaps the Lord in his mercy will grant that our +fears may not be realized. Would we not for the remainder of our lives +offer our grateful prayers to heaven?" + +"Yes, yes; during our whole lives. And I would go in my old age to Our +Lady of Loretto to express my boundless gratitude to the Madonna. But +suppose he has fallen under the assassin's sword?" + +Mary shuddered at the thought, but she interrupted the old man. + +"Signor, Geronimo possessed an amulet which had rested on the tomb of our +Lord. He was convinced that it would preserve him from a violent death, +and he always wore it around his neck." + +"I know the circumstances under which the amulet was given him," replied +Deodati. "I myself had some faith in this talisman, because it was the +recompense of a good action; but we have no proof that the woman who gave +it to Geronimo had any certain knowledge of its efficacy. However, Mary, +we will still hope. Your sweet voice has mitigated my sorrow. May my poor +nephew be restored to me. The happiness I expected in my old age may yet +be a reality. You, Mary,--pure image of piety, goodness, and love,--you +will be my child! And when old Deodati will be called to leave this world, +he will see you and Geronimo by his dying bed, like two angels, pointing +out to his expiring goal the path to heaven. Oh! no, no; this would be too +much happiness. My mind wanders. And yet, Mary, let us hope!" + +The young girl was deeply moved by the picture of that happiness which she +had thought was lost to her forever. Her eyes were suffused with tears; +her limbs trembled, and had not a stern look from her father reminded her +of her duty, her oppressed heart would have found relief in sobs. + +Mr. Van de Werve thought it better to change the conversation, and said to +Deodati: + +"Let us not forget, signor, that we are men, and that it becomes us to +bear up courageously under a painful suspense, and in a manner to which a +young girl might be unequal. Have you heard nothing since the morning? +Have you not seen Signor Turchi?" + +"I spoke to Signor Turchi about an hour before 'Change," said the old +gentleman, more calmly. "The good Turchi! he seemed even more dejected +than we. Within the last five days, he has lost so much flesh that one +would scarcely recognize him. He does not give himself a moment's repose. +From morning until night he is running about from place to place, seeking +Geronimo as though he were a beloved brother." + +"Truly," said Mary, "his is a generous heart. Poor Simon! I have sometimes +been unjust to him; but it is in affliction that we learn who are our true +friends. For the rest of my life I will respect and esteem him." + +"He will meet me here, presently," replied Deodati. "He may have some +particular communication to make to me, for he seemed to desire a private +conversation. The arrival of some merchants of his acquaintance prevented +him from speaking to me. I almost quarrelled with Signor Turchi." + +"Quarrelled!" said Mr. Van de Werve, in astonishment. + +"Yes; but it was to his praise, at least. He told me that it was his +intention to offer a large reward to the first person who would bring +certain tidings of Geronimo." + +"How grateful I am for his generous friendship!" said Mary. + +"Of course," continued the old man, "I would not permit it. Whilst +thanking him for his kindness, I told him that I would offer the reward +myself. I left Signor Turchi in company with the merchants, and went to +the town-hall for the purpose; but when I arrived there, I found a decree +of the burgomaster already issued, promising three hundred florins for any +information of Geronimo.[21] I spoke with the bailiff at noon. He told me +that, notwithstanding the most active search, no trace had yet been +discovered of Bufferio's wife, nor of his companions. All of them must +have left the country immediately after the ruffian's death. But this +afternoon the bailiff expects to hear the result of several important +researches ordered by him this morning. If he receives any communication +of consequence he will come himself to impart it to us. I hear the clock +strike five. Signor Turchi will soon be here." + +During this explanation Mary remained immovable--her eyes cast down. She +had probably heard only confusedly what had just been said, for her +thoughts were evidently far away. + +It was only when the servant threw open the door and announced Signor +Turchi that the young girl, aroused from her reverie, rose hastily and +went eagerly to meet him, as though she expected him to be the bearer of +important news. + +Mr. Van de Werve and Deodati also met him at the door; Mary involuntarily +took both his hands in hers, and all three regarded him inquiringly. + +"Alas! my friends, I know nothing," said Turchi, in a voice which seemed +but the echo of a bruised and broken heart. "All my efforts have proved +unsuccessful. I have vowed before God to spare no expense or trouble in +order to discover what has become of my unfortunate friend; but so far +impenetrable darkness covers the terrible secret. What shall we do? Let us +hope that the bailiff and his officers may be more fortunate than myself, +who have only my anxiety and affection to guide me." + +The words of Simon Turchi effaced the last lingering hope from Mary's +heart, and she seated herself, exhausted from previous emotion. + +Turchi drew a chair beside her, regarded her with an expression of +profound compassion, and said: + +"My poor Mary, your affliction is intense! I know by my own sorrow how +your loving heart is suffering from this terrible suspense!" + +The young girl lifted her eyes to his face, and she saw the tears running +down his cheeks. Then she began to weep bitterly, and sobbing, she said: + +"Thanks, thanks, Simon! I will beg Almighty God to recompense your +affection and generosity." + +Simon's countenance at this moment presented a singular appearance, from +the remarkable contrast between the pallor of his cheeks and the deep +scarlet which marked the margin of the scar on his face. The hypocrite +could shed tears at pleasure and assume an expression of extreme sorrow, +but the scar was not submissive to his will, and in spite of him its +deepening red betrayed the wicked joy of his heart at the gentle and +affectionate words of the young girl. + +These words encouraged him to hope that he might fully attain the prize +for which he strove. He had, it is true, taken from his murdered friend +the proof of the debt of ten thousand crowns; true he had, as he supposed, +buried all evidence of his crime in the subterranean vault; but this did +not satisfy him. In order to feel that he had received the price of the +frightful assassination, in order to remain rich, powerful, and honored, +he required the hand of the beautiful Mary Van de Werve. He well knew that +a long time must elapse before the consummation of his hopes; still, from +the very day that he had committed the murder, he commenced to lay his +schemes, weigh his words, and so direct his plans that sooner or later he +would certainly take Geronimo's place in Mary's heart. He felt secure of +the consent of the young girl's father. It was on this account that he +feigned excessive sorrow, and gazed upon Mary with tearful eyes, as though +the sight of her grief pierced him to the heart. + +He took Mary's hands in his, and said: + +"Do not yield, to despair, Mary; all hope is not lost. Last night a +thought--a strange thought--occurred to my mind. And if I be correct, +there are still well-founded reasons for expecting Geronimo's return." + +"Speak, Simon," said Mary, anxiously. "Tell us this thought." + +Signor Turchi cast down his eyes in feigned embarrassment. + +"Impossible, Mary; it is a secret which I have no right to divulge." + +"Alas! is even this consolation refused me?" she exclaimed, despairingly. + +"This is unkind, Simon," said Mr. Van de Werve. "Why do you cheer us up +and awaken our curiosity only to cast us down by your silence? Give no +names; but at least give us some idea of the reasons we have for hope." + +Simon Turchi shrugged his shoulders. + +"Ah, signor," said Deodati, reproachfully, "you are ungenerous. This +morning before 'Change you were about to confide the secret to me, when +you were interrupted by the approach of friends. Tell it to me now." + +Simon glanced expressively at Mary, as if to convey the idea that her +presence prevented him from complying with the old man's request. + +"Mary," said Mr. Van de Werve, "I beg you to go to your room. These +varying emotions are more than you can bear; if I learn anything of +interest, I will, my child, communicate it to you at once." + +The young girl rose without reply, but she glanced reproachfully at Simon +Turchi. + +"Do not blame me, Mary," he said; "I am deeply grieved to cause you pain; +only rest assured that what I do is caused by affection for Geronimo and +yourself." + +Without noticing this excuse the young girl obeyed her father, and slowly +left the room. + +"Now," said Mr. Van de Werve, "what is the secret you wish to impart to +us?" + +"I am greatly embarrassed," replied Simon Turchi, shaking his head +doubtfully; "my intention was to speak only to Signor Deodati of the +affair; perhaps it would be indiscreet in me to reveal to you also, Mr. +Van de Werve, a secret which, under different circumstances--" + +"For the love of God, abandon these useless evasions!" said Signor +Deodati, roused to a high pitch of excitement by his impatience. "Why +should not Mr. Van de Werve know that which, in your opinion, would give +us a clue to my nephew?" + +"Since I am forced to speak," said Turchi, with a sigh, "approach and +listen." + +As soon as Deodati and Mr. Van de Werve had drawn their chairs nearer to +him, Simon said in an undertone, as if he feared his words might be +overheard: + +"Have you not remarked, Mr. Van de Werve, that for some time past Geronimo +has been disturbed and anxious; that even in the midst of cheerful +conversation he appeared absent-minded; in a word, that some great trouble +seemed weighing upon him?" + +"I have noticed it," said Mr. Van de Werve. + +"And you, Signor Deodati?" + +"I have also remarked it. But what do you infer from this?" + +"About a month ago I interrogated Geronimo as to the cause of his +melancholy, and he informed me in confused, vague terms, that he had lost +a considerable sum at play_." + +"At play!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, overpowered by astonishment. + +"Was Geronimo a gambler?" exclaimed Deodati, with ill-suppressed +indignation. + +"It is the custom at Antwerp to play for money, and often for considerable +sums of money," continued Simon Turchi. "I never remarked that my friend +Geronimo had a passion for play. However that may be, I could never +discover to whom he had lost the amount, nor would he tell me how much it +was. His melancholy and agitation were caused by the circumstance I have +just mentioned. He was tortured by the certainty that his uncle would +discover, upon examination, the loss of a large amount, which was not +accounted for on the books. I proposed to advance him the deficit, but he +absolutely refused, because he preferred to meet his uncle's just anger +rather than deceive him." + +This revelation was stunning to the old Deodati. Nothing could have more +keenly wounded the honorable, high-toned nobleman than the thought that +Geronimo had been so dishonest and ungrateful as to use the funds of the +establishment in gambling. + +Trembling with emotion, he asked: + +"You say the sum is considerable. What is the amount?" + +"I have no idea, signor. Perhaps you might discover it by an examination +of the books." + +There was a short silence. Mr. Van de Werve's eyes were fixed upon the +ground. Signor Deodati passed his hand across his brow, and was absorbed +in painful thoughts. + +Simon watched for a few moments, with an inquisitive eye, the effect of +this revelation upon his two companions, trying to penetrate their very +souls. Then he said to Deodati: + +"You look on the bad side of the affair, signor. If there were not a +brighter, reverse side, I would have considered the confidence of my +friend sacred, and guarded his secret until death. Up to this time we all +feared, nay, considered it certain, that Geronimo had fallen under the +assassin's steel. Now I begin to think that, in order to escape his +uncle's anger, he has left the city and country." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve. + +"Impossible?" repeated Turchi, "he would have gone ere this, had I not +persuaded him that he would obtain his uncle's pardon. Even on the day of +your arrival, Signor Deodati, when Geronimo met me in the dock-yard on the +bank of the Scheldt, he begged me to inquire for an English vessel which +would leave on that or the next day, and secretly to engage his passage on +board. You may well know that I combated this foolish project, and I left +him only when he promised me to abandon the idea." + +"Could he so lightly sacrifice my daughter's love?" said Mr. Van de Werve. +"Were his expressions of affection for her only hypocrisy? No, no; nothing +can induce me to believe that." + +"His love was real," replied Turchi, "and its very depth, perhaps, blinded +his judgment. He thought that the discovery of his losses at the +gaming-table would inevitably deprive him of all hope of Mary's hand. My +poor friend! he wished to fly from the fate which threatened him, that he +might not witness the affliction of his beloved uncle." + +No one replied to Simon's remarks, and he said, with hypocritical +surprise: + +"How sad you both are! You should rather rejoice at my revelation. Is it +not a happiness to think that Geronimo, although guilty of a fault, is +still alive, and not to be forced to believe that he is forever lost to +our affection by a frightful death?" + +Old Deodati arose and said: + +"My friends, I must leave you; my mind is troubled; I am ill. Besides, I +wish to discover by the books the truth or falsity of Signor Turchi's +statement. Do not attempt to detain me, I beg you. Adieu! May God guard +you!" + +Simon Turchi prepared to accompany the old man; but whilst they were +speaking together the bailiff, Messire John Van Schoonhoven, suddenly +entered, and without the formality of a salutation, he exclaimed: + +"Gentlemen, I have news!" + +Turchi trembled and turned pale; but as the unexpected announcement of the +bailiff had startled the others, his emotion was not attributed to terror. + +"For the love of God be calm, gentlemen, and do not anticipate too much. I +do not know what has become of the unfortunate Geronimo, but I have just +cause to hope that we will soon find him--at least we have a clue.' I have +learned, beyond doubt, that on the day of his disappearance, about five +o'clock in the evening, he was seen beyond the Square of Meir. A monk from +the Dominican Convent, who knows him well, saluted him and noticed the +direction he went. Acting upon this information, one of my most +intelligent subordinates has been tracing him. A banker saw him pass +through the quarter of the Jews. This is all I know at present, but these +facts are sufficient to determine the direction of our researches, and may +perhaps lead to a fortunate issue. By early dawn to-morrow I will collect +all the agents at my disposal; I will divide them into small bands, and I +will order them to search every house, cellar, and garden in a certain +part of the city, and that in the most thorough manner, without leaving a +spot unexamined.[22] I myself will superintend the work, and will visit in +person each hand of workmen to see that my commands are properly +executed." + +Simon Turchi had covered his face with his hands, in order to conceal his +terror. + +Surprised by his emotion, the bailiff said: + +"What have I said, Signor Turchi, to excite so much feeling?" + +"Ah, you know not how much suffering you cause me," replied Simon. "I +thought I was about to learn from your lips that my friend was safe, and +what do you promise me if your search proves successful? Only his dead +body!" + +"It is true," said the bailiff. "It is no use to deceive you. My opinion +is that he has been assassinated in some by-street near the hospital +grounds, or in one of the dark alleys between the parishes of Saint George +and Saint Andrew. But I am determined to discover the truth. Dead or +alive, I will find him, even if it be necessary to tear up the pavements +of all the cellars, and dig up all the gardens to the depth of ten feet. +The whole city is in a state of excitement; the people complain of the +authorities of Antwerp as though we were accomplices in the crime. This +affair shall be brought to light, I pledge my honor and my name." + +"I thank you for your zeal and solicitude," stammered Turchi. "May God +direct your steps! How we will all bless you, if you restore Geronimo +alive to us."[23] + +"I have little hope, little hope, signor; but all things are possible," +said the bailiff, shaking his head. + +Deodati took his hand, and said: + +"Messire Van Schoonhoven, I am most grateful to you. Excuse me for the +remaining longer in your honorable company; but I am indisposed, and I +must return home. May God protect you, signor." + +"And are you going also, Signor Turchi?" asked the bailiff. + +When Simon gave him to understand, by a glance of the eye, that he could +not let the old man go alone, he took his hand affectionately, and said: + +"I understand, signor; you are right. Adieu, until to-morrow." + +Turchi offered his arm to Deodati, and supported his tottering steps. They +took leave of Mr. Van de Werve, who accompanied them to the door, and +admiring Simon Turchi's kindness, he followed them with his eyes as long +as they were in sight. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +SIMON TURCHI TRIES TO CONCEAL HIS CRIME. + + +After having accompanied Deodati to his residence, Simon Turchi went to +his own dwelling near the bridge _De la Vigne_. + +He was greatly excited, either by extreme anxiety or by a feverish +impatience; for he descended to the ground-floor, entered his office, +pretended to be looking for some papers, went up stairs again, paced the +room, opened the window, looked up and down the street, closed the window +petulantly, and at last, stamping his foot, he angrily exclaimed: + +"The miserable gamester! he is in some tavern drinking, gambling, amusing +himself, while I am here on burning coals, almost overpowered by anxiety +and terror! Julio, Julio, if I escape the fate which now threatens me, I +will have my revenge for your ingratitude!" + +Again he went to the window, and again he was disappointed. Thoroughly +discouraged, he threw himself upon a chair, heaved a heavy sigh, and after +a moment's silence exclaimed in accents of despair: + +"Alas! alas! is it then true that my crime cannot remain concealed? Who +was it, to my great misfortune, who sent the Dominican brother just to the +spot to meet Geronimo, and thus furnished the bailiff with a clue to the +murder? Who put the Jewish banker on his track, so that the constables +might be led to my garden? Who suggested the idea to the bailiff to search +the cellars? Was it chance? But chance is blind, and does not proceed +with such precision to the fulfilment of a purpose. How frightful if God +himself conducted justice! if the Supreme Judge, who cannot be deceived, +has condemned me to an infamous death! How vain then all hope, all effort +to escape!" + +Overpowered by these reflections, Simon Turchi bowed his head upon his +breast; his hands worked convulsively, and at intervals heart-rending +sighs escaped him. + +Confusedly arose before him a horrible vision: he saw the scaffold +erected; he beheld the sword of the executioner glitter in the sunlight; +he heard the shouts of the populace calling down the vengeance of heaven +upon his guilty head and devoting his name to eternal infamy; he seemed to +feel the mysterious stroke from the uplifted blade, for his frame shook +violently, and he uttered a piercing cry of anguish. + +He thrust his hand into his doublet, and drew from it slowly a small phial +half filled with a yellow liquid, and held it before him with a shudder of +disgust and horror. + +"Poison, deadly poison!" he muttered. "He who has the courage to take a +few drops will sleep a sweet sleep from which there is no awakening. And +is this my only refuge from the ignominy of the scaffold? Instead of +wealth and happiness, is a miserable death to be the price of my crime? +No, no; I must chase away these horrible thoughts." + +He replaced the phial in his doublet, and abandoned himself again to his +dark reflections; but at last he conquered, in a measure, his dejection, +and he said, less despairingly but still sorrowfully: + +"And yet everything was going on so smoothly! I had recovered my note; the +possession of the ten thousand crowns enabled me to conceal for the +present the ruined condition of my affairs; Mary did not appear +indifferent to me, and Geronimo being out of the way, I was certain of +succeeding with her in the course of time. I would in that case become +rich and powerful; her dowry would be sufficient to save me from poverty +and a humiliating discovery. Alas! why do the people accuse the +magistrates of want of zeal? Things more surprising than the +disappearance of Geronimo have happened lately without any disturbance +among the populace. It was the public feeling that forced the bailiff to +make extraordinary efforts to discover what had become of him; it will be +the cause of my destruction! Can there be a mysterious impulse to this +unwonted excitement of the multitude? Vainly then would I struggle to +escape! Would it not be God himself pursuing me?" + +The recurrence of this thought struck terror to the soul of Simon Turchi, +and he buried his head in his hands. Suddenly he started up, and although +his lips twitched convulsively, he said, in a firm, strong voice: + +"Ah! ah! fatality is a spur which inspires the most cowardly with coinage. +Avaunt, foolish fears! I must struggle on to the end. The bailiff seeks a +corpse; he pledges his honor to discover one. Let him find it! Suppose he +should find it elsewhere than in my summer-house? in a sewer, for example? +Ah! anxiety had clouded my mind! Still, still, I have means for triumph! +Oh, if Julio-would come! Could I only imagine in what tavern the rascal is +gambling, I would send Bernardo for him." + +Saying these words, he approached the window and looked out. + +"There comes the loiterer! He walks as composedly as if nothing weighed +upon his conscience! He cares not for the preservation of my honor and my +life; since the death of Geronimo he hates and despises me. I must appear +angry and indignant, for should he suspect the fear and anxiety torturing +my soul, he would be insolent, and perhaps would laugh at my anguish." + +As Julio approached the house, Simon attracted his attention by loud +talking, and having succeeded in this, he made signs of his impatience and +anger until Julio reached the door. He then closed the window, and +assuming an expression of rage he turned to meet his servant. + +When Julio on entering saw his master standing with folded arms and +menacing countenance, a slight and ironical smile flitted across his face. + +"Wretch!" exclaimed Simon, "did I not order you to await me here after +Change? Look well to yourself, or I will avenge myself by your blood. You +laugh! beware, or I will crush you like a worm!" + +"Come, come, signor, why give way to such useless anger? It is not long +since Change. It is not my fault that you have been obliged to wait." + +"Have you not been going from tavern to tavern, gambling, as you have been +doing the last five days?" + +"Yes, truly. I was intolerably thirsty; but if I was not here in time, you +must blame the clock of Notre Dame; it could not have struck right, I am +sure. So be calm, signor: you know that your anger makes no impression on +me. Make haste and tell me what you want me to do. We lose precious time +in this nonsensical sort of talk. I left some friends to come and receive +your orders, and I must add that I intend returning to them as soon as I +have fulfilled your commands. You need not shake your fist at me, nor get +into a passion; it will do no good." + +The disrespectful language of his servant wounded and provoked Turchi; but +perhaps seeing how useless it was to give expression to his feelings, he +suddenly changed his manner. Tears filled his eyes; grief was depicted +upon his countenance, and seating himself, he sighed and said: + +"Forgive me, Julio, for my harsh words; they were spoken in impatience. It +is too early yet for you to do what I wish, and I was wrong to complain of +your long absence." + +The servant, surprised at his master's humble language, regarded him +distrustfully. + +"Is there any danger?" he demanded. + +Turchi took his hand, and said, piteously: + +"Alas! Julio, my friend, to-morrow, in all probability, we will be cast, +manacled, into a dungeon, there to await an infamous death." + +"Is it not your own fear, signor, which inspires such a thought?" asked +Julio, trembling. + +"No; I have heard a terrible piece of news. Geronimo was seen in the +Quarter of the Jews, and he was met going towards the Hospital Grounds. +The bailiff has determined to search to-morrow morning all the cellars in +that vicinity, and even to dig the ground on the spot where my garden +lies. The police agents are to proceed at daybreak to the Hospital +meadows, and as they cannot fail to remark that the earth has been newly +turned up, they will certainly discover what they seek. You pushed +Geronimo into the arm-chair; you buried his body; consequently you will +accompany me to the scaffold, unless, in your capacity of servant, they +may choose to hang you or break you on the wheel. O Julio! does not this +information awaken you to a sense of our perilous condition?" + +"From whom did you learn all that?" asked the affrighted servant. + +"From the bailiff himself." + +"From his own lips?" + +"Yes, my friend, from his own lips. In spite of your courage and coolness, +I think I may say that you have no stronger desire than myself to die by +the hand of the executioner." + +Julio put his hand to his throat and said, dejectedly: + +"The affair looks serious. I seem to be strangling; I feel the rope around +my neck. It is all your fault, signor. Why did you murder your best +friend? Did I not warn you that so frightful a crime would come to light?" + +"Call it crime, if you will; but at least my just vengeance is satisfied, +and now neither complaints nor recriminations can recall the past nor +shelter us from danger." + +"But, signor, what can we do to escape punishment?" + +"There is a means, easy and certain. There is a means; but, Julio, it +requires good will and resolution. May I rely upon you for this last +effort?" + +"What would not one be willing to do in order to escape this gallows or +the wheel?" + +"Then listen to me. I told you that the bailiff would search the cellars. +If he finds the corpse in my house, we are both ruined." + +"Certainly, signor." + +"But suppose it be found in another place, far from this spot, who would +suspect us of the murder?" + +"An excellent thought!" exclaimed Julio, joyfully. "We must carry the dead +body to a distant street and leave it there." + +"Not so. They would naturally suppose that it had been removed to that +spot from some other place. A better plan is to throw it into the sewer in +the Vleminck Field. The officers of justice will then conclude that +Geronimo fell under the hand of some unknown assassin." + +"That is still better! Ah! signor, you frightened me without cause. I +place very little value on my life, and yet the thought of a certain death +shatters my nerves. Now I am myself again. But how shall we manage to +transport Geronimo's body to the Vleminck Field?" + +"It was for that purpose, Julio, that I was waiting so impatiently for +you," said Simon Turchi; "it was because I needed your aid to execute a +project which will save us both. Nothing is easier. You will disinter the +body, and you will throw it into the sewer."[24] + +"Alone?" said the servant, in a tone which prognosticated a refusal. + +"Why not alone, since you are able to do it?" + +"It is very easy, signor, for you to say: 'Take the body on your shoulders +and traverse three or four streets.' Signor Geronimo is heavier than you +suppose, and I doubt if by the exertion of all my strength I could carry +it twenty steps." + +Simon Turchi took his servant's two hands in his, and said, +supplicatingly: + +"Julio, my friend, be generous; it is not a difficult task for one like +yourself. Reflect that it is our only means of safety; it is as much for +your interest as mine. I will recompense you largely, and I will be +grateful to you all my life." + +"Well, signor, if you say so, I will try it; but I am afraid it will turn +out badly. I shall be obliged to rest on the way, and that will take more +time than will be prudent. And then how shall I be able each time to +replace the body on my shoulders? It requires two to transport it with +sufficient rapidity." + +"Two?" said Turchi, "You know well that we can confide our secret to no +one." + +"To escape death, one would submit to anything. Suppose you help me +yourself, signor?" + +"I!" replied Turchi, shuddering, "I carry a dead body through the streets! +I, a nobleman! No, no; better a dungeon and death!" + +"What a strange sentiment of honor!" muttered the astonished servant. +"Would to God, signor, that you had sooner remembered that you were a +nobleman, we would not thus be seeking, in mortal anguish, the means to +save our lives. Consider the affair as you will, you must confess that if +I carry the corpse alone, ten chances to one we shall be discovered." + +While the servant thus spoke, Turchi seemed preoccupied by torturing +thoughts. After a moment he said, with a sigh: + +"Alas! there is no other means; it is dangerous, but necessity demands it. +Julio, go to the summer-house, and I will send Bernardo this evening to +help you." + +"What" said Julio, ironically, "will you reveal your secret?" + +"No; I will command him, under penalty of his life, to do whatever you +order him; threaten to stab him at the least show of resistance, and he +will obey you." + +"Impossible! Signor Bernardo is a good, pious man. He would inform upon +us. I might as well put the halter around my neck. I will have none of his +aid." + +Simon Turchi, in despair at the failure of all his efforts to succeed in +his design, paced the floor impatiently. Suddenly he stopped before his +servant, and with sparkling eyes he said, in a suppressed voice: + +"Julio, there must be an end to all this hesitation. We have no choice, +and whatever may be the means, we must not deliberate in presence of the +death which menaces us. Stab Bernardo, and throw him into the sewer above +the body of Geronimo."[25] + +"Oh, signor, murder Bernardo!" exclaimed Julio, in horror. "And do you +suppose that he would not defend himself? that he would not give the +alarm? In that case, your servant would be recognized, and thus they would +put them on the track of the criminals. Your mind wanders." + +Grinding his teeth in his agony, Turchi tossed his arms convulsively, and +at last said, hoarsely: + +"You will not undertake it alone? You have not the wish to succeed. Coward +that you are, for what are you fit but to boast and drink and gamble in +the taverns? Would that I had never seen you! Leave the corpse in the +cellar; let the bailiff discover it there; we will see which of us will +meet the more courageously an infamous death!" + +A prey to the keenest emotion, he fell back in his chair, and while +uttering bitter invectives against his servant, he tore his hair in real +or feigned despair. + +The sight of-his master's desolation seemed to make some impression upon +Julio; he regarded him compassionately, and at last said, kindly: + +"Come, signor, calm yourself. All is not lost, and if my good-will can +save you, I will show you that Julio has the courage and resolution to +carry him through a difficult enterprise. Since you think I am able to +take the corpse alone to the sewer, I will attempt it. Perhaps I may +overrate the difficulties. Be calm, and rely upon my word." + +The signor knew that once having made up his mind, his servant would +unhesitatingly execute what he had undertaken, and he comprehended by his +manner that his promise was seriously made. He pressed his hand, and said, +joyfully: + +"Thanks, Julio, I owe to you my honor and my life. I will never forget it, +and when once the sword, now hanging over my head, is removed, I will +reward you magnificently. Go now to the country-house, disinter the body, +and carry it up to the ground-floor. This will give you less work later. +Fill the grave thoroughly, and as far as possible destroy all appearance +of the earth having been recently dug." + +Julio apparently let his master's words fall unheeded on his ear; he +suddenly struck his forehead with his fist, as if an unwelcome idea had +forced itself upon him. + +"What is the matter?" asked Turchi, anxiously. + +"Fool that I am!" exclaimed Julio. + +"Speak lower," said Simon. "What troubles you?" + +"Did you not notice, signor, how bright it was last night? It is clear +weather, and the moon is full! How could I carry a dead body to the sewer +with such light to betray me? It is impossible; I cannot think of it." + +These words forced from Simon a cry of anguish. He seemed crushed under +the fate which was visibly pursuing him. The cowardice and ill-will of his +servant had not cast him into despair like this last obstacle; for he well +knew that either by threats or promises of reward he could overcome +Julio's resistance; but what could prevent the moon from shining? It was +clear that no way remained of removing Geronimo's body from the cellar, +and the officers of the law would infallibly discover where the murder had +been committed. + +It was then true that for him there was no escape from ruin; that a +mysterious power opposed all his plans; perhaps God himself was +interposing to prevent him from saving his life. + +The supposition made him shudder; nevertheless he tortured his mind to +discover some plank of safety; a thousand tumultuous thoughts presented +themselves. Might they not bury the body in a retired spot of the garden, +plunge it in the basin of the fountain, or conceal it under the stones of +the grotto? But none of these plans could be accomplished without leaving +traces which would lead to certain discovery. + +Suddenly a happy idea seemed to occur to him, for his face brightened; he +arose and said: + +"Julio, you must leave the country; it is your only means of safety." + +"I leave the country!" said Julio; "and you, signor?" + +"Would that I could accompany you! but I cannot say as you can: 'Where my +body is, there is all I have and all I care for.' I must of necessity +remain here: I have many interests to detain me." + +Julio was astonished by the advice. + +"Where shall I go? In Italy a price is set upon my head; I dare not be +seen beyond the mountains. It is too late for me to leave for England; +there are no vessels ready to sail. What could I do in Germany, ignorant +of the language of the country and without means of subsistence?" + +"Save your life, Julio; go to Germany," said Turchi. "I will give you +money, plenty of money." + +The deep red of the scar on his master's face, his expression of cunning, +his evident satisfaction, made Julio suspect some deception. He was +unable at first to imagine his secret design; but a light suddenly broke +upon his mind, and recoiling with horror and anger, he exclaimed: + +"What an odious trap you are setting for me! You intend to accuse me of +the murder in my absence? And while poor Julio, charged with a double +crime, finds no resting-spot upon earth, you will enjoy here in entire +security, in the midst of wealth and honor, the price of the innocent +blood which you have shed. No, no, I will bring no new anathema on my +head." + +"You are silly, Julio," said Simon Turchi, disdainfully. "Should we be +arrested to-morrow, and the truth known, would you not be equally punished +for having treacherously pushed Geronimo into the chair?" + +"Yes; but all would know that I neither conceived the crime, nor profited +by its commission." + +"A fine consolation, to contend on the scaffold!" said the signor +ironically, repressing his impatience. "But I will speak to you plainly +and without reserve. I will state my conditions; if you refuse them, then +all is at an end between us. Each of us is at liberty to save himself even +at the sacrifice of the other. The worst part of the whole is that I might +feel myself obliged, for my own security, to make known to the authorities +of Lucca who you are." + +The servant regarded his master with an expression of disgust and +aversion. + +"These are my conditions," said Simon. "You will leave immediately for +Germany, and reach the Rhine as soon as possible. I will give you two +hundred crowns. Procure a carriage and horse at the very first village, +and do not stop until you are in a place of safety. To prevent any +detention on the way, I will give you a letter to Signor Mazzuchelli, a +banker at Cologne. If on the journey you are asked why you have undertaken +it, say that you are on urgent business for your master, and if necessity +require it, show the letter; but once in Cologne, do not present the +letter to Mazzuchelli. Two hundred crowns! that is a fortune, Julio. With +that you can live luxuriously for two or three years. And what difference +will it make whether you know the language of the country or not. Money +understands and speaks all languages."[26] + +"And when the two hundred crowns are spent, what will become of me?" said +the servant. + +"I will not forsake you, Julio," said Turchi. "Whenever you need money, +inform me of it, and I will send you enough to keep you from want. But you +must change your name and simply notify me that you need money to continue +your business. And your new name? It seems to me that 'Marco Castagno' +would answer. What say you?" + +Julio shook his head doubtfully, muttering between his teeth. Although the +promise of two hundred crowns was seductive, he hesitated to accept his +master's proposition. + +"Why deliberate so long?" said Simon. "I offer you a certain means of +escaping the gallows, and you hesitate! Moreover, I secure you a life of +ease, independent, without cares, the free, joyous life of a lord, and yet +you refuse." + +Julio seemed to have come to a decision. + +"Will you give me two hundred crowns?" he demanded. + +"Two hundred crowns in coin." + +"Before my departure?" + +"Immediately." + +"Give them to me. I am in a hurry to depart." + +"I will go for them," said Turchi, leaving the room. + +Julio seated himself and rested his head upon his hands. But he had not +long for reflection; his master returned after a short absence. + +Simon Turchi held a purse in his hands. He went to the table and counted +out four piles of gold pieces. + +The sight of so much money made an impression on Julio, and he approached +the table. Joy sparkled in his eyes, and whilst he contemplated the +shining pieces, he nodded his head with an air of satisfaction. + +"You see," said Simon, "that the sum is correct, and you will not find the +gold heavy to carry. Now put it in your doublet. Going down stairs I +reflected upon your good-will, and I considered whether I might not avoid +accusing you of the murder of Geronimo, and my friendship for you +suggested a means. Now that I am sure of being able, under any +circumstances, of exculpating myself, it is not necessary for me to bring +any accusation against you. Besides, Julio, I dislike to be separated from +you. If in two or three months I could bring you back without danger, I +would be delighted." + +"I would be well pleased, signor," said Julio, with a sigh. + +"In order to secure this chance to ourselves, Julio, you must, before +leaving, go to the country-house, level, as far as possible, the earth in +the cellar, throw sand and dust upon the grave, and then fill the cellar +with fire-wood and empty casks." + +"But, signor, that would take time." + +"That is of no consequence. At this hour there are too many people passing +through the city gates. It is better for you to pass the night at the +pavilion, and to-morrow morning, as soon as the gates are open, you will +leave. At daybreak you will be certain of meeting no one who would notice +what direction you had taken. I suggest this for your own sake, Julio, not +mine; for suppose the officers of the law should search my summer-house, +those precautions would divert their attentions from the cellar, while +otherwise they would infallibly discover that the earth had been recently +dug. Perhaps, through respect for me, the bailiff may exempt my lands from +search. In either case I will wait until the impression made by the murder +has worn away. I will say nothing of you, except that you left me in +consequence of a sharp rebuke, and that I do not know what has become of +you. As soon as the present excitement subsides and the search is +abandoned, I promise to recall you. Now will you go to the pavilion and +accomplish faithfully what I advise?" + +"I will." + +"Do not forget your new name." + +"Marco Castagno? It is easily remembered." + +"Yes; Marco Castagno, and you are travelling on business. I had nearly +forgotten the letter of recommendation. Wait here an instant; do not come +down-stairs. I will write it at once." + +When Julio was left alone he put his hand in his pocket, chinked the gold +coins, and drew out a handful for the pleasure of contemplating them; but +he soon returned the money to his doublet, and fell into deep thought. + +"If," he muttered, "I could only set off at once! Here I am obliged to +pass a whole night in that accursed pavilion! The signor thinks that +Geronimo has been buried for five days, and his corpse is still above +ground. To fill up the grave is not much. Suppose I let that alone, and +leave this evening with the money? No, no; I will execute faithfully what +I promised. My master is so generous to me, I will show him that I am not +ungrateful." + +"Here is the letter of recommendation," said Simon Turchi, entering the +room. "It is in the name of Marco Castagno. Forget your other names, and +be prudent, remembering that the least indiscretion might cost our lives. +Go to the pavilion, Julio. I bid you adieu, with the hope of soon seeing +you again at Antwerp." + +"Shall I not take my clothes, signor, or a traveling cloak?" + +"No; the cloak you have on will suffice. Were you seen with any baggage, +your intention might be suspected. Appear indifferent. You can buy +whatever you may need." + +The servant extended his hand to his master, and going to the door, said: + +"Adieu, signor; if you do not refuse to aid me when I am in want, I will +keep your secret faithfully." + +"Do your work in the cellar carefully, Julio. I wish you a pleasant +journey." + +Julio descended the staircase and walked slowly down the street. + +His master opened the window and watched him until he was out of sight. + +Simon Turchi drew a long breath, as though the weight of a mountain had +been removed from his heart. A smile lighted up his face, and he said in +an accent of intense joy: + +"He has gone! Now I have nothing to fear. The bailiff may find the body; +Julio committed the crime; I know nothing of it; I am as innocent as a +lamb. Ah! I thought I was lost. Now I must arrange my plans as though I +were certain of the discovery of the body. I feel new strength; hope and +certainty animate my heart. Mary, Mary, your name, your fortune, your love +will be mine. My life will yet be crowned with grandeur, wealth, and +happiness." + +And in feverish excitement he closed the window. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +GERONIMO RESURRECTED. + + +The clock in the steeple of Saint George struck seven, and night was +coming on, when Julio opened the garden-gate of his master's country-seat +and walked with a light step towards the house. + +He kept one hand wrapped in his cloak, as if to conceal some object; the +other was in his pocket, turning over the gold pieces given him by Simon +Turchi. Joy sparkled in his eyes, as he said to himself: + +"God be praised! I resisted the temptation. They urged me to drink and +play at the 'Swan,' but my gold coins reminded me that I had a serious +duty to perform. After work comes the recompense. What I hold in my hand +will indemnify me for the thirst I have suffered and for the time lost. It +is the very best Spanish wine--as dear as if it were melted silver, and as +strong as if it were liquid fire." + +On entering a room in the house, he drew two bottles from his doublet and +one from under his cloak, placed them upon the table, and looked at them +longingly. + +"No, no, not now; presently! Business first. Your bewitching smile cannot +seduce me. Patience, my friends; an hour hence we will become acquainted. +To fill up a grave and roll some empty casks into the cellar is a small +matter. But it is getting so dark that I can no longer distinguish the +image of the emperor on the gold pieces; I must light the lamp." + +Taking a wooden box from the mantelpiece, he drew out a flint and struck +it. It was some time before the tinder took fire, and Julio laughed at his +own failures; but at last he succeeded in his efforts, and a large lamp +made the whole room bright with its rays. + +Julio approached the table and said: + +"Now at least I can gratify the desire which has irritated my nerves +during the last hour. To possess two hundred crowns, to be as rich as a +banker, to feel my pockets weighed down by gold, and still unable to feast +my eyes on the treasure! Now I am alone; there is no one to ask whence it +came. The time has arrived. I may enjoy my wealth without anxiety!" + +He drew an arm-chair to the table, reclined in it comfortably, with +extended limbs, and placed the gold coin by handfuls under the light of +the lamp. + +After searching his pocket and doublet and convincing himself that all the +crowns were spread out before him, he heaped them up and ran his hands +through them as if to enjoy the sparkle and jingle of the gold. He held +his breath, for fear of losing the least sound; with eyes wide open he +contemplated the brilliant treasure. + +For a long time Julio remained, with a smile of happiness upon his lips, +in mute admiration, and, perhaps scarcely aware of what he was doing, he +ranged the crowns in a line and counted them; then he separated them into +piles of twenty pieces each; then he tossed them from hand to hand, until, +wearied of this amusement, he looked at them musingly. At last he +exclaimed in a joyous outbreak: + +"Two hundred crowns! What will I do with them? How will I spend them? +Shall I drink Malmsey, Muscatel, the very best, such as brings pleasure to +the heart? But at that rate I shall soon see the end of my money. Shall I +play for florins and crowns? That would be an excellent means, certainly, +of either becoming a hundred times richer or of losing every farthing. +Strange! how fearful and avaricious money makes me! I do not even care to +play; no, I will not do it. I will dress like a nobleman: in satin, +velvet, and silk; I will drink and eat of the most exquisite dishes; I +will Jive in luxury and abundance, as though the world were a terrestrial +paradise. Ah, what a glorious life! + +"But what a cowardly wretch I am! My only anxiety is to know how to spend +or rather squander this treasure, and at this moment there lives, far from +me, one who perhaps is stretching out her hand to me to beg an alms! My +poor mother! she may even need bread. Were she to curse her ungrateful +son, would he not have deserved it a hundred times? I am afraid of myself! +With ten crowns, with the twentieth part of what I am going to throw away +in dissipation, she might be saved from misery for more than a year. Why +did I not give twenty crowns to my master to send to her? Suppose I return +to the factory to execute this good thought? Impossible! Signor Turchi +would be enraged; besides, I have no confidence in him. I will inquire, +when in Germany, if she still lives, and if she be in want I will send her +money." + +He took up twenty crowns, one by one, from the table, counted them, +regarded them wistfully, and said, as he dropped them into his pocket: + +"Twenty crowns! that is a large sum; but it may make my blind old mother +happy. I will put her portion by itself." + +His eye again rested on the glittering coin. The sight appeared to deject +him. + +"How visibly it has diminished!" he said, sighing. "I believed my treasure +inexhaustible, and by one thought the twentieth part has disappeared. Will +it not go as fast in Germany? Will not gambling and drinking deprive me of +the whole in a few months and leave me in misery? What sombre thoughts! A +moment ago, and everything wore a smiling aspect; now, my mind is tortured +by fear and anxiety. But why need I be troubled? When I have spent the two +hundred crowns, Signor Turchi will send me more. But it is not well to +rely too much upon that; his head may fall under the axe of the +executioner. In that case I would be as badly off myself. The discovery +would drive me from Germany into Netherlands or Italy. Instead of living +in luxury, I would infallibly fall into the lion's jaw, and the gallows or +the wheel would be my well-merited fate. But if the murderer of Geronimo +be not discovered, I can return quietly, and my master would receive me +kindly for fear I would betray his secret. That depends in a great measure +upon my care in acquitting myself of the task entrusted to me. I will +accomplish it loyally and well. The sight of this gold no longer gives me +pleasure. A full cup of wine first, and then to work bravely!" + +He uncorked one of the bottles and half emptied it; then muttering a few +words as to the strength and energy imparted by the liquor, he took the +lamp, and fixing his eye on the bottle, said: + +"It will take me only a few minutes to throw the body into the grave and +fill it up; but the rest of the work will require more than an hour. That +is a long time to be separated from you, is it not? To keep me company, I +will take the half-empty bottle; that will not hinder me from doing my +duty properly; on the contrary, it will give me courage and strength. Now +to work!" + +He re-corked the bottle, put it inside of his doublet, took the lamp, and +slowly descended the staircase. + +The passage leading to the cellar in which Julio had thrown Geronimo's +body was rather long, and he had time to feel the effect of the wine, and +it so raised his spirits that he commenced jesting about hid past anxiety, +and on nearing the cellar he sang the first notes of a joyful song. + +But the words expired upon his lips, he trembled in every limb, and turned +ashy pale. + +A voice answered him from the cellar. + +Immovable from terror, Julio fixed his eyes upon the door, and strove to +comprehend the words which fell indistinctly upon his ear. + +"Heavens!" he exclaimed, "it is Geronimo; he lives!" + +Shuddering, he withdrew a short distance down the passage, and was for a +time as motionless as a statue. At last, with deep emotion, he said: + +"What can this mean? The signor said at the first thrust his dagger met +metal, but that the wound in his neck was deep. Suppose it were merely a +flesh-wound? What shall I do? Shall I let him live?" + +He was painfully undecided. + +"Impossible!" he said. "It would be the death-warrant of both my master +and myself. I must choose between his death and ours. Implacable fatality +urges me on--in truth, I have no choice. One blow, and all is over! I must +not hesitate; my knife is sharp." + +He drew his dagger from its scabbard, examined the blade, tried it with +his finger. He shuddered, and a cry of horror escaped him. + +"Fatal position!" he exclaimed. "To kill a man in cold blood! an innocent +man! What harm has poor Geronimo ever done me? Stab him! My heart fails +me--I cannot perpetrate such a cruelty. And yet, and yet I must! The crime +horrifies me, but I have no alternative. Only by the sacrifice of his life +can my master escape the scaffold, and I the gallows. Fate irresistibly +pursues me; I am the slave of necessity--I must follow whither it leads!" + +With staggering step and in a blind frenzy, Julio ran down the passage, +caught his dagger between his teeth, put the key in the lock, and turned +the light so that it might fall upon his victim. + +He stopped trembling in the middle of the cellar, and pity filled his soul +as his eye rested on Geronimo. He had indeed drawn his dagger to complete +the horrible crime; but now, touched and moved by compassion, he +considered the unfortunate young man, who extended to him his suppliant +hands and begged for help. + +Geronimo was kneeling on the side of the grave which had been dug to +receive his corpse. His face was partly covered with clotted blood; the +portion visible was excessively pale, and his cheeks were so sunken that +those few days of suffering had left only the skin to cover his bones. His +eyes, rolling wildly, were sunk in their sockets; his neck, weakened by +the wound, could not support his head, which fell upon his right shoulder. +His clothes were blood-stained and covered with dirt. It was evident that +in his struggle against death he had dragged himself around the tomb to +try, if possible, to escape it. + +"Whoever you may be," cried out Geronimo, "for the love of God, one drop +of water!" + +His voice was weak, but capable of moving the hardest heart. + +Julio shook his head, without speaking. + +"Water! water!" repeated the young man. "I am burning up, consumed by +thirst. Water! water! one drop of water! Save me from a frightful death!" + +Moved by pity and forgetting, as it were, his own situation, Julio thrust +his hand under his doublet, drew out the bottle, uncorked it, and without +speaking gave it to the wounded gentleman. He uttered a cry of joy, seized +the bottle with feverish energy, and kissed with transport the hand which +presented him the saving beverage. + +Julio, with palpitating heart, watched the unfortunate Geronimo, as with +trembling joy he placed the bottle to his lips, as if the contents were +imparting to him a new life. + +And indeed, after having quaffed a deep draught, Geronimo appeared to have +new strength; for a sweet smile appeared upon his face, his eyes sparkled +with gratitude, and lifting his hands to Julio, he said: + +"May God bless you! you have saved me from a frightful death. May Heaven +hear my prayer and reward you on the day of judgment for all the good I +may have done in my life. The light blinded me; I could not see. Are you +not Julio?" + +This recognition struck Geronimo with terror, and in a feeble and +discouraged voice he said: + +"Julio, Julio, you pushed me into the chair!" + +Then seeing the dagger in Julio's hands, he shuddered. + +"A dagger in your hand! Ah! you come to kill me?" + +"Yes, signor," replied Julio, sadly, "I come to take your life; but do not +suppose I fulfil this fatal mission without emotion; on the contrary, my +heart bleeds for you, and I feel an indescribable repugnance to deal the +fatal blow." + +"Ah! you are not merciless; you will have pity on me," said Geronimo. + +"Impossible!" replied Julio. "Fatality governs us both; it has irrevocably +condemned you to death, and me to inhumanity. All prayer, all supplication +is useless; nothing can save your life. I beg you, signor, not to increase +the difficulties of my task; accept with resignation a fate you cannot +escape." + +A sharp cry escaped Geronimo, as these unfeeling words convinced him that +all hope was lost. + +"My God!" he exclaimed, "is it then true that this dungeon is to become my +tomb? Must I die without confession? Shall my body lie in unconsecrated +ground? Oh, mercy! mercy!" + +"Necessity is a merciless law, signor," replied Julio, "and I have more +cause than you to complain of its harshness. You, at least, will receive +in heaven the recompense of your innocent life, while I must commit here a +crime from which I recoil with horror, but which is forced upon me by an +irresistible power, and for which my poor soul will stand accused before +the judgment-seat of God. But do not cherish a deceitful hope; there is no +hope for you. Before I depart from here, that grave must receive your +body. That I did not immediately on entering fulfil my sad mission is +partly owing to the fact that an uncontrollable compassion paralyzed my +arm, but still more, to my desire to afford you time to say some prayers. +Therefore prepare your soul for its last passage. I will wait patiently +even for a quarter of an hour. Pray with a tranquil mind--I will not +strike without giving notice." + +Saying these words, Julio put down the lamp replaced his dagger in its +scabbard, and seated himself on a block of wood which was in a corner of +the cellar. + +Geronimo, overwhelmed by Julio's insensibility, bowed his head upon his +breast. For some time he neither spoke nor moved, seeming to accept his +fate with complete resignation. But the terror of death again possessed +him. + +"Impossible!" he exclaimed. "You will not kill me, Julio? I conjure you, +by your soul's salvation, not to imbrue your hands in my blood!" + +And the unfortunate young man endeavored to drag his feeble body to +Julio's feet; but the latter drew his dagger in a threatening manner. + +Geronimo uttered a cry of despair, crawled back to the side of the grave, +and fell exhausted on the ground, where he bewept his sad fate. + +His stifled sobs were so heart-breaking that Julio's soul was stirred +within him, and without being conscious of it, he wiped away the tears +which fell from his eyes. + +In a voice full of compassion he said: + +"Come, signor, be calm, and submit with resignation to the irrevocable +decree of fate. When one has lived like you in the fear of God, honorably +and loyally, death is but the passage to a better life." + +A cry of indignation mingled with the convulsive sobs of the young +gentleman. + +"I understand you," said Julio; "you think that my pity is a cruel irony; +you believe me to be inhuman. Even in the tomb you might justly call down +maledictions on the head of the murderer who of his own will and choice +would deprive you of life. But, alas! signor, I have neither will nor +choice in the matter. To-morrow the officers of justice will search this +house and cellar." + +"To-morrow!" exclaimed Geronimo, a new hope-springing up in his heart. + +"If I let you live, they would infallibly find you here," pursued Julio. +"This hope inspires you with joy; vain hope! signor, for should it be +realized, my master would perish on the scaffold, and I would expiate my +crime on the gallows!" + +"Julio," said Geronimo, beseechingly, "I will remove all suspicion from +you; I will declare you innocent; I will reward you magnificently." + +"It would be useless, signor. The law knows no mercy. My master would +betray the part I had in the deed; and do you think the judges would +pardon me for having pushed you into the chair?" + +"Save me, spare my life, Julio; and if necessary for your acquittal, I +will kneel to the bailiff, I will appeal to the emperor himself." + +"There is another reason, unknown to you, signor," replied Julio, +bitterly. "I am a fugitive, condemned to death by the laws of Italy. My +master alone knows my real name. The least infidelity on my part would +make him deliver me into the hands of those who for five years have been +seeking me. Think you, then, that it is in my power to spare you? It is my +own and my master's death you demand. And what a death! For him, the axe +of the executioner and eternal infamy to his family; for me, the rack, the +wheel, the gallows. Do not blame me then, signor; do not contend against +implacable fate; employ your last moments in prayer, or tell me that you +are ready to receive the mortal blow. Nothing can save you; that open tomb +tells you a sad but pitiless truth. Again I beg you, signor, lift up your +heart to God, and do not force me to make use of sudden violence." + +"Die so young and guiltless!" lamented Geronimo. "Never again to see the +light of heaven! O Mary, my beloved! how you will deplore my fate! My poor +uncle! sorrow will bring your gray hairs to the grave!" + +The accents of despair made Julio shudder; but he said, in a cold manner: + +"Are you ready, signor?" + +"A moment more, one moment for prayer!" said Geronimo. + +He joined his hands and uttered a fervent prayer; but although he +apparently accepted his fate with resignation, it was equally evident that +his soul struggled against the death which was hanging over him. + +By degrees, however, prayer brought resignation and consolation to +Geronimo, for the nervous trembling of his limbs ceased and his voice +became more distinct and calm. + +Julio fixed his eyes on Geronimo, and his heart was touched when he +thought he heard him ask pardon of God for his enemies; but when the lips +of the young man pronounced his own name in ardent supplication, and he +distinctly heard his unfortunate victim praying for the soul of his +murderer, Julio dropped his knife, and said, with a deep sigh: + +"My courage has forsaken me! I have not the strength to accomplish this +cruel act." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Geronimo, as Julio pronounced these words, "it is a voice +from heaven speaking to your heart. Hearken to it. Have pity on me! spare +my life!" + +Julio was too absorbed in his own thoughts to heed Geronimo. In accents of +despair he muttered: + +"Frightful situation! Beside the very grave I have dug for him, he prays +for my soul! And can I shed his blood? But there is no help for it. I +must--I must!" + +The young gentleman remarked the struggle in Julio's soul, and he mustered +up all his strength to approach him; but Julio, seeing Geronimo's design, +picked up his knife, took the lamp, and left the cellar, saying: + +"It is useless, signor. Fate is more powerful than we are; and struggle as +we may against its inevitable decrees, they must be accomplished! The +sight of your sorrow has deprived me of all courage. I go to regain +strength. I will soon return. Be prepared, for this time I will act +without delay!" + +He closed the door and walked slowly down the passage. Having reached his +room, he stamped with anger, uttered desperate words, struck his forehead +with his fist, vented his impatience, because he could see no solution of +his difficulties. He paced the room like a madman, fought the air, +stopped, resumed his walk,--until exhausted he threw himself into a chair. +Sorrow, anguish, and rage, by turns were depicted on his countenance. He +lamented the necessity of the murder, and complained in bitter terms of +his sad fate. But in vain he tortured his brain--not a ray of light came +to illumine his darkness. The pitiless "I must do it!" was the invariable +refrain. + +By chance his eye fell upon the two bottles which he had placed upon the +table, and as if the sight had inspired him with a sudden resolution, he +seized one of the bottles, uncorked it, and putting it to his lips, drank +a long draught, stopped a moment for breath, then emptied the bottle. + +He remained some time immovable as if to test the influence of the wine on +his mind, swallowed half of the second bottle, drew his dagger, took the +lamp, and descended the stairs, saying: + +"Now my courage will not fail me! No more words: a single blow and all +will be over! I must strike him in the back; he wears a cuirass on his +breast." + +Opening the door of the cellar, he placed the lamp on the ground without +speaking, and raising his dagger, he walked directly towards Geronimo, who +lifted his hands imploringly. + +Within a few steps of his victim, Julio, with an exclamation of surprise, +stopped suddenly as if immovable. His eye fell upon an object which +Geronimo held in his hand and extended to him, as though it had power to +turn aside the mortal blow. + +It was a flat copper medal, in the centre of which was a cross and other +emblems, and attached to it was a bright steel chain. + +Julio, forgetful of what he was about to do, sprang forward, seized the +strange medal, examined it closely, and said, in astonishment: + +"This amulet in your hands, signor! What does it mean? How came you by +it?" + +Geronimo, whose every thought was fixed upon death, was too much startled +by the sudden transition to reply immediately. + +"Speak, tell me whence comes this amulet? Who gave it to you?" + +"From Africa--from a blind woman," answered Geronimo, almost +unintelligibly. + +"In Africa? And the woman's name?" said Julio, beside himself with +impatience. + +"Mostajo. Teresa Mostajo!" + +"Teresa Mostajo! You are then the liberator of my poor blind mother!" + +"Then you will spare my life! God of mercy, I thank thee, there is still +hope!" + +But Julio heeded not the words of the young man. + +"This amulet," he said, "recalls my native village. I see again my father, +mother, friends. I see myself as I was before dissipation led me to sin +and vice. This amulet, brought by my grandfather from Jerusalem, protected +my father against many dangers, saved my mother's life; and you, signor, +you owe to the same amulet escape from a violent death, for it turned +aside my master's dagger from your breast. Strange and mysterious power +which thus shields the victim from his executioner!" + +"Julio," said Geronimo, "keep me not in suspense. Say that you will not +take my life. Be merciful to the man whose name is blessed by the lips of +your mother!" + +"Fear not, signor; rather than shed one drop of your blood, I would pay +the penalty of my guilty life on the gallows. But I must reflect upon our +peculiar situation, for my mind is not clear; perhaps I may discover a +means of escape. Do not disturb me, I beg you." + +He withdrew to the corner of the cellar where he had been previously +seated, and remained motionless for some time, without giving any sign of +the agitation of his mind. + +Geronimo regarded him at first with a look of joyful anticipation; by +degrees, however, his face wore an expression of sadness and surprise; it +seemed to him that Julio had fallen asleep. He was mistaken, however, for +Julio arose after a while, and said: + +"Now I see my way clearly. I will save you, signor; but in doing that, I +might as well avoid securing a halter for myself. You must have patience +until to-morrow. It is now about nine o'clock in the evening, and the +time, I know, will be very long to you. But you must submit to a condition +which is necessary for the preservation of my own life. To-morrow, at +daybreak, I shall quit the city and country. Before leaving, I will set +you at liberty. Do not attempt to shake my resolution; let me go now, +signor, and expect with confidence your deliverance." + +Geronimo joined his hands, and said, feebly: + +"Thanks, thanks, and may the good God show you the mercy you have shown to +me! I have yet a favor to implore, a benefit to ask." + +"Speak, signor, what do you wish?" + +"It is long since I awoke from my death-like stupor. I know not how long, +and I am tormented by hunger and thirst; you have kept life in me by the +wine so kindly bestowed, but now my body demands nourishment. Give me +bread." + +"Bread!" said Julio, "there is not a mouthful of food in the house." + +But seeing Geronimo's eyes fixed in supplication upon him, he added: + +"It is not late; perhaps I may find some shop still open. I will return +presently; remain quiet, and have no anxiety, signor." + +He took the lamp, left the cellar, closing the door after him, and +ascended to his room. There folding his arms, he began to muse: + +"How strange! the young merchant who, at the risk of his own life, +defended my mother from her Moslem master, who paid her ransom, and +liberated her from slavery--that merchant was Geronimo! By some mysterious +influence the amulet protected his heart from the blade of his vindictive +enemy; and when I am about to shed his blood, behold, the amulet paralyzes +my arm. It is incomprehensible!" + +The current of his thoughts changed. Seizing the half empty bottle, he +drank its contents. + +"Strange," said he, "how the bad effects of liquor are controlled by the +emotions! I have taken enough to deprive me of consciousness, and I feel +my mind as clear as though I had not touched a drop. This last draught, +however, has mounted to my brain. So it is decreed that my master, Simon +Turchi, must die upon the scaffold? It is disagreeable for both of us, but +I could not help it. I shall not know what to do when the two hundred +crowns are spent; necessity will force me to seek other resources, even at +the risk of the gallows, and in all probability the fatal noose will +encircle my neck. Bah! if it is predestined, who can prevent it? My master +and I will receive only what we deserve. But I am forgetting the starving +young gentleman; I must go out to procure him some food. It will be a fine +opportunity to drink a pint of wine at the _Swan_; that cannot be closed +yet, for gamblers do not keep early hours. Only one pint in passing! not +more, for if my reason became clouded, I cannot answer for the +consequences; but there is no need to fear that, for my life is at stake. +I will return in half an hour." + +He extinguished the lamp, and hastily traversed the garden. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +SIMON TURCHI'S ALARM--CRIME BEGETS CRIME. + + +Some time after the hour of Change, Simon Turchi had returned home, and +was apparently preparing to go out again, for he had changed his doublet +for one of a darker color, and his cloak lay on a chair beside him. + +The signor was in high spirits; he carried his head proudly, a radiant +smile illumined his countenance, and from time to time he rubbed his hands +with an air of triumph. Julio had left for Germany! Nothing could have +prevented his departure, for he had not been seen in the city. Simon +Turchi has therefore no cause for fear, for if, contrary to expectation, +his garden be searched and the corpse of Geronimo be discovered, the +murder could easily be fastened upon Julio. + +Already, by vague remarks to his servants and acquaintances, Turchi had +prepared the way for making the accusation in case of necessity. He had +exhibited great anxiety at Julio's absence the night before and during +that day. He said that he had sharply reproved his servant for his +dissipated habits and his neglect of duty. Julio had left him in evident +anger. + +The servants, who could not comprehend their master's anxiety, thought +that he might be in some tavern, drowning his feelings with drink and +awaiting the night to return home. To this Turchi answered that he had +remarked for some time Julio's strange manner, that he seemed so +absent-minded, was often heard to sigh and weep--in a word, something +weighty appeared pressing on his conscience. + +Early in the morning he sent Bernardo to the pavilion to see if Julio were +there. Bernardo reported that there was no evidence of his having been +there, except two empty bottles upon a table. Simon pretended that he had +the bottles placed in the room, and Bernardo thought no more of the +affair. + +Simon Turchi would have satisfied himself by personal examination if Julio +had thoroughly performed his work before his departure, but he feared to +excite attention by his appearance in that direction; or, perhaps, he +might even be obliged to assist at the search of his garden, should the +bailiff refuse to exempt it. He determined to go to the cellar at +nightfall, when the search must be interrupted, to examine the +arrangements made by Julio. When therefore twilight was commencing to +replace the glare of day, and Simon was certain of not meeting the +officers of the law, he threw his cloak around his shoulders, turned with +a light step and joyous heart the corner of the street, and took the +direction to the square of Meir. + +He had gone but a short distance, when he met Messire John Van +Schoonhoven. + +A smile lighted up Turchi's countenance. He was delighted to be +accidentally brought into the bailiff's company, as he would thus learn +the result of the researches already made. + +After a polite salutation, Messire Van Schoonhoven said: + +"I am happy to meet you. I was on my way to your house." + +"To my house?" said Turchi. "Have you news of my friend?" + +"No, signor; I wish to see you concerning an affair which, although not +serious, necessitates a conversation with you. I would have spoken to you +on this subject this evening when at Mr. Van de Werve's, but the place was +inappropriate to such discussions." + +"Return then with me," stammered Turchi, with ill-disguised anxiety. + +"Where were you going, signor?" said the bailiff. + +"I was going to take a walk along the Scheldt, in order to seek some +diversion to the grief I feel for the disappearance of the unfortunate +Geronimo." + +"What I have to say, signor, need not interfere with your walk. I will +accompany you a part of the way and enjoy with you the evening breeze." + +The bailiff turned and walked by Turchi's side. + +Looking around, to assure himself that they were not overheard, Messire +Van Schoonhoven said: + +"The affair in question would not require so many precautions were I not +bailiff and you my friend. But in consequence of these two reasons, my +mission becomes painful, and I must claim in advance your forbearance. You +know that my agents are searching every house, building, and garden in the +vicinity of the Hospital Grounds where Geronimo was last seen. The +greatest part of this quarter has been carefully examined without any +result." + +Simon Turchi perfectly understood the bailiff's design, and although his +heart beat painfully, he mastered his emotion, and said in an indifferent +tone: + +"And you think, Messire Van Schoonhoven, that my garden should be searched +in like manner? It is very natural. No one is above the law--the knight +and the peasant are there equal." + +"Believe me, signor, that the thought of so disrespectful a conduct +towards an honorable nobleman, and that nobleman my friend for years, +would never have occurred to me. But the search became a necessity without +any fault of mine. The presence of at least twenty of my agents in that +quarter attracted the curious. A crowd followed those engaged in the +search, and when it was noticed that your summer-house was the only one +exempted, the magistrates were openly accused of injustice. The people +were told that this was done by my order; but so great was the commotion +that the affair reached the ears of the burgomaster and the constables, +and these gentlemen waited on me, urging me to visit your garden likewise, +so as to remove all cause of complaint." + +"This explanation is wholly unnecessary, at least as far as regards +myself," interrupted Simon Turchi. "I desire you to search my +country-house as you do all the other dwellings in the vicinity." + +They were not far from the bridge of Meir, and they ceased speaking, as in +so frequented a place they were in danger of being overheard. Farther on, +Turchi said: + +"I acknowledge, however, that I am hurt and irritated by the disrespect +and audacity of the populace. One might be tempted to suppose that they +considered me capable of killing my best friend! My blood boils at the +idea of such a suspicion!" + +Simon gladly availed himself of the opportunity thus offered of +attributing to a just indignation the cruel anxiety which tortured him. He +had anticipated the announcement just made him by the bailiff, and in +consequence had taken suitable measures to screen himself in case of +discovery; but now a terrible doubt as to the result of the search, and as +to the confidence which might be reposed in his statements, arose in his +mind. The least unforeseen accident, the slightest oversight in his +arrangement, might be his ruin. + +"It is scandalous!" he exclaimed, shaking his fist. "To express publicly +the opinion that a nobleman could so far degrade himself as to become a +secret assassin! I will know who my insolent calumniators are, and I will +then see if justice has power at Antwerp to protect an innocent stranger +against the defamation of the people!" + +"Calm yourself, signor," said Messire Van Schoonhoven; "I comprehend your +well-founded indignation; but you are mistaken if you think the +perquisition ordered by the burgomaster and constables be, in your regard, +aught but a condescension to the clamors of the multitude. As for myself, +I beg you not to be displeased with me for accomplishing my duty." + +"You need offer no excuse, messire," said Simon, speaking more calmly. "It +is but proper and natural to search my garden. I am irritated solely by +the insolence of the people. Do your duty, and continue to honor me with a +friendship of which I am proud, and of which I will always strive to be +worthy." + +"When will it be convenient to you, Signor Turchi, to have the officers +visit your house?" asked the bailiff. + +"The time is perfectly indifferent to me." + +"But appoint an hour; I would regret causing you any inconvenience or +trouble." + +Simon Turchi reflected a moment, and said: + +"To-morrow morning urgent affairs demand my attention; come then about +noon." + +"Suppose we say two o'clock?" + +"Very well; between two and three." + +"I will call for you to accompany me, signor. Do not be disturbed by this +domiciliary visit; it implies no suspicion, but, as I said before, it is a +simple condescension to the populace. Shall I have the honor of meeting +you this evening at the house of Mr. Van de Werve?" + +"I do not know, messire. Mary's excessive grief affects me so much that it +haunts me day and night. Would that I could offer the least consolation to +the afflicted young girl! But of what use is it to mingle my tears with +hers, when there is no ray of hope to illumine the darkness of her +despair?" + +Messire Van Schoonhoven pressed Simon's hand. + +"Your sincere friendship for Geronimo does you honor, signor," he said. +"Were he your own brother, you could not be more deeply grieved. And how +great is your generosity! Geronimo was your friend, but he was at the same +time an obstacle to the accomplishment of the dearest wish of your heart. +Through affection for him you have sacrificed your fondest hopes of +happiness. But the inexplicable disappearance of Geronimo spreads out +before you a brighter future. Time will alleviate the bitterness of Mary's +sorrow, and who so well as yourself, signor, could restore her to +happiness--you who possess her father's confidence and esteem?" + +"Speak not of such things," said Simon. "I would gladly yield all the +happiness the future might have in store for me to see my friend once more +unharmed. But alas! alas!" + +"That does not prevent me, signor, from cherishing the hope that, if +Geronimo is really dead, you may one day receive the reward of your +sincere friendship and your magnanimous generosity. To-morrow at two +o'clock! May God be with you, signor!" + +"And may He protect you, messire!" + +Simon Turchi watched him until he was lost to sight, and then glanced +around in order to note the degree of darkness. He drew his cloak closely +around him, and walked rapidly down a side street, which soon brought him +before the gate of his own garden. Unlocking the door, he traversed the +walk rendered almost invisible by the darkness. + +Beaching the house, he lighted a lamp and ascended the stairs to a room, +which, in better times, he was accustomed to use as a bed-room, when +occasionally he passed the night at the pavilion. + +Casting his cloak upon a chair, he seated himself near a table, evidently +a prey to distracting thoughts. He drew a phial from his doublet, and +fixed his eyes upon it. By degrees, however, the clouds seemed to pass +from his mind. He replaced the phial in his doublet, and said, calmly: + +"Why am I so terrified? Did I not expect the search? Have not my +precautions been well taken? What have I to fear? Julio is already at +such a distance that he cannot be overtaken. If the corpse be found in the +cellar, I will impute the crime to Julio. My explanation will be such that +there will be no room for suspicion. But suppose it should be known! O +torturing doubt! What a desperate game! Wealth, honor, power, and the hand +of Mary Van de Werve, against my life and the honor of my family! Triumph +and happiness on the one hand; disgrace and death on the scaffold on the +other! Suppose I go to the bailiff, and accuse Julio of the murder? That +would put me above suspicion. But no; the search will be superficial, mere +matter of form for the sake of appearances. If Julio as arranged things +properly, they will merely cast a glance into the cellar. My presence will +be a restraint upon the officers, and will prevent them from pushing their +search so far as to imply a suspicion. If they do not find the body, as is +probable, the affair will forever remain secret, and I will have in future +no cause for alarm. I must take courage and descend into the cellar, to +see how Julio performed the task assigned him before his departure." + +He approached a large wardrobe, took from it a bottle, poured out a large +glass of wine and drank it. Lighted by the lamp, he descended the +staircase and approached the cellar; but before proceeding through the +subterranean passage, he hesitated and stepped back: + +"Singular!" he said; "I am overpowered by fear! I recoil in terror before +that dark cave, as though the dead could arise from the grave to take +revenge. What! I had the courage to stab him while living, and yet I +tremble upon approaching the spot where lie his inanimate remains! Away +with this childish terror!" + +However bold his words, the Signor Turchi did not become calm, and his +heart beat violently as he again slowly approached the entrance to the +cellar. He hesitated an instant, as he looked down the long, dark passage, +but was about to proceed, when a noise outside the building made him shake +with fear. + +"What can it be? Am I not mistaken? Some one unlocks the garden-gate! Will +I be found here? Am I betrayed?" + +After a moment of torturing doubt he fled from the cellar to his room, his +hair bristling with terror. + +"They open the door of the house! They are within! They come! Great +heavens! What can it mean?" + +A man appeared on the threshold of the room in which Simon Turchi had +taken refuge. + +"Julio! it is Julio!" exclaimed Simon, in despair. + +The servant reeled under the influence of liquor. His cheeks were flushed, +his eyes wandering, and while the smile upon his lips indicated a +disagreeable surprise at the presence of his master, it also said plainly +that he feared not Simon's anger. He held in his hand a small wheaten +loaf, but he hid it hastily under his doublet as if unwilling for Turchi +to see it. + +Casting upon him a look of fury, Simon Turchi sprang to his feet, clenched +his fist, and exclaimed in a rage: + +"This is too much! Infamous traitor! cowardly rascal! whence do you come? +Does hell itself bring you here for the destruction of both of us? Speak, +base drunkard, and tell me why you are here! Quick, or I will stretch you +dead at my feet. I thirst for your blood." + +Julio drew his knife from the scabbard and stammered, in a voice +indistinct from intoxication: + +"Wait awhile, signor. Wine, good wine has dulled my senses. You want to +kill me? It would be very fortunate for one of us to die here--the +executioner would have less work. But which of us must first render our +account before the supreme tribunal, my knife and your dagger will decide. +I am ready." + +"Insolent wretch!" cried Turchi, grinding his teeth, "my own safety and +yours compel me to a painful circumspection; but beware how you brave me! +Tell me why you are not on your way to Germany." + +"You ask me something that I don't know myself. But let me see. Just as I +was about to leave I went to the _Swan_, and drank a few pints of wine. +This morning, when I awoke, I was seated before a table at the _Silver +Dice_. How I came there, I cannot tell. It was then too late for me to +pass the gate. I determined to wait until to-morrow, and I came here to +take a night's rest before setting out on the journey." + +"And you played at dice?" said Turchi. + +"I think I did; for the rattling of the dice still sounds in my ears." + +"And the money? the two hundred crowns?" + +"Be quiet, signor, on that point. I ask you for nothing. What business is +it of yours that I have spent or lost a few pieces of gold, provided I +leave for Germany to-morrow at daybreak?" + +Simon Turchi was like one frenzied. + +"Yes," he exclaimed, "and at the first tavern you meet on the way you will +drown your senses with drink, and you will squander my money." + +"Not so, signor; rely upon me--I will leave to-morrow morning at daybreak, +and if I drink on the way it will only be to quench a burning thirst." + +Simon Turchi's eye shone with a sudden and mysterious light, excited by +some secret thought. He became calm, and shrugging his shoulders, said +quietly, as though he submitted with resignation to the contradictions +which he could not avoid: + +"I ought, Julio, to punish your want of fidelity. If the bailiff had come +here to-day, as I expected, your culpable neglect of duty would have +placed us both in the hands of justice. Fortunately the visit will not be +made before noon to-morrow. As your negligence has had no evil +consequences, I fully pardon you, upon condition that you leave the city +before sunrise, and that you travel without stopping until you reach the +Rhine." + +"Never fear this time, signor," replied Julio. "I will pass the night +here, and at early dawn I will be beyond the city gate. In the first +village I will buy a horse, and I will make such speed that he who would +catch me must needs have wings." + +He yawned, stretching his arms above his head, and said: + +"I am overpowered by fatigue and sleep. If you have no other directions to +give, permit me, signor, to go to bed, that I may be ready for the +morning." + +"Then I may rely upon you, Julio?" + +"Have no anxiety about my journey; the rising sun will not find me at +Antwerp." + +"Are you certain?" + +"As certain as I am that a halter hangs over my head, and over yours +something quite as disagreeable." + +This jest of his servant made Turchi convulsively contract his lips, but +he restrained any expression of feeling, and arose, saying: + +"Julio, would you like a glass of good Malmsey?" + +"Ah, signor," replied the servant, "I was just thinking that a cup of +Malmsey would relieve my parched throat, when, lo! my desire finds an echo +in your heart." + +"One single glass--a parting bumper." + +"One or many, signor, as you wish--either will be welcome; but the +excellent wine locked in the cupboard of your room will be particularly +acceptable." + +"Well, Julio, come with me, and we will drink to the happy termination of +your journey." + +He arose, traversed a passage, and ascended to the upper story. The +servant followed him staggering, and trying to steady himself by the wall. + +Having reached his bed-room, Turchi drew a second chair to the table, and +said: + +"Sit down, Julio; here is a bottle already opened. If I did not fear its +effects, we would empty it in honor of your departure." + +Julio sat down, and held the bottle before the lamp. + +"Bah!" he exclaimed, "it only contains about four glasses. You need not +trouble yourself about that quantity." + +Signor Turchi took two large glasses from the cupboard, placed them on the +table, and filled their to the brim. + +"A pleasant journey to you, Julio," he said, "and may you arrive safely at +your destination." + +They both emptied their glasses at one draught, but the servant pushed his +glass to his master, saying: + +"Oh, the divine liquor! it is a cooling balm to my burning throat. One +more glass, signor, I beg you." + +Simon filled the glasses again, and said: + +"Yes, but on condition that you wait awhile before drinking it." + +Hoping that his obedience might procure him a third glass, Julio resisted +the temptation to gratify himself at once. + +In the meantime, Turchi contemplated his servant with a peculiar +expression. There was a malicious sparkle in his eye, and a smile of +triumph on his lips. He evidently had some purpose in thus watching Julio; +but what could be his secret design? + +At last he pretended that he was about to take the wine, but by a quick +movement he upset it. + +With an exclamation of impatience he raised the glass, and said: + +"It is a sin to spill such wine. Now I have no more in which to drink your +health. Get another bottle, Julio, from the cupboard; it is perhaps the +last time that we shall drink together. On the third shelf, the bottle +with the long neck." + +Julio arose with difficulty from his chair, and staggered to the cupboard. + +Simon Turchi thrust his hand in his doublet, and drew out a very small +phial. He hastily poured nearly the whole contents into Julio's glass, and +immediately concealed the phial; and although he trembled in every limb, +he said, calmly: + +"A little higher, Julio--to the left; that is the right bottle." + +The servant brought the bottle to his master, who uncorked it; but as he +was about to pour out the wine, he said: + +"Empty your glass, Julio; this is a different wine, and the mixture would +spoil both." + +Julio drank the wine, but no sooner had he swallowed it than he exclaimed: + +"What was in my glass? It had a strange, bitter taste. Did you put poison +in it?" + +"What a silly idea!" said Turchi, turning pale. + +"You are capable of such a deed, signor." + +"The lees gave the bad taste, Julio. Take another glass, and it will pass +away." + +Emptying his glass again, Julio said: + +"You are right; it is gone. I never tasted anything in my life more +disagreeable." + +Turchi watched his servant narrowly. With assumed carelessness he said: + +"Take care, Julio, to be up by daybreak. Go on foot to the village of +Lierre; buy a good horse there, and make all possible haste to reach +Diest; that is the shortest route, and you will be more likely to escape +notice than on the highway. Once in Cologne, you are out of danger; but be +careful not to remain there. Merchants from Antwerp frequently visit that +city; you might possibly be recognized and arrested. You must leave the +territories of the emperor. When the affair is forgotten, and when by my +marriage with Miss Van de Werve I will have acquired a considerable +fortune, I will send for you, and you will live with me as a friend rather +than a servant. You shall spend your days in pleasure, and you will never +have cause to regret what you have done for me. But, Julio, you do not +answer? Is not such a fate desirable?" + +"I am overpowered by sleep," stammered Julio, almost unintelligibly. + +A triumphant smile flitted across Turchi's face. + +"To-morrow at two o'clock," he continued, "the officers of justice will +make a domiciliary visit here, but the bailiff will permit no search which +intimates a suspicion. Since you have filled the cellar with fire-wood and +empty casks, the bailiff will be satisfied that all is right. Perhaps, +Julio, I may be able to recall you in two or three months." + +Julio's head had fallen upon the table, but from time to time he started +and muttered some indistinct words, showing that he was not in a deep +sleep. Without once removing his eye from him, Simon continued to speak, +although he was convinced that Julio no longer heard his words. + +Suddenly Julio groaned. His head and limbs fell as though he had been +struck by death; but the heaving of the chest and the deep scarlet of the +cheeks proved that he was in a heavy sleep. + +Simon quietly contemplated him for a while longer with a smile of +satisfaction. Then he arose, approached his servant, shook him violently, +and cried out: + +"Julio, Julio, wake up!" + +Julio did not stir. + +"It succeeds according to my wishes," he said. "The poison is doing its +work. He is deaf and insensible; he reposes in an eternal sleep. Life will +be extinguished by degrees until sleep makes way for death. But I must not +tarry. I must act quickly and forget nothing. And first the money!" + +He searched Julio's pocket, and found in it one hundred and twenty crowns. +After counting them on the table, he exclaimed: + +"Eighty crowns spent already! It is impossible. He has either lost them at +the gaming-table, or been robbed while he was sleeping in the tavern." + +Still doubtful, he examined his garments, and found in a purse under his +girdle the twenty crowns which he had destined for his mother. + +"Ah, ah!" said Simon, laughing; "I had not all; I hear the sound of gold." + +He put the twenty crowns with the rest of the money, and having satisfied +himself that no more remained on the person of Julio, he was about to +transfer the crowns to his pocket, when a sudden idea occurred to his +mind. + +"If I leave all this money on his person, they might think he had been +paid to commit the deed; if I leave nothing, there will be no reason to +conclude that he killed the Signor Geronimo to rob him. I wonder how much +money Geronimo generally carried about him. I should suppose five or six +crowns, or perhaps ten. I will leave six crowns and all the small change. +And the keys? He must keep them, or, of course, he could not have entered +without my knowledge. But should he be roused to consciousness by the +death-agony, he might have sufficient strength to get out. I will leave +him all the keys but that of the outer building. Iron bars render the +place secure; he could not even enter the garden. Now I will put the phial +in his doublet--no, in the pocket of his girdle; it will be as easily +found. I will remove the bottles and everything which could indicate the +presence of two persons." + +He locked up the bottles and glasses, arranged the chairs, and wiped up +the wine which had been spilled on the table and the floor. + +While thus engaged, he muttered to himself: + +"I must not remain longer. I myself must go to the bailiff and accuse +Julio of the murder. Shall I go this evening? No; they might come and find +him alive, and a powerful antidote might perhaps rouse him from sleep. +To-morrow, then--to-morrow morning. But how shall I explain the affair? +When and how did he reveal his crime? Night will suggest a means. All is +done. I will go home and appear calm and cheerful." + +He threw his cloak around his shoulders, took the lamp from the table, and +walked to the door. There he stopped for a moment to contemplate his +victim and precipitately descended the staircase. At the foot of the steps +he extinguished the light, traversed the garden, opened the gate, and +disappeared in the darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +FOOD AT LAST--DEATH OF JULIO. + + +When Julio left the cellar for the purpose of procuring bread, Geronimo +cast himself on his knees, full of gratitude to God, to return thanks for +the unexpected deliverance. + +Julio had said "soon," but an hour passed, then another, then many more, +and he came not. + +A painful doubt began to take possession of Geronimo's mind. Had an +accident happened to Julio? Had he perhaps cruelly abandoned his victim? +Had he set out for Germany with the certainty that hunger would kill him +whom the dagger had spared? + +The unfortunate cavalier had no means of measuring the flight of time. +What in the immutable darkness of his prison seemed to him a century, +might in reality be only a few hours, and the promised bread would soon +appear to his eyes as the star of safety--in a quarter of an hour, in a +minute--that very instant. + +By such reflections Geronimo sought to endure patiently the pangs of +hunger. He put his ear to the keyhole and ceased breathing that he might +catch the slightest sound. Alas! hour after hour passed in unbroken +silence. Although Geronimo knew not whether it was day or night, his +increasing sufferings were to him a sure indication of the passage of +time. For a while he encouraged himself by the thought that Julio would +not bring him the promised bread until dawn, and that he would give him at +the same time food and liberty. + +This hope by degrees diminished, and at last vanished entirely. The +suffering young man could not longer deceive either his body or his mind; +it became evident to him that the hour which he had hoped would restore +him to freedom had long passed. + +He had been abandoned--devoted to a cruel martyrdom, a frightful death! He +was then to die in the midst of the torments of hunger--to die slowly in +indescribable suffering, and fall into the yawning grave prepared for him! + +Struck with terror by the conviction thus forced upon him, the unfortunate +cavalier arose despairingly and ran panting and crying around the cellar, +as though he could thus escape the death which menaced him. + +The pain of his wounds was increased by this violent and feverish +agitation. His breast heaved under his difficult respiration, but the +gnawing hunger which agonized him made these sufferings seem light. +Falling to the ground from exhaustion, he commenced, as soon as he had +gained a little strength, his struggle against the tortures of hungry. At +times his despair was cheered by the thought that even yet Julio might +come. But Julio was plunged by the influence of poison into a mortal +sleep, and in all probability would appear before Geronimo at the +judgment-seat of God. + +Hoping against hope, the young man seated himself on the ground. The +violence of his sufferings seemed to abate and leave him at rest for a few +moments. His thoughts wandered to all he loved upon earth, but the respite +was of short duration. Soon the agony he endured drew from him piercing +cries. During his long martyrdom no torment had equalled the present. It +seemed as though he were being devoured by flames, or as if molten lead +were coursing through his veins. + +He writhed in convulsions, beat his breast, and in heart-rending accents +called upon God for help. But nothing relieved his horrible sufferings. + +He filled the air with his groans and screams, he beat the door with blind +fury, tore the flesh from his fingers in his useless efforts to make an +opening in his prison-walls, and ran from side to side as though the pangs +of hunger had driven him mad. + +At last, exhausted and convinced that there was no escape, that he must +soon enter into his last agony, he threw himself upon the ground, bowed +his head and joined his hands in prayer, begging for resignation to meet +the death which would end his cruel martyrdom. His mind now appeared +clear, and he was perfectly conscious, for after a while he shed a torrent +of tears. His lips moved, giving utterance to confused sounds, but by +degrees his words became more distinct, and fixing his eye in the darkness +on the spot where he knew the grave had been dug, he said: + +"No more hope! All is over. I must die! The grave yawns to receive me. +Alas! what a place for my mortal remains! Forgotten, unknown, concealed by +the darkness of a horrible crime! Not a tear will fall upon the tomb of +the unfortunate victim; not a cross will mark the spot where I lie; not a +prayer will be whispered over my body! Death approaches. Ah! I must not +thus cling to life; I will pray and lift my hands in supplication to God. +He alone--" + +He stopped under the influence of a sudden emotion. + +"Heavens! did I not hear a noise?" + +He listened breathlessly for a time to catch the indistinct sound he +thought he had heard; but he was mistaken. + +"Why should I hope, when hope is no longer possible? Let me rather seek +strength in the consideration of the better life which awaits me. The +death I endure will purify me from all my sins. If God, in His +impenetrable designs, has appointed this to be my earthly fate, He will, +in His mercy, take into account before his judgment-seat what I have +innocently suffered here below. Consoling hope, which, encourages me to +look with confidence into eternity! + +"And yet my life was so happy! Everything in the world smiled upon me; my +path was strewn with roses; the future spread out before me like a +cloudless sky resplendent with stars. God had not only given me health, +fortune, and peace of heart, but also the hope of uniting my fate with +that of a lovely young girl. Mary Van de Werve! the incarnation of all +that men admire and heaven loves: virtue, piety, modesty, charity, beauty, +love! Alas! alas! must I leave all that? Must I say a last adieu, renounce +my hopes, and never see her again? Die and sleep forever in an unknown +tomb, while she lives!" + +A cry of anguish escaped him. But it was caused rather by his train of +thought than by the adieu he had just spoken, for he added, in a suppliant +voice: + +"Pardon, O Lord, pardon! Thy creature clings to life; but be not angry +with the weakness of my nature. Should I die by the terrible death of +starvation, I humbly accept Thy holy will, and I bless Thy hand which +deals the blow! God of mercy, grant that I may find grace with Thee!" + +Calmed by this invocation, he resumed, with less emotion and in a tone +which proved that his soul had received consolation: + +"And if I be permitted in my last hour to offer to Thee my supplications, +I pray Thee, O God of mercy, to spare my uncle, and let not my misfortune +deprive him also of life. He was my father and benefactor; he taught me to +live in the fear of Thy holy name. By the cruel sufferings which I endure, +by my terrible death, have pity on him! Let Thy angels also guard and +protect the pious and pure young girl who is before Thee as an immaculate +dove! Jesus, Saviour of mankind, on the cross you prayed to your heavenly +Father for those who crucified Thee. Demand not an account of my blood +from my enemy. Pardon him, lead him back to the path of virtue, and after +death grant him eternal rest! My strength fails; the sweat of death is on +my brow. O my God! in this, my last hour, grant me the grace to die with +Thy love alone in my heart, and Thy holy name alone upon my lips!" + +The last words of this prayer had scarcely fallen from his lips, when he +cried aloud, arose trembling, and eagerly fixed his eyes upon the opposite +wall, upon which a faint streak of light flickered. + +"O my God! what means this?" he exclaimed. "Light? light? a voice? Is some +one coming? Is there still hope? I shall not die! Cruel dream! Frightful +illusion! But no, it is indeed a light; it becomes brighter. I hear a +human voice. Alas! this suspense is worse than death!" + +Tottering from weakness, and supporting himself by the sides of the wall, +he gained the door, and trembling between hope and fear, he put his eye to +the keyhole in order to discover who was approaching his person. + +He saw in the distance a man with a lamp in his hand; but his gestures +were so strange, and his countenance so singular, that he was at a loss to +know whether it were a human being, or only a creation of his own +disordered brain. + +Still he heard confused sounds in the passage; a voice seemed to complain, +curse, and call for aid. + +By degrees the mysterious apparition drew nearer, and Geronimo recognized +the servant of Simon Turchi; but why was Julio writhing in such horrible +convulsions? Why was his face so horribly contorted? Why did he threaten +and rage in such harsh accents? + +A horrible conviction forced itself upon Geronimo's mind. Julio had sought +in drink the courage necessary to accomplish the work which fate exacted +of him. He had thus drowned his senses, and had come now to slay his +victim without mercy. + +The thought for the moment roused his fears; but he remembered that he had +just offered to God his life in expiation of his sins. He retired to the +other side of the cellar, knelt by the side of the grave, and with a smile +upon his lips and his eyes lifted to heaven, he calmly awaited the fatal +blow. + +He heard Julio trying to insert the key in the lock as if his hand were +unsteady. He noticed that there was no finger in his tone of voice; on the +contrary, the cries which escaped him were rather those of alarm and +distress; but before he had time for reflection the door opened. + +Julio put down the lamp as if his strength had entirely failed him, and +fell upon the ground, exclaiming in a supplicating voice: + +"O signor, help, help! I am poisoned! A burning fire consumes me! Take +pity on me! For the love of God, deliver me from this torture!" + +"Poisoned!" exclaimed Geronimo, hastening to Julio. "What has happened to +you? The mark of death is on your face!" + +"Simon Turchi gave me last night poisoned wine, in order to destroy the +witness who could prove your death by his hand. He made me pay Bufferio to +assassinate you. He wishes to marry Mary Van de Werve, and he desires to +remove any cause of fear that his happiness may be disturbed. Ah! the +poison consumes me!" + +"Tell me, Julio, what I can do for your relief." + +Saying this, he knelt by Julio, and threw open his doublet to give him +air: + +"Thanks, thanks, O my God! here is bread!" exclaimed Geronimo, almost wild +with joy, and snatching with feverish haste the small loaf which Julio had +concealed, and which he had entirely forgotten since his fatal stupor. + +The young man, absorbed in satisfying his devouring hunger, no longer +heeded Julio's complaints, but having soon appeased its cravings, he took +his hands, saying: + +"I bless you, Julio, and may the omnipotent God reward you in heaven. Tell +me what I can do to save you. Set me at liberty, and I will fly for +physician and priest. The keys--quick, the keys!" + +"Alas!" said Julio, in a hopeless voice, "my cruel murderer took from me +the keys of the door. We are shut up in the building. But I cannot die +thus, consumed by poison, without confession, without hope of pardon for +my soul! Go up-stairs, signor, call aloud, break open the door, wrest the +iron bars from the windows. Collect all your strength, take pity on me and +help me!" + +Geronimo seized the keys, and, lighted by the lamp, he hastily traversed +the subterranean passage, and mounted the staircase. + +The gray dawn was appearing in the east, but to the eyes of the young man +so long accustomed to utter darkness it was almost as bright as noonday. + +Convinced that Julio's condition demanded immediate aid, Geronimo hastily +tried all the keys in the exterior door, pulled all the bolts, endeavored +to wrench the door from the hinges, and worked with so much energy that at +last he fell from weakness. + +Taking a short rest, he arose, threw up the windows, shook the iron bars, +ran up-stairs and called aloud for help. But all his efforts were +useless--the pavilion was too far removed from any habitation to permit +him to indulge the hope that his voice, weak as it was, could be heard. + +In running through the building--almost maddened by despair--to seek an +outlet, he entered the kitchen, where he perceived a vessel full of water. +The sight filled him with joy. Perhaps water, taken in large quantities, +might deaden the effects of the poison and save Julio's life. At any rate, +he had no other remedy, and as it was his only hope, he grasped at it as +if it were an inspiration from heaven. + +Filling a pitcher, he ran with it to the cellar, and radiant with joy, +approached Julio, who had barely strength to ask in a feeble voice: + +"Is the priest coming? Will the doctor be here? Ah! it is too late!" + +"Drink," said Geronimo, holding the pitcher to his lips; "the water will +cool the inflammation and refresh you." + +Julio took the water. + +"Thank you, signor; it is useless, the water does me no good." + +"Take more, I beg you, Julio,--as much as you can." + +Julio obeyed mechanically and nearly emptied the pitcher. His respiration +became very labored, and the sweat ran in big drops from his brow. + +"Do you feel better, Julio?" asked the young man. + +"A little better; the heat is not so burning." + +"There is still hope!" exclaimed Geronimo, joyfully. "Take courage, Julio; +have confidence in the mercy of God. When all human aid fails us, then God +gives his omnipotent assistance." + +"But," said Julio, "my heart beats so feebly, my limbs are benumbed. +Signor, I am dying. The poison is killing me." + +"Die? Julio! You have delivered me from death, and shall I be powerless to +save you? What shall I do? O my God, what can I try?" + +"Think no more of it, signor," said the dying man. "I feel that there is +no hope. Alas! I was partly the cause of your bitter sufferings: I pushed +you into the chair; I intended to kill you, the deliverer of my blind +mother! Take pity on me! Let not your just malediction follow my poor soul +into eternity. Pardon me, signor, pardon!" + +"Speak not thus, Julio. But for you, that yawning grave would now cover my +corpse. Shall I refuse pardon to you who spared my life? No; I will pray +for you, I will give alms for the repose of your soul. Have confidence in +the goodness of God." + +"Confidence?" said Julio, in a dying voice. "I shudder to think of the +judgment which awaits me. In this, my death agony, I see with frightful +clearness. I dare not hope in God's mercy. I have done nothing to merit +it. A dark veil is before my eyes." + +The death-rattle was in his throat. + +Geronimo passed his arm around his neck and raised his head, and seeing +Julio's eyes fixed upon him, he said, tenderly and fervently: + +"Julio, listen to me! You say you dare not hope in the mercy of God' Have +you forgotten that Jesus Christ shed his blood to redeem fallen man? Do +you not know that there is joy before the angels when a sinner, by sincere +repentance, escapes the eternal enemy of man and enters triumphant into +heaven? You repent, do you not? You sincerely repent?" + +Julio bowed affirmatively. + +"Ah!" exclaimed Geronimo, "if I cannot save your body from death, at least +let me keep your soul from eternal torments. Oh! if I could thus repay the +debt of gratitude I owe you! Julio, were God to prolong your life, would +you renounce evil and return courageously and sincerely to the path of +duty and virtue? You say yes? You implore God's mercy, do you not? You +have confidence in the inexhaustible treasure of his goodness? Then, +Julio, raise your dying eyes to heaven, direct your last thoughts to Him +who is the source of all mercy, and with full confidence let your soul +wing its flight to the supreme tribunal. Already from the highest heaven +God absolves the repentant sinner!" + +A triumphant hope illumined the countenance of Julio as he endeavored to +raise his eyes to heaven. + +"Saved--his soul is saved!" exclaimed Geronimo, transported with a pious +joy. + +A slight convulsion passed over the limbs of Julio, his muscles became +paralyzed, his head fell heavily on Geronimo's shoulder, and drawing his +last breath, he murmured, almost unintelligibly: + +"Mercy! O my God!" + +"He is dead!" said Geronimo. "May thy soul receive my fraternal embrace in +its passage to eternity! May this mark of reconciliation weigh in the +balance of eternal justice!" + +He bent over the dead; but as if contact with the corpse had deprived him +of his little remaining strength, he fell as it were lifeless. Not a limb +moved, his arms dropped motionless, his eyes closed, it seemed that his +soul had also taken its flight to heaven to accompany the soul of Julio +before God's judgment seat. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +IS IT HIS GHOST?--THE GUILTY EXPOSED. + + +It was scarcely eight o'clock in the morning when Signor Deodati was on +his way to the residence of Mr. Van de Werve. + +The old merchant was walking very slowly, with his eyes cast down. From +time to time he shook his head, as if disturbed by painful thoughts. His +countenance expressed dissatisfaction rather than sorrow; indeed, it might +even be said to indicate angry and bitter feelings. + +The servant who opened the door ushered him into a parlor and went to call +his master. Deodati threw himself into a chair, covered his face with his +hands, and was so absorbed in thought that he was not aware of Mr. Van de +Werve's entrance. + +"Good morning, signor," said the Flemish noble, saluting him. "Your early +visit encourages me to hope that you have news of our poor Geronimo." + +"Bad news, Mr. Van de Werve, bad news," said the old man, with tearful +eyes. "Sit down near me, for I have not power to raise my voice." + +"I notice, signor, that you are very pale. Are you ill?" + +"My emotion has its origin in something worse than illness. Day before +yesterday Signor Turchi asserted in your presence that Geronimo had lost a +considerable sum at play, and that he had fled the country to escape my +just indignation. Great as was my confidence in Turchi, I could not credit +the truth of this revelation. I determined to seek in my nephew's accounts +the marks of his ingratitude, or rather the proofs of his innocence. I +passed a portion of the night in calculating over and over again; for the +invariable result was so frightful that my mind and heart refused to +accept the evidence of my senses. The sum lost in gambling by my nephew is +incredible." + +"What!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, "then the Signor Turchi was not +mistaken in his suspicions?" + +"Ten thousand crowns!" said Deodati sighing. + +"Ten thousand crowns!" replied Mr. Van de Werve. "Impossible! That is a +fortune of itself." + +"And yet it is true. There is a deficit of ten thousand crowns in the +money vault of the house, and there are exactly ten thousand crowns +unaccounted for on the books. Not a line, not a mark refers in any manner +to the employment or destination of this sum. Evidently it must have been +used otherwise than in the business transactions of the house, and as +Geronimo himself told the Signor Turchi that he had lost a considerable +amount at play, I am forced in spite of myself to admit the painful truth. +Ten thousand crowns! Can neither virtue nor fidelity be found upon earth? +A child whom I treated as my own son, whom I loved with blind affection, +and over whose welfare I would have watched as long as I lived. And this +is the return for all my love! Ah! signor, this ingratitude is like a +dagger in my heart." + +Mr. Van de Werve gazed abstractedly as if in deep thought. Then he said, +seriously: + +"You are truly unhappy, signor, and I commiserate your sorrow. How can it +be possible? All is deceit and perfidy. Geronimo seemed the soul of virtue +and loyalty; he lived with so much economy and conducted himself so +honorably, that to those who knew him not he might have appeared either a +poor man or a precocious miser. And this tranquil, modest, prudent young +man loses at the gaming-table ten thousand crowns, the property of his +benefactor! His laudable course of conduct was but a base hypocrisy!" + +"And nevertheless," murmured the old Deodati, "my unfortunate nephew had a +pure and loving heart! Might not his blindness have been the effect of one +solitary and momentary error? Perhaps so. Man sometimes meets fatal +temptations which attract him irresistibly, but to which he yields only +once in his life." + +"Why then did he fly, and thus acknowledge his guilt? No, signor, no +excuse can palliate such misdeeds. I burn with indignation at the thought +that such signal favors have met with such cold and base ingratitude. The +idea of your affliction restrains me from speaking of the outrage done my +daughter. Fortunately, the reputation and social position of my family is +such as to screen it from the consequences of such an act. But, signor, I +hope you will agree with me that there can no longer be a question of an +alliance between my daughter and your nephew. He may return and obtain +your pardon, but that will not change my determination. From this day +forward the Signor Geronimo is as a stranger whom we have never known." + +Deodati regarded the irritated nobleman with tearful eyes, and seemed to +deprecate the inflexible decree. + +Mr. Van de Werve took his hand, and said in a calmer manner: + +"Be reasonable, signor, and do not let yourself be blinded by affection. +What a dishonor to my name, were I to permit a man with so tarnished a +reputation to enter my family! Could I confide the happiness of my good +and noble child to one who was not withdrawn from a culpable love of play +by life-long benefits? Could I accept as my son a man whom I could not +esteem, whom on the contrary I would despise for his ingratitude to you? +Acknowledge with me that such a union is impossible, and let us talk no +more of it. Be still my friend, however, as long as you remain at +Antwerp." + +The merchant shook his head, and after a few moments' silence, he replied: + +"Alas! I ought to admit that there is no hope of realizing this honorable +alliance. What happiness Geronimo has staked on the cast of a die! I thank +you, Mr. Van de Werve, for your proffered friendship, but I shall not +remain at Antwerp. To-day I shall beg Signor Turchi to settle up the +affairs of the house in this city. Now that I have no one in the world to +care for, none for whom to work and amass money, I shall retire from +commerce. I have ordered the _Il Salvatore_ to be provisioned, and I shall +set sail by the first favorable wind." + +"You are right, signor. By returning to your own beautiful country, you +will the sooner forget this misfortune." + +"God knows when I will revisit my country!" replied the old man. + +"Are you not going to Italy?" demanded Mr. Van de Werve. + +"No, sir; but to England." + +"In search of your nephew? Signor Turchi led us to suppose that he had +sought refuge in that island. I admire your unbounded love for a man so +little deserving of it; but, signor, you require rest. Follow my advice: +go to Italy, and do not shorten your life by the sorrows which may await +you in England." + +"The advice is no doubt good," replied Deodati; "but I cannot follow it. +However guilty he may be, Geronimo is the only son of my deceased brother, +whom I promised on his death-bed to watch over his child as if he were my +own. Were I to abandon Geronimo entirely, he might be pushed by want and +misery into the path of vice, perhaps of infamy. I will fulfil my duty to +the last. If I love him less than formerly, at least I will save him from +utter ruin." + +"What generosity!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, in admiration. "You travel +about in search of your nephew; you endanger your health. I foresee that +he has but to speak to obtain pardon. And this great sacrifice, this +magnanimous affection meets with such a return! It is frightful!" + +"No, sir," replied Deodati, "I will not pardon Geronimo. He will never be +the same to me. Should I find him, or should he return to me, I will give +him an income sufficient to keep him from want; that being done, I shall +renounce the world and retire into a cloister, to await there in solitude +and peace the time when it may please God to call me to himself." + +Mr. Van de Werve heard the street-door open, and said eagerly to the old +merchant: + +"Signor, my daughter is at church and may return at any moment. I beg you +not to speak of these things in her presence. Since the disappearance of +Geronimo, she does nothing but weep and pray; no consideration alleviates +her sorrow, nothing consoles her. If she were suddenly to lose all hope, +it might cause her death. Heavens! Signor Turchi, what has happened to +him?" + +He arose hastily and regarded in astonishment Simon Turchi, who entered +and attempted to speak, but the words seemed to die upon his lips; for he +stood trembling in the centre of the room, uttering unintelligible sounds. +He was pale as death. + +Deodati arose also, and looked inquiringly at Turchi. + +The latter said, hurriedly: + +"I went to the house of the bailiff; he was not at home. He has been sent +for, and he will be here immediately with his officers to accompany me to +my garden. Oh! I have terrible news to communicate; but my mind wanders, I +am losing my senses. I can tell nothing, particularly to you, Signor +Deodati. Unhappy old man! Why did God reserve such a trial for your old +age?" + +"Another misfortune? Speak, Simon, speak," said Deodati, in suppliant +tones, and trembling from anxiety. + +Turchi fell, as if from exhaustion, upon a chair, and said, in a voice +broken by sobs: + +"No, signor, ask me nothing; I could not break your heart by such stunning +tidings. Alas! alas! who anticipated such a misfortune? My unhappy friend! +my poor Geronimo!" + +A torrent of tears fell from his eyes, and while Deodati and Mr. Van de +Werve begged him to tell the cause of big extraordinary emotion, he +stammered: + +"Oh! let me be silent; despair tortures my heart. I can tell no one but +the bailiff; he will soon be here. If I could but doubt! But no, it is too +true; there is no more hope! May the God of mercy receive his poor soul +into heaven!" + +"Of whom do you speak?" exclaimed Deodati. "His soul? Whose soul? +Geronimo's?" + +Steps were heard in the vestibule. Simon Turchi went to the door, and +said: + +"Here is the bailiff! He will know the secret which is breaking my heart." + +The bailiff entered the room, looked around in surprise, and at last said +to Simon Turchi, who continued to talk confusedly: + +"You have sent for me in all haste, in order to make a terrible +revelation; I am here with my officers. Have you discovered Geronimo's +assassins? Speak, Simon, and tell us what you know." + +"So horrible is this secret, messire, that my tongue refuses to tell it. +Ah! if I could forever--" + +"Calm yourself, signor," said the bailiff, with perfect self-possession. +"What have you learned?" + +"But--but I must be alone with you. The news I have to communicate must +not be revealed before Signor Deodati." + +The old man said, with tearful eyes: + +"You are cruel, Signor Simon! What could you say more terrible? You speak +of Geronimo's soul; you announce his death, and yet you leave me in this +horrible doubt. Speak, I conjure you." + +All that Simon Turchi had said was only a deception practised upon his +auditors, in order to make them believe that grief had affected his mind, +and to prepare the way for his revelation. + +At last he appeared to yield to necessity, and said: + +"God grant that the frightful news may not afflict you as it did me! +Listen! you know that two days ago my servant Julio left my service +because I severely reproved his irregularities. This disquieted me, +because I had noticed that he was pursued by some secret remorse. Just +now, hardly a half hour ago, I left my residence, and was going towards +the Dominican church to pray for my poor friend. On the way I thought of +my servant Julio, and feared that in his despair he might have taken his +life. When I was near the bridge, I heard my own name timidly pronounced. +I turned and saw Julio. I commenced to reproach him with his absence, but +putting his finger on his lips, he whispered: + +"'Signor, I beg you to follow me; I have a secret to reveal to you.' + +"His manner and tone of voice were so peculiar that I accompanied him to a +retired spot. His revelation caused me such intense grief that I could +hardly stand, and I was obliged to support myself against the wall as I +received the confession of the penitent assassin." + +A cry of horror escaped Deodati. Eager to hear the remainder, Mr. Van de +Werve gazed fixedly upon the narrator. The bailiff was more calm--he +listened attentively and nodded his head, as if he foresaw the conclusion +of Turchi's narrative. + +"I hardly dare continue," he said. "My soul revolts--but I must disregard +my feelings," and in a more tranquil manner, he resumed: + +"Shuddering with horror, I heard Julio say: + +"'Master, I have committed a frightful murder. Remorse pursues me as a +malediction from God. I shall put an end to my guilty life. In an hour I +shall be in eternal torments, but I wish the body of my victim to be +buried in holy ground. Go to your pavilion. In the lowest cellar, at the +extremity of the subterranean passage, you will find the corpse of Signor +Geronimo buried.'" + +Tears fell fast from the eyes of Signor Deodati, and sobs convulsed his +frame. + +Turchi continued: + +"'Signor Geronimo!' I exclaimed, in terror. 'Have you killed my poor +friend?' + +"'Yes, I put to death Signor Geronimo. I needed money to spend at the +taverns, and you would not give it to me. I killed him in order to get the +money he might have about him. Adieu! This very day all will be over with +me.' Before I had sufficiently recovered from the shock to think of +seizing Julio, he had disappeared. Probably, to-day--" + +"Heavens!" exclaimed Simon Turchi, "I hear Miss Van de Werve." + +"For the love of God, not a word in her presence," said Mr. Van de Werve. + +Mary entered the room, looking around anxiously. She had seen the officers +at the door, and she seemed to inquire of her father the cause of their +presence. + +She remarked her father's pallor and embarrassment. Simon Turchi looked +down, as if in despair. Deodati covered his face with his hands. + +A cry of anguish escaped the young girl, and she glanced in turns at her +father, Deodati, Turchi, and the bailiff; but they each seemed anxious to +avoid her eye. + +"Go to your room, Mary," said Mr. Van de Werve. + +"Give me this proof of affection. Ask nothing." + +The young girl, struck by these evidences of some misfortune, ran to her +father and exclaimed, joining her hands: + +"Speak, father, and tell me what has happened. Leave me not in this +terrible suspense. Tell me that they have not found Geronimo's dead body. +Alas! he is dead! Is it not so?" + +Throwing her arms around her father's neck, she wept bitterly, conjuring +him to tell her the cause of their emotion. + +Without giving her any explanation, Mr. Van de Werve attempted to lead his +daughter out of the room; but she, like one crazed by grief, released her +hand from her father's, fell upon her knees before Turchi, and exclaimed: + +"By the love you bore him, signor, take pity on me and tell me what has +happened to him. Let me not leave the room under the frightful conviction +that he is dead!" + +Turchi remained silent, gazing upon her with an expression of profound +sadness. + +"You, too, are implacable, inexorable!" she said, rising. + +"But you, at least--his uncle, his father--will be more merciful." + +She ran to the weeping merchant, gently forced his hands from his face, +and conjured him, in piteous accents, to give her some information which +would relieve the torturing suspense. + +The old Deodati, still weeping, threw his arms around her neck, and +murmured: + +"God bless you, my child, for your love. Let us pray for him!" + +Mr. Van de Werve had left the room to call Petronilla. He returned with +her, and said to his daughter: + +"Mary, go with your duenna. You must not remain here longer." + +The young girl seemed not to hear her father's words, for she was +immovable as if petrified by grief. + +He added, in an impatient, severe tone: + +"Mary, leave the room. I wish it; I command it. Obey me." + +She arose and walked slowly towards the door. Tears flowed down her +cheeks; she supported her trembling limbs by leaning on the arm of her +duenna. Mr. Van de Werve feared she would lose consciousness before +reaching her own apartment. + +All, with the exception of the perfidious Turchi, were moved by compassion +for the unhappy young girl. + +As the duenna opened the door to let her mistress pass out, strange sounds +were heard in the vestibule. + +Mary started, and stepped back into the room, as though in presence of +some apparition. + +"It is his ghost, his spirit," she exclaimed, "arisen from the grave to +demand vengeance upon his murderers!" + +She gazed with intense emotion, then added, in accents of the wildest joy: + +"He smiles upon me; it is himself! He lives! It is Geronimo!" + +Pronouncing this cherished name, she fell insensible in the arms of her +attendant, who, assisted by the bailiff, carried her to an armchair. + +Signor Geronimo entered. His face was as pale and fleshless as that of a +skeleton. The wound he had received in his neck appeared like a large spot +of clotted blood--his garments were disordered, soiled, and blood stained. +He seemed really a spectre just arisen from the tomb. + +As soon as Turchi recognized his victim, he recoiled, uttering a cry of +terror; and imagining that God had permitted a miracle in order to punish +his crime, he extended his trembling hands to Geronimo, as if to implore +pardon. + +The young man cast upon him a look of disgust and contempt, and exclaimed: + +"You here, assassin? Tremble, for the Supreme Judge will demand of you an +account of my blood and of Julio's death." + +A murmur of surprise and terror ran through the room; all eyes were fixed +on Simon Turchi, who seemed crushed by Geronimo's words. + +Having thus addressed Turchi, Geronimo rushed into his uncle's arms and +embraced him in a transport of joy. + +"Oh, unexpected happiness!" he exclaimed. "It is permitted me to see my +uncle again in this world! I know you have suffered; you have suffered as +a father deprived of his only child! No more sorrow now. I will repay you +for your tender affection; I will love you; I will show my gratitude; I +will venerate you. Ah! bless the God of mercy, who has saved me from the +fangs of that tiger thirsting for my blood! But Mary, where is Mary? Ah! +there she is! My beloved friend, what has happened?" + +He ran to the insensible young girl, knelt before her, and endeavored to +recall her to consciousness by every endearing epithet. + +In the meantime Mr. Van de Werve aided the duenna in her exertions to +restore animation. Taking advantage of this, Simon Turchi walked towards +the door with the intention of making his escape; but the bailiff +discovering his design, drew his sword and placed himself in the doorway. + +Then Simon Turchi understood the fate awaiting him. He bowed his head and +covered his face with his hands. He trembled in every limb, and his breast +heaved with sighs of anguish. Every expectation of escape by flight, or by +making an appeal for pardon, vanished as he beheld the indignant +expression of the bailiff. + +Mary at last recovered from the faint into which she had fallen. She +looked around her in surprise, as if ignorant of what had happened; but +when Geronimo's voice fell in joyous accents on her ear, a bright smile +irradiated her countenance, and she exclaimed: + +"It is not a dream! He lives! I see him once more! Geronimo! Geronimo!" + +The young noble was too overpowered to do more than call the name of his +beloved. + +Only a few minutes had elapsed since Geronimo's entrance; all were too +much moved to express their surprise in words. But the bailiff resolved to +put an end to this harrowing scene by the performance of a painful duty. + +He said, in an imperative manner: + +"Signor Geronimo, be pleased to interrupt for a moment the expression of +your happiness. By the authority of the law I ask you what has happened, +and why you stigmatize the Signor Turchi as an assassin. Approach, and +obey my order." + +Turchi, foreseeing that his frightful crime was about to be revealed, +writhed convulsively and was covered with shame and confusion. He dared +not look upon his accuser. + +"Declare the truth," ordered the bailiff. + +"Five or six weeks ago," said Geronimo, "Simon Turchi told me that +unforeseen circumstances made it an imperative necessity for him to raise +the sum of ten thousand crowns, adding that if he did not succeed in +obtaining it immediately, the credit of his house would be gone, and that +he himself would be irretrievably ruined. He needed the sum, he said, only +for one month. I lent him the ton thousand crowns, and at his earnest +solicitation, in order to conceal the knowledge of this loan from the +clerks, I made no entry upon the books of the transaction, but was +satisfied with an acknowledgment in writing of the debt." + +Old Deodati made an exclamation of joy, ran to his nephew, and embraced +him affectionately. + +"God be praised! Dear Geronimo, you restore me to life. That wicked man +tried to persuade me that you had lost ten thousand crowns at play. You +were too virtuous, too grateful for that, my beloved boy!" + +"Observe the respect due the law, Signor Deodati. Continue your statement, +Signor Geronimo." + +"What an odious falsehood!" said the young man. + +Then turning to the bailiff, he continued: + +"When we last met in this house, Signor Turchi told me that a foreign +merchant, who wished to remain unknown, would repay me the ten thousand +crowns. I was to go to his country-house alone, and secretly to return the +note I held, and receive reliable bills of exchange upon Italy. When I +went, Julio, Simon Turchi's servant, pushed me into a chair prepared as a +trap, in which my body was caught and held immovable by steel springs. +Then Simon entered with a dagger in his hand; he took from me the note, +and destroyed it in my presence. He attempted to stab me in the breast, +but the blow was warded off by a copper amulet which I wore around my +neck. I then received in my neck what I considered a mortal wound; I felt +my blood flowing freely, and I bade, as I supposed, an eternal adieu to +life." + +Old Deodati, without being aware of it, had drawn his sword from the +scabbard as if he were about to pierce Turchi to the heart; but he was +restrained by a look of severity from the bailiff, although he continued +playing with the hilt, and muttering in an undertone menaces against the +murderer. + +"I awoke to consciousness," continued Geronimo, "in a dark dungeon; I was +lying beside a grave which had been dug to receive my remains. When Julio +returned to bury my corpse, he found me living. He was about to kill me, +but he recognized the amulet I wore around my neck, and I was saved. The +old blind woman who gave me the amulet as a recompense for delivering her +from the hands of the Moslems was Julio's mother. Last night Signor Turchi +gave poisoned wine to Julio, who died in my arms, declaring to me that +Signor Turchi hired Bufferio to assassinate me. I labored for hours before +I succeeded in obtaining egress from the garden. Now behold me saved from +a frightful death through the miraculous protection of God, and restored +to all that is dear to me on earth!" + +The bailiff's voice was heard, issuing his commands, in the vestibule. +Turchi comprehended the order. He cast himself on his knees, extended his +hands, and weeping, cried out: + +"Oh! Messire Van Schoonhoven,--Geronimo,--I have been guilty of a +frightful crime. I deserve your hatred, your contempt and death; but have +pity on me! Spare me the shame of the scaffold; do not cover my family +with eternal infamy. Exile me to the ends of the earth; but pardon, +pardon, deliver me not to the executioner!" + +Five officers of justice appeared at the door. + +"What are your commands?" asked the chief. + +"Bind the signor's hands behind his back!" + +"Heavens! bind my hands like a thief!" exclaimed Turchi. + +"Bind the hands of a nobleman?" repeated the chief in surprise. + +"Execute my order immediately! This nobleman is an infamous robber and a +cowardly assassin. Cast him in the deepest dungeon; he shall pay the +penalty of his crime upon the scaffold." + +The command was promptly obeyed, and Turchi, in spite of his resistance, +was dragged from the room followed by the bailiff. + +Mary and Geronimo wept with joy. Deodati claimed their attention saying: + +"My dear children, let us fulfil a sacred duty of gratitude. God has so +visibly protected innocence that the feeling of His presence in our midst +overpowers me. Your hopes will become a reality. Let us pray!" + +He knelt before the crucifix, bowed his head and joined his hands. + +Geronimo and Mary knelt beside the old man, Mr. Van de Werve behind them. + +For a long time they lifted their grateful hearts in thanksgiving to the +God of goodness. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +MARY VAN DE WERVE'S (NOW MADAME GERONIMO DEODATI) DEPARTURE FOR ITALY--THE +PUNISHMENT OF SIMON TURCHI. + + +It was six o'clock in the morning. + +The height of the sun indicated that the warm season of summer had +replaced the mild month of May. It was apparently a festival day at +Antwerp, for through all the gates people poured from the surrounding +country into the city. The streets were filled with persons of all ages, +who, talking and laughing, hastened to the centre of the city, as though +they anticipated some magnificent spectacle. + +Before Mr. Van de Werve's residence was a compact mass of citizens who +seemed impatient at the delay. Through a sentiment of respect, they were +perfectly quiet, speaking in very low tones, and making way to afford a +passage through the crowd every time that a cavalier or any notable +personage presented himself for admission into the house. + +The attraction to the centre of the city must have been very powerful, for +the greater part of those who passed neither stopped nor turned their +heads. Some approached, and learning upon inquiry as to the cause of the +gathering, that Miss Van de Werve was about to leave for Italy, they +immediately resumed their walk, as if the sight of this departure were no +equivalent to the imposing spectacle they were going to witness. A few, +however, remained in order to discover the real object of so large a +concourse of people. + +An old gray-headed peasant, after having listened to the conversation +going on among the peasants, recognized in the crowd a man from his own +village, who had been residing for some time in the city, near the church +of Saint James, and who consequently, he thought, must be better informed +than the others in regard to Miss Van de Werve. + +He elbowed his way through the crowd until he reached his friend, struck +him on the shoulder, and said: + +"What is going on here, Master John, to collect such an assembly? I heard +some one say that Miss Van de Werve was about to leave for Italy." + +"Ah! Master Stephen," said the other, "call her Madame Geronimo Deodati." + +"Is she married?" + +"One would say, Master Stephen, that our village is at the other end of +the world. Even the children of Antwerp bless this marriage as a striking +proof of God's justice." + +"I did hear, friend John, that God had visibly avenged virtue and punished +crime. The assassin dies by a frightful death, and the victim becomes the +husband of the noblest and wealthiest young lady in the marquisate. Do you +know her, Master John?" + +"Do I know her? She passes my house twice every day in going to church. I +furnish the family with bread, and I have frequent opportunities of +speaking with this amiable young lady." + +"I would like to see her," said the old man, "but if I wait, I shall +arrive too late at the public square." + +"You need not fear," replied Master John. "The executioner's car will not +leave the prison for an hour to come." + +The peasant hesitated as to what he should do. + +"Are you sure that the young lady will leave at once?" + +"Immediately, Master Stephen. Mr. Van de Werve urges the departure--he +wishes to be out of the city before the executioner commences his work." + +"Why," said the peasant, "did they wait until to-day? In their place I +would have gone long ago." + +"Ah!" replied Master John, "here is another evidence of God's intervention +in these terrible affairs. The vessel which bears them to Italy has been +ready to sail for a week. During all that time the wind blew constantly +from the south-west; it changed to the east only last night, so that their +departure before was impossible. But the tide is high now and will +commence to ebb at the very hour fixed for the death of the assassin. You +see that God himself willed Mr. Van de Werve to remain here until his +vengeance was accomplished." + +"Does she go to Italy to reside?" + +"Oh, no; she only goes on a wedding trip. She will return in the course of +a year, when the impression of the perfidy and cruelty of Simon Turchi +will be less painful. Back, back, Master Stephen, they are coming!" + +From the crowd arose a joyous shout. Each was anxious to approach Madame +Deodati. Those who did not know her desired to see the noble young woman +whose name was so painfully connected with the bloody history of Simon +Turchi, and who was esteemed a model of pure virtue, fervent piety, and +ideal beauty. The neighbors and those who had the honor of knowing her +collected in order to salute her, to bid her a respectful and cordial +adieu, and to wish her a happy voyage. + +Mary Van de Werve, now Madame Geronimo Deodati, appeared at the door +accompanied by her husband. As soon as the people perceived her, loud and +long acclamations greeted her; they waved their caps, clapped their hands, +rent the air with their cries of joy, and strove to obtain a glance of the +angelic features of the beautiful lady and the noble countenance of her +husband, who had been so miraculously preserved, by the providence of God, +from the hands of his cruel enemy, Simon Turchi. + +Mr. Van de Werve walked by his daughter's side; the old Deodati was near +his beloved nephew Geronimo. Then followed Mary's two married brothers and +a large number of her father's near relatives and friends, as well as many +Italians, Portuguese, and Spaniards, who wished to escort Geronimo to the +ship. + +When Mary heard the benedictions and joyous shouts of the people, and saw +all eyes fixed upon her with looks of love, the blood mantled to her +cheeks, and she modestly cast down her eyes. But immediately raising them, +she saluted the crowd as a mark of her gratitude for their kindness. The +multitude, at a sign from Mr. Van de Werve, opened a passage for the +party, and they proceeded to the Scheldt amid acclamations testifying the +love and respect they inspired. Their drive resembled a triumphal +procession. The old Deodati was deeply moved. He seemed rejuvenated. A +sweet smile was upon his lips, and he looked proudly upon Geronimo. Thus +full of the thought of their future happiness, they reached the dock-yard. +In the middle of the Scheldt was the _Il Salvatore_, decked with flags and +rocking upon the waves as if conscious of the precious treasure about to +be confided to it. + +A part of the sailors were occupied in unmooring the vessel; even the +harsh grating sound of the capstan could be heard on the wharf. The rest +of the crew manned the masts, and they waved their caps in the air, +shouting: + +"_Benvenuto! benvenuto! Viva, viva la nostra signora!_" + +At the same time the sound of five or six cannon from the _Il Salvatore_ +boomed over the waters, prolonged by the echoes from either side as it +floated down the river. The multitude replied by three cheers, and the +last reverberation of the cannon was lost in the _vivas_ of those on the +shore and ships. + +In the meantime parents and friends were bidding adieu. Many tears were +shed, and it was with tearful eyes that Mary Van de Werve received upon +her brow her brothers' kiss. + +The _Il Salvatore_ weighed anchor; the sails caught the wind, and the +vessel floated majestically down the river with the tide. + +Mr. Van de Werve, Deodati, and their two happy children, entered the bark +which awaited them. Petronilla seated herself beside her mistress. They +exchanged a last adieu, and the eight oars fell simultaneously in the +water. The bark, under the strokes of the robust oarsmen, cut the waves in +a rapid course. + +At this moment Geronimo's eyes were filled with tears. Lifting his eyes to +heaven, he said: + +"Blessed be Thou, my God, for all the sufferings Thou hast sent me; +blessed be Thou for Thy infinite goodness. I thank Thee for the wife it +has pleased Thee to give me; she will be my companion in my much loved +country. A thousand thanks for all Thy benefits!" + +The bark had reached the galley. A ladder was lowered, and, aided by the +sailors, the party ascended the deck. The pilot gave the signal, the sails +were unfurled, the ship rocked for a moment as if courting the breeze, +and then it rapidly cleaved the waves. + +The cannon again boomed from the _Il Salvatore_, and again the +acclamations of the crowd rent the air. + + * * * * * + +The sounds had hardly died away when the spectators, as if impelled by one +thought, immediately retired, and made all speed to reach the central part +of the city. + +The crowd which left the wharf so precipitately soon arrived at the grand +square, but they found it already occupied by so compact a mass of human +beings, that it was impossible for them to penetrate it. As far as the eye +could reach, there was a sea of heads; all the windows were crowded with +women and even children; the roofs swarmed with curious spectators; the +iron balustrades seemed to bend under the weight of the children who had +climbed upon them. + +A solemn silence reigned in the midst of the vast multitude. Not a sound +was heard save the slow and mournful tolling of the death-bell, and at +intervals a scream so piercing, so frightful, that those who listened to +it turned pale and trembled. Every eye was fixed upon a particular spot, +whence clouds of smoke curled in the air, and from which escaped the cries +of distress. + +What passed that day on the grand square of Antwerp is thus related by +Matthew Bandello, Bishop of Agen, who lived at that period, and who wrote +from the testimony of an eye-witness: + + * * * * * + +"Upon the appointed day, Simon Turchi was enclosed in the same chair and +driven on a wagon through the streets of Antwerp, the good priest +accompanying him and exhorting him. When they reached the grand square, +the chair was removed from the wagon. The executioners lighted a slow +fire, which they kept alive with wood, but in such a manner that the +flames should not rise too high, but sufficed to roast slowly the unhappy +Turchi. The priest remained as near to him as the heat permitted, and +frequently said to him: + +"'Simon, this is the hour for repentance!' + +"And Simon, as long as he could speak, replied: + +"'Yes, father.'" + + * * * * * + +Simon Turchi evinced great repentance and much patience, and he accepted +with resignation the painful and infamous death to which he was condemned. +When it was certain that he was dead, his body, partially consumed, was +conveyed outside the city gates and attached to a stake by an iron chain. +The dagger with which he had stabbed Geronimo was thrust into his side. +The stake was so placed on the public road that it could be seen by all +who passed, in order that the punishment inflicted for murder might serve +as a warning to others, and prevent the commission of infamous crimes. + + + + +THE END. + + + + +ENDNOTES + + +[Footnote 1: "All the foreign merchants who resided at Bruges, with the +exception of a few Spaniards, established themselves here about the year +1516, to the great disadvantage of Bruges and to the advantage of +Antwerp."--Le Guicciardini, _Description of the Low Countries_. Arnhem, +1617, p. 113.] + +[Footnote 2: C. Schibanius, in his _Origines Antwerpien Sum_, says that he +has often seen in the Scheldt twenty-five hundred vessels, many of which +were detained at anchor for two or three weeks before being able to +approach the wharf.] + +[Footnote 3: The stables, and coach-houses used by this company for +transportation still exist at Antwerp. Although they are now occupied as +barracks, they preserve their original name--_Hessenhaus_.] + +[Footnote 4: See the statistics of population given by Schibanius in the +_History of Antwerp_, by Mertens & Torfo, Part IV., ch. v.] + +[Footnote 5: The inhabitants of Antwerp are experienced and skilled in +commercial affairs, and although they may not have left their own country +the greater part of them, even the women, can speak four, five, and +sometimes seven different languages.] + +[Footnote 6: "The nobles of Netherlands do not engage in commerce like the +Italian noblemen from Venice, Florence, Genoa, and Lucca."--L. +Guiccardini, _Description of the Low Countries_, p. 140.] + +[Footnote 7: "Two well-known Italian merchants, both of noble birth, +natives of Lucca, who were great friends." Van Mertens, _History of the +Low Countries_, Vol. I.] + +[Footnote 8: The bailiff (schoat) was the representative of the prince in +the prosecution of crimes. He alone, and his agents by his orders, could +make arrests, except in cases of flagrant crime or of persons lying in +wait. This high functionary was also called the _margrave_, because the +margrave of the Low Countries was, in virtue of that office, the bailiff +of the city of Antwerp.] + +[Footnote 9: "It is estimated that three thousand new houses were either +erected by himself, or by others through his assistance."--Mertens & +Torfo, _History of Antwerp_.] + +[Footnote 10: This church was demolished at the commencement of this +century. The spot upon which it stood is now called the "_Plain of Saint +Walburga_."] + +[Footnote 11: In the _History of Antwerp_, by Mertens & Torfo, Part IV., +chapter iii., is found a view of the city, from the banks of the Scheldt, +as it was in 1556, and details concerning the principal edifices.] + +[Footnote 12: "Geronimo went to Simon and demanded payment of the sum +lent, and for which he held a note. Turchi made various excuses, and put +off payment from day to day."--_Matteo Bandello._] + +[Footnote 13: "A fierce desire of vengeance took possession of Simon, and +he sought to kill Geronimo."--_Matieo Bandello._] + +[Footnote 14: A measure of four pints.] + +[Footnote 15: "One night, when passing through the streets, he received +from the hands of an enemy an ugly wound in the face. He suspected +Geronimo of having inflicted it; in which he was mistaken, for the author +of the attack was afterwards discovered."--_Matteo Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 16: "After Simon Turchi had determined to revenge himself, and +after long consideration, he ordered a large wooden arm-chair, to which +were attached two iron bars, so arranged that whoever should sit down in +it would be caught by the legs below the knees, and would be unable to +move."--Van Meteren, _History of the Low Countries_.] + +[Footnote 17: "Geronimo, a merchant from Lyons desires to see you, but as +he does not wish to be known at Antwerp now, he is concealed in my garden. +He begs that you will meet him there."--_Matteo Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 18: "This chair being made, he told one of his servants, named +Julio, who was proscribed in Italy, and under sentence of death."--Van +Meteren, _History of the Low Countries_.] + +[Footnote 19: "And the said Julio pushed Geronimo into a large arm-chair, +which sprang and closed."--_Origin and Genealogy of the Dukes and +Duchesses of Brabant_. Antwerp, 1565; p. 308.] + +[Footnote 20: "In the cellar ... in a grave which had been prepared by the +said Julio to bury Geronimo after the commission of the murder."--_Origin +and Genealogy of the Dukes and Duchesses of Brabant_.] + +[Footnote 21: _Order and Proclamation of Messire Van Schoonhoven, bailiff, +and of the Burgomaster, Constables, and Council of the city of Antwerp_: + +"It having come to the knowledge of the bailiff, burgomaster, and +constables of this city that Geronimo Deodati, a merchant of Lucca, went +out yesterday afternoon, about four o'clock, from his residence in this +city, near the Convent of the Dominicans, and that he was seen for the +last time beyond the Square of Meir, and since then he has not been heard +of, and we know not what has become of him, so that there is great +suspicion that the said Geronimo has been maltreated, or even put to +death; therefore, the magistrates of the same city do proclaim that he who +first will give information as to what has become of the said Geronimo, +will receive the sum of three hundred florins."--_Extract from the "Book +of Laws of the City of Antwerp_."] + +[Footnote 22: "The bailiff said that the magistrates had determined to +search all the stables, cellars, and gardens, to discover whether the +ground in any of these places had been recently dug."--E. Van Meteren, +_History of the Low Countries_.] + +[Footnote 23: "Simon Turchi was known to be a perverse and immoral man; in +a word, he was a compound of every vice and every evil +inclination."--_Matteo Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 24: "Go and do what I have commanded you. Disinter the body, +take it on your shoulders and cast it into the sewer which is in the +square where the three streets meet."--_Simon Turchi_.--_Matteo +Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 25: "I will send Bernardo to help you, and I will order him to +obey you, whatever you may command. When you have thrown the body into the +sewer, you can, by a quick movement, push Bernardo in also. The sewer is +deep, and whoever falls into it is immediately drowned."--_Matteo +Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 26: "Simon Turchi begged Julio to take the crime upon +himself."--Van Meteren, _History of the Low Countries_.] + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Amulet, by Hendrik Conscience + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AMULET *** + +***** This file should be named 13835-8.txt or 13835-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/8/3/13835/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Valerine Blas and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/13835-8.zip b/old/13835-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf161f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13835-8.zip diff --git a/old/13835.txt b/old/13835.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..229e9d2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13835.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7809 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Amulet, by Hendrik Conscience + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Amulet + +Author: Hendrik Conscience + +Release Date: October 22, 2004 [EBook #13835] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AMULET *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Valerine Blas and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + +THE AMULET. + +BY HENDRIK CONSCIENCE, + +AUTHOR OF "THE CURSE OF THE VILLAGE," +"THE HAPPINESS OF BEING RICH," +"VEVA," +"THE LION OF FLANDERS," +"COUNT HUGO OF CRAENHOVE," +"WOODEN CLARA," +"THE POOR GENTLEMAN," +"RICKETICKETACK," +"THE DEMON OF GOLD," +"THE VILLAGE INN-KEEPER," +"THE CONSCRIPT," "BLIND ROSA," +"THE MISER," +"THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER," ETC. + +Translated Expressly for this Edition. + + + +TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. + + +In the "Amulet," Hendrick Conscience has worked up an incident which +occurred at Antwerp, in the 16th century, into a story of great power +and deep interest. It was a dark and bloody deed committed, but swift +and terrible was the retribution, strikingly illustrating how God +laughs the sinner to scorn, and how the most cunningly devised schemes +are frustrated, when He permits the light of His avenging justice to +expose them in their enormity. On the contrary, it forcibly proves that +virtuous actions, sooner or later, bear abundant fruit even in this +world. If a man's sins bring upon his head a weight of woe, so do his +good deeds draw down the benedictions of heaven and serve as a shield to +protect him from his enemies. + +S.J.F. + +_Baltimore_. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +CHAPTER I. PAGE +ANTWERP 9 + +CHAPTER II. +SIGNOR DEODATI 30 + +CHAPTER III. +THE PALACE OF SIMON TURCHI, AND WHAT OCCURRED THERE 43 + +CHAPTER IV. +THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION--THE ASSASSINATOR SLAIN 64 + +CHAPTER V. +VAN DE WERVE'S RECEPTION--SIMON TURCHI'S JEALOUSY +AND HATRED 79 + +CHAPTER VI. +SIMON TURCHI WREAKS HIS VENGEANCE ON GERONIMO 96 + +CHAPTER VII. +GRIEF AT GERONIMO'S ABSENCE--TURCHI'S HYPOCRISY 112 + +CHAPTER VIII. +SIMON TURCHI TRIES TO CONCEAL HIS CRIME 128 + +CHAPTER IX. +GERONIMO RESURRECTED 143 + +CHAPTER X. +SIMON TURCHI'S ALARM--CRIME BEGETS CRIME 157 + +CHAPTER XI. +FOOD AT LAST--DEATH OF JULIO 171 + +CHAPTER XII. +IS IT HIS GHOST?--THE GUILTY EXPOSED 180 + +CHAPTER XIII. +MARY VAN DE WERVE'S (NOW MADAME GERONIMO DEODATI) +DEPARTURE FOR ITALY--THE PUNISHMENT OF SIMON +TURCHI 193 + + + + +THE AMULET. + +CHAPTER I. + + +Previous to the close of the fifteenth century, the direction taken by +European commerce remained unchanged. America had not been discovered, and +the only known route to India was by land. + +Venice, enthroned by her central position as queen of commerce, compelled +the nations of Europe and Asia to convey to her port all the riches of the +world. + +One single city, Bruges in Flanders, serving as an international mart for +the people of the North and South, shared, in some measure, the commercial +prosperity of Venice; but popular insurrections and continual civil wars +had induced a large number of foreign merchants to prefer Brabant to +Flanders, and Antwerp was becoming a powerful rival to Bruges. + +At this period two great events occurred, by which a new channel was +opened to trade: Christopher Columbus discovered America, and Vasco de +Gama, by doubling the Cape of Good Hope, pointed out a new route to India. +This latter discovery, by presenting another grand highway to the world, +deprived Venice of the peculiar advantages of her situation, and obliged +commerce to seek a new emporium. Portugal and Spain were the most powerful +nations on sea; countless ships left their ports for the two Indies, and +brought back spices, pearls, and the precious metals for distribution +throughout the Old World. This commercial activity required an emporium in +the centre of Europe, halfway between the North and the South, whither +Spaniards, Portuguese, and Italians, as well as French, English, Germans, +Swedes, and Russians, could resort with equal facility as to a perpetual +mart for all the commodities exchanged between the Old and the New +World.[1] + +A few years before the commencement of the religious wars which proved so +disastrous to the country, Antwerp was in a most flourishing condition. +Thousands of ships of every form and size covered its broad river like a +forest of masts, whose many-colored flags indicated the presence of +traders from all the commercial nations of the globe. + +Portuguese gallions carried thither the gems and spices of the East; +Spanish gallions the gold and silver of America; Italian vessels were +laden with the delicate fruits and rich stuffs of the Southern countries; +German vessels with grains and metals; and all returned to their own +countries heavily freighted with other merchandise, and made way for the +ships which were continually arriving, and which, according to +contemporary chronicles, were often obliged to wait six weeks before they +succeeded in approaching the wharf.[2] + +Small craft, such as _hers_, ascended the Scheldt, and even ventured out +to sea in order to trade with the neighboring people. Transportation into +the interior of the country was effected by means of very strong wagons, +several hundred of which daily left Antwerp. The heavy vehicles which +conveyed merchandise through Cologne to the heart of Germany were called +_Hessenwagens_.[3] + +This extraordinary activity induced many foreigners to establish +themselves in a city where gold was so abundant, and where every one might +reasonably hope for large profits. + +At the period of which we speak, Antwerp counted among its inhabitants +nearly a thousand merchants from other countries, each of whom had his own +attendants; one chronicle estimates, perhaps with some exaggeration, the +number of strangers engaged in commerce at five thousand.[4] + +Twice a day these merchants met on Change, not only for purposes of trade +and for information of the arrival of ships, but principally for banking +operations. + +To convey an idea of the amount of wealth at the disposal of the houses of +Antwerp, it suffices to say that the king of Portugal obtained in one day +in this city a loan of three millions of gold crowns, and Queen Mary of +England contracted a debt of seventy millions of francs. + +One merchant, called the rich Fugger, left at his death legacies amounting +to nearly six millions of gold crowns, a sum which for that period would +seem fabulous, if the fact were not established by indisputable documents. + +This wealth and the presence of so many nations vying with each other had +carried luxury to such a height that magistrates were frequently obliged +to publish edicts, in order to restrain the lavish expenditure. This was +not done on account of the foreign inhabitants of the place, but for the +advantage of many noble families and the people of the middle classes, who +were tempted by the example of others to a display of magnificence which +might have seriously injured their fortunes. + +The greater part of the Italian merchants from Lucca, Genoa, Florence, and +other cities beyond the Alps, were noblemen, and from this circumstance +they were thrown into intimate intercourse with the noble families of +Antwerp, all of whom spoke fluently three or four languages, and who +particularly studied to speak with purity and elegance the soft Italian +idiom.[5] + +In the _Hipdorp_, not far from the Church of St. James, stood an elegant +mansion, which was the favorite resort of the elite of the Italian +merchants. It was the residence of William Van de Werve, lord of Schilde. + +Although this nobleman did not himself engage in mercantile transactions, +because the aristocratic families of Brabant regarded commerce as an +occupation unsuitable to persons of high birth,[6] he was very cordial and +hospitable to all strangers whose rank entitled them to admission to his +home circle. Moreover, he was extremely wealthy, luxurious in his manner +of living, and so well versed in three or four different languages, that +he could with ease enter into an agreeable and useful conversation in +either of them. + +The house of Mr. Van de Werve had still other attractions to noble +foreigners. He had a daughter of extraordinary beauty, so lovely, so +modest, notwithstanding the homage offered to her charms, that her +admirers had surnamed her _la bionda maraviglia_, "the wonderful blonde." + +One morning in the year 1550 the beautiful Mary Van de Werve was seated in +her father's house in a richly sculptured arm-chair. The young girl had +apparently just returned from church, as she still held in her hand a +rosary of precious stones, and her hood lay on a chair near her. She +seemed to be engrossed by some pleasing thought which filled her heart +with a sweet anticipation, for a slight smile parted her lips, and her +eyes were upraised to heaven as if imploring a favor from Almighty God. + +Against the wall behind her hung a picture from the pencil of John Van +Eyck, in which the great master had represented the Virgin in prayer, +whilst she was still ignorant of the sublime destiny that awaited her. + +The artist had lavished upon this masterpiece the most ardent inspirations +of his pious and poetic genius, for the image seemed to live and think. It +charmed by the beauty of feature, the majestic calm of expression, the +sweetness of the smile, the look full of love cast from earth to heaven. + +There was a striking resemblance between the creation of the artist and +the young girl seated beneath in almost the same attitude. In truth, the +youthful Mary Van de Werve was as beautiful as the poetical representation +of her patroness. She had the same large blue eyes, whose expression, +although calm and thoughtful, revealed a keen sensibility and a tender, +loving soul; her golden hair fell in ringlets over a brow of marble +whiteness, and no painter had ever traced a cheek of lovelier mould or +more delicate hue; her whole being expressed that calm recollection and +attractive gravity which is the true poetry of the immaterial soul, and +which was comprehended only by the believing artists of the North before +the material inspiration of pagan art had been transmitted to them from +the South. + +Mary Van de Werve was most richly attired; but there was in her dress an +absence of ornament which appeared strange at that period of extreme pomp +and show. A waist of sky-blue velvet encircled her slender form, and a +brocade skirt fell in large folds to her feet. Only on her open sleeves +appeared some gold thread, and the clasp which fastened the chamois-skin +purse suspended from her girdle was encrusted with precious stones. + +All her surroundings betokened her father's opulence: large stained-glass +windows, covered with the armorial bearings of his ancestors, cast their +varied hues upon the inlaid marble floor; tables and chairs of oak, slabs +supporting exquisite statuary from the chisel of the most celebrated +artists, were ranged along the walls; an ivory crucifix surmounted a +silver basin of rare workmanship containing holy water. Even the massive +andirons, which stood in the broad fireplace, were partly of gold and +ornamented with the coat of arms. + +Her prayer was finished, or it might be that her thoughts had taken +another turn; she arose and walked slowly towards the large window which +overlooked the garden. She fixed her eyes upon the beautiful blue sky; her +countenance was bright, as though a sweet hope filled her heart, and a +rosy hue suffused her cheeks. + +An old man at this moment entered the room. Heavy moustaches shaded his +lips, and a long beard fell upon his breast. There was something grave and +severe in his imposing appearance and even in his dress; for although his +doublet was of gold cloth, his whole body was enveloped in a long cloak, +whose dark color was relieved by a lining of white fur. + +"Good morning, Mary," he said, as he approached the young girl. + +"May the blessing of God always be with you, dear father," she replied. +"Come, see how lovely the sky is, and how brightly the sun shines." + +"It is charming weather; we might almost imagine ourselves in the month of +May." + +"It is the eve of May, father." And with a joyous smile she drew her +father to the window, and pointing to the sky, said: "The wind has +changed; it blows from the direction of England." + +"True; since yesterday it has been south-east." + +"So much the better; the ships which have been kept out at sea can ascend +the Scheldt with to-day's or to-morrow's tide." + +"And you hope," said Mr. Van de Werve, shaking his head, "that among these +vessels will be found the _Il Salvatore_, which is to bring the old Signor +Deodati from Lucca?" + +"I have so long implored of heaven this favorable wind," replied the young +girl. "I thank the God of mercy that my prayer has been heard!" + +Mr. Van de Werve was silent; his daughter's words had evidently made a +disagreeable impression upon him. + +She passed her arm caressingly around his neck, and said: + +"Dear father, you are sorrowful; and yet you promised me to await +tranquilly the arrival of Signor Deodati." + +"It is true, my child," he replied; "but, as the time approaches when I +must come to a decision, my soul is filled with anxiety. We are the +descendants of an illustrious family, and our style of living should be so +magnificent as to reflect credit on our rank. The Signor Geronimo, whom +you seem to prefer to all others, lives very economically; he dresses +simply, and abstains from all that kind of expenditure which, being an +evidence of wealth and chivalric generosity, elevates a man in the eyes of +the world. That makes me fear that his uncle is either in moderate +circumstances or very avaricious." + +"But, father, permit me to say that the Signor Deodati of Lucca is very +rich and of high birth," replied the young girl, sadly. "Did not the +banker Marco Riccardi give you satisfactory information on that point?" + +"And should he be miserly, Mary, will he accept the conditions I propose? +I shall demand of him the renunciation of a considerable portion of his +possessions in favor of his nephew Geronimo. Would it not be an insult to +you, which your brothers would avenge, were your hand to be refused from +pecuniary motives? I regret that you have so irrevocably fixed your +affections on the Signor Geronimo, when you might have chosen among a +hundred others richer and of higher estate. The head of the powerful house +of Buonvisi had more claim upon my sympathy and yours." + +"Simon Turchi!" said the young girl, sorrowfully bowing her head. + +"What has this poor Signor Turchi left undone during the past three years +to prove his chivalric love?" replied her father. "Festivals, banquets, +concerts, boating on the Scheldt, nothing has been spared; he has expended +a fortune to please you. At one time you did not dislike him; but ever +since the fatal night when he was attacked by unknown assassins and +wounded in the face, you look upon him with different eyes. Instead of +being grateful to the good Turchi, you comport yourself in such a manner +towards him, that I am induced to believe that you hate him." + +"Hate the Signor Turchi!" exclaimed Mary, as if frightened by the +accusation. "Dear father, do not indulge such a thought." + +"He is a handsome, dignified gentleman, my child." + +"Yes, father; he has long been an intimate friend of the Signor +Geronimo."[7] + +Mr. Van de Werve took his daughter's hand, and said, gently: "Geronimo may +be finer-looking to a woman's eye; but his future depends upon his uncle's +kindness. He is young and inexperienced, and he possesses nothing himself. +The Signor Turchi, on the contrary, is rich and highly esteemed in the +world as partner and administrator of the well-known house of Buonvisi. +Think better of your choice, Mary; satisfy my desires and your brothers': +it is not yet too late." + +Tears filled the eyes of the young girl; she replied, however, with a +sweet resignation: "Father, I am your submissive child. Command, and I +will obey without a murmur, and humbly kiss the venerated hand which +imposes the painful sacrifice. But Geronimo! poor Geronimo!" + +At these words her fortitude forsook her; she covered her face with her +hands, and wept bitterly; her tears fell like bright pearls upon the +marble floor. + +For some moments Mr. Van de Werve contemplated his daughter with +ever-increasing pity; then overcome by the sight of her grief, he took her +hand, and tenderly pressing it, he said to her: "Cheer up, my dear Mary, +do not weep. We will see what answer the Signor Deodati will return to the +conditions I will propose to him. Geronimo is of noble birth; if his uncle +will consent to bestow upon him a suitable fortune, your desires shall be +fulfilled." + +"But, dear father," said the still weeping girl, "that depends upon the +magnitude of your demands. If you ask impossibilities of the Signor +Deodati--" + +"No, no, have no anxiety," said Mr. Van de Werve, interrupting her. "I +will endeavor to fulfil my duty as a father, and at the same time to spare +you any future sorrow. Are you satisfied now?" + +Mary silently embraced her father, and her eyes expressed such gratitude +that Mr. Van de Werve was deeply moved, and said, tenderly: + +"Who could refuse you anything? Age, experience, prudence, all yield +before one glance of your eye. Conceal your emotion; I hear some one +coming." + +A servant opened the door, and announced, "The Signor Geronimo." + +The young nobleman thus introduced was remarkable for his fine form, and +the graceful elegance of his manners and carriage. His complexion was of +that light and clear brown which adds so much to the manly beauty of some +Southern nations. The dark beard and hair, his spirited black eyes, gave a +singular charm to his countenance, while his calm and sweet smile +indicated goodness of heart. + +Although upon his entrance he strove to appear cheerful, Mary's eye +detected a concealed sadness. + +The dress of Geronimo was simple in comparison with the rich attire of the +other Italian nobles, his compatriots. He wore a felt hat ornamented with +a long plume, a Spanish cloak, a cloth doublet lined with fur, violet +satin breeches, and gray boots. His modest attire was relieved only by the +sword which hung at his side; for the hilt glittered with precious stones, +and the armorial bearings engraved upon it proved him to be of noble +birth. + +"Che la pace sia in quelle casa!" (May peace be in this house!) he said, +as he entered the hall. + +He bowed profoundly to Mr. Van de Werve, and saluted him most +respectfully; but the traces of tears which he perceived on Mary's face so +startled him that he interrupted his ceremonious greetings, and fixed his +eyes inquiringly upon her. She had been weeping, and yet she smiled +joyously. + +"Mary is naturally very susceptible, Signor Geronimo," said Mr. Van de +Werve. "I was speaking to her of her beloved mother, and she wept. You +appear, and she smiles as though she knew no sorrow." + +The young girl did not await the conclusion of this explanation; before +her father had finished speaking, she led her lover to the window, pointed +to the weathercock, and said: "Look, Geronimo, the wind is from the west." + +"I noticed it last night," replied the young man, with an involuntary +sigh. + +"Rejoice then, for to-day your uncle may be in sight of the city." + +"I do not think so; however, it is possible," said the young man, sadly. + +"How coldly you speak, Geronimo!" exclaimed the young girl, in surprise; +"what cloud obscures your soul?" + +"I myself notice something extraordinary in your manner, signor," remarked +the father. "You seem dejected; have you received bad news of your uncle?" + +Geronimo hesitated for an answer; then, as though endeavoring to drive +away unpleasant thoughts, he said, in a faltering voice: "No, no, it is +not that. I witnessed just now near the Dominican Convent something which +touched me deeply, and I have not yet recovered from the shock. Have you +not heard of a Florentine merchant named Massimo Barberi?" + +"Is he noble?" asked Mary. "I do not remember him." + +"No, a commoner, but a man highly esteemed." + +"I know him well," said Mr. Van de Werve. "I met him lately in company +with Lopez de Galle, for whom he had attended to some financial affairs. +What have you to tell us concerning him?" + +"Something terrible, Mr. Van de Werve. I saw the corpse of poor Barberi +taken out of a sewer; he had two dagger-wounds in his throat. He was +undoubtedly attacked and slain last night." + +"It is had to see so many murders committed in Antwerp," said Mr. Van de +Werve. "This is the fourth during the past month. The victims each time +have been either Spaniards or Italians, and that vengeance or jealousy was +the cause is sufficiently proved by the fact that in no case have the +bodies been despoiled of their money or jewels. This custom of lying in +wait, attacking and killing each other, often without cause, is an outrage +both against God and man. And do you not yourself sometimes fear, Signor +Geronimo, the assassin's dagger?" + +The young man shook his head. + +"For instance," continued Mary's father, "this is the eve of May, I need +not ask if you intend to offer to Mary the homage of a serenade. It is the +custom of your countrymen to pay this attention to young girls, and you +would not omit this opportunity were it not for the advice of a man of +experience. Geronimo, listen to the words of calm reason: do not rashly +expose yourself to the danger of death; abandon your design this time. +Many of your compatriots have aspired to Mary's hand; they have been less +successful than you, and on this account they may harbor unkind feelings +towards you." + +The young man received this advice with a smile which indicated its +refusal. + +"It is difficult, sir, to speak of such things in the presence of the one +who is to be the object of our homage. Permit me, however, the liberty to +decide upon the manner in which I will acquit myself of my duty to this +young lady." + +"But permit me, signor, to tell you," said the old man, in an offended +tone, "that it does you no honor to reject the advice of a man of +experience, in order to carry out an unimportant fancy. Rashness does not +indicate courage, but rather an absence of good sense." + +"Father," exclaimed Mary, in a supplicating tone, "be not angry with +Signor Geronimo; he will incur no danger." + +"Foolish confidence!" said the old man. "Why should Geronimo think himself +less exposed to danger than others? That Geronimo should be rash is +excusable; but, Mary, you deserve a severe reprimand for encouraging your +friend in his perilous design." + +The young girl bowed her head at this reproof of her father, and murmured +as if to excuse herself: "Geronimo has a relic, father." + +This revelation embarrassed the young man, and he glanced reproachfully at +Mary. + +She said, caressingly: + +"Don't be displeased, Geronimo; show the relic to my father, and he will +then know why you do not fear that any accident will happen to you." + +The young man felt that he could not refuse Mary's request. He drew from +under his doublet an object suspended on a steel chain, and, approaching +Mr. Van de Werve, he placed it in his hand. + +It was a flat medal of greenish copper, on which were engraven unknown +letters and signs. A cross between two bent sabres, and beneath them a +crescent, filled up the centre of the medal. At the foot of the cross was +a gray stone, rudely inlaid. The whole was rough and heavy. + +Mr. Van de Werve examined this medal attentively for some time; he turned +it over and over, as though he sought to comprehend the signification of +this singular emblem. + +"A relic!" he murmured. "Here are two cimeters, a crescent, and cabalistic +characters. It is a Mohammedan talisman, and, perhaps, an emblem shocking +to our holy religion!" + +"You are certainly mistaken, sir," replied Geronimo. + +"Is not the cross placed above the crescent, and would not that signify +that the faith of Christ has triumphed over the doctrines of Mahomet?" + +"But why do you call it a relic?" + +"Mary so named it, not I. It is an amulet, and if it has any power, it +derives it from the gray stone beneath the cross. This stone is a +_draconite_, taken, at the risk of life, from the head of a dragon in the +country of the negroes." + +A half contemptuous smile curled the lips of the old man as he +contemplated the talisman in silence. At last he said: "I remember, Signor +Geronimo, to have read in Pliny curious details of the draconite and its +extraordinary powers, but I also remember that the great naturalist +forgets to tell us the inherent qualities of the stone. Alas! signor, +would you trust in this talisman, and believe that it could protect you +against the dagger of the assassin? The people of the South have a strange +piety: in their superstition they confound what is holy with things which +owe their efficacy, if they possess any, to the conjurations of +sorcerers." + +The young noble colored slightly, and replied: "You are mistaken, sir, as +far as I am concerned. For my justification allow me to tell you that this +amulet belonged to a pilgrim; that it rested one entire night of Good +Friday upon the tomb of our Lord at Jerusalem; but I will be candid, and +say to you that I do not consider it possessed of the power to preserve me +from danger. And yet I always wear it with the firm and unshaken +conviction that it will protect me in a critical hour from some +misfortune." + +"Perhaps it belonged to your deceased parents," said Mr. Van de Werve, +struck by the singular explanation of the young man. + +"No, sir," replied Geronimo; "this amulet is to me a cherished souvenir of +a day upon which God gave me the grace to perform a good action. I would +willingly tell you how the amulet fell into my hands, and why I believe in +its power to protect me, but it is a long story." + +"I would, nevertheless, be much pleased if you would satisfy my +curiosity," said the old noble. + +"If you desire it," replied Geronimo, "I will comply with your wishes. + +"You know that five years ago, when I undertook for the first time the +voyage from Lucca to Antwerp, I was made prisoner by Algerian pirates, and +carried as a slave to Barbary. I was sold to a Moorish lord, who made me +work in the fields until my uncle should send the ransom which would +restore me to liberty. In the same field in which some light work was +appointed me, I saw an old blind woman attached like a mule to a plough, +and driven on by blows from a heavy stick. She was a Christian slave, +whose eyes had been put out in wanton cruelty. I learned that she was an +Italian by birth, a native of a small village in the environs of Porto +Fiero, a seaport not far from Genoa. She had no relatives who could pay +her ransom, and she had consequently been fastened to the plough like a +beast of burden until death should come to deliver her. The frightful fate +of this miserable slave so filled me with compassion, that I shed tears of +grief and rage when I heard afar off her piercing cries as the rod of the +overseer descended upon her. One day my indignation was so roused, when +the pagan wretches had knocked her down and were treating her even more +cruelly than usual, that I dared to defend her by force. Had not my master +expected a large sum for my ransom, a frightful death would have been the +punishment of my audacity. After being kept a few days in prison and +harshly treated, I was sent back to the fields to work as before. The +condition of the blind slave was not in the least changed; she was still +inhumanly beaten. Her misfortunes pierced my heart, and I was maddened by +my inability to protect from pagan cruelty a woman who was my sister by +our common faith and a common misfortune. No longer venturing to have +recourse to force, I sought other means to mitigate her sufferings. During +the few hours of repose granted to us, or rather to our overseers, I +hastened to the blind woman and shared with her the best of my food; I +strove to fortify her by the hope that God would liberate her from this +terrible slavery; I told her, that should I ever become free, I would +procure her liberation, even were it necessary to renounce for years my +own pleasures that I might amass sufficient for her ransom. I spoke to her +of our country, of the goodness of God, and of the probability of my +liberation. The poor blind woman kissed my hands, and called me an angel +sent by God to illumine the darkness of her life by the sweet rays of +consolation and piety. I was only a few months her fellow-slave. My uncle, +learning my captivity through messengers I had employed, sent to Algiers +an armed vessel to liberate me. Besides the amount of my ransom, he sent +me means to transport some valuable merchandise from Barbary to Italy. +When I took leave of the blind woman, I was so deeply touched by her +sorrow, that I pondered upon the means of restoring her to liberty. It is +true that in order to effect this, I would be obliged to employ a large +portion of the money sent me by my uncle for the purchase of merchandise, +and I was convinced that my uncle, who was inflexible in exacting fidelity +to commercial regulations, would overwhelm me with his anger, but my heart +gained the ascendency over my reason, and Christian charity triumphed. +Listening only to my compassion, I ransomed the unfortunate woman, and +with my own hands I unbound her chains. That was the happiest moment of my +life." + +Mary and her father were both touched by the recital of the young man. + +"Oh, Geronimo," exclaimed Mary, "may God bless you for having been so +compassionate to the poor Christian slave!" + +"You did well, Geronimo," said Mr. Van de Werve, "and I esteem and love +you more for your generosity to the unfortunate blind woman. How happy her +unexpected liberation must have made her!" + +"When I told her she was free, and that she could accompany me to her +native land, she was almost wild with joy; she laughed and wept by turns; +she cast herself upon the ground, and raising her hands to heaven, thanked +God; she embraced my knees and watered my feet with her tears. Not knowing +how to testify her gratitude, she drew this strange amulet from her bosom +and presented it to me, conjuring me to wear it always. She told me that +it possessed the power of protecting and saving the one who carried it on +his person, when all human aid failed or was insufficient. As to the +origin of the amulet, she only knew that it had been brought back from +Jerusalem by one of her ancestors, who had made a pilgrimage thither in +expiation of an involuntary homicide, and from that time it had been, +religiously guarded in their family as a precious relic. She had no doubt +of its power, and related many strange things to justify her faith. She +maintained that she owed to the amulet her unexpected return to Italy." + +"Does she still live?" asked Mary. + +"When in sight of Italy, I put her on board of a boat bound to Porto +Fiero; I gave her a small sum of money, and begged the boatman to attend +to her comforts. Poor Teresa Mostajo--that is her name--I doubt not, is +living peacefully in her native village, and prays much for me. This is +the only reason why I attribute any virtue to the amulet; I believe in the +protection of this sign because it has been sanctified by an act of +Christian charity, and by the grateful prayers of the poor blind woman +tormented by the pagans for the name of Christ." + +The old cavalier remained a moment silent, absorbed in thought. Then +taking the hand of the young man, he said to him: "I did not know you +before, Geronimo. I hope it may be in my power to prove to you how much +your generosity ennobles you and elevates you in my esteem; but although +your confidence in the amulet rests on so laudable a sentiment, I would +not rely too much upon it. You know the proverb says: 'Help yourself, and +Heaven will help you.'" + +"Do not suppose, Mr. Van de Werve, that on that account I would be guilty +of any foolish imprudence. I know that the eye and sword are good +sentinels. When I pass through the streets at night, I am always well +accompanied, and my hand never leaves the hilt of my sword. Therefore have +no anxiety on this point, and permit me to perform my duty to her to whom +I owe homage and respect." + +At that moment the painted--glass windows trembled under the stroke of a +large clock from some neighboring belfry. This suddenly turned Mary's +thoughts into another channel. + +"The clock of St. James is striking ten," she said. + +"Father, will you walk with me to the dock-yard to see if any new ships +have arrived?" + +"What is the hour of high tide?" her father asked Geronimo. + +"At noon," he replied. + +"Why need we go so soon to the dock-yard?" asked the old cavalier. "Many +days may yet pass before the _Il Salvatore_ appears in the Scheldt. Do not +fear, Mary, that the Signor Deodati will take us by surprise. Don Pezoa, +the agent of the king of Portugal, has given orders that I shall be +notified as soon as the galley we are awaiting is signaled in the river, +at noon." + +He was interrupted by the entrance of a servant, who announced that the +Chevalier John Van Schoonhoven,[8] the bailiff, desired to speak with him. + +Geronimo was about to withdraw, but Mr. Van de Werve said to him, +cordially: + +"Remain, signor; I will send Petronilla, Mary's duenna as a companion for +her; the interview with the Chevalier Schoonhoven may not detain me long. +We will afterwards go to the dock-yard, and we will at least enjoy the +fine weather. Stay, I beg you." + +Hardly had he left the hall when an old woman entered, and seated herself +near the door. She drew a chaplet from her pocket, and commenced praying +in a low voice. This was apparently an habitual act with her, for neither +the young girl nor the young man took the least notice of the duenna. + +Mary approached her lover, and said, gaily: "Rejoice, Geronimo! My father +has just promised not to propose very heavy conditions to your uncle." + +"I am most grateful for his kindness," said the young man, sadly. + +"What can be the matter?" asked Mary, surprised by his indifference. "I +noticed you were depressed when you first came. Be more hopeful; perhaps +the _Il Salvatore_ will ascend the Scheldt to-day." + +"God grant it may not arrive!" said Geronimo, heaving a deep sigh. + +"Do you then fear your uncle's arrival?" exclaimed Mary, in an agitated +voice. + +"Do not speak so loud, Mary; your duenna must not hear what I am about to +communicate to you. Yes; since yesterday morning I have dreaded my uncle's +arrival. Previously I implored it of Heaven as the choicest blessing, and +now the thought of it makes me tremble." + +"Have you then heard from your uncle?" + +"Alas! my friend, at the very moment when all seemed the brightest, when I +was thanking God for a happiness which I thought already mine, a dark +cloud comes to overshadow my life. I seem even now to hear my uncle's +voice pronouncing the cruel sentence which condemns me to a life-long +sorrow." + +The young girl turned deadly pale, and anxiously awaited an explanation +of the mystery. + +"My beloved Mary," he whispered, "it is a secret which I can only confide +to you in part, and which in strict honor I should perhaps conceal +entirely. Four weeks ago a merchant, highly esteemed, was left by a +curious train of circumstances without funds, and he begged me to lend him +ten thousand crowns. Should I refuse his request, the credit of his house +would be irretrievably ruined. His name I considered sufficient security +for ten times the amount he wished to borrow. At all events, although it +pained me to disobey my uncle's positive injunctions, I could not deny the +assistance which was asked of me. I lent the ten thousand crowns, and +obtained a receipt with a written promise of payment in one month. +Yesterday the note fell due; my debtor asks a delay until to-morrow. I met +him an hour ago, and he has not yet obtained the money." + +"But if your debtor is rich and powerful, you need not indulge your fears +to-day; to-morrow, perhaps, he will fulfil his promise," remarked the +young girl, with ill-concealed anxiety. + +"My fears may mislead me, Mary, but I am sure that my debtor's affairs are +in a very bad condition. At his urgent entreaty I made no entry of the +loan upon the books, in order to conceal the transaction from the clerks; +but still I have not the amount in hand. O Mary! my uncle has an eagle eye +in business affairs; he will at once discover the deficit of ten thousand +crowns--a deficit resulting from my lending money: a thing he has always +warned me against, and which, even recently, he strictly forbade. My uncle +is a good father to me, but this act of disobedience is sufficient to +deprive me forever of his favor. I foresee many future evils." + +"Why were you so imprudent, Geronimo? You ought to have refused so large a +loan." + +"I could not possibly refuse, Mary." + +"But you hold an acknowledgment of the debt and a promise of payment. +Summon this merchant before the magistrates; at Antwerp justice is +promptly and impartially dealt to all." + +"Impossible!" replied the young man, in a plaintive voice; "my debtor is a +man to whom I owe many obligations; a complaint from me would be the cause +of irreparable ruin to him. Let us hope that he will succeed in procuring +the ten thousand crowns. He told me even this morning that he would +endeavor to give me bills of exchange on Spain." + +"But of whom are you speaking?" said Mary; "your language is so +mysterious." + +"I will not tell his name. Be not offended by my reserve; there is between +merchants a law of secrecy which honor forbids us to violate." + +Mary appeared to respect this law; but she was evidently absorbed in +bitter reflections. + +Either the communication of his difficulties to his beloved had given him +new strength, or the sight of her sorrow made him affect a confidence he +did not feel, for he said to her in a cheerful manner: + +"Come, Mary, you must not yield to discouragement. Perhaps I exaggerate +the danger. My debtor is a member of a house which equals any other in +consideration and wealth. In a few days, to-day even, or to-morrow, he may +acquit himself of the debt, and should my uncle arrive before the +restitution, I will endeavor to delay his examination of the books." + +He took the young girl's hand, and exclaimed, with joyous enthusiasm: "O +Mary, my beloved, may Heaven be propitious to our vows! May the +benediction of the priest descend upon our union! We will pass in Italy +the first months of our happy life; Italy--that earthly paradise where God +has lavished all the treasures of nature, and man all the treasures of +art." + +They heard Mr. Van de Werve's voice in the hall giving urgent orders to +the servants. + +"Mary," said Geronimo, "your father is coming. I implore you not to +divulge, in any manner, what I have told you. Keep my secret even from +your father; remember that the least indiscretion might cause the ruin of +an honorable merchant." + +"Make haste, Geronimo; Mary, prepare for a drive," exclaimed Mr. Van de +Werve, as he entered the hall. "Signor Deodati has arrived; the _Il +Salvatore_ is in sight. Don Pezoa has just sent me information to that +effect, and he has placed his gondola and boatmen at our service. The +weather is beautiful and calm; we will go to meet the _Il Salvatore_." + +Mary, as though forgetting in this unexpected news all that Geronimo had +told her, ran joyfully and put on her hood before her duenna had time to +approach her. Geronimo also looked happy, and prepared to meet his uncle +without loss of time. + +In a few minutes all was ready; the horses were harnessed to the carriage, +the great gate was flung open, and the equipage was driven rapidly through +the street. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +SIGNOR DEODATI. + + +On that day the Scheldt presented at Antwerp a striking spectacle. Many +ships which had been detained in the North Sea by the east wind were +approaching the city, with their various colored flags floating on the +breeze, while, far as the eye could reach, the broad expanse of water was +covered with sails, and still, in the dim horizon, mast after mast seemed +to arise from the waves as harbingers of an immense flotilla. + +The sailors displayed gigantic strength in casting anchor and manoeuvring +their vessels so as to obtain an advantageous position. The crews of the +different ships vied with each other, and exerted themselves so +energetically that the heavily laden crafts trembled under the strained +cables. From each arose a song wild and harsh as the sharp creaking of the +capstan, but joyous as the triumphant shout of a victorious army. These +chants, sung in every tongue of the commercial world by robust sailors, +seemed, as they were wafted over the river to the city, like the long, +loud acclamations of a vast multitude. + +The only sounds which could be heard in the midst of these confused cries +were the voices of the captains speaking through the trumpets; and when a +Portuguese gallion, coming from the West Indies, appeared before the city, +a salvo of cannon rose like the rolling of thunder above all other sounds. + +The sun shone brightly upon this animated scene of human activity, and +broke and sparkled in colored light up in the rippling waves of the broad +river. + +Hundreds of flags floated in the air; gondolas and longboats furrowed the +waters; from boat and wharf joyous greetings of friends mingled with the +song of the sailors. Even the wagoners from beyond the Rhine, who had +ranged their strongly-built wagons near the cemetery of Burg, in order to +load them with spices for Cologne, could not resist the influence of the +beautiful May-day and the general hilarity; they collected near the gate +of the dock-yard, and entoned in their German tongue a song so harmonious +and sweet, and yet so manly, that every other sound in their vicinity was +hushed. + +At this moment an elegant vehicle passed the gate of the dock-yard, and +stopped near the German wagoners as the last strain of their song died +upon the air. + +A young man, and after him an old man and a young girl richly attired, +alighted from the carriage. + +Those immediately around, merchants as well as workmen, stepped +respectfully aside and saluted Mr. Van de Werve, whilst glancing +admiringly at his daughter. Some Italians of lower rank murmured loud +enough to reach Mary's ears: "_Ecco la bionda maraviglia_." + +Mr. Van de Werve ordered his people to await him at the gate of the +dock-yard, and passed on, saluting those whom he met, to the place where +the Portuguese flag indicated the gondola of Lopez de Galle, which was +prepared to receive him. They threw a carpet across the plank upon which +Mary was to step in passing into the gondola. Mary, her father, and +Geronimo entered the boat; the six oars dipped simultaneously into the +water, and, pushed by the strong arms of the Portuguese sailors, the +gondola sped rapidly through the waves. Swift as a fish and light as a +swan, it skimmed the surface of the Scheldt, and made many a turn through +the numerous vessels until it had succeeded in finding an open way down +the river. Then the sailors exerted all their strength, as if to show the +beautiful young girl what they were capable of in their trade. The +gondola, obeying the impulse given it by the oarsmen, bounded forward +under each stroke of the oars, and gracefully poised itself on the waves +caused by its rapid passage. + +Complete silence reigned in the gondola; the sailors looked with timid +admiration upon the beautiful countenance of the young girl. Mary, with +downcast eyes, was persuading herself that Geronimo's uncle would +undoubtedly consent to their union. The young man was absorbed in thought, +and yielded by turns to joy, hope, and fear. Mr. Van de Werve contemplated +the city, and seemed to enjoy the magnificent spectacle presented by +Antwerp when seen at a distance, and which, with its lofty towers and +splendid edifices, rose from the river like another Venice. + +Suddenly Geronimo rose and pointed in the distance, exclaiming, joyously, +"See, the _Il Salvatore!_" + +Mary, glancing around, eagerly asked: "Where? Is it the vessel bearing a +red cross on its flag?" + +"No, Mary, it is behind the ships of war; it is that large vessel with +three masts--on its flag is a picture of the Saviour: _Il Salvatore_." + +While the gondola rapidly sped on its way, the eyes of all were fixed upon +the galley, in order, if possible, to distinguish the features of those +who stood on deck. + +Suddenly Geronimo clapped his hands, exclaiming, "God be praised! I see my +uncle." + +"Which is he?" inquired Mr. Van de Werve. + +The young man replied, joyously: "Do you not see standing on the +forecastle five or six passengers who wear parti-colored dresses, with +plumed hats? In the midst of them is a man of lofty stature, completely +enveloped in a brown cloak. He has long white hair, and his silvery beard +looks like snow-flakes resting on his dark mantle. That is my old uncle, +Signor Deodati." + +"What a superb-looking old man!" exclaimed Mary, in admiration. + +"In truth," said Mr. Van de Werve, "as well as I can judge at this +distance, his appearance is very striking." + +"My uncle inspires respect wherever he goes," said the young man, +enthusiastically. "His sixty-five years appear on his brow as an aureola +of experience and wisdom; he is learned, good, and generous." + +And waving his hat, he cried out: "Ah, he recognizes us! He salutes us; he +smiles. At last I see him after four years of separation. My God, I thank +thee for having protected him!" + +The young man's joy was so great that Mary and her father were also moved. + +"So lively an affection for your uncle does you credit, Geronimo," said +Mr. Van de Werve. "God loves a grateful heart; may He grant you to-day the +desires of your heart!" + +But the young man did not hear these words of encouragement; standing in +the gondola, he waved to his uncle as if endeavoring to express to him by +signs his joy at seeing him. + +The gondola approached the galley, which slowly ascended the Scheldt in a +favorable wind and with a rising tide. + +The light boat soon gained the large ship. Before the ladder was lowered, +Geronimo caught the cable of the galley, and ere Mary had recovered from +her terror, he had reached the deck and was in his uncle's arms. + +Mr. Van de Werve mounted the ladder cautiously, and approached Signor +Deodati, with whom he exchanged the most cordial salutations. + +Mary remained in the gondola; she saw Geronimo embrace his uncle +repeatedly; she rejoiced to perceive that the eyes of the old man were +filled with tears of emotion. She was still more happy when she saw the +affability with which her father and Geronimo's uncle conversed together, +as though they were old friends. + +Very soon the Signor Deodati descended into the gondola to accompany Mr. +Van de Werve and Geronimo to the city. + +The Flemish cavalier introduced his daughter to the Italian noble. + +The old man gazed upon the ravishing beauty of the young girl in +speechless admiration. Mary's lovely features were illumined by an +enchanting smile which moved the old man's heart; her large blue eyes were +fixed upon him with so soft and supplicating an expression that the Signor +Deodati, extending his hand, murmured: "_E la graziosa donzella!_" (The +beautiful girl!) + +But Mary, encouraged by his look of affection, and unconsciously urged by +a mysterious instinct, extended both hands to the old man, who folded her +in his arms and pressed her to his heart. + +Geronimo, overjoyed at the reception given to Mary by his uncle, turned +aside to conceal his emotion. + +"_Iddio vi dia pace in nostra patria!_ May God grant you peace in our +country, Signor Deodati!" said Mary, taking the old man's hand. "Come sit +by me; I am so happy to know you. Do not think me bold; Geronimo has +spoken so much of you, that I have long respected and loved you. And then, +in our Netherlands we always welcome a stranger as a brother." + +Signor Deodati seated himself by her as she desired, and as the gondola +returned to the city, the old man said, in surprise: "But you speak +Italian like a native of Lucca. How soft and musical my native tongue +sounds from your lips!" + +"There is my teacher," said Mary, pointing to Geronimo. + +"That is not true, my uncle. Her modesty causes her to mislead you. Miss +Van de Werve speaks equally well both Spanish and French, nor is she +ignorant of Latin." + +"Can that be so?" asked the elder Deodati, with an incredulous smile. + +"That is nothing extraordinary in our city of Antwerp," said Mr. Van de +Werve. "Most ladies of noble birth, and even merchants' daughters, speak +two or three foreign languages. It is a necessity rather than a pleasure +for us; for since the people of the South will not or can not learn our +tongue, we are obliged to become familiar with theirs." + +The Signor Deodati, as though a new and sudden thought possessed his mind, +seized his nephew's hand, and fixing his eyes affectionately upon him, +said in a calm tone: "I am pleased with you, Geronimo. Young as you are, +you have conducted prudently the affairs of a large commercial house; you +have acted as an experienced man; in order to please me, you have denied +yourself pleasures which are so seductive to youth. Taking the place of +your father, I have kept a vigilant eye upon you, and it gladdens my old +heart to know that I have in my successor a virtuous cavalier and a +prudent merchant. I know your desires, my son. Be not disturbed, but +hopeful. I undertook a long voyage only to recompense you, if possible, +for your gratitude." + +He arose, and said to Mary: "I am loath to leave you, my dear young lady; +but I have a few words to say privately to your father. You will excuse me +more readily, as I yield my place to Geronimo." + +Saying this, he walked with Mr. Van de Werve to the extremity of the boat, +where both seated themselves upon a bench. + +Trembling with fear, hope, and joyous anticipations, Mary and Geronimo +watched the two parents, endeavoring to divine from the expression of +their countenances the result of their conversation. At first both were +perfectly calm; by degrees they grew more excited; the derisive smile on +the lips of Mr. Van de Werve betrayed the bitterness of his feelings, as +the Signor Deodati in a decided manner counted on his fingers. They were +discussing the great affair--the dowry and inheritance. Their only thought +was money! + +Geronimo turned pale as he saw his uncle shake his head with evident +dissatisfaction; and Mary trembled as she noticed the displeased +expression of her father. + +The private conversation lasted a long time, and still took no favorable +turn; on the contrary, the two old men ceased speaking, as though +displeased with each other. + +Signor Deodati addressed a question to Mr. Van de Werve, to which the +latter replied negatively. + +Both then arose, and approaching Geronimo and Mary, sat down in silence. +Their countenances betrayed vexation and mutual displeasure. + +The young man, with tearful eyes, looked inquiringly at his uncle. Mary +bowed her head, but her heaving bosom gave evidence of the struggle of her +heart. + +For some time there was a painful silence in the gondola. Mr. Van de +Werve contemplated his daughter, who seemed overwhelmed by sorrow. Signor +Deodati was deeply moved by Geronimo's earnest gaze. + +The Italian noble was the first to break silence. "Come, sir," he said, +"let us make these young people happy." + +"With all my heart, signor; but what will you do? My daughter is descended +from an illustrious house; she must live in the world in a manner to do +honor to her birth; as her father, I have duties to fulfil which I cannot +disregard." + +"Poor Geronimo!" said the Signor Deodati, in a tone of compassion, and +with a deep sigh. "You would accuse me of cruelty, would you not? and this +lovely young girl would hate the old man for his insensibility. It was not +for that I crossed the seas in my old age." + +He reflected a few minutes, then extending his hand to Mr. Van de Werve, +he said: "My lord, I wish to show my good-will. I accept entirely your +conditions, and in recompense for my sacrifices I ask only your +friendship. Shall our children then be happy?" + +Mr. Van de Werve grasped cordially the hand which was extended to him, and +said to his daughter: "Mary, embrace this good gentleman; he will be your +second father." + +Mary cast herself into the arms of the old man; a cry of joy escaped the +lips of Geronimo; even the sailors, although they comprehended but little +of what they saw, were touched. + +Whilst they were yet exchanging felicitations, the gondola swept around +the point of land which had concealed the city from view, and Antwerp, +with its thousand vessels, its lofty spires and noble edifices, lay spread +out in all its majestic beauty before the eyes of Signor Deodati. + +A cry of admiration burst from his lips. + +"_O che bella citta!_ What a beautiful city!" he exclaimed. + +"What is that magnificent tower, which like sculptured lace lifts its +beautiful spire proudly to heaven, and like a giant looks down upon all +others? What are those singular buildings whose rounded cupolas and +pointed roofs so far exceed in height the surrounding houses? Oh! let the +gondola float with the current; your city enchants me, and I wish to enjoy +the view for a few moments." + +Mr. Van de Werve gratified the curiosity of the Italian gentleman by +pointing out to him the most remarkable buildings of the city, saying: +"Before you now is the new city constructed at his own expense by +Gillibert de Schoonbeke--a man to whom Antwerp owes its later increase and +the creation of countless streets and houses.[9] Those large and massive +towers, in which you may notice loopholes, and which stand immediately +upon the Scheldt, were the ancient fortifications of the city. That small, +graceful spire is the Convent of Faucon; it is called here, Our Lady of +Valkenbroek. Yonder, near the river, is the church of Borgt, the oldest +temple of our city; for in 642 a wooden chapel stood on the spot, and in +1249 it was consecrated as a parish church, just as it now is.[10] That +lofty edifice at the foot of the gigantic tower of Notre Dame is the +entrepot of Spain. Every nation has its own manufactories and magazines, +where every one may claim the protection of his flag. The massive, +unfinished tower belongs to the church of Saint James; the original plan +was to elevate it above the spire of Notre Dame, but the work has been +long discontinued for want of funds. Do you see, a little further on, that +square building surmounted by a dome? It is the palace of Fugger, the +Croesus of our times: he was elevated to the nobility by Maximilian on +account of his wealth. Furnishing money to kings and nations, he sees gold +daily pouring into his coffers, and if God does not interfere, the royal +power will bow before that of the opulent banker. On the right you have +the church of Saint Andrew, and near it the convent of Saint Michael, +where our Emperor Charles stays when he visits his good city of +Antwerp."[11] + +While the gondola was skimming over the surface of the water, and Mr. Van +de Werve was explaining to Signor Deodati the various edifices which were +worthy of remark, there stood upon the shore, at a corner of the +dock-yard, a man who coolly followed the boat with his eyes, and who +endeavored to comprehend what was passing in the gondola, and to discover +what might be the emotions of the young man and the young girl who were +seated within it. + +Notwithstanding the fine weather, the man was enveloped in an ample cloak, +and wore a hat with broad brim, over which fell a purple plume. His +doublet was of gold cloth, and his breeches were of brown satin. At his +side glittered the jewelled hilt of a sword. + +He was of lofty stature, and his whole bearing indicated noble birth; his +style of dress and black hair and eyes attested his Italian origin. The +most remarkable thing about his person was a long narrow scar across his +face, as though he had been wounded by a sharp blade. The mark was not +disfiguring, particularly when his features were in repose; but when he +was agitated by some violent passion or uncontrollable emotion, the edges +of the scar assumed different hues, and appeared of a dull white mixed +with red and purple. + +At the moment of which we speak his eyes were fixed upon the gondola with +an expression of irritated jealousy, and his lips were strongly +contracted. The color of the scar had changed with his increasing emotion, +and it was of a deep red. He stood so near the water that his feet touched +it, and thus he prevented any one from passing before him and witnessing +the tumult of his soul. + +Even the peculiar expression of his countenance did not betray the current +of his thoughts; but certainly he was preoccupied by no good design, for +his whole demeanor bespoke a wild despair and burning jealousy. + +For some time he watched in the same attitude the course of the gondola, +which drifted with the current, until he saw the oarsmen seize their oars, +and he supposed they were about to land. + +Then his whole frame shook convulsively under his efforts to control his +emotion. He became exteriorly calm, the scar on his cheek paled, and in an +unconcerned manner, with a light step and bright smile, he walked along +the wharf to the spot where he supposed the gondola would stop. + +Geronimo, who had seen him approaching, sprung upon the bank before the +boat was moored, and ran to him with singular haste. He took his hand, and +said in an undertone: + +"_Ebbene, caro mio Simone?_ Have you obtained the money, Simon? My uncle +has arrived. Should he discover that the money-vault lacks so considerable +a sum, you and I are both lost. But you have the money, have you not? You +will give it to me to-day?" + +"Pity me, Geronimo," said the other, sighing. "Various fatal circumstances +render all my efforts unavailing." + +"You have not the money?" murmured the young man, despairingly. + +"No; to-morrow, or perhaps day after to-morrow."[12] + +"Good heavens! suppose my uncle reproves me in anger. I implore you, +Simon, to procure the amount. Do not cause my destruction!" + +"Oh!" muttered the other, in a hoarse, altered voice, "were I to be the +cause of any misfortune to you, I would avenge you upon myself in a bloody +manner." + +"No, no," said the young man, in a compassionate tone, "banish these +horrible thoughts. I will wait; I will seek a delay, and endeavor to +divert my uncle's attention for a few days. Alas! I am filled with +anxiety: at the very moment, too, that my uncle has consented to my +marriage with Mary!" + +Simon's face became fearfully contorted. + +"Your uncle has consented?" he said, in a stifled voice. + +"And Mr. Van de Werve?" + +"He agrees to it also. O Simon! pardon me my happiness. I know, my poor +friend, that this news is most painful to you; but did we not loyally +promise each other, that were one of us to succeed in our suit, it should +not break our long-tried friendship?" + +"Fool! God has abandoned me!" muttered the other between his teeth. + +"There is my uncle with Mr. Van de Werve," said Geronimo. + +"Cheer up, Simon; hide your emotion. When I am my own master, I will aid +you in your affairs. In the meantime put your trust in God." + +The man with the scar made a powerful effort to control himself, and +advancing cheerfully to meet Mr. Van de Werve, he said to his companion: + +"My emotion was natural under the circumstances; now that the blow has +fallen, it is all over. Pained as I am, Geronimo, I congratulate you +cordially. If I could only obtain the money, and spare you anything +disagreeable! I will do all in my power." + +Mr. Van de Werve joined them, and after the first salutations said to the +old Deodati: "I am happy to present to you my friend, the Signor Simon +Turchi, who is at the head of the house of the Buonvisi, and who +frequently does me the honor to visit me." + +"Ah! I know him well," said Deodati, cordially taking Simon's hand. "The +signor is from Lucca, and the son of an esteemed friend." + +"You are welcome this side of the Alps, Signor Deodati," replied Simon +Turchi. "My father often spoke of your mutual friendship. May God grant +you prosperity in Brabant!" + +"I am under many obligations to you, signor," replied the old Deodati, +"for the affectionate interest you have shown in my nephew. That my +business affairs have been as well transacted in this country as though I +had been here myself, I am indebted to your experience and wise counsels. +I know from Geronimo's letters that he is sensible of the favor and deeply +grateful for it." + +Simon Turchi was about to disclaim the praise bestowed upon him, but the +carriage drew near, and Mr. Van de Werve said: + +"I hope, signor, that you will honor us with your company this evening. We +will pass together a few hours with our noble guest." + +Simon excused himself, saying that some important commercial affairs +demanded his attention; but as Mary and Geronimo urged him to accept the +invitation, he promised to see them, at least for a short time. + +They bade adieu as the carriage drove out of the gate of the dock-yard. + +Simon Turchi followed it with his eyes, immovable as a statue, until the +sound of the rolling wheels was lost in the distance. Then he convulsively +crossed his arms and dropped his head, as though the certainty of a +terrible misfortune had overwhelmed him. + +He remained a long time plunged in thought; but he was startled from his +reverie by a vehicle which dashed along near him, and by the call of the +driver warning him of his danger. He stepped aside and looked around him, +as though seeking a way of escape from the wharf and the crowd of workmen. +He walked slowly towards the church of Saint Walburga, and around the wall +enclosing the cemetery. He entered, wandered awhile among the tombs, until +reaching an obscure spot, where he was concealed by an angle of the +church, he paused. + +He pressed his brow with his hands, as if to shut out painful thoughts; +the scar on his face frequently changed color, and at intervals his whole +frame shook with emotion. At last, as if his reflections had assumed a +determined form, he muttered: + +"The arm-chair? it is not completed! And then he would be too late. A +dagger, a sword, an assassin lying in wait? If Julio were only more +courageous; but he is a cowardly boaster. Why did I take into my service +such a poltroon? He would not dare run the risk of striking a fatal blow; +but I can force him to it, force him even to be bold. I need but pronounce +his real name; but the murder of a friend is a frightful crime; and then, +perhaps, to be discovered, betrayed--to die on a scaffold like a common +felon--I, the head of the house of the Buonvisi!"[13] + +This thought made him shudder. After a few moments' reflection, he said, +more calmly: "I will go to the bailiff Van Schoonhoven; he has espoused my +cause with Mr. Van de Werve; he will, perhaps, be offended that Mary's +hand has been disposed of contrary to his urgent solicitations. Perhaps he +may have influence to prevent the marriage." + +An ironical smile curled his lip. + +"Fool that I am!" he muttered. "And the ten thousand crowns? and the +disgrace of bankruptcy? Oh, the infernal thought! might I not take from a +corpse the acknowledgment of the debt? I will go to Mr. Van de Werve's; I +must speak with Geronimo; I must know where tins evening he--" + +The words died upon his lips, and a sudden terror shook him from head to +foot. + +He had heard behind him the voice of a man who spoke in a low tone, and +who seemed to be a spy. + +Could he have heard what Simon Turchi had so imprudently spoken in this +solitary corner of the cemetery? + +Turning in his anguish, he saw two persons, three or four steps behind +him, looking at him with a mocking air. + +Under other circumstances the Italian cavalier would certainly have called +the unknown men to account for their insolent curiosity; but fear deprived +him of all courage and energy. + +He dropped his head, concealed his face as far as possible, crossed the +cemetery with long and rapid strides, and disappeared behind the wall of +the enclosure. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE PALACE OF SIMON TURCHI, AND WHAT OCCURRED THERE. + + +Not far from the bridge De la Vigne, Simon Turchi had a magnificent +dwelling, where the offices of the commercial house of Buonvisi were +situated; but he possessed also, at the extremity of the city, +pleasure-grounds, where in fine weather he was accustomed to invite his +friends and acquaintances to festivals, banquets, and concerts. His +domains were near the church of Saint George, surrounded by grounds +belonging to the hospital. + +Exteriorly it appeared to be only a wall of enclosure, shaded by lofty +trees, and without openings. Against the horizon were seen two glittering +weathercocks surmounting two small towers arising in the midst of foliage. +Within there was, however, a vast garden diversified with winding paths, +flowery parterres, hillocks, and grottos. Here and there, scattered among +the thickets of verdure, appeared marble statues representing principally +the gods of pagan mythology. In the centre of the garden was a pond, in +which seemed to float a crowd of monstrous animals, such as dragons, +basilisks, lizards, and salamanders. It was a fountain; and when the +robinets were opened these monsters spouted the water in every direction +from their eyes and mouths. + +But at the bottom of the garden and at some distance from the wall of +enclosure was an antique pavilion of gray-stone, the walls of which were +nearly covered with ivy, and which, in spite of their dark hue, presented +a very picturesque appearance. + +With the exception of the small and narrow windows, which were protected +by iron bars, and the staircase of slate which gave admittance, this heavy +building presented nothing remarkable, unless it were two round turrets, +which rose above the surrounding roofs and even above the gigantic trees +in its vicinity. + +The garden had been evidently long neglected, for all the walks were +covered with weeds, and in the flower-beds were the half decayed props +which had supported the plants of the previous autumn. The statues were +spotted by the dust and rain; a fine moss covered the monsters of the +fountains, and the little water remaining in the pond was stagnant. + +These evidences of the absence of man, the sombre hue of the edifice, the +shrubs growing untrimmed, but, above all, the complete silence, gave a +mournful air of abandonment to the place, and in this solitude the soul +was necessarily filled with painful reflections. + +It was already late in the afternoon; the sun was about to sink below the +horizon, its slanting rays illumined only the weathercocks on the top of +the towers. Within the thickets and at the entrance of the grottos, night +already reigned. Not the slightest sound was heard in this place. The +noise of the people at work in the city resounded in the air, the chiming +of the church-bells was wafted from the distance over this solitary +dwelling; but as no sound arose from the habitation itself, the distant +hum from an active multitude rendered the silence of the spot all the more +striking. + +Only at intervals a dull sound like the grating noise of a file seemed to +issue from the old edifice; but it was so indistinct and so often +interrupted that it was not sufficient to destroy the solitude and silence +of the place. + +Suddenly two heavy strokes, as if from a hammer, resounded through the +garden. Some one had knocked at the exterior door for admittance. + +A few moments afterwards a man appeared on the staircase of the pavilion, +and descended into the garden. + +He was tall and slender; his hair and beard were red, and a red moustache +covered his upper lip. His cheeks, though sunken and emaciated, were very +red. His eyes were wild in their expression. His arms and legs were of +extraordinary length; his movements were heavy and slow, as though his +limbs had been dislocated and his muscles without strength. + +His dress denoted him to be a menial: he wore a vest of black leather, a +red doublet and breeches of the same color, without embroidery or +ornament. + +At this moment his sleeves were rolled up, and his thin arms were bare to +the elbows. In his hand he held a file, and apparently he had been +interrupted in some urgent work by the knock at the door. Having reached +the outer door, he drew a key from his doublet, and asked in Italian: + +"Who knocks?" + +"Open the door, Julio; it is your companion Bernardo," was the reply in +the same tongue. + +"Of course, on the way you stopped at the _Camel_, and drank some pots of +Hamburg beer? Did you bring me as much as a pint?" asked the man with the +red beard. "Nothing? have you nothing? I have worked until I am exhausted; +I am dying of hunger, and no one thinks of me. Let me see the spring." + +Saying these words, he took from his companion's hands a bent steel spring +and examined it attentively, closing and opening it as if to judge of its +form and power of resistance. + +Bernardo was a deformed man of low stature; the projection on his back +might be styled a hump--it was so prominent. His physiognomy denoted +pusillanimity; but there was, at the same time, a malicious sparkle in his +eye, and it was with a mocking smile that he contemplated the man with the +red beard. + +The latter said to him in a commanding tone: "The spring appears to be +good. Go bring me a pint of Rhenish wine from the Saint George." + +"You know well that our master has forbidden it. Let me go; the signor +ordered me to return immediately to the factory." + +"Get me the wine, or I will break this spring in a thousand pieces over +your hump." + +"Always threatening!" muttered Bernardo. "You know I am not wanting in +good-will. I will go for the wine; give me the money." + +"Money? I have not a farthing in my pocket. Lend me the price of this +pint." + +"My purse is empty, Julio; but yours? Our master gave you ever so many +shillings yesterday. You told me so yourself." + +"Bah! the dice made way with the whole of it." + +"Hardened gambler!" said Bernardo, with a sigh. "You would risk your soul +at the gaming-table if any one held out to you a gold coin." + +"Very likely!" replied Julio, in an indifferent tone; "my soul is hardly +worth more." + +"What impious words! We are alone now, but there is One above who hears +what we say. He will punish you, Julio." + +The red-haired man shrugged his shoulders. + +"Continue your dissolute habits," resumed Bernardo; "lose your money in +gambling, drown your senses in intoxication: at the end of this path there +is a gallows, and behind it the devil, to whom all such souls are welcome. +Adieu! reflect upon my words, and remember that the justice of God will +one day demand an account of your life. Adieu!" + +Julio sprang towards the small door, locked it, and put the key in his +pocket. + +"Cease this trifling," said the other, evidently ill at ease. + +"Open the door, Julio, or I will complain of you to our master." + +"What do I care for our master?" said the man, laughing. + +"You say, Bernardo, that I shall end my days on the gallows. No, no; the +proverb says, that he who draws the sword shall perish by the sword. I +have pierced so many with my dagger, that my turn must come to fall by the +dagger. Last night, Bernardo, I had rare sport. I knocked down eight, +wounded one in the arm, and as to three or four others whom I left +extended on the ground, my dagger knows better than I what mischief was +done them. Come in with me, and I will tell you all about it." + +"No, I have not time." + +"You must take the time. You shall not leave here until you have heard my +adventures of last night." + +"It is always the same story over again. If I believed you, I would +suppose that the cemeteries were too small to contain the bodies of all +whom you have slain. Open the door, Julio, and let me go, I beg you." + +The other took his hand, and dragging him by force into the house, said: +"I am here alone all day, with no one to whom I can speak one word; it is +enough to paralyze my tongue. You shall listen to my adventures whether +you wish it or not. Judge, Bernardo, by the recital of my great deeds what +an honor it is to you to be the comrade of so intrepid a man. Be not +ill-humored; you know it is useless to resist me. Don't laugh; were I to +try it, I could toss you about like a ball; but you are my friend, and +besides, you are too weak to contend with me. Therefore, fear nothing." + +They reached the house and entered a kind of parlor, where Julio threw +upon the table the spring he held in his hand, and seating himself, he +said to his companion: + +"Take a chair, Bernardo. You are about to hear some strange adventures. Do +you know the ruffian Bufferio? He is a jolly fellow, who cares as little +for the life of a man as for that of a fly. There is not a man in the +parish of Saint Andrew who does not tremble at the sight of him. In a +by-street there is a tavern in a large cellar, where one can hear the +rattling of dice all night long, and they play for piles of gold--where it +comes from, the devil only knows. Late yesterday evening I was passing +through this street, when the noise of the dice fell upon my ear. You must +know, Bernardo, that this sound is as enchanting music attracting me; it +overpowers my will. I descended into the tavern and called for a glass of +beer. I seated myself among the players, and challenged any of them to +play against me. I won and lost; but at last good luck was on my side, and +my pockets were so full that they could hardly bear the weight of the +florins. To console the losers, I ordered the hostess to bring a pint of +wine to each of them; but in spite of my generosity the villains looked at +me angrily, and seemed to excite each other to take revenge upon me. They +strove to pick a quarrel. They were like a band of thieves and assassins; +but the rascals saw with whom they had to deal. My defiant look, my bold +words, my intrepid countenance, kept them at a respectful distance from +me. Suddenly the dreaded Bufferio entered the cellar. He had no sooner +learned from his comrades how fortune had favored me than he challenged me +to play with him. It was just what I wanted. I don't know how it happened, +but I lost every game. Each time we doubled the stakes; a cold sweat +bathed my brow as I saw florin after florin quietly put in the pocket of +my adversary, until I had only one farthing left. This time fortune +favored me; but Bufferio insisted that the dice had not been fairly +thrown, and he swept the table of all the money staked. I sprang to my +feet and called him a cheat. He instantly dealt me a heavy blow. Furious +and thirsting for vengeance, I drew my dagger. Immediately twenty daggers +glittered above my head. Perhaps, Bernardo, you think that I trembled? You +do not know me; when I am thus in the midst of danger, an entire army +could not terrify me; for in whatever other qualities I may be deficient, +I do not lack courage and intrepidity. When I saw the villains about to +rush upon me, I darted forward like a lion, and I cut about on every side +so furiously with my dagger, that all, even to the gigantic Bufferio, fled +from the cellar. I pursued them into the street; there the combat +recommenced; but my adversaries fared badly. In a few moments Bufferio lay +dead upon the ground between two of his comrades; the others, being badly +wounded, had taken flight. I stood alone upon the field of battle, a +triumphant conqueror! I remained in the same spot for a quarter of an +hour, to see if any other enemies would present themselves, but the +wretches had had enough for one night." + +Bernardo listened to this recital with an incredulous smile. When it was +concluded, he silently shook his head. + +"Well! what have you to say of this adventure?" asked Julio. "Might it not +be narrated in the chronicles as an heroic adventure?" + +"Certainly; in your place many others would have died of fright. But this +morning I saw this Bufferio, whom you declare to be dead, walking alive in +the public square." + +"Impossible; you are mistaken." + +"Perhaps so; but I know the ruffian well, for I have twice seen him in the +pillory." + +"If he is not dead, he will certainly not be able to make his appearance +in the streets for six months to come." + +"Of course, you took your money from Bufferio?" + +"How could I?" + +"Since he lay lifeless at your feet, why did you not recover the money he +had stolen from you?" + +The red-haired man was at a loss for an answer; but after awhile he +stammered out: "You are right. In the hurry of the struggle I did not +think of it, and then I had not the time: the watchmen ran on hearing the +noise of the affray, and you may imagine that I did not care to fall into +the hands of the bailiff." + +"I do not understand you; it seems to me you mentioned having remained a +quarter of an hour upon the spot," said Bernardo, with a slight smile. "I +suppose, Julio, there was much blood shed." + +"It flowed in torrents." + +Bernardo eyed his companion from head to foot in great surprise. + +"I would like to ask you something, but you might not understand the joke, +and you would be angry with me," he said. + +"Say candidly what you think," replied his companion. + +"I am extremely surprised, Julio, that there is not the smallest drop of +blood, not the least spot, upon your clothes. With your permission, I will +say you dreamed all that?" + +Julio sprang from his seat, gnashed his teeth, and looked at his +companion as if ready to devour him. + +"What! you dare to laugh at me? Are you then tired of life? Fool! were I +only to lay my hand upon you, you would be crushed to atoms." + +Bernardo arose also, and said, in a tone half ironical and half +supplicating: "Pardon me, Julio; I believe all you told me, and I never +doubted your marvellous courage. If sometimes I laugh at serious things, +do not be offended; this kind of joking is usual with men." + +"If you were not so feeble and powerless a being, I would have already +laid you at my feet," said Julio; "as it is, I long to plunge my dagger in +your breast." + +"Leave it in its scabbard, Julio, and I will go to buy you a _stoop_[14] +of Hamburg beer." + +"Ah, hypocrite!" exclaimed Julio, "then you have money. I will renew my +friendship for you, if you will do me a favor. I am in absolute want of +money; lend me a few shillings, and the first one who insults you, I +promise you, shall be a dead man." + +"But, Julio, were I to give them to you, you would gamble with them at +once." + +"No, you are wrong this time; I would pay for some things our master +ordered me to buy yesterday." + +Bernardo drew a small purse from his doublet, and handed to his companion +its scanty contents. + +"Here is all I possess," he said. "I fear they will go like the others." + +Julio thrust the shillings into his pocket, and muttered: + +"I do not deny that I may go this evening to the parish of Saint Andrew, +to see if any one would dare play against me." + +"Julio, Julio, I pity you!" said Bernardo, sadly. "I do not wish to +lecture you; but you have an unfortunate and aged mother who requires your +aid. You are always talking of sending her assistance, and for six months +past every farthing has been lost at play. Perhaps in the meantime your +mother has suffered for want of food." + +This reproach seemed to affect Julio deeply. He looked down abashed, and +then said, dejectedly: "Bernardo, never speak to me again of my mother. +You touch the only sensitive spot in my heart. And yet you are right; I am +a monster! Oh! this miserable play! I will do better in future. Go away +now, and let me continue my work." + +"What are you making?" asked Bernardo. "This is the third spring you have +ordered, and each time from a different locksmith." + +"It is a secret known only to my master and myself." + +"A secret?" said Bernardo. "Springs, a secret! What can it mean?" + +"Come with me, and I will show you. The signor may be angry if he chooses, +I don't care. But, Bernardo, you must be as silent as one deaf and dumb." + +He conducted his companion to a room, and throwing open the door showed +him a large arm-chair, which in form was like the other chairs around, +excepting that from each arm extended two bent springs. + +"This is what I have worked at, without stopping, for four days. I wish +the bewitched chair to the devil! I have already exhausted myself; but the +new spring is good, and in a few minutes I will have finished." + +Bernardo examined attentively the unfinished chair, and looked frightened. + +"Heavens!" he exclaimed, "a chair for a trap! Do you entrap men here?" + +Julio nodded his head affirmatively. + +Pale from anxiety, Bernardo muttered: "May God preserve me! What crime is +in contemplation? Does our master know anything of this terrible piece of +furniture?" + +"Was it not from him that you received the order to bring me the springs?" + +The humpbacked man made the sign of the cross, and muttered a few +indistinct words. + +Suddenly Julio laughed immoderately, and slapping him on the shoulder +exclaimed: "Foolish boy! he already sees a victim in this chair, and the +blood flowing as freely as in some old woman's story. Be at ease, +Bernardo; this is done only to satisfy a caprice of our master. He intends +to clean the garden and repair the fountain. He will place this arm-chair +in an arbor near the fountain; the guest who seats himself in it will be +caught, and the salamanders may throw the water upon him as long as they +please. It is a mania of our master." + +"What a coward I am!" said Bernardo, laughing at his own fears. "Open the +door now, Julio; I should have been at the factory long ago." + +They both left the house talking together, and they turned their steps +towards the exterior door. + +The red-haired man soon returned alone. He removed the spring from the +parlor-table, and took it with him to the room where he had terrified his +companion by the revelation of his master's secret. He seated himself on +the ground near the chair, and taking some tools he began to arrange the +spring, and to try if it would produce the effect intended. Whilst thus +occupied he laughed aloud, and said: + +"The stupid humpback! One could make him believe that cats laid eggs! He +believed all I told him of Bufferio and his comrades as though they were +gospel truths. The coward! To empty his pocket of its last farthing, it is +only necessary to frighten him! I have two shillings. Night is coming on, +and it is growing dark. Presently I will go to the tavern of the 'Silver +Dice.' I will play at first with a few farthings, then for white pieces, +at last for florins and even crowns! This time I will stop playing as soon +as my pocket is full of money. Then at least I will send something to my +poor mother. In what condition is she now? Perhaps she no longer lives on +earth; that would be better for her. Poor and blind, and her only +dependence a son who must conceal his true name in order to escape the +gallows; a gambler, drunkard--in a word, a real jail-bird! Yes, if fortune +favors me, I will send her something. The signor promised me to have it +conveyed to Lucca. Ah! the spring is fixed. Let me see if the machine does +its duty." + +He rose, placed his hand on the arm of the chair as if about to take his +seat in it; suddenly he sprang aside, exclaiming: "Fool that you are, you +were about to do a fine thing! I would have been caught by my own trap; +and if the signor had forgotten to come this evening, I would have +remained clasped in that traitorous chair. But don't I hear some one +coming? A key grating in the lock of the garden gate? Yes, it is the +Signor Turchi." + +Seating himself on the ground before the arm-chair, with his back turned +to the door, Julio began to work with apparent eagerness; and in order to +assume a greater air of indifference, he sang snatches of a well-known +song. + +The door opened, and Signor Turchi stood upon the threshold. He remained +for an instant motionless, contemplating in silence his servant, who +continued his song as though unconscious of the presence of his master. + +Simon slowly approached him and laid his hand upon his shoulder; but +before he could say a word, Julio drew his dagger from its scabbard, and +springing to his feet, made a motion as if to stab his master. + +"_O cielo, e voi signor?_ Is it you, signor?" cried Julio. "You slip +through the garden like a thief. It is almost dark; an accident might have +happened." + +"Stop your foolish jesting, Julio. A man does not kill another without +finding out with whom he is dealing." + +"Do you think so, signor? Why, if five or six men were to take me by +surprise, not one would be left alive." + +"You speak as if the life of a man were of no more value than that of a +bird." + +"Less, signor; it is not worth a farthing." + +"We will have proof of this," said Simon, in a peculiar tone, as he turned +towards the door. "For years I have heard you boasting; this evening I +will discover what you are--a brave man or a coward." + +Julio drew himself to his full height, put his arms akimbo, and was about +to speak, but his master prevented him. + +"No useless words!" said Simon, imperiously, "Light the lamp, and come to +my bed-room." + +He left the room without making any inquiry in regard to the chair, and +ascended a winding staircase. Opening the door of a large room, he threw +himself upon a chair, and rubbed his brow with his hands like a man +tormented by painful thoughts. + +After awhile his hands fell upon his knees, and his eyes wandering in +feverish agitation through the dim twilight, he muttered: + +"At last it is decided! the murder of a friend! He my friend? He is my +mortal enemy! Has he not deprived me of Mary's love? Has he not destroyed +all my hopes? Has he not devoted me to eternal infamy? His uncle has +consented; he will become his partner, the proprietor of an immense +fortune, the husband of Mary--of Mary, who was destined by her father to +be my wife! He will be powerful, rich, and happy; he will be surrounded by +every luxury; he will astonish the world by the magnificence of his style +of living, and from the pinnacle of his grandeur he will cast an eye of +lawful pride upon Turchi dishonored and ruined! Miserable dog that I am! +Deodati will discover that I owe him ten thousand crowns. He will appeal +to the courts of justice, and I will be condemned as a rogue; they will +discover that I have spent more than I possessed. Outraged, despised, +mocked, shall I fall forever into the abyss of misery and infamy? No, no; +let him die! His death alone can save me. If he perishes as I have +planned, I no longer owe him the ten thousand crowns; Mary becomes my +wife, and I am master of her dowry. In that case I am still the powerful, +honored chief of the house of Buonvisi! But time presses; to-morrow it may +be too late! I hear Julio coming. Upon him rests all my hope." + +The servant entered and placed a lighted candle upon the table. + +"Now, signor," he said, "to what trial do you wish to subject my courage? +However difficult it may be, it will not be beyond my strength." + +"Close the blinds; lower the windows," said Turchi; "sit down and listen +attentively to my words. I am about to talk to you of an important +affair." + +The red-haired man regarded his master with a malicious and incredulous +smile, but he took the seat indicated to him without a word of comment. + +"Julio," said Simon, "I am dejected and undecided. There is a man who +pretends to be my friend, but who has secretly been my bitter enemy. He +has always artfully calumniated and deceived me, and injured me in my +fortune and honor; he has pushed his machinations to such a degree that I +will soon be condemned to eternal infamy and misery, unless, by a bold +stroke of vengeance, I break through the snares he has laid for my +destruction. Be calm, Julio; it does you honor to be inflamed with anger +against the enemies of your master; but listen. I discovered, three days +ago, that it was this treacherous friend who paid the assassins to inflict +the wound of which I still bear the scar on my face. Thus, he first shed +my blood and attempted my life; now he plans my ruin and dishonor. Julio, +what would you do in my place?" + +"What would I do? Ask my dagger, signor; if it could speak, it would tell +you of wonderful exploits." + +"Then you would not hesitate to undertake a difficult task?" + +"Hesitate! you insult me, signor. I would not hesitate were twenty swords +brandished over my head." + +"Understand, Julio, that had I doubted your intrepidity, I would not have +spoken to you of such grave affairs. I give you the highest proof of +confidence by intrusting my vengeance to your hands. I will tell you who +is my enemy, and where you can strike him secretly. Kill him, and you +shall be liberally recompensed." + +This mission appeared unpalatable to Julio. + +"Yes," he stammered; "but that is not my way of acting. I will pick a +quarrel with your enemy, and if he dares to raise a finger against me, he +is a dead man." + +"Impossible; he is of noble birth." + +"And if I insulted him, his valets would fall upon me and beat me." + +"That is true. There is but one way, Julio; I will tell you where you can +stab him at night without the least danger." + +"I? shall I treacherously kill your enemy? This gentleman has never +injured me. Since how long has it been the custom for valets to avenge the +grievances of their masters? It is your own affair, signor." + +"You value the life of a man as little as a farthing, you said," replied +Simon Turchi, with bitter irony; "and now you allege the most puerile +reasons as excuses. You are a coward, Julio." + +"I am not; but I do not choose to lie in wait and stab a man in the dark." + +"That is a feint, a subterfuge, to conceal your cowardice." + +"Since it is so simple and easy, why do you not deal the blow yourself, +signor?" + +The scar on Simon Turchi's face became of a livid white; his whole frame +trembled with rage; but by a strong effort he controlled his emotion, and +after a few moments he said, with a contemptuous smile upon his lips: + +"Four years ago I took you into my service through pity; I have paid you +well, excused all your faults, your intoxication, your passion for +gambling; I have not dismissed you, although you have deserved it a +hundred times; and now, when for the first time you can be useful to me, +you have not the courage. I wished to try you. What I said was only a +jest. To-morrow, Julio, you will leave my service. You are a liar and a +coward." + +"Do not condemn me so severely, signor," said the servant, in a +supplicating tone of voice. "I am willing to risk my life a thousand times +for you; but to lie in wait for an unknown man and kill him +deliberately--this is an infamous crime of which I am not capable." + +"Hypocrite!" exclaimed Simon Turchi; "you speak as though I were ignorant +of your past history. If a price is set upon your head in the city of +Lucca, if at this moment you are under sentence of death, is it not +because you assassinated or helped to assassinate the Judge Voltai?" + +These words struck Julio with terror. He replied, humbly: + +"Signor, I have already told you that in this affair I was more +unfortunate than guilty. I was upon the spot where the murder was +committed, and I was arrested with those who gave the fatal blow. Believe +me, I knew nothing of their designs. I do not deny that in a contest or +quarrel I spare no one; but up to this moment my dagger has never shed +blood without provocation." + +Simon fixed his eyes upon his servant, and said in a menacing tone: +"Suppose, in order to avenge myself for thy base ingratitude, I should +make known to the superintendent of Lucca who is the man I have in my +service? Suppose I were to tell him that the real name of Julio Julii is +Pietro Mostajo? Who would be bound hand and foot and sent in the hold of a +ship of war to expiate his crimes upon a scaffold in Italy?" + +Julio turned pale and trembled. He moved restlessly upon his chair, and +complained in a low voice of the false accusations and injustice of men; +but his master eyed all his movements in a scornful manner, until at last +the servant, disconcerted, exclaimed impulsively: + +"Tell me what to do; I am ready!" + +"Will you accomplish my orders with unwavering will and without +hesitation?" + +"I must do so, since you compel me to it! But fear nothing; my decision is +made." + +"And suppose that Geronimo Deodati were my enemy?" + +"Geronimo Deodati!" exclaimed Julio, in indescribable terror. "Geronimo, +your intimate friend? That noble and generous cavalier who loves you as a +brother? He is as gentle as a girl!" + +"He is a false friend, a traitor." + +"Geronimo gave you the wound on your face?[15] He would betray you and +seek your ruin? That is false, false! It is impossible!" + +"He is my mortal enemy. You shall kill him, I say!" exclaimed Simon +Turchi, in a menacing voice. + +"Must I kill the Signor Geronimo? Ah! to what horrible crime would you +urge me?" said Julio, in a plaintive tone. + +Simon seized his servant by the arm, shook him violently, and whispered +hoarsely in his ear: "Pietro Mostajo, remember the superintendent of +Lucca!" + +Julio, as if stupefied, said not a word. + +Simon arose and walked towards the door, saying: "It is well; I will go +and deliver you up to justice." + +The terrified servant sprang after him, retained him, and said, +supplicatingly: "I submit myself to your will, and accept the fate I +cannot escape. I have never before committed a murder; you take his blood +upon yourself, do you not, signor? Tell me when I must accomplish this +horrible crime." + +"This very day, Julio." + +"To-day?--so soon?" + +"To-morrow would be too late." + +"Well, command; the sooner the better." + +"To-day is the eve of May. Geronimo intends to serenade Miss Van de Werve. +Only two lute-players will attend him. He invited me to accompany him. I +will go to bed at the factory under pretence of indisposition; all the +servants will know that I have not left my dwelling. Do you put on the old +Spanish cape which has been laid aside for five years; no one will then +recognize you. You must be in Hoboken Street, near the Dominican Convent, +before eleven o'clock. There is at that spot a well which Geronimo must +pass both in going and returning. Hide behind the well until Geronimo +approaches, then rush upon him and deal him a fatal blow; strike several +times. The lute-players are cowards, and they will run away. Take from the +dead body of Geronimo a pocket-book which you will find in a pocket on the +left side of his doublet; there is in this pocket-book a writing which he +took from me by a cheat. Leave the spot after having accomplished this, +and return by the darkest streets; you will not be discovered. Above all, +do not forget the pocket-book." + +Julio's countenance expressed stupefaction and terror. During the +development of the frightful plot he kept his eyes fixed on his master's +lips, and he continued to stare at him without moving. + +"Well," asked his master, "is not the project cunningly devised?" + +"It is astonishing, astonishing!" stammered the servant, lowering his +eyes. + +"You are ready, I suppose, to strike the blow? But why do you hesitate? +Are you afraid?" + +"No, no; but let me reflect a moment," said Julio. + +After a few minutes of silence, he looked at his master, and said: + +"With your permission, signor, I will say that the plan, as you have +arranged it, appears to me to be fraught with danger to yourself. Suppose +that Geronimo should perceive me too soon and defend himself; that by +chance the lute-players should be men of courage; that I should be wounded +or made prisoner: any of these events might occur. I would certainly be +broken on the wheel or burned alive. That, however, would be of little +consequence, if by my death I could be useful to you. But I am your +servant, and known as such by all your acquaintances; and as I could have +no motive of hatred or vengeance against a cavalier who has never spoken +an unkind word to me, you would be at once suspected of having ordered the +murder." + +"And you, I suppose, would betray me?" said Turchi, with bitter irony. + +"Betray you, signor? that would not save myself; but under torture my +tongue might against my will pronounce your name." + +Simon strode up and down the room, muttering between his teeth with +suppressed rage. His servant glanced at him stealthily, with an almost +imperceptible smile of joy and triumph. + +At last Simon stood still in the middle of the room; the scar on his cheek +was of a fiery red, and his eyes rolled around restlessly. + +"Shall I then be forever ruined? Nothing is left me in the world but +misery and infamy! Julio, is the arm-chair progressing?"[16] + +"The arm-chair! Then the arm-chair was destined as a snare for Geronimo?" +said the servant, stupefied. "What do you mean?" + +"No, no, the chair would come too late!" said Simon Turchi, in an agitated +voice. "Talk no more about it; this evening you must lie in wait for +Geronimo and kill him. It is decided; it must be done!" + +"I know a means to accomplish your purpose without danger either to you or +me, signor," said the servant. + +"Ah, if what you say be true! Tell me this means of safety!" + +"There lives in the parish of Saint Andrew a man of giant stature and +strength; he is named Bufferio; he will do anything for money; whether it +be to beat, wound, or kill a man, it is all the same to him. He fulfils +his mission to the satisfaction of his employers, and he never betrays a +secret. He has five or six intrepid companions engaged in the same trade +as himself; they may be relied upon. Give me money to pay this ruffian, +and you need have no anxiety; Bufferio will think that I am acting from +personal vengeance; besides, he does not know me. Thus neither of us will +be suspected nor accused should the affair prove unsuccessful." + +Simon seemed surprised by Julio's words, and he remained a few moments in +deep thought. By degrees a smile parted his lips; it was evident that the +proposed plan met his approval. He opened his purse and put four gold +pieces in Julio's hand. + +"Is that sufficient?" he asked. + +"You jest, signor," replied the servant. "Four gold pieces for the life of +a nobleman!" + +Simon handed him four more. + +"Will that do?" he said. + +"It is not enough yet." + +"How much will be required?" + +"I do not know. Perhaps twenty crowns." + +"Twenty? I have only fifteen about me, with some small change." + +"Give me all, signor. If I had not enough I should be obliged to return +without concluding the affair." + +Simon heaved a deep sigh and emptied the contents of his purse into +Julio's hand. + +"You will bring me back what is left, will you not?" + +"Certainly; but I do not think much will remain." + +"Come, Julio, I am in a hurry to return to the factory. Fulfil your +mission skilfully, and I will recompense you largely. But a thought +strikes me. The pocket-book must not fall into the hands of Bufferio." + +"I had forgotten that," said Julio, embarrassed. + +"Ah! I have it!" said Simon Turchi, after a moment's reflection, "A little +before ten o'clock you must go to the house of Geronimo and tell him I am +ill with fever, and that I have sent you in my place to accompany him +armed. Follow him closely, and when he falls, take the pocket-book from +him. Tell Bufferio that it is an unimportant document." + +Julio made a movement of displeasure on receiving this new order. He had +rejoiced in the idea of not being obliged to witness this wicked attack, +and now he was commanded to take part in it. For fear of being subjected +to something worse, he did not venture to make any remark. + +"Go now," said Simon Turchi, "and get the old Spanish cape. It may serve +to disguise you from Bufferio. Gird on a sword also, that Geronimo may +think you are armed for the purpose of defending him in case of attack." + +The servant took the lamp from the table and prepared to obey the order. + +"What are you doing?" said his master. "Are you going to leave me in the +dark? Are you afraid to go without a light?" + +"I might knock my head against the beams, for I have forgotten where the +cape was put." + +"You had it in your hands only three days ago. You are afraid in the dark, +Julio. Take the lamp." + +The servant soon returned. He had the Spanish cape around his shoulders. +It was a wide cloak, in which the whole body might be wrapped; and when +the hood was drawn down it entirely concealed the face. + +The master and servant descended the staircase in silence and approached +the little garden-gate. There Julio put the lamp upon the ground and +extinguished it. + +The lock grated as the key turned; the door was opened and closed, and +Simon Turchi and his servant disappeared in the dark and solitary street. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION--THE ASSASSINATOR SLAIN. + + +A black shadow gliding like an almost impalpable spot, might be seen +moving along the street of Saint John. + +Thick clouds covered the sky. Not a star was visible. Here and there--at +the corners of the streets and alleys--flickered a small lamp, lighted +before an image of the Virgin; but these slight flames, far from +diminishing the obscurity, shone in the foggy atmosphere as glowworms in +the woods, which glitter but do not give light. + +Silence reigned in the deserted streets. If the inhabitants, behind their +oaken windows, heard occasionally some sound interrupting the stillness of +the night, it was the hurried step of some benighted artisan who made as +much noise as possible with his feet in order to frighten away the +robbers; or it was the slow tread of a highwayman, who, listening +attentively and peering through the darkness, was on the watch for his +prey; or it might be the watchmen, who cried the hour and made the +pavement resound under the stroke of their halberds as if to give +evil-doers a warning of their approach. + +The shadow gliding at this moment along the street of St. John was that of +a man completely enveloped in a large cloak, his head so covered by the +hood that his eyes alone were visible. As in passing before an image of +the Virgin a feeble ray from a lamp fell upon him, one might have seen as +he hurried along that his hand rested on the hilt of his sword. + +Was this person an evil-doer, bent upon the commission of some crime, or, +fearing danger, was he securing to himself the means of defence? + +However that may be, he pursued his way undisturbed and reached a narrow +winding alley, from beneath the ground of which seemed to proceed the +confused noise of many voices. + +The man stopped at the entrance of a cellar, to which admission was gained +by a ladder, and listened to the joyous sounds which issued from within. + +He put his hand in his pocket and chinked some pieces of money. + +"The sign of the _Silver Dice_!" said he, sighing. "How merry they are! +The dice are rolling upon the table. Shall I not risk a shilling? Only +one?" + +Yielding to the irresistible temptation, he placed his foot upon the +ladder; but a sudden thought seemed to arrest him. He sprang back, +trembling, and hastened from the cellar. A little farther in the street he +stopped and murmured in an anxious voice: + +"Heavens! what was I about to do? Risk the money upon dice? I would +certainly have lost the whole. Pietro Mostajo, do not forget the +Superintendent of Lucca! I am saved. Infernal temptation! I was about to +stake my head. But, perhaps, I would not be unlucky. I might win a +fortune. The temptation returns. No, no, I must go seek Bufferio, and I +have no time to lose. He lives yonder: a low dark door beside the pump." + +As he said these last words, he proceeded down the alley, but soon stopped +near the pump, and said in an undertone: + +"Bufferio lives here. How dark it is! I can hardly see the door; but I am +not mistaken. Here the terrible ruffian has his lair. Strange, how I +tremble! Perhaps it is a warning of some misfortune about to happen to me! +Suppose they should take my money and murder me to conceal the theft. What +shall I do? Shall I tell my master that I could not find Bufferio? Alas! +the Superintendent of Lucca!" + +After a moment of anxious thought he walked towards the low door, saying, +with a sigh: + +"Come, come; I can do nothing else. Of two evils choose the least!" + +Although his words indicated an energetic resolution, his hand trembled as +he raised the knocker of the little door and twice let it fall. + +It gave out a deep hollow sound, as though it were the door of a vault for +the dead. + +A long time passed, and no noise within gave evidence that his call was +heeded. + +The visitor became still more terrified in the supposition, that no one +was in the house, and that consequently he would be obliged to return, +without concluding the affair, to his master, who would not believe him. + +In the little dark door was a small opening, protected by a grating. +Behind the iron bars two eyes were fixed on the person who had knocked, +and if he had been left apparently unnoticed, it was probably because two +inquisitive eyes endeavored to pierce the darkness in order to recognize +the untimely visitor. + +A harsh voice at last asked from behind the grating: + +"Who knocked?" + +The man in the cloak started back. The unexpected question so close to his +ear made him tremble violently. However, he soon controlled himself and +replied in Italian: + +"Woman, I do not understand the Flemish tongue. You must know Italian, as +Bufferio is a Roman. Tell me if Bufferio is at home." + +"Who are you?" she replied, in Italian jargon. + +"Who am I? I come to arrange a secret affair with Bufferio, and I do not +choose to tell my name." + +"You are an agent of the bailiff, and you wish to deceive me. Go on your +way and leave me in peace. Bufferio is not at home." + +The man took some pieces of silver from his pocket and rattled them +together. + +"You are mistaken, woman. I have need of the services of Bufferio for an +important affair. He may gain a few crowns of gold. I come with the cash +in hand: you understand." + +Two bolts grated in their rusty staples, and the door opened. + +"Enter, signor," said the woman, "and follow me." + +"I do not see you; it is as black as Erebus; where is the staircase?" +cried out the other. + +"Follow me, signor. Give me your hand; I will precede you." + +She seized the hand of the visitor, and whilst guiding him to the +staircase, she said: + +"Your hand trembles, signor. Are you afraid?" + +"I afraid!" said the other, in a faltering voice. "Afraid of what? The +darkness makes me totter." + +"It may be, signor; but I thought your hand was cold and trembling. Here +is the staircase; now follow me." + +The man ascended the staircase behind her, stumbling up the well-worn +steps, striking his head and elbows against invisible objects, and +grumbling and swearing as if to show that he was not agitated by fear. + +Having reached the first story, the woman opened a door and introduced her +companion into a room lighted by the smoking flame of an iron lamp. She +showed him a miserable chair, and said: + +"Sit down, signor, if you please, and wait a while. I will go call +Bufferio, he is engaged at play in the neighborhood. Should any one knock +at the door during my absence, pay no attention to it; I will lock the +door on the outside and take the key with me." + +The man looked at her surprised and troubled. Her bony limbs, the gray +locks which fell upon her cheeks, her large mouth and long teeth, made her +appear to his eyes a hideous being, a worthy companion for Bufferio. + +He listened to the sound of her receding steps, until he heard the key +grate in the lock of the door. + +Then he looked around him and examined with mistrust and surprise the +apartment of Bufferio and the objects it contained. + +The room was neither well furnished nor clean: a table, three rickety +chairs, an oaken bench, a few earthenware vessels near the fireplace, and +a bed, constituted all the furniture. It was not, however, these common +objects which fixed the gaze of the visitor. What he could not see without +shuddering, was the number of strange arms suspended all around the walls +of the room. In the midst of rusty swords, sharp daggers and knives of +every size and shape, he saw short clubs with iron heads, steel chains +like the bit of a horse, ropes with running knots, and various other +articles whose use was inexplicable to him, although he was convinced that +these singular instruments were intended for no good purpose. + +On the table, beside the lamp, was a large knife, and near it a piece of +linen and some sand for scouring, showing that the woman had been occupied +in cleaning these arms when the knock at the door interrupted her. + +All these instruments of murder filled with terror the heart of the man +who was contemplating them. He turned his eyes away from them, trembling +as he reflected upon the horror of his position. However, a few moments +only were left him, for the door of the house soon opened and he heard +steps on the staircase. + +The woman entered and said: + +"Bufferio will soon be here. When he has the dice in his hand, it is +difficult to tear him away. Nevertheless, he will come. I think, signor, +that he has drank deeply. Look well to yourself, and if you value your +life, do not irritate him, for he would make as little scruple of +maltreating you as he would of crushing a worm. Apart from that, he is the +best man in the world." + +She seated herself at the table, took up the knife and linen, and +continued her occupation, whilst observing the stranger with a suspicious +eye. + +He had pulled the hood of the cloak over his face and seated himself in +silence, fixing his eye vaguely upon space, like a man wearied by long +waiting. He was deeply agitated, and from time to time his whole frame +shook. Every time that he glanced towards the table he met the penetrating +look of the frightful Megaera, who, while continuing to clean the blade of +the large knife, considered him from head to foot, and seemed endeavoring +to discover who he was and with what intention he had come. + +At last, no longer able to resist his feeling of anxiety, he rose and +said: + +"Woman, show me the way out. I have not time to wait longer. I will return +to-morrow, during the day." + +"I hear Bufferio whistling in the street," she replied. + +"He is even now placing the key in the door." + +The stranger, as if perfectly satisfied with this intelligence, fell back +in his chair, with a suppressed sigh, and listened in an agony of fear to +the heavy footsteps on the staircase. + +Bufferio appeared at the door, and looked distrustfully at the man who had +interrupted him at his game. + +The ruffian Bufferio was of giant build. He was obliged to stoop in order +to enter the door. His head was thrown back defiantly, and his hand rested +upon the hilt of a dagger which was held by his girdle. A broad-brimmed +hat shaded his face; his whole dress was of dark-brown cloth, scarcely +distinguishable in the darkness of night. Under his prominent eyebrows +twinkled very small eyes, and a cruel, withering smile played about his +mouth. + +He made an imperious gesture to the woman and pointed to the door. She +left the room grumbling, but gave no other evidence of dissatisfaction. + +The ruffian shut the door, took a chair, and said to the stranger, in a +rough and coarse voice: + +"_Perche me disturba?_ Why do you disturb me? Who are you?" + +This question was very embarrassing to the stranger. He replied, +stammering: + +"Is it necessary, Signor Bufferio, that you should know my name before +doing me a service for which I will pay you liberally?" + +On hearing these words, the ruffian struck his forehead with his hand, as +if he thought he recognized the voice of the visitor; but he did not stop +to reflect longer. + +"Come tell me quickly what you want; they are waiting for me at the tavern +of the _Silver Dice_, and I have no time to lose." + +"It is an affair of importance, Signor Bufferio." + +"Yes; my wife told me I might gain a few crowns of gold. Speak. Why do you +beat about the bush in this manner? What embarrasses you? Do you think +you are dealing with a dishonest man? Fear nothing. Not a hair of your +head shall be touched in my house." + +This assurance restored the stranger's confidence, and he said, in a more +steady voice: + +"Signor Bufferio, you must know that I have an enemy who insults and +outrages me, and who threatens to drive me to ruin." + +"I understand. You wish to be avenged by my instrumentality." + +"Yes, signor. How many golden crowns do you ask for such a service?" + +"That depends upon the rank of the individual, and upon the kind of +service you desire. A few blows with a stick, a scratch on the face, do +not cost as much as a mortal wound." + +"The wound must be mortal, signor." + +"And who is your enemy? A nobleman or a common citizen? Rich or poor?" + +"He is a nobleman, signor, and the possessor of an ample fortune." + +"A nobleman? And who are you, who make yourself responsible for payment?" + +"I am a poor servant out of service." + +The ruffian smiled incredulously. + +"Ah!" said he, ironically, "a poor servant out of service! Come, throw +back your hood. You have red hair; you often play at dice; your name is +Julio; you live near the bridge _De la Vigne_ with the Signor Simon +Turchi. Is not that true? You were trying to deceive me." + +Julio, thus unexpectedly recognized, was mute from astonishment, and, +trembling from head to foot, stared at the ruffian, who did not appear in +the least displeased, but said, in an encouraging tone: + +"Be calm; you need not be disturbed because I know who you are. My trade +is to keep the most important affairs secret. Fear nothing, I will not +betray you." + +It was some minutes before Julio had recovered himself sufficiently to +speak. + +"I am sorry that you know my name," said he; "but no matter. I desire to +know, Signor Bufferio, what price you demand for ridding me forever of my +enemy?" + +"Your enemy?" said the ruffian, laughing. "A gentleman your enemy? You are +still endeavoring to deceive me. You mean your master's enemy?" + +"No, my personal enemy, who has calumniated me to my master, and who has +striven to have me ignominiously discharged." + +"And you offer me golden crowns? How long is it since servants became +possessed of such treasures? You request to have a mortal wound inflicted +upon a gentleman? Well, you must give me fifteen gold crowns." + +"Fifteen crowns!" exclaimed Julio, with assumed astonishment. "So large a +sum! I do not own that much." + +"Then pay me twelve; but it must be in advance, before I strike the blow." + +"I will pay you immediately, before leaving." + +"Give me your hand, Julio; it is a bargain. Now tell me exactly what you +or your master requires of me." + +"Not my master: I alone." + +"It is all the same. What am I to do, and when is it to be done?" + +"This very night, Bufferio." + +"To-night? This will oblige me to renounce my game with the Portuguese +sailor; and yet I might have won some gold pieces there." + +"Listen, Signor Bufferio. To-night, at eleven o'clock, a young nobleman, +accompanied by two lute-players, will come from the direction of the +convent of the Dominicans; he will turn the corner at Prince Street, and +will proceed towards the church of St. James. He will thus be obliged to +pass before the stone well at the head of Hoboken Street. You will conceal +yourself behind the well with two or three faithful companions, and as the +young gentleman passes, you will attack and kill him." + +"The affair has been well planned," remarked the ruffian. "I could manage +it by myself; but since you desire it, I will take with me a couple of my +brave companions. How will I recognize the one I am to strike?" + +"His dress is entirely brown, and his cap is ornamented with a white +plume; in the darkness you will be able to perceive only the white plume: +that will be a certain sign." + +Bufferio shook his head doubtfully. + +"Have you nothing else to observe?" he asked. + +"I will merely inform you that I will accompany the young gentleman, and +when he falls, I will take from his person a writing, which, if it were +discovered, might involve me in great danger. You will recognize me by +this Spanish cape, and I will cry out very loud, that you and your men may +know that I am not an enemy." + +"Now where are the gold crowns?" + +"Do you accept the commission, Bufferio?" + +"I will fulfil it as though I were laboring for myself." + +Julio took from his pocket some gold crowns, then continued to draw them +out one by one, until he held twelve in his hand. He endeavored to conceal +from the ruffian that he possessed more than the sum agreed upon; but +Bufferio must have suspected his intention, for he smiled, and said in a +decided manner: + +"You have more gold crowns. I knew it from the first; people do not +generally enter into such affairs with only the sum absolutely required. +You need not deceive me. Give me the stipulated amount; I ask no more." + +As soon as the other had handed him the money, Bufferio approached the +lamp, examined and weighed each piece of gold, and then said: + +"It is good coin. Have no anxiety, Julio, I will go for my comrades. There +is but little time left--only a good half hour." + +Julio took leave of the ruffian, and was about to quit the room, but he +stopped and said: "Signor Bufferio, you will not tell your companions who +requested this service of you?" + +"I tell nothing to my companions. The proverb says, If you wish to lose +your liberty, trust your secrets to others." + +"You perfectly understand what you have to do?" + +"Yes, yes. At eleven o'clock, behind the well in Hoboken. Street, a young +gentleman with a white plume in his hat. Be quiet, I myself will deal the +blow, and I will not miss the mark." + +"Adieu, Bufferio." + +"Adieu, Julio." + +The ruffian accompanied the servant to the lower story, opened the door of +the street, and closed it behind him. + +When Julio found himself in the open air, he walked a short distance, then +stopped, drew a long breath as if a heavy weight had fallen from his +shoulders, and said, joyously: + +"Heavens! what an escape! I doubt if I am really alive. The difficult +affair is at last concluded. The signor says that I am a coward. I would +like to see him in that room with that infernal woman and the terrible +Bufferio. Now I must go to Geronimo. My greatest difficulty is yet to +come. If I get through it successfully, I may well say that I was born +under a lucky star. But I cannot tarry, I have still a long distance to +walk." + +He quickened his pace and soon reached the street on which the Dominican +Convent stood; he passed the Abbey of Saint Michael and the Mint, and +entered the grand square without being molested. + +On the way he kept his hand in his pocket, that he might enjoy the +pleasure of passing the gold coin through his fingers. He muttered to +himself that he had gained three gold crowns which his master would never +see again, were he to live a hundred years. Once free from his present +care and anxiety, he would take his seat at a gaming-table, where he would +remain all day, and perhaps he could win heaps of gold. + +Absorbed in these thoughts, he reached Geronimo's residence and knocked at +the door. It was soon opened, and he was conducted into a room on the +ground floor, where the young gentleman, in his cap and cloak, seemed to +be waiting the arrival of friends. + +"Peace be to this house!" said Julio, bowing. "Signor, I bring you a +message which I would deliver with more pleasure were it less sad. My poor +master is ill with fever, and is unable to leave his bed. He begs you to +excuse him from accompanying you to-night to the serenade." + +Geronimo's countenance assumed an expression of deep compassion. The young +man concluded that his own happiness, his approaching marriage with Miss +Van de Werve, had touched the heart of his poor friend, and that his +present state of health was the consequence of these painful emotions. + +"Did the fever attack him suddenly, Julio?" he asked. "Is he very ill?" + +"No, signor. It may not have any bad consequences; but he could not +venture to expose himself to the cold and damp night-air." + +Geronimo seemed in deep thought. + +"Signor, my master did not send me solely to inform you of his +indisposition; he directed me to accompany you to the serenade, and to +protect you in case of danger. He knows how courageous I am, and that were +five or six to attack you, I would not flee before them." + +"I accept your services, Julio. You always seemed to me to be a devoted +servant. The lute-players have not yet arrived. Go to the kitchen and tell +the cook to give you a pint of beer." + +Julio went to the kitchen, but found the cook asleep. He awoke him, gave +him his master's order, and received the pint of beer. + +He expected, while drinking, to talk with the servant, and he had +commenced speaking of quarrels, combats, knives, and the heroic deeds in +which he had been the actor, but the servant had scarcely seated himself +before he fell again into a deep sleep. Julio emptied his glass in +silence, until a knock at the door and the sound of stringed instruments +announced the arrival of the lute-players. + +Geronimo called him, and on entering the ante-chamber he found Geronimo +ready to go out with the lute-players. + +Julio was troubled on remarking that these latter were armed. If these +people were brave men, Bufferio and his comrades would have to deal with +an equal number of adversaries. Who could foresee the termination of the +struggle? However, he felt reassured on reflecting that Geronimo and the +lute-players, being attacked unexpectedly, would not have time to defend +themselves. + +They left the house together, passed the Dominican Convent, and soon +reached Prince Street, at the upper end of which was the stone well behind +which Bufferio was concealed, if he had been faithful to his promise. + +Up to that time Julio had walked in advance of the others, in order to +appear bold and intrepid; he now commenced to fall back, and placed +himself in the rear. His heart failed him; for, however well the plans +had been laid, the blow might miss its aim, or might not cause death. + +They were within about one hundred feet of the well. + +The young gentleman, wholly ignorant of the danger which threatened him, +was thinking of his unhappy friend, Simon Turchi, overpowered by a heart +sorrow, tossing on a bed of suffering, while he was on his way to serenade +his beloved Mary. He also, in his own mind, deplored the involved +condition of Simon's business affairs, and determined to save him, even at +the cost of great personal sacrifices, as soon as his marriage would +render him independent. + +What would the young cavalier have thought had he known that at a few +steps, distance from him, three assassins, hired by Simon Turchi, were +lying in wait to kill him. But no, his mind was filled with compassion and +affectionate feelings for his cruel enemy. + +The little band was not far from Hoboken Street; Julio gazed fixedly into +the darkness to discover if any one was near the well. + +Suddenly he perceived a dark shadow advancing. Trembling in an agony of +fear, and in order to make himself known to the ruffians, Julio suddenly +drew his sword and exclaimed: + +"_Al assassino! Ajusto! ajusto!_ Murder! help! help!" + +But he had spoken too soon for the success of his designs; for, being put +upon his guard by this exclamation, Geronimo drew his sword, and placed +his back against the wall of the house that he might not be assailed from +behind. + +The lute-players, screaming from fright, ran away, and Julio stood in the +middle of the street brandishing his sword. + +All this had passed almost instantaneously after the first alarm given by +Julio. The man whom he had seen coming from the well, followed by two +companions, rushed to the side of the street where Geronimo had made a +stand to defend himself. The assassin, who was in advance of the two +others, fell upon Geronimo and gave him a sword-thrust which he supposed +pierced his body; but a skilful movement parried the blow, and the +aggressor himself fell with such force upon Geronimo's sword that the +blade passed through his body. + +The assassin fell heavily, and in a plaintive voice, as though bidding +adieu to life, exclaimed: + +"_O mojo!_ I die! Bufferio is dead!" + +Disregarding the villain who had fallen, the gentleman rushed upon the +other two and wounded one in the shoulder. Convinced that they had to deal +with a powerful and skilful adversary, they turned and fled, Geronimo +pursuing them far beyond the well. + +Julio followed him, crying, vociferating, and striking with his sword in +the dark, as though he were contending with numerous enemies. When +Geronimo returned with the servant to the spot where he had left the dead +body of the ruffian, he found three or four watchmen calling for help. +Many heads were thrust from the windows, and one citizen even ventured out +of his house with a lamp in his hand. + +The watchmen, having inquired as to what had taken place, examined the +body to see if there were any signs of life. + +"Leave him!" said one; "it is Bufferio. God be praised! the man has at +last met the fate which he deserved." + +In the meantime, Julio had commenced to boast. He related that he had to +deal with two assassins at once, that he had wounded one in the face, and +pierced the other with his sword. How the latter had been able to run +away, was unaccountable; no doubt he would be found near at hand, dead or +dying. + +The young gentleman, who really believed the story of Turchi's servant, +thanked him for his assistance, and acknowledged that he owed his life to +him, as he had given the warning of the approach of the assassins. + +The dead body was removed behind the well until the city authorities +should order its burial. + +The head watchman approached Geronimo, and said to him: + +"Where do you live, signor? Two of my men will accompany you, lest some +other accident might befall you. Do not refuse the offer. The villains who +escaped might be on the watch for you, in order to avenge the death of +their companions." + +"What shall I do?" said the gentleman to Julio. "I cannot give the +serenade without the lute-players, and, besides, I could not sing after +such emotion. But Miss Van de Werve is expecting it, and if I do not go, +she will imagine that some accident has happened to me. It would be better +for me to see Mr. Van de Werve, so as to remove any cause of anxiety. I +accept your offer, watchmen, and I will liberally recompense the services +you render me. I must return to Kipdorp, and you will do me the favor to +wait a few minutes, in order to accompany me to my dwelling. Follow me." + +Geronimo, the watchmen, and Julio soon reached the residence of Mr. Van de +Werve. He knocked, and was immediately admitted. + +The young gentleman again thanked Julio with the liveliest gratitude for +his assistance, and promised to tell his master how courageously he had +acted, and the eminent services he had rendered him. + +Julio bade adieu, and hastened to his master's dwelling. He was about to +knock, but, to his great terror, the door was opened at once, as though +some one were waiting for him. + +"Is it you, Julio?" asked a man, in the darkness. + +The servant recognized his master's voice, and entered the door. + +"Well," said he, in a stifled tone, "is he dead?" + +"Who?" + +"Who! Geronimo?" + +"On the contrary, Bufferio is dead. Geronimo ran him through the body." + +"Then you have not the pocket-book?" + +"Certainly not." + +"And the gold crowns?" + +"I gave them to Bufferio." + +"Pietro Mostajo, you have betrayed me!" hissed the infuriated signor in +the ear of his servant, shaking him convulsively by the arm. "Tell me +quickly what has happened! Tremble, stupid coward! the Superintendent of +Lucca shall know who you are!" + +"_Ebbene che sia!_" answered Julio. "Then the Signor Geronimo shall also +know who hired Bufferio to assassinate him." + +A hoarse cry like a stifled groan resounded through the vestibule. The +door was closed. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +VAN DE WERVE'S RECEPTION--SIMON TURCHI'S JEALOUSY AND HATRED. + + +Mr. Van de Werve, whose large fortune justified a lavish expenditure, was +accustomed to receive at his residence every month the principal gentlemen +of Antwerp, strangers as well as citizens. His love for art and science +induced him to bring together the best artists and the most noted literary +men of the day with the high-born, wealthy, and influential members of +society at Antwerp; and his house had become the rendezvous of all that +was excellent and celebrated in the city. + +Nearly the whole of the anterior part of the house was occupied by a vast +hall, called the _Ancestral Hall_, because it was decorated by numberless +souvenirs of his illustrious family. The walls, for a certain distance +were sculptured in oak wood, so artistically designed, and so delicately +wrought, that at the first glance it looked like embroidery in various +colors. To produce this effect, the natural brown of the oak had been left +in some places. All the rest shone with gold and silver, which was +relieved by a beautiful scarlet, brilliant yellow, and the softest +sky-blue. The many small figures scattered over the ornaments were highly +gilded. From the wooden wainscot arose slight pillars, which, uniting in +the Gothic style, supported the heavy beams of the ceiling. Six of these +beams were visible: all were covered with highly colored sculptures. Their +decorations harmonized with, those of the wainscot, and seemed an +expansion of it, as though the architect wished the exquisite ornaments of +the beams of the ceiling to be considered a luxuriant verdure, springing +from trunks rooted in the oaken wainscot. + +The escutcheon of the Van de Werve family, together with the families +allied to them, was artistically sculptured in the wood. The emblems and +devices were in profusion: lions, wild boars, eagles, ermines, bands and +crosses of gold, silver, green, and blue quartz, so numerous and +sparkling, that when the noonday sun penetrated into the hall, the eye +could with difficulty bear the dazzling magnificence. + +The armorial bearings of the Van de Werves, Lords of Schilde, painted in +larger proportions than the others, were at the extremity of the hall. +They consisted of a black boar on a field of gold, quartered by three +chevrons of silver on black, surmounted by a helmet ornamented by +mantlings of black and gold, and above this was a boar's head. + +Around these family arms shone a large number of escutcheons of smaller +size; among others, the coat of arms of the Wyneghem, the Van Immerseel, +the Van Wilre, the Van Mildert, the Van Coolput, the Van Bruloch, and the +Van Zymaer, families the most nearly related to that of Van de Werve. + +Above the wainscot, within the niches formed by the pillars, hung the +portraits of some of the most illustrious ancestors of William Van de +Werve, as well as his own, in which he was represented as captain of a +German company in the service of Charles V. + +The portraits did not occupy all the panels formed in the richly carved +oak. In a large number appeared valuable paintings from the pencil of the +most celebrated masters of Netherlands. The eye rested on the creations of +the immortal brothers Van Eyck, the touching Quintin Massys, the +intellectual Roger Van der Weydens, the spiritual Jerome Bosch, the +laborious Lucas de Leyde, and others whose names were favorably mentioned +in the world of art. + +In a corner of the room, beside the fireplace, stood a piano richly +enamelled in woods of different colors, and upon it lay two lutes and a +violin--a proof that the charming art of music was cultivated by the +family of Mr. Van de Werve. + +From the ceiling were suspended six gilded chandeliers; on the mantelpiece +were two candelabras; along the walls, where the pillars formed +projections, numerous sconces were fastened; and when Mr. Van de Werve +received his friends in the evening, the reflection of the numberless wax +candles from the many gold and silver ornaments gave a princely air to the +hall. + +Three days after the attempted assassination of Geronimo by the ruffian +Bufferio, Mr. Van de Werve was to entertain his friends in the evening, it +being the time appointed for their reunion. Although he had been deeply +moved by the murderous assault, and his daughter Mary had scarcely +recovered from the shock, he had not withdrawn the invitations, hoping +that the social gathering might help to dissipate painful thoughts. + +At the appointed hour the dwelling of Mr. Van de Werve was in a blaze of +light. The large double door was thrown open, and in the vast hall were +crowds of domestics, the attendants of the guests who had already arrived. + +The large parlor was filled with persons of different conditions and ages. +There were, however, only men present, for this evening was by a previous +arrangement to be devoted to artists, men of letters, and notable men of +commerce. + +The first salutations had been exchanged among the guests of Mr. Van de +Werve; they had separated according to their pleasure in different groups, +and were engaged in cordial and familiar conversation. + +Five or six of the more aged were seated near a table examining some new +works which excited their admiration; others, whose more simple attire +proclaimed them to be artists, were showing each other their designs; +another party, evidently formed of young noblemen, surrounded Geronimo, +and were asking particulars of the recent attempt upon his life. + +At the end of the room, not far from the fireplace, were collected the +foreigners who were engaged in commerce at Antwerp. Although they had +assembled for amusement, they were conversing, through habit, upon the +expected arrival of vessels, and the price of gold and different kinds of +merchandise. Among these foreigners was to be seen every description of +costume, and every variety of tongue could be heard. The Spaniard found +himself beside a native of Lucca, the Portuguese near the Florentine, the +English with the Genoese, the German next to the Venetian; and, as on +Change at Antwerp, they found means to understand each other. + +Mr. Van de Werve had at first remained near the door in order to welcome +his guests as they entered; but supposing that the greater part of those +invited had arrived, he left this place and was walking from group to +group, joining in conversation for a few moments, and saying some pleasant +words to each. + +The old Deodati had seated himself in an arm-chair apart. So many had +welcomed him on his arrival at Antwerp, and he had been the object of so +much polite attention, that, being fatigued from standing and talking, he +was now seeking some repose. + +By his side was Simon Turchi, conversing familiarly and in a low tone with +the old man. The hypocrite feigned an extraordinary affection for the +venerable nobleman, and flattered him by every expression of respect and +esteem. They had already spoken of the attempted assassination, and Simon +Turchi had expressed his astonishment, for he did not believe that +Geronimo had an enemy in the world. It was quite likely that Bufferio had +made a mistake as to the individual, a thing which might easily have +happened in so dark a night. + +While Simon Turchi, with apparent calmness, thus conversed with the old +gentleman, he was evidently meditating some wicked design; for while +talking, his eyes incessantly wandered to Geronimo, and he endeavored to +divine from his countenance the subject of his conversation. He did not +for one instant lose sight of Mary's betrothed. + +After speaking of the assassination, the old Deodati glanced around the +room upon the different groups of guests, and he asked Turchi: + +"Who is the gentleman in purple velvet, who is the object of such marked +respect from the merchants around him? I do not mean the tall old man, I +am acquainted with him, he is the rich Fugger of Augsburg; I am speaking +of the one who stands beside him." + +"He is a banker, signor," replied Simon Turchi. "He is very rich, and his +name is Lazarus Tucher. The gentleman before him is the head of the house +of the Hochstetter. The gentlemen conversing with him belong to the +distinguished commercial houses of the Gigli, the Spignoli, and the +Gualterotti. A little apart, and behind them, is Don Pezoa, the +superintendent of the king of Portugal; he is speaking with Diego d'Aro, +and Antonio de Vaglio, superintendents from Spain. The gentlemen near them +are Italian and Portuguese merchants, whose names I could tell you, for I +know them all, but such details would not interest you." + +"I am indebted to you for your kindness, Signor Turchi," replied Deodati. +"My nephew, Geronimo, would give me all this information, but he is +surrounded by his young friends, and as he sees me with you, he is +undoubtedly convinced that I could not be in better or more agreeable +company. Have the kindness to tell me the name of the fine-looking old man +seated near the table, and to give me some information regarding those who +are listening to him with so much attention." + +"Around the table, signor, are the most learned men of Netherlands. That +gray-headed orator is the old Graphaeus, secretary of the city of Antwerp, +and the author of several well written Latin works. The young man, on +whose shoulder he leans, is his son, Alexander, who is also very learned. +Before him is seated Abraham Ortelius, the great geographer, who is +regarded as the Ptolemy of his age. Beside Ortelius is his friend and +fellow-laborer Gerard, also a learned geographer, and one of the +luminaries of the day. The only one whose dress indicates his Italian +birth is Louis Guicciardini, a Florentine gentleman, who is here for the +purpose of collecting materials for an extensive work on the Low +Countries, and particularly on the powerful commercial city of Antwerp. +The gentleman plainly dressed, with a black beard, holding a book in his +hand, is Christopher Plantin; he is engaged in establishing at Antwerp a +printing-press of great importance. Its dimensions are so large that it +will occupy the ground on which several spacious houses now stand; +hundreds of workmen will be employed all day in composing, correcting, and +printing books in every civilized tongue. You must not fail, signor, to +visit the building; even in its unfinished state it will cause you +astonishment." + +"The Netherlands is a favored country," said the old Deodati. "If the +climate is not as mild as in our own beautiful Italy, the men are bold, +active, intelligent, industrious, and learned, and they possess all the +qualifications requisite for the material prosperity and moral progress of +a nation. I am surprised to see you, who are a foreigner, as well +acquainted with the inhabitants as a native." + +"I have lived here many years," replied Turchi. "These gentlemen are +frequent visitors at the house of Mr. Van de Werve, and I have seen them +so often, that I know them as old friends. Look at the corner near the +piano, where those collected together laugh merrily, jest, and chat +socially. You may easily recognize them by their light playful manners as +artists." + +"Yes. Is not that handsome man with noble features Frans Floris, the +Flemish Raphael?" + +"Yes; he was presented to you yesterday by Mr. Van de Werve, and you may +remember how enthusiastically he eulogized Italian art." + +"Near him is a singular-looking person; his very attitude is amusing, and +his gestures force one to laugh." + +"He is Peter Breughel, a humorist, who so designs his pictures that they +seem painted only by way of jest. He is, however, in good repute as an +artist. I saw recently one of his pictures in which he represents the +Saviour carrying his cross to Calvary. In this he represents pilgrims with +their staves, Spanish soldiers in doublets, monks and nuns; there is even +a statue of the Blessed Virgin suspended on a tree, and that at a time +when there was no Christianity, no Saint James of Compostella, neither +convents nor Spaniards." + +"That is indeed singular," said Deodati, smiling. "It seems to me that +such conceits do but very little honor to the artist. Is it a custom among +other artists in the Netherlands to sport thus with holy things?" + +"No; Signor Breughel is an exception. The other gentlemen in company with +the Flemish Raphael are more serious men. Michael Coxie, whom you may +distinguish by the gray doublet, excels in his portraits of women. The +handsome young man standing behind him is Martin de Vos, a pupil of +Floris; he evinces a high order of talent and gives promise of great +perfection in his art. The others, as well as I can recognize them at this +distance, are Lambert Van Noord, Egide Mostaert, William Key, Bernard de +Rycke, and the two brothers Henry and Martin Van Cleef, all celebrated +historical, fancy, or portrait painters. Near them is Master Grimmer, a +famous landscape-painter; and the gentleman now speaking is a certain Ack +of Antwerp, who has painted the large glass windows of the church of Saint +Gudula at Brussels. The old man sitting apart near the piano is Christian; +he has marvellous skill in playing on many instruments, but he excels most +on the violin. You will probably hear him this evening." + +Simon Turchi continued to converse familiarly with the Signor Deodati, who +was charmed with his intelligence, but still more with the kind +consideration which made him refrain from joining in the general +conversation in order to entertain an old man. + +Geronimo had several times approached his uncle, but each time the latter +had playfully sent him away, telling him that the agreeable company of the +Signor Turchi sufficed for him, and that he preferred a quiet +conversation. + +In the meantime the conversation among the guests had become more general. +Noblemen and bankers, merchants and literary men, manufacturers and +artists, were mingling with each other; rank and condition were +disregarded, and the animated conversation of the company resounded +through the hall like the humming of a swarm of bees. + +At this moment the servants entered, bringing silver waiters on which were +wines of every description, pastry, cakes, rare fruits, and other +refreshments. + +They passed through the room offering the wines to the guests. + +"Gentlemen, a glass of Malmsey, Rhenish wine, claret, sherry, Muscatel?" + +Whilst these delicious drinks and delicacies were thus distributed, +Geronimo never lost sight of Mr. Van de Werve, but observed him with an +eye full of hope and expectation. + +When at last he saw Mr. Van de Werve leave the room, a bright smile +illumined his face. Geronimo knew that Mr. Van de Werve sometimes +gratified his friends and acquaintances by allowing his beautiful daughter +to be present at their evening reunion for about an hour, and he had been +impatiently awaiting the moment when the young girl would appear. + +Simon Turchi, although apparently so unmoved, had constantly watched +Mary's betrothed, noticed the radiant expression of his countenance, and +understood the cause. + +Mary was coming! Perhaps the whole company would know that his suit had +been rejected, and that Geronimo had succeeded where the powerful +administrator of the house of Buonvisi had failed! + +This thought deeply wounded his pride. He scowled at Geronimo, who was +looking in another direction. Rage and jealousy goaded him almost to +madness; he felt that the scar on his face, by its deepening hue, would +betray his emotion, and to conceal it he covered his eyes with his hand. + +Deodati asked him with interest: + +"What is the matter, Signor Turchi? Are you ill?" + +"The heat is intolerable," said Simon, endeavoring to master his feelings. + +"Heat?" murmured Deodati; "it does not seem to me very warm. Shall I +accompany you for a few moments to the garden, signor?" + +But Turchi raised his head, and smiling in an unconcerned manner, said: + +"Many thanks, signor, for your kindness. I feel much better. I had been +looking too long at the large lustre, and its brilliant light made me +dizzy. But let us rise, signor, there is the beautiful Mary, _la bionda +maraviglia_!" + +Mr. Van de Werve appeared at this moment at the door, and introduced his +beloved child. A murmur of admiration ran through the assembly, and room +was made for the father and daughter. + +The beauty of Mary surpassed all expectation. Her dress consisted of a +flowing robe of silver-colored satin, with no other ornament than a girdle +of gold thread. Her own blonde hair was arranged around her head in the +form of a crown, in the centre of which were placed some white flowers +fastened by choice pearls. But the admiration of the spectators was +excited by her large blue eyes, her brilliant complexion, the dignified +sweetness of her expression, the gentle, innocent, modest smile which +mirrored on her face the peace and joy of her soul. + +Geronimo had never before seen Mary dressed in this style. On the +contrary, she generally wore dark or unobtrusive colors. Decked as she now +was in pure white, she had the appearance of a bride. It was, of course, +by her father's request; but what did it mean? Did he intend by this to +make it known that Mary was betrothed, and would soon be wedded? Such +thoughts as these agitated Geronimo as the young girl accompanied her +father into the room. + +The old Deodati rose and advanced to meet her. Simon Turchi took advantage +of this movement to retire a short distance; for, as his eye fell on the +beautiful girl, rage filled his heart as he reflected that this noble and +pure woman would have been his wife had not Geronimo blasted the happiness +of his life. + +The lightning-like glance of hate and envy which he cast upon Geronimo was +a sinister menace of death. Happily for him, all eyes were turned towards +the young girl, otherwise many a one might have read the dark soul of +Simon Turchi and discovered the horrible design he had conceived. + +Mr. Van de Werve introduced his daughter to his guests. All expressed in +courteous terms their admiration and their pleasure in her society. + +The noble young girl received the felicitations and compliments addressed +to her with a gentle and dignified self-possession. There were in her +manner and tone of voice a rare modesty and reserve, and at the same time +an exquisite politeness. Still more astonishing was her rich and varied +knowledge. Whether conversing with a Spaniard, Frenchman, Italian, or +German, she spoke to each in his own tongue; but the beautiful Italian +language assumed additional sweetness on her lips. + +When presented to the old Deodati, she took both his hands and spoke to +him so tenderly and affectionately that, overcome by emotion, he could +only say a few grateful words in acknowledgment. + +Passing by Simon Turchi, she said cheerfully: + +"God be praised, Signor Turchi, that your health is so soon restored! I am +happy to see you here this evening. I am sincerely grateful to you, +signor, for the friendship you manifest to the nephew of Signor Deodati. +You have a good and generous heart, and I thank God for having given so +devoted a friend to Geronimo and his uncle!" + +The gentle words of the young girl were intolerable torture to Turchi; the +wound on his face, betraying his emotion, became of a deep-red color. And +yet it was absolutely necessary for him to appear calm, and to reply +cordially to the kind salutation of the young girl; for there were at +least twenty persons near him and within hearing of what passed. + +By a powerful effort he mastered his emotion, referring it to the +impression made upon him by her appearance. He spoke also of sacrifices, +which, even when voluntarily made, painfully wound the heart; of a +self-abnegation which could find its consolation in the happiness of a +friend, but which failed not to leave a sting in the soul that had +cherished fallacious hopes. + +Mary understood him, and was grateful for his kindness. + +"Thanks, thanks, signor," she said, warmly, as she passed on to salute +other guests. + +When Mary approached the piano, and addressed a few kind words to Master +Christian, many Italian gentlemen begged her to favor them with a +_canzone_. + +With her father's permission, the young girl consented to gratify the +guests. She hesitated awhile as to the language in which to sing, and was +turning over the leaves of a book handed her by Master Christian. The old +Deodati expressed a wish to hear a song in the language of the Low +Countries, and begging pardon of the Italian gentlemen, Mary said she +would sing a _Kyrie Eleison_ in her maternal tongue. + +Master Christian seated himself at the piano, to accompany her, and +commenced a prelude. + +The first notes of the young girl were like a gentle murmur. By degrees +her voice became firmer and stronger, until at the end of each strophe the +word _eleison_ rose like a sonorous hymn to heaven. + +The measure was remarkably slow, simple, and full of a tranquil melody. +Mary evidently felt the peculiar character of this chant, for instead of +endeavoring to add to the effect, she softened still more her singularly +sweet voice, and let the words drop slowly from her lips, as if the +songstress herself were ravished in contemplation and was listening to +celestial music. + +At first the Italian gentlemen exchanged glances, as if to express the +thought that this chant could not compare with the brilliant lively style +of the Italian music. But this unfavorable opinion was not of long +duration. They, like all others, soon yielded to the irresistible +fascination of Mary's exquisite voice. They listened with such rapt +attention that not the slightest movement was made in the room, and one +might have heard the murmur of the leaves in the garden as they were +gently stirred by the breeze of May. + +Mary had concluded her song and lifted her eyes to heaven with an +expression of adoration. All who gazed upon her felt as though they were +contemplating an angel before the throne of God. Even Simon Turchi was +subdued by admiration, and he even momentarily lost sight of the hatred +and jealousy which lacerated his heart. + +Mary thus sang: + + Kyrie! Lo, our God comes, + Mankind to save from ill and bless: + What grateful joy should break our gloom + And fill our hearts with happiness! + + Kyrie eleison!--God is born! + A virgin mother gives him birth; + And sin's dark bonds asunder torn, + Sweet heaven again inclines to earth. + + Kyrie!--hear!--the sacred font + + Pours forth its saving waters free-- + And Thou impressest on our front + The sign that drives our foes away. + + Christe!--anointed victim!--Thou, + Who in thy death bestowest life-- + The healing remedy for woe-- + Ah! earth with many a woe is rife. + + Christe eleison!--brother dear-- + Our liberator from all ill-- + Strong in Thy virtue, free from fear, + And be our help to virtue still. + + Christe eleison! God and man-- + Our only consolation here-- + Oh! do not leave us 'neath the ban + Of sorrow perilous and drear. + + Oh! Kyrie, Father--Kyrie Son-- + Kyrie Spirit--we adore + The Triune God--Thee, only One! + Grant we may praise Thee evermore! + +Silence reigned in the room some moments after the last sound had died +away, and then arose a murmur of admiration, and the young girl was +overwhelmed with felicitations. + +Whilst being thus complimented, Mary noticed Geronimo at a little distance +from her. Desirous, perhaps, of escaping the praises lavished upon her, +or, it may be, yielding to a real desire, she approached the young man, +drew him towards the piano, and insisted upon his singing an Italian aria. + +Geronimo at first refused, but his uncle requested him to yield to the +entreaties of the young girl. Taking up a lute, he hastily tuned it, and +sang the first word of the aria _Italia!_ in such a tone of enthusiasm +that it struck a responsive chord in every Italian heart. The notes fell +from his lips like a shower of brilliant stars; his bosom heaved, his eyes +sparkled, and his rich tenor voice filling the hall produced an +indescribable effect upon the auditors. As his song proceeded, it seemed +to gain in expression and vigor, and as he repeated the refrain _Mia bella +Italia!_ for the last time, his compatriots were so carried away by their +enthusiasm that, forgetful of decorum, all, even the most aged, waved +their caps, exclaiming: + +"_Italia! Italia!_" + +Tears stood in the eyes of many. + +Geronimo was complimented by all present. His uncle called him his beloved +son, Mary spoke to him in the most flattering manner, and Mr. Van de Werve +shook hands with him cordially. + +As to Simon Turchi, he was overpowered; all he had just seen and heard was +such a martyrdom; jealousy so gnawed his heart that he sank deeper and +deeper into the abyss of hatred and vengeance. He stood a few steps from +Geronimo, his eyes downcast, and trembling with emotion. + +No one noticed him. Had he attracted attention, his friends would have +supposed that, like the other Italians, he had been moved by the chant of +his compatriot. + +Turchi soon roused himself. Like a man who has taken a sudden resolution, +he walked up to Geronimo, smiled pleasantly, and threw his arms around his +neck. + +"Thanks, thanks, Geronimo!" he exclaimed. "You have made me truly happy by +giving me additional cause to be proud of my country." + +While embracing him, he also whispered: + +"Geronimo, I wish to speak privately to you this evening. I will go to the +garden presently; try to follow me; you will be pleased." + +Having said these words, he fell back as if to make way for Mr. Fugger, +the rich banker, who wished to offer his congratulations. + +The servants reappeared in the hall with wines and various delicacies. + +Master Christian was tuning his violin. The guests, informed that this +excellent artist was about to entertain them with his wonderful skill, +drew near the piano. + +Geronimo, perplexed by the words of Simon Turchi, watched his friend and +sought an opportunity to speak to him alone. He saw him leave the room, +and as the entrance of the servants with refreshments, and the desire of +the guests to approach Master Christian, had caused a stir among the +company, the young man was enabled to rejoin Simon in the garden. + +The garden, situated in the rear of the house, although not large, was +crossed by several winding paths, and along the wall were wide-spreading +trees and blocks of verdure. + +When Geronimo entered the garden, he perceived several persons who had +left the heated apartment to enjoy the fresh air, and who were walking in +different directions. + +As he was seeking in the dim light to distinguish Simon Turchi, the latter +approached from an arbor, took his arm and led him in silence to a retired +part of the garden, where he seated himself on a bench, and said in low +tone: + +"Sit down, Geronimo! I have good news for you." + +"Ah! have you succeeded in obtaining the money?" + +"I have been successful. But come nearer! no one must overhear us. A +foreign merchant, whom I saved two years ago from dishonor and ruin, at +the risk of my own destruction, will furnish me with the means of +returning you the ten thousand crowns." + +"God be praised!" said Geronimo, with a sigh of relief. "He will not long +delay, I hope, to fulfil his generous designs." + +"I will pay you to-morrow what I owe you." + +"To-morrow? how fortunate!" + +"But, Geronimo, I cannot bring you the money; you must come for it +yourself." + +"It would be a trifle were I obliged to go to Cologne." + +"You need not go so far. Only go to my country-seat near the hospital. +Silence! some one approaches!" + +After a moment's silence, Turchi resumed: + +"He has passed. You must know, Geronimo, that the foreign merchant desires +his presence in Antwerp to remain unknown, and I have promised to keep him +concealed in my garden for several days.[17] He wishes to assist me, but +he is over-prudent and distrustful. I will sign the receipt for the sum he +lends me. He requires, for greater security, that you sign it also." + +"What mystery is this?" said the young man. "I must sign with you for +security! Who is this merchant? Is he a fugitive from justice?" + +"What has that to do with the affair? It is not my secret, Geronimo, and I +promised to conceal his name. If you be saved from your present +embarrassment, will you not have attained your object? It is true that you +will be my security, but the ten thousand crowns will be in the money +vault, and your uncle will not find one florin missing. Your only danger +would arise from an inability on my part to meet the note. But you need +fear nothing in that respect. In a few months my resources will be +abundant. I take this step only to save you from a present imminent +danger. You must know, Geronimo, that I would prefer to have you alone for +my creditor." + +"Certainly, Simon, and I am most grateful to you for your kindness. Will +this merchant give me the amount in coin?" + +"No, but in bills of exchange on Milan, Florence, and Lucca." + +"Good and reliable bills, Simon?" + +"You shall be the judge before accepting them. Fear nothing, you shall be +fully satisfied." + +"Well, I will go. After Change, between five and six o'clock, will that +answer?" + +"It makes no difference to me, provided I know the hour beforehand." + +"Expect me, then, to-morrow, between five and six o'clock. But let us +return to the house. Our long absence might cause remark." + +Simon Turchi arose, but remained standing in the same spot, and said: + +"Geronimo, I have promised the merchant that none but yourself shall know +of his presence in Antwerp. Say nothing, therefore, to your uncle, to +Mary, nor to any one else. The least indiscretion might disarrange our +plans, and be perilous to the stranger. Come alone, without any +attendant." + +"I will do as you direct," said Geronimo, "but it will be impossible for +me to remain until dark. My uncle will be seriously displeased if I go out +again at night without a sufficient guard." + +"I will not detain you over half an hour." + +At that moment a servant from the house entered the garden looking for +Geronimo. + +"Signor Geronimo," he said, "Mr. Van de Werve is inquiring for you, as +Miss Van de Werve is about to retire from the company, and Signor Deodati +wishes to return home. He is awaiting you." + +The two gentlemen followed the servant; on the way, Turchi again said in a +low voice: + +"To-morrow, between the hours of five and six." + +The old Deodati was already at the door with five or six attendants. He +was displeased by the long absence of his nephew, and was about to +remonstrate with him. But, by Turchi's explanation, this want of attention +was pardoned, and he was even permitted to bid a hasty adieu to Mary and +her father. + +He returned almost immediately, and offering his arm to his uncle, he +left Mr. Van de Werve's house. + +As he moved on, Simon Turchi glanced at him entreatingly, as if to insist +upon secrecy. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +SIMON TURCHI WREAKS HIS VENGEANCE ON GERONIMO. + + +It was about five o'clock in the afternoon. Julio was seated in one of the +rooms of his master's dwelling, his arms crossed upon his breast. Absorbed +in deep thought, he had his eyes fixed on an arm-chair which stood near +the only window in the room, and from time to time he shook his head with +an expression of anxious doubt. + +The footsteps of a man in the room above interrupted his reflections; an +ironical smile passed over his features as he muttered: + +"He calls me a coward, the dastard that he is! For one hour he has been +running about from room to room as though pursued by invisible spectres. +How cunningly he has devised the whole affair in his own interest. Julio +is to kill poor Geronimo! Julio is to bury the body in the cellar! Julio +is to do all by himself! When we deal with false people, we must be on our +guard. His intention is clear enough to me; he wishes to secure means, in +case of necessity, of accusing me alone of the crime. He may threaten and +rage as much as he pleases; he shall deal the mortal blow him self, or +Geronimo shall leave this place unharmed." + +Julio remained silent for a few moments, passed his hand across his brow, +and said, looking at the chair: + +"Think that in one hour that infernal seat will hold a corpse! The corpse +of the most noble, affable gentleman I have ever known. May his good angel +prevent him from visiting this cut-throat place! Signor Turchi will kill +him; but I must aid him.[18] What will be the end of this bloody tragedy? +The scaffold for the master, and the gallows for the servant. This is the +consequence of my disorderly life. Had I not gone, in a moment of +intoxication, and without knowing it, to the place where Judge Voltai was +assassinated, I would not have been obliged to fly from my country, and +Signor Turchi would not have it in his power to force me to become his +accomplice in a frightful crime. The old cure of Porto-Fino said truly, +that 'Sin is a labyrinth; if once we enter, we loose the thread which +enables us to return to virtue.' Ah! would I were with my mother in Italy. +Useless wish. It is too late; I am banished from my country, and a price +set on my head." + +He reflected for a few moments, then, with a gesture of impatience, he +resumed: + +"Come, come; of what good are all such thoughts? I am in his power, and I +must yield to necessity; but once let the blow be struck, once let him +commit a crime of which I can produce the proofs, then I will be master, +and in my turn I will cry in his ears: 'Simon Turchi, fear the bailiff and +the executioner!' At the present moment I am powerless; if I took any +means to prevent the attempt, he might destroy all evidence of his +criminal design, and deliver me up to the authorities of Lucca. I would be +taken into Italy and broken on the wheel, in the very place where my poor +old mother lives. I have always been a cause of sorrow to her; at least I +will spare her this last disgrace. But the signor is coming down. He will +reiterate his entreaties to me to strike the fatal blow; but I will not +have the blood of this innocent gentleman on me." + +Simon Turchi was approaching. His face was very pale, but the scar which +furrowed his cheek was of a more ashy hue. He did not tremble, but he +walked precipitately, and he clasped his hands convulsively, like a man +whose impatience can brook no delay. + +He noticed that his servant was in deep thought, his head bowed upon his +chest, and it was only on his near approach that Julio suddenly roused +from his preoccupation. He entered the room and said: + +"Julio, the hour is nigh. Of what are you thinking? Are you afraid?" + +"Afraid?" replied Julio, with a light laugh; "why should _I_ be afraid?" + +"True, true," murmured Simon, "since I alone shall shed his blood." + +"But," continued Julio, "if I have no cause for personal fear, would not +love for my master fill me with painful thoughts? Signor, you are playing +for dangerous stakes." + +"Who will know what has taken place here?" + +"Who? Is there not an eye above which sees all? And whilst here, in the +deepest secrecy, you immolate a human being to your thirst for vengeance, +will not God hear the cry of agony of the Signor Geronimo?" + +Julio saw, with a secret joy, that his words made his master tremble, +although he tried to dissemble his feelings under an assumed +insensibility. + +"What a good joke!" replied Simon; "Pietro Mostajo talking of God! My +precautions are too well taken; when the cellar will be the depository of +the secret, there will be none to tell it." + +"Do you think so, signor? When has such a murder ever remained concealed? +It is not surprising that I bowed my head in thought. In imagination I saw +such terrible things that I dare not tell them to you. Tears still fill my +eyes at the thought." + +"What did you see?" asked Turchi, with increasing anxiety. + +"What did I see? The bailiff and his attendants. They bound a man's hand's +behind his back; they dragged him through the streets like an odious +criminal; the people cast filth and dirt upon the prisoner, and cried out, +'Murderer!' What did I see? A scaffold, and on this scaffold an +executioner and one condemned to death; then a sword glittered in the +sunlight, it fell, a stream of blood flowed, and a head rolled in the +dust." + +The servant stopped intentionally; but his master convulsively caught his +arm, and said in a hoarse voice: + +"What then? What then?" + +"And then the crowd applauded and poured out maledictions upon the name." + +"Whose name?" + +"Yours, signor?" + +Simon Turchi was so overpowered by the picture thus presented of his +probable end, that he uttered a cry of terror and sprang back, trembling. +He cast down his eyes for a moment in silence. + +Julio contemplated the signor, thus overpowered by emotion, with a +derisive smile. He had not called up this vivid scene solely as a means to +induce his master to renounce his perilous enterprise; his motive was also +to terrify him and to revenge himself for the violence he had been forced +to endure from him. + +The impression made upon Simon Turchi by this highly-wrought prediction +did not last long. He raised his head, and said, in a contemptuous manner: + +"Base hypocrite; it is your own fear which excites your imagination to see +such things. The most courageous man would become cowardly with the +cowardly. It is unfortunate for me that I need you, otherwise I would soon +rid myself of your presence. But I, at least, will not recoil from the +undertaking. Speak; tell me how far I may depend upon you. The clock will +soon strike, and there is no time for hesitation." + +"We will see which of us will the more coolly perform his part of the +task. You are mistaken, signor; fear does not disturb me. Sympathy for you +suggested the train of thought, and I considered it my duty to place +before your eyes once more the abyss into which you might fall." + +"Be silent; it is too late," exclaimed Simon Turchi, beside himself with +rage. "Fool, do you desire my ruin--my eternal dishonor? Shall I let my +enemy live? Shall I let him--him the husband of Mary Van de Werve--look +down upon me from the height of his grandeur and felicity? No, no. I +myself will be, must be, happy, rich, prosperous; and even should all +escape my grasp; should the scaffold be my lot, the rage of vengeance +which lacerates my heart must be satisfied.... Nothing, nothing, can +restrain me; and, Julio, were you an obstacle in my path, I would pass +over your dead body to strike a fatal blow at him who has poisoned my +life. Do not attempt to thwart me, or I will crush you where you stand." + +At these words Simon Turchi placed his hand on the hilt of his sword; his +face was scarlet, his lips trembled, and his eyes flashed. + +This threat did not disturb Julio, probably because he thought his master +could not execute it. An ironical smile played upon his lips; he stepped +back one or two paces, drew his knife, and said, mockingly: + +"It would be strange, signor, if Geronimo should find us engaged in a +combat. It might save his life." + +"What! would you dare?" + +"Why not? Do you think Julio would permit himself to be led like a sheep +to the slaughter?" + +"Listen! Ho comes!" exclaimed Simon Turchi, starting with terror. + +The repeated strokes of the knocker resounded through the court-yard where +the little door gave entrance into the garden. + +"Julio, I ask you again," said Turchi, anxiously, "what reliance I may +place upon you?" + +"I will do what I have promised--neither more nor less." + +"Then go open the door. Be guarded in your words, and show no disquietude. +Bring him to this room; tell him that I am engaged with the foreign +merchant; if he does not sit down at once, watch a favorable moment to +lead him to the arm-chair. Then call me and I will do the rest." + +"You, then, are determined to make me entice the Signor Geronimo to sit +down in the arm-chair?" + +Turchi replied in a threatening voice and with flashing eyes: + +"Pietro Mostajo, remember the Superintendent of Lucca." + +Julio left the building, went to the garden-gate and opened it. + +"Benvenuto, Signor Geronimo," he said, "what good luck brings you here on +a visit to my master? It is a long time since we have seen you." + +"It is indeed a long time," replied the young noble with a genial smile, +as he walked towards the house. "But the place looks so wild and uncared +for. Did not the Signor Turchi speak of having the garden put in order?" + +"Yes; but for some time my master has been very melancholy, and nothing +seems to give him pleasure." + +"I know it, Julio; but things will be better for him now." + +"Would that your words were true, signor!" + +"What a heavy sigh, Julio. You excite my fears. Is your master ill?" + +The servant felt the importance of self-control, if he would not arouse +the gentleman's suspicions. He therefore said, in a careless manner: + +"Nothing is the matter, signor. My master is very well, and to-day is in a +good humor. Ever since I saw Bufferio's sword lifted against you, I have +suffered from an occasional sudden palpitation of the heart. I find relief +only in a deep sigh." + +As they thus talked together, he conducted Geronimo to the room containing +the large arm-chair. + +"Signor Geronimo," he said, "my master is up-stairs. I will inform him of +your arrival. Please be seated." + +Julio left the room; but instead of ascending the staircase, he hid +himself behind a door and listened attentively to hear the clasping of the +springs of the chair. + +After having waited in vain, for a long time, he returned to the room, and +said to the gentleman: + +"Signor, my master begs you to excuse him for a while. He is engaged +transacting some business with the merchant of whom he spoke to you +yesterday. They are preparing a writing for you. Have the kindness to wait +a few moments." + +He now thought that Geronimo would, of his own accord, take the arm-chair, +and with a beating heart he observed his movements. But he was +disappointed, for the young cavalier stood at the window, gazing +thoughtfully into the garden. + +Although Julio knew with what mistrust and impatience his master was +counting each passing moment, he said to Geronimo, with assumed +indifference: + +"It is at least half a mile from the Dominican Convent to this place, and +you must be fatigued after your walk. Will you not rest in this arm-chair, +signor?" + +"No, I thank you. I am not in the least fatigued. I love to look at those +beautiful trees clothed in their fresh May verdure." + +An involuntary movement of impatience escaped the servant. + +"You need not remain here on my account, Julio," said Geronimo. "Go to +your work; I will stay alone." + +"I have no urgent occupation, signor. If I still remain, contrary to your +wish, it is to ask you a question; and yet I fear that you will be +displeased at my boldness." + +"Not at all, Julio. Can I render you any service? It will give me pleasure +to show my gratitude for the courage with which you defended me when I was +attacked by the ruffians." + +"I had no reference to that. I heard you were about to marry the beautiful +Miss Van de Werve. The news rejoiced me; but may your humble servant make +free to ask you if it be true?" + +The name of his betrothed flushed his cheek with joy, and he answered, +with a smile: + +"Yes, Julio, it is true." + +"How blessed you are, signor!" + +"Yes, Julio, God has bestowed upon me the greatest earthly blessing, for +which I shall eternally thank him. On the solemn day of our nuptials you +will have cause to rejoice." + +"I, signor?" + +"Yes, you, Julio. Miss Van de Werve wishes to recompense you herself for +the assistance you gave me against Bufferio and his comrades. The day of +my marriage you will receive a new cloak, a new doublet, new small-clothes +of fine cloth and silk, such as a servant has never worn." + +Julio, touched by this proof of kindness, stammered his thanks +indistinctly. He heard the young man speaking to him and telling him how +richly he deserved such a present, but he paid no attention to the words; +he was endeavoring to bring himself to the degree of audacity requisite to +fulfil his master's orders. Geronimo stood immediately in front of the +arm-chair. + +With bitter repugnance, but incited by the fear that no more favorable +opportunity would present itself, he approached Geronimo as though to +express his thanks anew. With one bound he sprang upon him, placed a hand +on either shoulder, and pushed him forcibly into the chair.[19] + +The seat of the deceptive piece of furniture sank down; from the arms +started two powerful springs, which caught the young man around the waist, +and held him so tightly against the back of the chair that it was +impossible for him to move. + +"Julio, Julio, what horrible jest is this?" he exclaimed. "Is it a trap? +Do you act by your master's orders?" + +But the servant, without saying a word in reply, left the room, closing +the door behind him. + +"Tell me, Julio," asked Turchi, descending the staircase to meet his +servant, "is he caught?" + +"The chair has done its work," replied Julio; "go do yours. Lose no time; +he might give an alarm which would betray us. The fear of death gives +superhuman strength to a man's lungs. Signor, it seems to me that my head +is not safe on my shoulders. How does yours feel?" + +But Simon Turchi heeded not this jest. He muttered a few indistinct words, +drew his sword, and rushed down the steps to wreak his vengeance on the +unfortunate Geronimo. + +The servant remained where his master left him, listened to his footsteps +until he heard the door of the fatal room open and then close again. + +At first no sound reached his ear, but soon he heard Geronimo calling for +help, and his master mocking and menacing him; at least he judged this by +the tones of their voices, for he was too far off to distinguish the +words. Urged by feeling rather than curiosity, he descended the staircase, +and listened at the door of the room in which so horrible a crime was +about to be committed. + +He heard Geronimo say, in an earnest, pleading tone: + +"Dear Simon, your mind is deranged. You, my friend, kill me! It is +impossible. Put down that dagger; at least let me not die without +confession. If it be the ten thousand crowns exasperating you, I make you +a present of them; tear up in my presence the acknowledgment of the debt, +and I will never speak to you of it again." + +"Mary, Mary Van de Werve!" howled Simon Turchi, with biting sarcasm. + +"I will renounce her hand and leave for Italy, and never again will I see +a country so fatal to me, to her, to all that I love." + +"It is too late--too late. You must die!" + +"No, no, Simon; in pity to yourself do not imbue your hands in my innocent +blood. God sees us; your conscience will torture you; never again will +there be peace for you on earth, and your poor soul will be miserable for +all eternity. No, Simon, do not kill me." + +Then came a frightful cry, as though he were crushed, and Julio heard a +sound which seemed like that of a dagger against metal. + +This blow, however--if it were a blow--was not mortal, for Geronimo raised +his voice with the strength of despair, and cried out: + +"Help! help! Simon, let me live! Mercy! mercy!" + +Then a mournful groan escaped his lips, while, as his voice died away, h +prayed: + +"My God, my God, forgive him! I am dying." + +On hearing the conclusion of this horrible tragedy, Julio retired to the +foot of the staircase. He had hardly reached it, when the door of the room +opened, and his master appeared. + +Disfigured as Simon Turchi's countenance had been by the thirst for +revenge, crime made it still more frightful. The signor could hardly have +been recognized. His hair stood upright; his eyes rolled in their sockets; +a hard, hoarse sound escaped his lips; blood dripped from his hands. + +He ran by his servant without speaking to him, ascended the staircase, and +having reached his room he threw himself panting upon a chair. + +Julio, who had followed him, placed himself before him, and asked: + +"Well, signor, is the deed accomplished?" + +"It is; let me take breath," said Turchi, breathing heavily. + +After waiting a few moments, Julio resumed: + +"Did he offer any resistance, that you are so fatigued, signor?" + +"Resistance? No; but when I attempted the first time to pierce him to the +heart, the blade of my dagger struck against metal, and grated harshly. He +wears a breastplate, Julio. Could he have suspected my intentions?" + +Turchi's dagger had evidently struck the amulet which the young man always +wore around his neck. + +"Possibly," replied Julio, "Geronimo may wear some guard on his breast; it +is the place against which a poignard is always aimed, and no one is +secure in the darkness of night from the assault of an enemy or an +assassin; but what is there in this circumstance to move you so deeply?" + +"So much blood spouted from the wound. The sight of the blood, together +with Geronimo's piteous cries, struck me with anguish and horror. I +tottered so that I feared I would fall before completing the work; but +happily I gained the strength to finish what I had commenced. I pierced +his throat with my poignard, and hushed his voice forever." + +"And is he really dead?" + +"Not a drop of blood is left in his veins." + +Simon Turchi had recovered from his excessive emotion. He arose and said: + +"I must wash the blood from my hands, and efface the least spot that +might betray me. Then I must go on Change and transact some business with +people who will remember to have seen me there at that time. Later, I will +call on Mr. Van de Werve. I must be seen in different places and speak +with many people. Go down, Julio, and drag the corpse to the cellar. Then +clear away every sign of blood. I need not tell you that your life, as +well as mine, depends upon the care with which you perform this task." + +"I know it, signor. The blow has been struck, and I am not a man to +neglect the precautions necessary to escape the gallows, if I can." + +"I have accomplished my task, Julio; go do yours." + +"Drag the corpse, by myself, into the cellar? No, no, signor; you must +help me." + +"I have not the time, Julio. I must go immediately to the city." + +"It is of no consequence to me. I will not remain alone in this cut-throat +place." + +"And what if I ordered you to do so?" exclaimed Turchi, trembling with +anger. + +"You would do so in vain, signor. You will work with me until all is +done." + +"Pietro Mostajo, do you dare to defy me, and that too at the very moment +when the blood is boiling in my veins? Do as I command, or before night +the authorities of Lucca shall know who you are." + +"Ah!" said Julio, with a scornful laugh, "Pietro Mostajo and the +authorities of Lucca have lost their power over me. As long as I had no +proofs of crime against you, I had cause to fear you; but would you dare +now to reveal my real name, now that by one word I can deliver you into +the hands of the executioner? Hereafter, signor, you will speak to me +neither so harshly nor so haughtily. In this affair there is neither +master nor servant. We are two men, guilty of the same crime. Draw your +dagger, if you choose. Vain threat! Can you do without me?" + +Simon Turchi grit his teeth in impotent rage; but soon recovering himself, +he took his servant's hand, and said beseechingly: + +"You are right, Julio; we are rather two friends than master and servant. +Let me then, as friend and companion, implore a favor at your hands. You +must see that it is important for me to go without delay to the factory to +change my dress. For the safety of both of us I ought to leave immediately +for the city, in order to prevent suspicion. Geronimo is not heavy; you +can, without difficulty, drag him down stairs." + +The servant shook his head, but was evidently hesitating. + +"Come, Julio; I beg, I entreat you to do what the safety of both of us +requires. You still hesitate, Julio? I will reward you generously. This +very evening I will give you two crowns if you tell me you have done +faithfully and carefully what I have requested." + +"Will you be here, signor, when I return from the cellar?" + +"I don't know, Julio; as soon as I have washed off the blood, I shall +leave. Make haste, and possibly you may find me here. In all events I will +wait for you this evening at the factory, and besides the two crowns, I +will give you a whole bottle of Malmsey." + +"Agreed," said Julio; "I will do my best to please you." + +He descended the staircase, and when he reached the room where the +horrible murder had been committed, he stood for a moment with his arms +folded. He turned pale and shook his head compassionately. + +The poor Geronimo was extended in the chair, with his eyes closed. His +head had fallen on the arm of the chair; his two hands were joined, as if +in prayer for his cruel murderer. His garments were saturated with blood, +and his feet rested in a pool of blood. There was a large wound in his +neck and another in his breast; his face was not in the least stained, and +although it was covered by the pallor of death, his countenance wore a +sweet, tranquil expression, as though he had gently fallen asleep. + +"Poor Signor Geronimo!" said Julio, sighing heavily. "Beauty! generosity! +wealth! all fallen under the blade of a wretch! What is man's life? He, +however, will in heaven, with God, be indemnified for his horrible death. +And we? But the present is not the time for reflections and lamentations; +my pity will not restore this corpse to life. I must now close my eyes to +the future, and fulfil my horrible task." + +He knelt behind the chair, passed his arm under it, and turned a screw. +The springs opened and loosed their hold upon the inanimate body. + +Julio held it by the arms and dragged it through the hall until he reached +a staircase conducting to a cellar. There he left the corpse, entered an +adjoining room, and returned with a lamp. Holding the light in his hand, +he descended until he reached a subterranean passage. Very deep under the +ground, and at the end of this passage, was a kind of vaulted cellar +closed by a heavy door. Julio opened the door, and by the light of the +lamp examined a grave which had been dug in one corner of the cellar, and +on the sides of which lay the earth which had been excavated.[20] + +After a rapid survey, he placed the lamp outside the door against the wall +of the passage, and returned for the dead body. + +When he had carried his burden as far as the subterranean passage, he +panted for breath and seemed overcome by fatigue. He, however, exerted all +his strength in order to finish as soon as possible his painful task, and +dragged the corpse into the cellar. There he let it fall upon the side of +the grave already prepared for its reception. After resting a few moments, +he was about to cast it into the grave and cover it with earth, but he +desisted, saying: + +"Bah! the poor young man will not run away. Perhaps Signor Turchi has not +yet left. At any rate, I will first wash away the blood stains, and then I +will return to bury the body." + +He took the lamp and left the cellar, without closing the door. + +On reaching the room he found that his master had gone. + +The solitude disquieted him, particularly as it was now nearly dark, and +he could hardly hope to finish before night cleaning the blood-stained +floors and staircase. + +He appeared, however, to submit to necessity, and prepared for his work by +getting water and brushes. + +The evening was far advanced, and still Julio was occupied in scouring. +How it happened he could not understand, but new spots of blood were +continually appearing, even in places that he had washed several times. +This was particularly the case in the room where the murder had been +committed. Do what he would, he could not efface the marks of blood. The +sweat poured down his cheeks and he vented his rage in angry words against +his master. + +It may have been fatigue, or perhaps the deepening shades of night +rendered his nervous system sensitive to the slightest impression; for at +the least sound of the wind through the leaves of the trees, at the least +grating of the weathercock as it turned on its pivot, he stopped his work +and looked anxiously around him. + +He succeeded, however, in stifling these emotions, and continued his labor +on the fatal spot where the chair had stood. + +Finally he arose, took the lamp, examined attentively the whole floor, and +said, with a kind of satisfaction: + +"At last I have finished! He who could discover a spot there could see +through a stone. My arms are almost broken; I can scarcely straighten +myself. Now for my last task! a grave is soon filled; in a half hour I +shall be far from this accursed place." + +Saying these words, he left the room, and taking the lamp descended again +the staircase leading to the cellar. + +When he had reached the middle of the subterranean passage, he suddenly +stopped, turned pale from terror, and looked tremblingly around him. He +thought he heard something, an unusual, mysterious sound, faint but +distinct. + +Having listened for some time, he concluded that his imagination had +deceived him. Summoning up all his resolution, he walked on towards the +cellar, and through the open, door he saw the corpse of Geronimo lying as +he had left it. + +As he was approaching the cellar, full of anxiety and slackening his pace, +suddenly a human voice fell upon his ear. There was articulate sound, no +spoken word, but only a hollow groan. + +Julio, in an agony of terror, dropped the lamp. The oil extinguished the +flame, and thus left in total darkness he fled from the cellar as rapidly +as he could by groping along the wall. His heart beat violently, and his +limbs tottered under him. + +He recovered himself a little only after attaining a distant apartment and +lighting a lamp. Here he remained a long time seated and buried in +thought; various expressions of fear, anger, and even raillery flitted +across his face. + +At last he arose, drew a knife from its scabbard, and trying its +sharpness, murmured: + +"I cannot bury him alive! Therefore I am forced to deal the death-blow! +No, no, I will not; I have even braved the vengeance of my perfidious +master in order not to imbue my hands in his blood, and I will not now be +guilty of it. But what can I do? I have no other alternative. I must +either bury him alive or kill him! And I cannot stay here all night." + +He took up the lamp and slowly and silently he cautiously descended the +stairs leading to the cellar; after some hesitation he entered; Geronimo's +body still lay in the position he left it. + +Julio had taken this time a much larger lamp, and it lighted the whole +cellar; he heard no sound from the breast of the unfortunate victim, +although he saw plainly that life was not extinct, for there was a slight +heaving of the breast. + +After listening a moment, Julio muttered, with a kind of joy: + +"No additional cruelty is necessary. He is in his death-agony, and he will +soon die. I will shut the door and finish my work to-morrow. But my master +will ask if all is done? He need know nothing of this circumstance. But I +long to get away; and may the vengeance of God fall upon this spot +to-night, and blot out all memento of it!" + +Shortly after he left the garden, and with rapid strides threaded the +obscure streets to rejoin his master, and also to cast off his +blood-stained garments. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +GRIEF AT GEROME'S ABSENCE--TURCHI'S HYPOCRISY. + + +Mary Van De Werve was in her own apartment, kneeling before a silver +crucifix; she seemed bowed down by a weight of woe. Her head rested upon +her clasped hands. She had been weeping bitterly; for there were traces of +tears upon the _prie-Dieu_. + +Had a stranger surprised the young girl in this attitude, he might have +thought that sleep had overpowered her during prayer; but the gasping +breath and heaving chest sufficiently attested that she had not sunk in +sleep, but that she was plunged in an expressible sorrow. + +Behind her was seated an old woman, her duenna, with a rosary in her hand. +She gazed upon the young girl with deep compassion; from time to time she +shook her head, and wiped away the tears which dimmed her eyes whenever +Mary's sighs became heavier. + +For some time the silence was unbroken; Mary even appeared somewhat +calmer, when suddenly, influenced by some peculiarly painful thought, she +extended her arms to heaven and cried out; + +"My God and my Saviour! through thy precious blood spare his life! Have +mercy on him! reject not the prayer of my broken heart!" + +Again her head fell on her hands, as if this burning petition had +exhausted her strength. The duenna approached her, took her arm, +endeavored to lift her, and said, authoritatively: + +"My lady, you must rise and cease your prayer. God may be displeased with +you for thus deliberately endangering your health. Come, obey me." + +Mary arose without reply, and took the seat offered her by the duenna. She +was very pale, and her eyes were swollen from weeping. + +The duenna looked upon her with an eye of pity; she took her hand, and +said, gently: + +"Mary, my child, you cannot continue this; such an excess of sorrow would +shorten your days. And what pain to the poor Geronimo on his return, to +find you condemned to a short and suffering life! Through love for him, I +beg you to control yourself." + +"On his return?" repeated Mary, raising her tearful eyes to heaven. + +"Why not?" replied the duenna. "Why despair before being certain of the +evil you dread? More extraordinary things have happened." + +"Already five days--five centuries of suspense and fear! Ah! Petronilla, +what a frightful night I passed! I saw Geronimo extended on the ground, +the pallor of death on his face, a large wound was in his breast, and his +lifeless eyes were fixed on me as if with his last breath he had bade me +adieu." + +"These are illusions caused by grief, Mary." + +"More than twenty times I saw him thus; in vain I strove to shut out the +horrible vision; day alone brought me relief." + +The duenna took her hand, and said, tenderly: + +"You are wrong, Mary, to cherish your grief in this manner. Your dreams at +night were but the reflection of your thoughts by day. I, too, saw +Geronimo in sleep more than once." + +"You, too, Petronilla, you saw Geronimo?" exclaimed the young girl, with +emotion, as though she feared the confirmation of her own terrific dream. + +"Why not, Mary; do I think of him less than you?" + +"You saw him dying, did you not?" + +"On the contrary, I saw him return joyfully and cast himself into the arms +of his uncle and embrace your father. And you, my child, I saw you +kneeling on this same _prie-Dieu_, thanking God that your dreams were +false and deceiving." + +Mary smiled as she listened to the duenna's consoling words, but scarcely +had Petronilla ceased speaking than she suspected the artifice. + +"You deceive me through friendship and compassion," she said, sadly. "I am +grateful to you, my good Petronilla; but tell me to what cause you can +attribute Geronimo's absence. Come, call upon your imagination; find a +possible, probable explanation." + +Disconcerted by this direct interrogation, the duenna shook her head. + +"There is no plausible reason," said Mary. + +The old Petronilla, in the greatest embarrassment, stammered out a few +words as to an unexpected journey, secrets he might be unable to divulge; +she even suggested that his friends might have prevailed upon him to join +in a party of pleasure; but all these were such vague suppositions that +Mary plainly saw in them an acknowledgment that she could find no +reasonable explanation of Geronimo's absence. + +Mary's tears flowed faster. + +"Oh, Petronilla!" she exclaimed, in heart-rending tones; "the light of my +life is forever extinguished. Geronimo, so young, so good, so noble, so +gifted, the unfortunate victim of a mysterious murderer! Frightful +thought! and no room for hope! Mercy, my God, mercy! My heart is breaking; +never more will I see him in this world." + +And uttering a cry of anguish, she covered her face with her hands. + +"I acknowledge, Mary," said the duenna, dejectedly, "that Geronimo's +absence is inexplicable; but why look on the worst side and accept it as +truth? You know that during the last four days every possible effort has +been made to discover Geronimo. Mr. Van Schoonhoven, the bailiff, has +pledged his honor to find him dead, or alive." + +Mary wept in silence, and heeded not the words of the duenna. + +"Perhaps, my child," the old woman resumed, "this very day the doubt which +has caused you so much suffering for five days may be cleared up. Do not +close your heart against all hope. I remember that once an individual was +sought for weeks, and found alive when there seemed almost a certainty of +his death. The bailiff was speaking of it this morning to your father, and +I recollect having heard my parents relate it. It happened to a banker, +Liefmans, who was considered very wealthy." + +The young girl regarded the duenna with an air of doubt. + +"They found him after several weeks of absence? Had he gone on a journey +without giving notice to any one?" + +"No; he was discovered in the cellar of a house in the little by-street of +Sureau. Robbers had laid in wait for him in the darkness of night, and +cast him bound into a subterranean cave, in order to obtain a heavy +ransom. The agents of the bailiff discovered him and liberated him +unharmed. If God has so decreed, why may not the same have happened to the +Signor Geronimo? You are silent, Mary. You cannot deny that a similar +train of circumstances may have been the cause of his disappearance. Is it +not so? but you yield to despair, and even in the act of begging +consolation from Almighty God, you reject obstinately every motive of +consolation." + +"Pity me, dear Petronilla," answered the young girl; "your kind words are +a solace to me, but I dare not open my heart to the whisperings of hope. +If I accepted your explanations, and afterwards heard of Geronimo's death, +it would be double suffering to me. No, no, rather let me encourage the +feeling that there is no room for hope." + +"It is impossible to make any impression upon her," said the duenna, in a +disappointed manner, and as if she were resolved to cease her efforts and +to abandon the young girl to her grief. + +The silence was broken by the sound of voices in the hall. + +"I hear the voice of the Signor Deodati," said the duenna; "perhaps he +brings tidings." + +Mary rose quickly to descend; but Petronilla wished to detain her, saying: + +"My child, in pity to a sorrowing old man, restrain your grief. Control +yourself, Mary, for yesterday each word you uttered pierced the heart of +the poor Deodati like a dagger. It would be cruel and guilty in you to +cause his tears to flow anew; at his age such affliction wears down the +strength and shortens life." + +"No, Petronilla, I will hide my feelings, and I will appear hopeful. I saw +that the old man was overpowered by anxiety and trouble. Trust me, +Petronilla, and let me go; I must know from the Signor Deodati if he has +received any information." + +The duenna accompanied the young girl to the door of the room where Mr. +Van de Werve and Signor Deodati were conversing together, but she let her +enter alone. + +As soon as Mary's eye fell on the old man, and she read in his face the +sorrow of his soul, she uttered a stifled cry of anguish. She cast her +arms around his neck, and rested her head on his shoulder. + +The Signor Deodati, deeply moved, seated her by his side, and said, with +tender compassion: + +"My poor Mary, we have no tidings yet of our Geronimo. Are we not unhappy? +Why did not God recall me to himself ere this? Did I leave Italy and come +hither to drink the bitter dregs in my chalice of life? Could I weep like +you, Mary, I might find some relief, but old age has dried up my tears. +Alas! alas! where is my poor Geronimo, the child whom God gave me, to +close my eyes on the bed of death? I would give my fortune to save him, +and the little that remains to me of life to know that he still lives." + +Tears filled Mr. Van de Werve's eyes as he contemplated his daughter and +the desolate old man; but he controlled his emotion, and said: + +"Mary, I requested you to stay in your own apartment, because you cannot +moderate the expression of your sorrow. You have disregarded my desire. I +willingly pardon you, my child; but if you wish to remain longer with +Signor Deodati, you must exercise some self-control; otherwise I shall +send for your duenna to take you away." + +He then added, in a more gentle manner: + +"Now, Mary, I beg, I supplicate you, comprehend the duty devolving upon +you. Be courageous, and do your best to console our unhappy friend." + +With a heroic effort Mary raised her head, and although still weeping, +said: + +"You are right, father. We grieve as though there were no room for hope; +but--but--" + +So great was the violence she was doing herself that she could scarcely +draw her breath; but conquering this emotion, she resumed: + +"Ah! signor, we cannot know. God is so good, and Geronimo has so pure a +heart!" + +"God is indeed good, my child; but his designs are impenetrable. If I +could only imagine some probable cause to explain my nephew's absence. But +nothing--nothing!" + +"The bailiff gave us, this morning, a reason for supposing that Geronimo +may yet return to us unharmed." + +"You speak of the banker Liefmans, do you not, father?" + +"Yes, my child. He disappeared suddenly. A fortnight had passed in useless +inquiry; his parents had the service for the dead offered for him, and he +was found alive and well in a cellar, where some robbers had imprisoned +him, in order by it to obtain a large sum of money." + +"And the same may happen, to Geronimo!" said Mary, with a confidence she +did not feel, in order to aid her father in his kind intentions. + +Signor Deodati shook his head incredulously. + +Mary took his hand tenderly, and said, cheerfully: + +"We must hope, signor. Perhaps the Lord in his mercy will grant that our +fears may not be realized. Would we not for the remainder of our lives +offer our grateful prayers to heaven?" + +"Yes, yes; during our whole lives. And I would go in my old age to Our +Lady of Loretto to express my boundless gratitude to the Madonna. But +suppose he has fallen under the assassin's sword?" + +Mary shuddered at the thought, but she interrupted the old man. + +"Signor, Geronimo possessed an amulet which had rested on the tomb of our +Lord. He was convinced that it would preserve him from a violent death, +and he always wore it around his neck." + +"I know the circumstances under which the amulet was given him," replied +Deodati. "I myself had some faith in this talisman, because it was the +recompense of a good action; but we have no proof that the woman who gave +it to Geronimo had any certain knowledge of its efficacy. However, Mary, +we will still hope. Your sweet voice has mitigated my sorrow. May my poor +nephew be restored to me. The happiness I expected in my old age may yet +be a reality. You, Mary,--pure image of piety, goodness, and love,--you +will be my child! And when old Deodati will be called to leave this world, +he will see you and Geronimo by his dying bed, like two angels, pointing +out to his expiring goal the path to heaven. Oh! no, no; this would be too +much happiness. My mind wanders. And yet, Mary, let us hope!" + +The young girl was deeply moved by the picture of that happiness which she +had thought was lost to her forever. Her eyes were suffused with tears; +her limbs trembled, and had not a stern look from her father reminded her +of her duty, her oppressed heart would have found relief in sobs. + +Mr. Van de Werve thought it better to change the conversation, and said to +Deodati: + +"Let us not forget, signor, that we are men, and that it becomes us to +bear up courageously under a painful suspense, and in a manner to which a +young girl might be unequal. Have you heard nothing since the morning? +Have you not seen Signor Turchi?" + +"I spoke to Signor Turchi about an hour before 'Change," said the old +gentleman, more calmly. "The good Turchi! he seemed even more dejected +than we. Within the last five days, he has lost so much flesh that one +would scarcely recognize him. He does not give himself a moment's repose. +From morning until night he is running about from place to place, seeking +Geronimo as though he were a beloved brother." + +"Truly," said Mary, "his is a generous heart. Poor Simon! I have sometimes +been unjust to him; but it is in affliction that we learn who are our true +friends. For the rest of my life I will respect and esteem him." + +"He will meet me here, presently," replied Deodati. "He may have some +particular communication to make to me, for he seemed to desire a private +conversation. The arrival of some merchants of his acquaintance prevented +him from speaking to me. I almost quarrelled with Signor Turchi." + +"Quarrelled!" said Mr. Van de Werve, in astonishment. + +"Yes; but it was to his praise, at least. He told me that it was his +intention to offer a large reward to the first person who would bring +certain tidings of Geronimo." + +"How grateful I am for his generous friendship!" said Mary. + +"Of course," continued the old man, "I would not permit it. Whilst +thanking him for his kindness, I told him that I would offer the reward +myself. I left Signor Turchi in company with the merchants, and went to +the town-hall for the purpose; but when I arrived there, I found a decree +of the burgomaster already issued, promising three hundred florins for any +information of Geronimo.[21] I spoke with the bailiff at noon. He told me +that, notwithstanding the most active search, no trace had yet been +discovered of Bufferio's wife, nor of his companions. All of them must +have left the country immediately after the ruffian's death. But this +afternoon the bailiff expects to hear the result of several important +researches ordered by him this morning. If he receives any communication +of consequence he will come himself to impart it to us. I hear the clock +strike five. Signor Turchi will soon be here." + +During this explanation Mary remained immovable--her eyes cast down. She +had probably heard only confusedly what had just been said, for her +thoughts were evidently far away. + +It was only when the servant threw open the door and announced Signor +Turchi that the young girl, aroused from her reverie, rose hastily and +went eagerly to meet him, as though she expected him to be the bearer of +important news. + +Mr. Van de Werve and Deodati also met him at the door; Mary involuntarily +took both his hands in hers, and all three regarded him inquiringly. + +"Alas! my friends, I know nothing," said Turchi, in a voice which seemed +but the echo of a bruised and broken heart. "All my efforts have proved +unsuccessful. I have vowed before God to spare no expense or trouble in +order to discover what has become of my unfortunate friend; but so far +impenetrable darkness covers the terrible secret. What shall we do? Let us +hope that the bailiff and his officers may be more fortunate than myself, +who have only my anxiety and affection to guide me." + +The words of Simon Turchi effaced the last lingering hope from Mary's +heart, and she seated herself, exhausted from previous emotion. + +Turchi drew a chair beside her, regarded her with an expression of +profound compassion, and said: + +"My poor Mary, your affliction is intense! I know by my own sorrow how +your loving heart is suffering from this terrible suspense!" + +The young girl lifted her eyes to his face, and she saw the tears running +down his cheeks. Then she began to weep bitterly, and sobbing, she said: + +"Thanks, thanks, Simon! I will beg Almighty God to recompense your +affection and generosity." + +Simon's countenance at this moment presented a singular appearance, from +the remarkable contrast between the pallor of his cheeks and the deep +scarlet which marked the margin of the scar on his face. The hypocrite +could shed tears at pleasure and assume an expression of extreme sorrow, +but the scar was not submissive to his will, and in spite of him its +deepening red betrayed the wicked joy of his heart at the gentle and +affectionate words of the young girl. + +These words encouraged him to hope that he might fully attain the prize +for which he strove. He had, it is true, taken from his murdered friend +the proof of the debt of ten thousand crowns; true he had, as he supposed, +buried all evidence of his crime in the subterranean vault; but this did +not satisfy him. In order to feel that he had received the price of the +frightful assassination, in order to remain rich, powerful, and honored, +he required the hand of the beautiful Mary Van de Werve. He well knew that +a long time must elapse before the consummation of his hopes; still, from +the very day that he had committed the murder, he commenced to lay his +schemes, weigh his words, and so direct his plans that sooner or later he +would certainly take Geronimo's place in Mary's heart. He felt secure of +the consent of the young girl's father. It was on this account that he +feigned excessive sorrow, and gazed upon Mary with tearful eyes, as though +the sight of her grief pierced him to the heart. + +He took Mary's hands in his, and said: + +"Do not yield, to despair, Mary; all hope is not lost. Last night a +thought--a strange thought--occurred to my mind. And if I be correct, +there are still well-founded reasons for expecting Geronimo's return." + +"Speak, Simon," said Mary, anxiously. "Tell us this thought." + +Signor Turchi cast down his eyes in feigned embarrassment. + +"Impossible, Mary; it is a secret which I have no right to divulge." + +"Alas! is even this consolation refused me?" she exclaimed, despairingly. + +"This is unkind, Simon," said Mr. Van de Werve. "Why do you cheer us up +and awaken our curiosity only to cast us down by your silence? Give no +names; but at least give us some idea of the reasons we have for hope." + +Simon Turchi shrugged his shoulders. + +"Ah, signor," said Deodati, reproachfully, "you are ungenerous. This +morning before 'Change you were about to confide the secret to me, when +you were interrupted by the approach of friends. Tell it to me now." + +Simon glanced expressively at Mary, as if to convey the idea that her +presence prevented him from complying with the old man's request. + +"Mary," said Mr. Van de Werve, "I beg you to go to your room. These +varying emotions are more than you can bear; if I learn anything of +interest, I will, my child, communicate it to you at once." + +The young girl rose without reply, but she glanced reproachfully at Simon +Turchi. + +"Do not blame me, Mary," he said; "I am deeply grieved to cause you pain; +only rest assured that what I do is caused by affection for Geronimo and +yourself." + +Without noticing this excuse the young girl obeyed her father, and slowly +left the room. + +"Now," said Mr. Van de Werve, "what is the secret you wish to impart to +us?" + +"I am greatly embarrassed," replied Simon Turchi, shaking his head +doubtfully; "my intention was to speak only to Signor Deodati of the +affair; perhaps it would be indiscreet in me to reveal to you also, Mr. +Van de Werve, a secret which, under different circumstances--" + +"For the love of God, abandon these useless evasions!" said Signor +Deodati, roused to a high pitch of excitement by his impatience. "Why +should not Mr. Van de Werve know that which, in your opinion, would give +us a clue to my nephew?" + +"Since I am forced to speak," said Turchi, with a sigh, "approach and +listen." + +As soon as Deodati and Mr. Van de Werve had drawn their chairs nearer to +him, Simon said in an undertone, as if he feared his words might be +overheard: + +"Have you not remarked, Mr. Van de Werve, that for some time past Geronimo +has been disturbed and anxious; that even in the midst of cheerful +conversation he appeared absent-minded; in a word, that some great trouble +seemed weighing upon him?" + +"I have noticed it," said Mr. Van de Werve. + +"And you, Signor Deodati?" + +"I have also remarked it. But what do you infer from this?" + +"About a month ago I interrogated Geronimo as to the cause of his +melancholy, and he informed me in confused, vague terms, that he had lost +a considerable sum at play_." + +"At play!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, overpowered by astonishment. + +"Was Geronimo a gambler?" exclaimed Deodati, with ill-suppressed +indignation. + +"It is the custom at Antwerp to play for money, and often for considerable +sums of money," continued Simon Turchi. "I never remarked that my friend +Geronimo had a passion for play. However that may be, I could never +discover to whom he had lost the amount, nor would he tell me how much it +was. His melancholy and agitation were caused by the circumstance I have +just mentioned. He was tortured by the certainty that his uncle would +discover, upon examination, the loss of a large amount, which was not +accounted for on the books. I proposed to advance him the deficit, but he +absolutely refused, because he preferred to meet his uncle's just anger +rather than deceive him." + +This revelation was stunning to the old Deodati. Nothing could have more +keenly wounded the honorable, high-toned nobleman than the thought that +Geronimo had been so dishonest and ungrateful as to use the funds of the +establishment in gambling. + +Trembling with emotion, he asked: + +"You say the sum is considerable. What is the amount?" + +"I have no idea, signor. Perhaps you might discover it by an examination +of the books." + +There was a short silence. Mr. Van de Werve's eyes were fixed upon the +ground. Signor Deodati passed his hand across his brow, and was absorbed +in painful thoughts. + +Simon watched for a few moments, with an inquisitive eye, the effect of +this revelation upon his two companions, trying to penetrate their very +souls. Then he said to Deodati: + +"You look on the bad side of the affair, signor. If there were not a +brighter, reverse side, I would have considered the confidence of my +friend sacred, and guarded his secret until death. Up to this time we all +feared, nay, considered it certain, that Geronimo had fallen under the +assassin's steel. Now I begin to think that, in order to escape his +uncle's anger, he has left the city and country." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve. + +"Impossible?" repeated Turchi, "he would have gone ere this, had I not +persuaded him that he would obtain his uncle's pardon. Even on the day of +your arrival, Signor Deodati, when Geronimo met me in the dock-yard on the +bank of the Scheldt, he begged me to inquire for an English vessel which +would leave on that or the next day, and secretly to engage his passage on +board. You may well know that I combated this foolish project, and I left +him only when he promised me to abandon the idea." + +"Could he so lightly sacrifice my daughter's love?" said Mr. Van de Werve. +"Were his expressions of affection for her only hypocrisy? No, no; nothing +can induce me to believe that." + +"His love was real," replied Turchi, "and its very depth, perhaps, blinded +his judgment. He thought that the discovery of his losses at the +gaming-table would inevitably deprive him of all hope of Mary's hand. My +poor friend! he wished to fly from the fate which threatened him, that he +might not witness the affliction of his beloved uncle." + +No one replied to Simon's remarks, and he said, with hypocritical +surprise: + +"How sad you both are! You should rather rejoice at my revelation. Is it +not a happiness to think that Geronimo, although guilty of a fault, is +still alive, and not to be forced to believe that he is forever lost to +our affection by a frightful death?" + +Old Deodati arose and said: + +"My friends, I must leave you; my mind is troubled; I am ill. Besides, I +wish to discover by the books the truth or falsity of Signor Turchi's +statement. Do not attempt to detain me, I beg you. Adieu! May God guard +you!" + +Simon Turchi prepared to accompany the old man; but whilst they were +speaking together the bailiff, Messire John Van Schoonhoven, suddenly +entered, and without the formality of a salutation, he exclaimed: + +"Gentlemen, I have news!" + +Turchi trembled and turned pale; but as the unexpected announcement of the +bailiff had startled the others, his emotion was not attributed to terror. + +"For the love of God be calm, gentlemen, and do not anticipate too much. I +do not know what has become of the unfortunate Geronimo, but I have just +cause to hope that we will soon find him--at least we have a clue.' I have +learned, beyond doubt, that on the day of his disappearance, about five +o'clock in the evening, he was seen beyond the Square of Meir. A monk from +the Dominican Convent, who knows him well, saluted him and noticed the +direction he went. Acting upon this information, one of my most +intelligent subordinates has been tracing him. A banker saw him pass +through the quarter of the Jews. This is all I know at present, but these +facts are sufficient to determine the direction of our researches, and may +perhaps lead to a fortunate issue. By early dawn to-morrow I will collect +all the agents at my disposal; I will divide them into small bands, and I +will order them to search every house, cellar, and garden in a certain +part of the city, and that in the most thorough manner, without leaving a +spot unexamined.[22] I myself will superintend the work, and will visit in +person each hand of workmen to see that my commands are properly +executed." + +Simon Turchi had covered his face with his hands, in order to conceal his +terror. + +Surprised by his emotion, the bailiff said: + +"What have I said, Signor Turchi, to excite so much feeling?" + +"Ah, you know not how much suffering you cause me," replied Simon. "I +thought I was about to learn from your lips that my friend was safe, and +what do you promise me if your search proves successful? Only his dead +body!" + +"It is true," said the bailiff. "It is no use to deceive you. My opinion +is that he has been assassinated in some by-street near the hospital +grounds, or in one of the dark alleys between the parishes of Saint George +and Saint Andrew. But I am determined to discover the truth. Dead or +alive, I will find him, even if it be necessary to tear up the pavements +of all the cellars, and dig up all the gardens to the depth of ten feet. +The whole city is in a state of excitement; the people complain of the +authorities of Antwerp as though we were accomplices in the crime. This +affair shall be brought to light, I pledge my honor and my name." + +"I thank you for your zeal and solicitude," stammered Turchi. "May God +direct your steps! How we will all bless you, if you restore Geronimo +alive to us."[23] + +"I have little hope, little hope, signor; but all things are possible," +said the bailiff, shaking his head. + +Deodati took his hand, and said: + +"Messire Van Schoonhoven, I am most grateful to you. Excuse me for the +remaining longer in your honorable company; but I am indisposed, and I +must return home. May God protect you, signor." + +"And are you going also, Signor Turchi?" asked the bailiff. + +When Simon gave him to understand, by a glance of the eye, that he could +not let the old man go alone, he took his hand affectionately, and said: + +"I understand, signor; you are right. Adieu, until to-morrow." + +Turchi offered his arm to Deodati, and supported his tottering steps. They +took leave of Mr. Van de Werve, who accompanied them to the door, and +admiring Simon Turchi's kindness, he followed them with his eyes as long +as they were in sight. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +SIMON TURCHI TRIES TO CONCEAL HIS CRIME. + + +After having accompanied Deodati to his residence, Simon Turchi went to +his own dwelling near the bridge _De la Vigne_. + +He was greatly excited, either by extreme anxiety or by a feverish +impatience; for he descended to the ground-floor, entered his office, +pretended to be looking for some papers, went up stairs again, paced the +room, opened the window, looked up and down the street, closed the window +petulantly, and at last, stamping his foot, he angrily exclaimed: + +"The miserable gamester! he is in some tavern drinking, gambling, amusing +himself, while I am here on burning coals, almost overpowered by anxiety +and terror! Julio, Julio, if I escape the fate which now threatens me, I +will have my revenge for your ingratitude!" + +Again he went to the window, and again he was disappointed. Thoroughly +discouraged, he threw himself upon a chair, heaved a heavy sigh, and after +a moment's silence exclaimed in accents of despair: + +"Alas! alas! is it then true that my crime cannot remain concealed? Who +was it, to my great misfortune, who sent the Dominican brother just to the +spot to meet Geronimo, and thus furnished the bailiff with a clue to the +murder? Who put the Jewish banker on his track, so that the constables +might be led to my garden? Who suggested the idea to the bailiff to search +the cellars? Was it chance? But chance is blind, and does not proceed +with such precision to the fulfilment of a purpose. How frightful if God +himself conducted justice! if the Supreme Judge, who cannot be deceived, +has condemned me to an infamous death! How vain then all hope, all effort +to escape!" + +Overpowered by these reflections, Simon Turchi bowed his head upon his +breast; his hands worked convulsively, and at intervals heart-rending +sighs escaped him. + +Confusedly arose before him a horrible vision: he saw the scaffold +erected; he beheld the sword of the executioner glitter in the sunlight; +he heard the shouts of the populace calling down the vengeance of heaven +upon his guilty head and devoting his name to eternal infamy; he seemed to +feel the mysterious stroke from the uplifted blade, for his frame shook +violently, and he uttered a piercing cry of anguish. + +He thrust his hand into his doublet, and drew from it slowly a small phial +half filled with a yellow liquid, and held it before him with a shudder of +disgust and horror. + +"Poison, deadly poison!" he muttered. "He who has the courage to take a +few drops will sleep a sweet sleep from which there is no awakening. And +is this my only refuge from the ignominy of the scaffold? Instead of +wealth and happiness, is a miserable death to be the price of my crime? +No, no; I must chase away these horrible thoughts." + +He replaced the phial in his doublet, and abandoned himself again to his +dark reflections; but at last he conquered, in a measure, his dejection, +and he said, less despairingly but still sorrowfully: + +"And yet everything was going on so smoothly! I had recovered my note; the +possession of the ten thousand crowns enabled me to conceal for the +present the ruined condition of my affairs; Mary did not appear +indifferent to me, and Geronimo being out of the way, I was certain of +succeeding with her in the course of time. I would in that case become +rich and powerful; her dowry would be sufficient to save me from poverty +and a humiliating discovery. Alas! why do the people accuse the +magistrates of want of zeal? Things more surprising than the +disappearance of Geronimo have happened lately without any disturbance +among the populace. It was the public feeling that forced the bailiff to +make extraordinary efforts to discover what had become of him; it will be +the cause of my destruction! Can there be a mysterious impulse to this +unwonted excitement of the multitude? Vainly then would I struggle to +escape! Would it not be God himself pursuing me?" + +The recurrence of this thought struck terror to the soul of Simon Turchi, +and he buried his head in his hands. Suddenly he started up, and although +his lips twitched convulsively, he said, in a firm, strong voice: + +"Ah! ah! fatality is a spur which inspires the most cowardly with coinage. +Avaunt, foolish fears! I must struggle on to the end. The bailiff seeks a +corpse; he pledges his honor to discover one. Let him find it! Suppose he +should find it elsewhere than in my summer-house? in a sewer, for example? +Ah! anxiety had clouded my mind! Still, still, I have means for triumph! +Oh, if Julio-would come! Could I only imagine in what tavern the rascal is +gambling, I would send Bernardo for him." + +Saying these words, he approached the window and looked out. + +"There comes the loiterer! He walks as composedly as if nothing weighed +upon his conscience! He cares not for the preservation of my honor and my +life; since the death of Geronimo he hates and despises me. I must appear +angry and indignant, for should he suspect the fear and anxiety torturing +my soul, he would be insolent, and perhaps would laugh at my anguish." + +As Julio approached the house, Simon attracted his attention by loud +talking, and having succeeded in this, he made signs of his impatience and +anger until Julio reached the door. He then closed the window, and +assuming an expression of rage he turned to meet his servant. + +When Julio on entering saw his master standing with folded arms and +menacing countenance, a slight and ironical smile flitted across his face. + +"Wretch!" exclaimed Simon, "did I not order you to await me here after +Change? Look well to yourself, or I will avenge myself by your blood. You +laugh! beware, or I will crush you like a worm!" + +"Come, come, signor, why give way to such useless anger? It is not long +since Change. It is not my fault that you have been obliged to wait." + +"Have you not been going from tavern to tavern, gambling, as you have been +doing the last five days?" + +"Yes, truly. I was intolerably thirsty; but if I was not here in time, you +must blame the clock of Notre Dame; it could not have struck right, I am +sure. So be calm, signor: you know that your anger makes no impression on +me. Make haste and tell me what you want me to do. We lose precious time +in this nonsensical sort of talk. I left some friends to come and receive +your orders, and I must add that I intend returning to them as soon as I +have fulfilled your commands. You need not shake your fist at me, nor get +into a passion; it will do no good." + +The disrespectful language of his servant wounded and provoked Turchi; but +perhaps seeing how useless it was to give expression to his feelings, he +suddenly changed his manner. Tears filled his eyes; grief was depicted +upon his countenance, and seating himself, he sighed and said: + +"Forgive me, Julio, for my harsh words; they were spoken in impatience. It +is too early yet for you to do what I wish, and I was wrong to complain of +your long absence." + +The servant, surprised at his master's humble language, regarded him +distrustfully. + +"Is there any danger?" he demanded. + +Turchi took his hand, and said, piteously: + +"Alas! Julio, my friend, to-morrow, in all probability, we will be cast, +manacled, into a dungeon, there to await an infamous death." + +"Is it not your own fear, signor, which inspires such a thought?" asked +Julio, trembling. + +"No; I have heard a terrible piece of news. Geronimo was seen in the +Quarter of the Jews, and he was met going towards the Hospital Grounds. +The bailiff has determined to search to-morrow morning all the cellars in +that vicinity, and even to dig the ground on the spot where my garden +lies. The police agents are to proceed at daybreak to the Hospital +meadows, and as they cannot fail to remark that the earth has been newly +turned up, they will certainly discover what they seek. You pushed +Geronimo into the arm-chair; you buried his body; consequently you will +accompany me to the scaffold, unless, in your capacity of servant, they +may choose to hang you or break you on the wheel. O Julio! does not this +information awaken you to a sense of our perilous condition?" + +"From whom did you learn all that?" asked the affrighted servant. + +"From the bailiff himself." + +"From his own lips?" + +"Yes, my friend, from his own lips. In spite of your courage and coolness, +I think I may say that you have no stronger desire than myself to die by +the hand of the executioner." + +Julio put his hand to his throat and said, dejectedly: + +"The affair looks serious. I seem to be strangling; I feel the rope around +my neck. It is all your fault, signor. Why did you murder your best +friend? Did I not warn you that so frightful a crime would come to light?" + +"Call it crime, if you will; but at least my just vengeance is satisfied, +and now neither complaints nor recriminations can recall the past nor +shelter us from danger." + +"But, signor, what can we do to escape punishment?" + +"There is a means, easy and certain. There is a means; but, Julio, it +requires good will and resolution. May I rely upon you for this last +effort?" + +"What would not one be willing to do in order to escape this gallows or +the wheel?" + +"Then listen to me. I told you that the bailiff would search the cellars. +If he finds the corpse in my house, we are both ruined." + +"Certainly, signor." + +"But suppose it be found in another place, far from this spot, who would +suspect us of the murder?" + +"An excellent thought!" exclaimed Julio, joyfully. "We must carry the dead +body to a distant street and leave it there." + +"Not so. They would naturally suppose that it had been removed to that +spot from some other place. A better plan is to throw it into the sewer in +the Vleminck Field. The officers of justice will then conclude that +Geronimo fell under the hand of some unknown assassin." + +"That is still better! Ah! signor, you frightened me without cause. I +place very little value on my life, and yet the thought of a certain death +shatters my nerves. Now I am myself again. But how shall we manage to +transport Geronimo's body to the Vleminck Field?" + +"It was for that purpose, Julio, that I was waiting so impatiently for +you," said Simon Turchi; "it was because I needed your aid to execute a +project which will save us both. Nothing is easier. You will disinter the +body, and you will throw it into the sewer."[24] + +"Alone?" said the servant, in a tone which prognosticated a refusal. + +"Why not alone, since you are able to do it?" + +"It is very easy, signor, for you to say: 'Take the body on your shoulders +and traverse three or four streets.' Signor Geronimo is heavier than you +suppose, and I doubt if by the exertion of all my strength I could carry +it twenty steps." + +Simon Turchi took his servant's two hands in his, and said, +supplicatingly: + +"Julio, my friend, be generous; it is not a difficult task for one like +yourself. Reflect that it is our only means of safety; it is as much for +your interest as mine. I will recompense you largely, and I will be +grateful to you all my life." + +"Well, signor, if you say so, I will try it; but I am afraid it will turn +out badly. I shall be obliged to rest on the way, and that will take more +time than will be prudent. And then how shall I be able each time to +replace the body on my shoulders? It requires two to transport it with +sufficient rapidity." + +"Two?" said Turchi, "You know well that we can confide our secret to no +one." + +"To escape death, one would submit to anything. Suppose you help me +yourself, signor?" + +"I!" replied Turchi, shuddering, "I carry a dead body through the streets! +I, a nobleman! No, no; better a dungeon and death!" + +"What a strange sentiment of honor!" muttered the astonished servant. +"Would to God, signor, that you had sooner remembered that you were a +nobleman, we would not thus be seeking, in mortal anguish, the means to +save our lives. Consider the affair as you will, you must confess that if +I carry the corpse alone, ten chances to one we shall be discovered." + +While the servant thus spoke, Turchi seemed preoccupied by torturing +thoughts. After a moment he said, with a sigh: + +"Alas! there is no other means; it is dangerous, but necessity demands it. +Julio, go to the summer-house, and I will send Bernardo this evening to +help you." + +"What" said Julio, ironically, "will you reveal your secret?" + +"No; I will command him, under penalty of his life, to do whatever you +order him; threaten to stab him at the least show of resistance, and he +will obey you." + +"Impossible! Signor Bernardo is a good, pious man. He would inform upon +us. I might as well put the halter around my neck. I will have none of his +aid." + +Simon Turchi, in despair at the failure of all his efforts to succeed in +his design, paced the floor impatiently. Suddenly he stopped before his +servant, and with sparkling eyes he said, in a suppressed voice: + +"Julio, there must be an end to all this hesitation. We have no choice, +and whatever may be the means, we must not deliberate in presence of the +death which menaces us. Stab Bernardo, and throw him into the sewer above +the body of Geronimo."[25] + +"Oh, signor, murder Bernardo!" exclaimed Julio, in horror. "And do you +suppose that he would not defend himself? that he would not give the +alarm? In that case, your servant would be recognized, and thus they would +put them on the track of the criminals. Your mind wanders." + +Grinding his teeth in his agony, Turchi tossed his arms convulsively, and +at last said, hoarsely: + +"You will not undertake it alone? You have not the wish to succeed. Coward +that you are, for what are you fit but to boast and drink and gamble in +the taverns? Would that I had never seen you! Leave the corpse in the +cellar; let the bailiff discover it there; we will see which of us will +meet the more courageously an infamous death!" + +A prey to the keenest emotion, he fell back in his chair, and while +uttering bitter invectives against his servant, he tore his hair in real +or feigned despair. + +The sight of-his master's desolation seemed to make some impression upon +Julio; he regarded him compassionately, and at last said, kindly: + +"Come, signor, calm yourself. All is not lost, and if my good-will can +save you, I will show you that Julio has the courage and resolution to +carry him through a difficult enterprise. Since you think I am able to +take the corpse alone to the sewer, I will attempt it. Perhaps I may +overrate the difficulties. Be calm, and rely upon my word." + +The signor knew that once having made up his mind, his servant would +unhesitatingly execute what he had undertaken, and he comprehended by his +manner that his promise was seriously made. He pressed his hand, and said, +joyfully: + +"Thanks, Julio, I owe to you my honor and my life. I will never forget it, +and when once the sword, now hanging over my head, is removed, I will +reward you magnificently. Go now to the country-house, disinter the body, +and carry it up to the ground-floor. This will give you less work later. +Fill the grave thoroughly, and as far as possible destroy all appearance +of the earth having been recently dug." + +Julio apparently let his master's words fall unheeded on his ear; he +suddenly struck his forehead with his fist, as if an unwelcome idea had +forced itself upon him. + +"What is the matter?" asked Turchi, anxiously. + +"Fool that I am!" exclaimed Julio. + +"Speak lower," said Simon. "What troubles you?" + +"Did you not notice, signor, how bright it was last night? It is clear +weather, and the moon is full! How could I carry a dead body to the sewer +with such light to betray me? It is impossible; I cannot think of it." + +These words forced from Simon a cry of anguish. He seemed crushed under +the fate which was visibly pursuing him. The cowardice and ill-will of his +servant had not cast him into despair like this last obstacle; for he well +knew that either by threats or promises of reward he could overcome +Julio's resistance; but what could prevent the moon from shining? It was +clear that no way remained of removing Geronimo's body from the cellar, +and the officers of the law would infallibly discover where the murder had +been committed. + +It was then true that for him there was no escape from ruin; that a +mysterious power opposed all his plans; perhaps God himself was +interposing to prevent him from saving his life. + +The supposition made him shudder; nevertheless he tortured his mind to +discover some plank of safety; a thousand tumultuous thoughts presented +themselves. Might they not bury the body in a retired spot of the garden, +plunge it in the basin of the fountain, or conceal it under the stones of +the grotto? But none of these plans could be accomplished without leaving +traces which would lead to certain discovery. + +Suddenly a happy idea seemed to occur to him, for his face brightened; he +arose and said: + +"Julio, you must leave the country; it is your only means of safety." + +"I leave the country!" said Julio; "and you, signor?" + +"Would that I could accompany you! but I cannot say as you can: 'Where my +body is, there is all I have and all I care for.' I must of necessity +remain here: I have many interests to detain me." + +Julio was astonished by the advice. + +"Where shall I go? In Italy a price is set upon my head; I dare not be +seen beyond the mountains. It is too late for me to leave for England; +there are no vessels ready to sail. What could I do in Germany, ignorant +of the language of the country and without means of subsistence?" + +"Save your life, Julio; go to Germany," said Turchi. "I will give you +money, plenty of money." + +The deep red of the scar on his master's face, his expression of cunning, +his evident satisfaction, made Julio suspect some deception. He was +unable at first to imagine his secret design; but a light suddenly broke +upon his mind, and recoiling with horror and anger, he exclaimed: + +"What an odious trap you are setting for me! You intend to accuse me of +the murder in my absence? And while poor Julio, charged with a double +crime, finds no resting-spot upon earth, you will enjoy here in entire +security, in the midst of wealth and honor, the price of the innocent +blood which you have shed. No, no, I will bring no new anathema on my +head." + +"You are silly, Julio," said Simon Turchi, disdainfully. "Should we be +arrested to-morrow, and the truth known, would you not be equally punished +for having treacherously pushed Geronimo into the chair?" + +"Yes; but all would know that I neither conceived the crime, nor profited +by its commission." + +"A fine consolation, to contend on the scaffold!" said the signor +ironically, repressing his impatience. "But I will speak to you plainly +and without reserve. I will state my conditions; if you refuse them, then +all is at an end between us. Each of us is at liberty to save himself even +at the sacrifice of the other. The worst part of the whole is that I might +feel myself obliged, for my own security, to make known to the authorities +of Lucca who you are." + +The servant regarded his master with an expression of disgust and +aversion. + +"These are my conditions," said Simon. "You will leave immediately for +Germany, and reach the Rhine as soon as possible. I will give you two +hundred crowns. Procure a carriage and horse at the very first village, +and do not stop until you are in a place of safety. To prevent any +detention on the way, I will give you a letter to Signor Mazzuchelli, a +banker at Cologne. If on the journey you are asked why you have undertaken +it, say that you are on urgent business for your master, and if necessity +require it, show the letter; but once in Cologne, do not present the +letter to Mazzuchelli. Two hundred crowns! that is a fortune, Julio. With +that you can live luxuriously for two or three years. And what difference +will it make whether you know the language of the country or not. Money +understands and speaks all languages."[26] + +"And when the two hundred crowns are spent, what will become of me?" said +the servant. + +"I will not forsake you, Julio," said Turchi. "Whenever you need money, +inform me of it, and I will send you enough to keep you from want. But you +must change your name and simply notify me that you need money to continue +your business. And your new name? It seems to me that 'Marco Castagno' +would answer. What say you?" + +Julio shook his head doubtfully, muttering between his teeth. Although the +promise of two hundred crowns was seductive, he hesitated to accept his +master's proposition. + +"Why deliberate so long?" said Simon. "I offer you a certain means of +escaping the gallows, and you hesitate! Moreover, I secure you a life of +ease, independent, without cares, the free, joyous life of a lord, and yet +you refuse." + +Julio seemed to have come to a decision. + +"Will you give me two hundred crowns?" he demanded. + +"Two hundred crowns in coin." + +"Before my departure?" + +"Immediately." + +"Give them to me. I am in a hurry to depart." + +"I will go for them," said Turchi, leaving the room. + +Julio seated himself and rested his head upon his hands. But he had not +long for reflection; his master returned after a short absence. + +Simon Turchi held a purse in his hands. He went to the table and counted +out four piles of gold pieces. + +The sight of so much money made an impression on Julio, and he approached +the table. Joy sparkled in his eyes, and whilst he contemplated the +shining pieces, he nodded his head with an air of satisfaction. + +"You see," said Simon, "that the sum is correct, and you will not find the +gold heavy to carry. Now put it in your doublet. Going down stairs I +reflected upon your good-will, and I considered whether I might not avoid +accusing you of the murder of Geronimo, and my friendship for you +suggested a means. Now that I am sure of being able, under any +circumstances, of exculpating myself, it is not necessary for me to bring +any accusation against you. Besides, Julio, I dislike to be separated from +you. If in two or three months I could bring you back without danger, I +would be delighted." + +"I would be well pleased, signor," said Julio, with a sigh. + +"In order to secure this chance to ourselves, Julio, you must, before +leaving, go to the country-house, level, as far as possible, the earth in +the cellar, throw sand and dust upon the grave, and then fill the cellar +with fire-wood and empty casks." + +"But, signor, that would take time." + +"That is of no consequence. At this hour there are too many people passing +through the city gates. It is better for you to pass the night at the +pavilion, and to-morrow morning, as soon as the gates are open, you will +leave. At daybreak you will be certain of meeting no one who would notice +what direction you had taken. I suggest this for your own sake, Julio, not +mine; for suppose the officers of the law should search my summer-house, +those precautions would divert their attentions from the cellar, while +otherwise they would infallibly discover that the earth had been recently +dug. Perhaps, through respect for me, the bailiff may exempt my lands from +search. In either case I will wait until the impression made by the murder +has worn away. I will say nothing of you, except that you left me in +consequence of a sharp rebuke, and that I do not know what has become of +you. As soon as the present excitement subsides and the search is +abandoned, I promise to recall you. Now will you go to the pavilion and +accomplish faithfully what I advise?" + +"I will." + +"Do not forget your new name." + +"Marco Castagno? It is easily remembered." + +"Yes; Marco Castagno, and you are travelling on business. I had nearly +forgotten the letter of recommendation. Wait here an instant; do not come +down-stairs. I will write it at once." + +When Julio was left alone he put his hand in his pocket, chinked the gold +coins, and drew out a handful for the pleasure of contemplating them; but +he soon returned the money to his doublet, and fell into deep thought. + +"If," he muttered, "I could only set off at once! Here I am obliged to +pass a whole night in that accursed pavilion! The signor thinks that +Geronimo has been buried for five days, and his corpse is still above +ground. To fill up the grave is not much. Suppose I let that alone, and +leave this evening with the money? No, no; I will execute faithfully what +I promised. My master is so generous to me, I will show him that I am not +ungrateful." + +"Here is the letter of recommendation," said Simon Turchi, entering the +room. "It is in the name of Marco Castagno. Forget your other names, and +be prudent, remembering that the least indiscretion might cost our lives. +Go to the pavilion, Julio. I bid you adieu, with the hope of soon seeing +you again at Antwerp." + +"Shall I not take my clothes, signor, or a traveling cloak?" + +"No; the cloak you have on will suffice. Were you seen with any baggage, +your intention might be suspected. Appear indifferent. You can buy +whatever you may need." + +The servant extended his hand to his master, and going to the door, said: + +"Adieu, signor; if you do not refuse to aid me when I am in want, I will +keep your secret faithfully." + +"Do your work in the cellar carefully, Julio. I wish you a pleasant +journey." + +Julio descended the staircase and walked slowly down the street. + +His master opened the window and watched him until he was out of sight. + +Simon Turchi drew a long breath, as though the weight of a mountain had +been removed from his heart. A smile lighted up his face, and he said in +an accent of intense joy: + +"He has gone! Now I have nothing to fear. The bailiff may find the body; +Julio committed the crime; I know nothing of it; I am as innocent as a +lamb. Ah! I thought I was lost. Now I must arrange my plans as though I +were certain of the discovery of the body. I feel new strength; hope and +certainty animate my heart. Mary, Mary, your name, your fortune, your love +will be mine. My life will yet be crowned with grandeur, wealth, and +happiness." + +And in feverish excitement he closed the window. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +GERONIMO RESURRECTED. + + +The clock in the steeple of Saint George struck seven, and night was +coming on, when Julio opened the garden-gate of his master's country-seat +and walked with a light step towards the house. + +He kept one hand wrapped in his cloak, as if to conceal some object; the +other was in his pocket, turning over the gold pieces given him by Simon +Turchi. Joy sparkled in his eyes, as he said to himself: + +"God be praised! I resisted the temptation. They urged me to drink and +play at the 'Swan,' but my gold coins reminded me that I had a serious +duty to perform. After work comes the recompense. What I hold in my hand +will indemnify me for the thirst I have suffered and for the time lost. It +is the very best Spanish wine--as dear as if it were melted silver, and as +strong as if it were liquid fire." + +On entering a room in the house, he drew two bottles from his doublet and +one from under his cloak, placed them upon the table, and looked at them +longingly. + +"No, no, not now; presently! Business first. Your bewitching smile cannot +seduce me. Patience, my friends; an hour hence we will become acquainted. +To fill up a grave and roll some empty casks into the cellar is a small +matter. But it is getting so dark that I can no longer distinguish the +image of the emperor on the gold pieces; I must light the lamp." + +Taking a wooden box from the mantelpiece, he drew out a flint and struck +it. It was some time before the tinder took fire, and Julio laughed at his +own failures; but at last he succeeded in his efforts, and a large lamp +made the whole room bright with its rays. + +Julio approached the table and said: + +"Now at least I can gratify the desire which has irritated my nerves +during the last hour. To possess two hundred crowns, to be as rich as a +banker, to feel my pockets weighed down by gold, and still unable to feast +my eyes on the treasure! Now I am alone; there is no one to ask whence it +came. The time has arrived. I may enjoy my wealth without anxiety!" + +He drew an arm-chair to the table, reclined in it comfortably, with +extended limbs, and placed the gold coin by handfuls under the light of +the lamp. + +After searching his pocket and doublet and convincing himself that all the +crowns were spread out before him, he heaped them up and ran his hands +through them as if to enjoy the sparkle and jingle of the gold. He held +his breath, for fear of losing the least sound; with eyes wide open he +contemplated the brilliant treasure. + +For a long time Julio remained, with a smile of happiness upon his lips, +in mute admiration, and, perhaps scarcely aware of what he was doing, he +ranged the crowns in a line and counted them; then he separated them into +piles of twenty pieces each; then he tossed them from hand to hand, until, +wearied of this amusement, he looked at them musingly. At last he +exclaimed in a joyous outbreak: + +"Two hundred crowns! What will I do with them? How will I spend them? +Shall I drink Malmsey, Muscatel, the very best, such as brings pleasure to +the heart? But at that rate I shall soon see the end of my money. Shall I +play for florins and crowns? That would be an excellent means, certainly, +of either becoming a hundred times richer or of losing every farthing. +Strange! how fearful and avaricious money makes me! I do not even care to +play; no, I will not do it. I will dress like a nobleman: in satin, +velvet, and silk; I will drink and eat of the most exquisite dishes; I +will Jive in luxury and abundance, as though the world were a terrestrial +paradise. Ah, what a glorious life! + +"But what a cowardly wretch I am! My only anxiety is to know how to spend +or rather squander this treasure, and at this moment there lives, far from +me, one who perhaps is stretching out her hand to me to beg an alms! My +poor mother! she may even need bread. Were she to curse her ungrateful +son, would he not have deserved it a hundred times? I am afraid of myself! +With ten crowns, with the twentieth part of what I am going to throw away +in dissipation, she might be saved from misery for more than a year. Why +did I not give twenty crowns to my master to send to her? Suppose I return +to the factory to execute this good thought? Impossible! Signor Turchi +would be enraged; besides, I have no confidence in him. I will inquire, +when in Germany, if she still lives, and if she be in want I will send her +money." + +He took up twenty crowns, one by one, from the table, counted them, +regarded them wistfully, and said, as he dropped them into his pocket: + +"Twenty crowns! that is a large sum; but it may make my blind old mother +happy. I will put her portion by itself." + +His eye again rested on the glittering coin. The sight appeared to deject +him. + +"How visibly it has diminished!" he said, sighing. "I believed my treasure +inexhaustible, and by one thought the twentieth part has disappeared. Will +it not go as fast in Germany? Will not gambling and drinking deprive me of +the whole in a few months and leave me in misery? What sombre thoughts! A +moment ago, and everything wore a smiling aspect; now, my mind is tortured +by fear and anxiety. But why need I be troubled? When I have spent the two +hundred crowns, Signor Turchi will send me more. But it is not well to +rely too much upon that; his head may fall under the axe of the +executioner. In that case I would be as badly off myself. The discovery +would drive me from Germany into Netherlands or Italy. Instead of living +in luxury, I would infallibly fall into the lion's jaw, and the gallows or +the wheel would be my well-merited fate. But if the murderer of Geronimo +be not discovered, I can return quietly, and my master would receive me +kindly for fear I would betray his secret. That depends in a great measure +upon my care in acquitting myself of the task entrusted to me. I will +accomplish it loyally and well. The sight of this gold no longer gives me +pleasure. A full cup of wine first, and then to work bravely!" + +He uncorked one of the bottles and half emptied it; then muttering a few +words as to the strength and energy imparted by the liquor, he took the +lamp, and fixing his eye on the bottle, said: + +"It will take me only a few minutes to throw the body into the grave and +fill it up; but the rest of the work will require more than an hour. That +is a long time to be separated from you, is it not? To keep me company, I +will take the half-empty bottle; that will not hinder me from doing my +duty properly; on the contrary, it will give me courage and strength. Now +to work!" + +He re-corked the bottle, put it inside of his doublet, took the lamp, and +slowly descended the staircase. + +The passage leading to the cellar in which Julio had thrown Geronimo's +body was rather long, and he had time to feel the effect of the wine, and +it so raised his spirits that he commenced jesting about hid past anxiety, +and on nearing the cellar he sang the first notes of a joyful song. + +But the words expired upon his lips, he trembled in every limb, and turned +ashy pale. + +A voice answered him from the cellar. + +Immovable from terror, Julio fixed his eyes upon the door, and strove to +comprehend the words which fell indistinctly upon his ear. + +"Heavens!" he exclaimed, "it is Geronimo; he lives!" + +Shuddering, he withdrew a short distance down the passage, and was for a +time as motionless as a statue. At last, with deep emotion, he said: + +"What can this mean? The signor said at the first thrust his dagger met +metal, but that the wound in his neck was deep. Suppose it were merely a +flesh-wound? What shall I do? Shall I let him live?" + +He was painfully undecided. + +"Impossible!" he said. "It would be the death-warrant of both my master +and myself. I must choose between his death and ours. Implacable fatality +urges me on--in truth, I have no choice. One blow, and all is over! I must +not hesitate; my knife is sharp." + +He drew his dagger from its scabbard, examined the blade, tried it with +his finger. He shuddered, and a cry of horror escaped him. + +"Fatal position!" he exclaimed. "To kill a man in cold blood! an innocent +man! What harm has poor Geronimo ever done me? Stab him! My heart fails +me--I cannot perpetrate such a cruelty. And yet, and yet I must! The crime +horrifies me, but I have no alternative. Only by the sacrifice of his life +can my master escape the scaffold, and I the gallows. Fate irresistibly +pursues me; I am the slave of necessity--I must follow whither it leads!" + +With staggering step and in a blind frenzy, Julio ran down the passage, +caught his dagger between his teeth, put the key in the lock, and turned +the light so that it might fall upon his victim. + +He stopped trembling in the middle of the cellar, and pity filled his soul +as his eye rested on Geronimo. He had indeed drawn his dagger to complete +the horrible crime; but now, touched and moved by compassion, he +considered the unfortunate young man, who extended to him his suppliant +hands and begged for help. + +Geronimo was kneeling on the side of the grave which had been dug to +receive his corpse. His face was partly covered with clotted blood; the +portion visible was excessively pale, and his cheeks were so sunken that +those few days of suffering had left only the skin to cover his bones. His +eyes, rolling wildly, were sunk in their sockets; his neck, weakened by +the wound, could not support his head, which fell upon his right shoulder. +His clothes were blood-stained and covered with dirt. It was evident that +in his struggle against death he had dragged himself around the tomb to +try, if possible, to escape it. + +"Whoever you may be," cried out Geronimo, "for the love of God, one drop +of water!" + +His voice was weak, but capable of moving the hardest heart. + +Julio shook his head, without speaking. + +"Water! water!" repeated the young man. "I am burning up, consumed by +thirst. Water! water! one drop of water! Save me from a frightful death!" + +Moved by pity and forgetting, as it were, his own situation, Julio thrust +his hand under his doublet, drew out the bottle, uncorked it, and without +speaking gave it to the wounded gentleman. He uttered a cry of joy, seized +the bottle with feverish energy, and kissed with transport the hand which +presented him the saving beverage. + +Julio, with palpitating heart, watched the unfortunate Geronimo, as with +trembling joy he placed the bottle to his lips, as if the contents were +imparting to him a new life. + +And indeed, after having quaffed a deep draught, Geronimo appeared to have +new strength; for a sweet smile appeared upon his face, his eyes sparkled +with gratitude, and lifting his hands to Julio, he said: + +"May God bless you! you have saved me from a frightful death. May Heaven +hear my prayer and reward you on the day of judgment for all the good I +may have done in my life. The light blinded me; I could not see. Are you +not Julio?" + +This recognition struck Geronimo with terror, and in a feeble and +discouraged voice he said: + +"Julio, Julio, you pushed me into the chair!" + +Then seeing the dagger in Julio's hands, he shuddered. + +"A dagger in your hand! Ah! you come to kill me?" + +"Yes, signor," replied Julio, sadly, "I come to take your life; but do not +suppose I fulfil this fatal mission without emotion; on the contrary, my +heart bleeds for you, and I feel an indescribable repugnance to deal the +fatal blow." + +"Ah! you are not merciless; you will have pity on me," said Geronimo. + +"Impossible!" replied Julio. "Fatality governs us both; it has irrevocably +condemned you to death, and me to inhumanity. All prayer, all supplication +is useless; nothing can save your life. I beg you, signor, not to increase +the difficulties of my task; accept with resignation a fate you cannot +escape." + +A sharp cry escaped Geronimo, as these unfeeling words convinced him that +all hope was lost. + +"My God!" he exclaimed, "is it then true that this dungeon is to become my +tomb? Must I die without confession? Shall my body lie in unconsecrated +ground? Oh, mercy! mercy!" + +"Necessity is a merciless law, signor," replied Julio, "and I have more +cause than you to complain of its harshness. You, at least, will receive +in heaven the recompense of your innocent life, while I must commit here a +crime from which I recoil with horror, but which is forced upon me by an +irresistible power, and for which my poor soul will stand accused before +the judgment-seat of God. But do not cherish a deceitful hope; there is no +hope for you. Before I depart from here, that grave must receive your +body. That I did not immediately on entering fulfil my sad mission is +partly owing to the fact that an uncontrollable compassion paralyzed my +arm, but still more, to my desire to afford you time to say some prayers. +Therefore prepare your soul for its last passage. I will wait patiently +even for a quarter of an hour. Pray with a tranquil mind--I will not +strike without giving notice." + +Saying these words, Julio put down the lamp replaced his dagger in its +scabbard, and seated himself on a block of wood which was in a corner of +the cellar. + +Geronimo, overwhelmed by Julio's insensibility, bowed his head upon his +breast. For some time he neither spoke nor moved, seeming to accept his +fate with complete resignation. But the terror of death again possessed +him. + +"Impossible!" he exclaimed. "You will not kill me, Julio? I conjure you, +by your soul's salvation, not to imbrue your hands in my blood!" + +And the unfortunate young man endeavored to drag his feeble body to +Julio's feet; but the latter drew his dagger in a threatening manner. + +Geronimo uttered a cry of despair, crawled back to the side of the grave, +and fell exhausted on the ground, where he bewept his sad fate. + +His stifled sobs were so heart-breaking that Julio's soul was stirred +within him, and without being conscious of it, he wiped away the tears +which fell from his eyes. + +In a voice full of compassion he said: + +"Come, signor, be calm, and submit with resignation to the irrevocable +decree of fate. When one has lived like you in the fear of God, honorably +and loyally, death is but the passage to a better life." + +A cry of indignation mingled with the convulsive sobs of the young +gentleman. + +"I understand you," said Julio; "you think that my pity is a cruel irony; +you believe me to be inhuman. Even in the tomb you might justly call down +maledictions on the head of the murderer who of his own will and choice +would deprive you of life. But, alas! signor, I have neither will nor +choice in the matter. To-morrow the officers of justice will search this +house and cellar." + +"To-morrow!" exclaimed Geronimo, a new hope-springing up in his heart. + +"If I let you live, they would infallibly find you here," pursued Julio. +"This hope inspires you with joy; vain hope! signor, for should it be +realized, my master would perish on the scaffold, and I would expiate my +crime on the gallows!" + +"Julio," said Geronimo, beseechingly, "I will remove all suspicion from +you; I will declare you innocent; I will reward you magnificently." + +"It would be useless, signor. The law knows no mercy. My master would +betray the part I had in the deed; and do you think the judges would +pardon me for having pushed you into the chair?" + +"Save me, spare my life, Julio; and if necessary for your acquittal, I +will kneel to the bailiff, I will appeal to the emperor himself." + +"There is another reason, unknown to you, signor," replied Julio, +bitterly. "I am a fugitive, condemned to death by the laws of Italy. My +master alone knows my real name. The least infidelity on my part would +make him deliver me into the hands of those who for five years have been +seeking me. Think you, then, that it is in my power to spare you? It is my +own and my master's death you demand. And what a death! For him, the axe +of the executioner and eternal infamy to his family; for me, the rack, the +wheel, the gallows. Do not blame me then, signor; do not contend against +implacable fate; employ your last moments in prayer, or tell me that you +are ready to receive the mortal blow. Nothing can save you; that open tomb +tells you a sad but pitiless truth. Again I beg you, signor, lift up your +heart to God, and do not force me to make use of sudden violence." + +"Die so young and guiltless!" lamented Geronimo. "Never again to see the +light of heaven! O Mary, my beloved! how you will deplore my fate! My poor +uncle! sorrow will bring your gray hairs to the grave!" + +The accents of despair made Julio shudder; but he said, in a cold manner: + +"Are you ready, signor?" + +"A moment more, one moment for prayer!" said Geronimo. + +He joined his hands and uttered a fervent prayer; but although he +apparently accepted his fate with resignation, it was equally evident that +his soul struggled against the death which was hanging over him. + +By degrees, however, prayer brought resignation and consolation to +Geronimo, for the nervous trembling of his limbs ceased and his voice +became more distinct and calm. + +Julio fixed his eyes on Geronimo, and his heart was touched when he +thought he heard him ask pardon of God for his enemies; but when the lips +of the young man pronounced his own name in ardent supplication, and he +distinctly heard his unfortunate victim praying for the soul of his +murderer, Julio dropped his knife, and said, with a deep sigh: + +"My courage has forsaken me! I have not the strength to accomplish this +cruel act." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Geronimo, as Julio pronounced these words, "it is a voice +from heaven speaking to your heart. Hearken to it. Have pity on me! spare +my life!" + +Julio was too absorbed in his own thoughts to heed Geronimo. In accents of +despair he muttered: + +"Frightful situation! Beside the very grave I have dug for him, he prays +for my soul! And can I shed his blood? But there is no help for it. I +must--I must!" + +The young gentleman remarked the struggle in Julio's soul, and he mustered +up all his strength to approach him; but Julio, seeing Geronimo's design, +picked up his knife, took the lamp, and left the cellar, saying: + +"It is useless, signor. Fate is more powerful than we are; and struggle as +we may against its inevitable decrees, they must be accomplished! The +sight of your sorrow has deprived me of all courage. I go to regain +strength. I will soon return. Be prepared, for this time I will act +without delay!" + +He closed the door and walked slowly down the passage. Having reached his +room, he stamped with anger, uttered desperate words, struck his forehead +with his fist, vented his impatience, because he could see no solution of +his difficulties. He paced the room like a madman, fought the air, +stopped, resumed his walk,--until exhausted he threw himself into a chair. +Sorrow, anguish, and rage, by turns were depicted on his countenance. He +lamented the necessity of the murder, and complained in bitter terms of +his sad fate. But in vain he tortured his brain--not a ray of light came +to illumine his darkness. The pitiless "I must do it!" was the invariable +refrain. + +By chance his eye fell upon the two bottles which he had placed upon the +table, and as if the sight had inspired him with a sudden resolution, he +seized one of the bottles, uncorked it, and putting it to his lips, drank +a long draught, stopped a moment for breath, then emptied the bottle. + +He remained some time immovable as if to test the influence of the wine on +his mind, swallowed half of the second bottle, drew his dagger, took the +lamp, and descended the stairs, saying: + +"Now my courage will not fail me! No more words: a single blow and all +will be over! I must strike him in the back; he wears a cuirass on his +breast." + +Opening the door of the cellar, he placed the lamp on the ground without +speaking, and raising his dagger, he walked directly towards Geronimo, who +lifted his hands imploringly. + +Within a few steps of his victim, Julio, with an exclamation of surprise, +stopped suddenly as if immovable. His eye fell upon an object which +Geronimo held in his hand and extended to him, as though it had power to +turn aside the mortal blow. + +It was a flat copper medal, in the centre of which was a cross and other +emblems, and attached to it was a bright steel chain. + +Julio, forgetful of what he was about to do, sprang forward, seized the +strange medal, examined it closely, and said, in astonishment: + +"This amulet in your hands, signor! What does it mean? How came you by +it?" + +Geronimo, whose every thought was fixed upon death, was too much startled +by the sudden transition to reply immediately. + +"Speak, tell me whence comes this amulet? Who gave it to you?" + +"From Africa--from a blind woman," answered Geronimo, almost +unintelligibly. + +"In Africa? And the woman's name?" said Julio, beside himself with +impatience. + +"Mostajo. Teresa Mostajo!" + +"Teresa Mostajo! You are then the liberator of my poor blind mother!" + +"Then you will spare my life! God of mercy, I thank thee, there is still +hope!" + +But Julio heeded not the words of the young man. + +"This amulet," he said, "recalls my native village. I see again my father, +mother, friends. I see myself as I was before dissipation led me to sin +and vice. This amulet, brought by my grandfather from Jerusalem, protected +my father against many dangers, saved my mother's life; and you, signor, +you owe to the same amulet escape from a violent death, for it turned +aside my master's dagger from your breast. Strange and mysterious power +which thus shields the victim from his executioner!" + +"Julio," said Geronimo, "keep me not in suspense. Say that you will not +take my life. Be merciful to the man whose name is blessed by the lips of +your mother!" + +"Fear not, signor; rather than shed one drop of your blood, I would pay +the penalty of my guilty life on the gallows. But I must reflect upon our +peculiar situation, for my mind is not clear; perhaps I may discover a +means of escape. Do not disturb me, I beg you." + +He withdrew to the corner of the cellar where he had been previously +seated, and remained motionless for some time, without giving any sign of +the agitation of his mind. + +Geronimo regarded him at first with a look of joyful anticipation; by +degrees, however, his face wore an expression of sadness and surprise; it +seemed to him that Julio had fallen asleep. He was mistaken, however, for +Julio arose after a while, and said: + +"Now I see my way clearly. I will save you, signor; but in doing that, I +might as well avoid securing a halter for myself. You must have patience +until to-morrow. It is now about nine o'clock in the evening, and the +time, I know, will be very long to you. But you must submit to a condition +which is necessary for the preservation of my own life. To-morrow, at +daybreak, I shall quit the city and country. Before leaving, I will set +you at liberty. Do not attempt to shake my resolution; let me go now, +signor, and expect with confidence your deliverance." + +Geronimo joined his hands, and said, feebly: + +"Thanks, thanks, and may the good God show you the mercy you have shown to +me! I have yet a favor to implore, a benefit to ask." + +"Speak, signor, what do you wish?" + +"It is long since I awoke from my death-like stupor. I know not how long, +and I am tormented by hunger and thirst; you have kept life in me by the +wine so kindly bestowed, but now my body demands nourishment. Give me +bread." + +"Bread!" said Julio, "there is not a mouthful of food in the house." + +But seeing Geronimo's eyes fixed in supplication upon him, he added: + +"It is not late; perhaps I may find some shop still open. I will return +presently; remain quiet, and have no anxiety, signor." + +He took the lamp, left the cellar, closing the door after him, and +ascended to his room. There folding his arms, he began to muse: + +"How strange! the young merchant who, at the risk of his own life, +defended my mother from her Moslem master, who paid her ransom, and +liberated her from slavery--that merchant was Geronimo! By some mysterious +influence the amulet protected his heart from the blade of his vindictive +enemy; and when I am about to shed his blood, behold, the amulet paralyzes +my arm. It is incomprehensible!" + +The current of his thoughts changed. Seizing the half empty bottle, he +drank its contents. + +"Strange," said he, "how the bad effects of liquor are controlled by the +emotions! I have taken enough to deprive me of consciousness, and I feel +my mind as clear as though I had not touched a drop. This last draught, +however, has mounted to my brain. So it is decreed that my master, Simon +Turchi, must die upon the scaffold? It is disagreeable for both of us, but +I could not help it. I shall not know what to do when the two hundred +crowns are spent; necessity will force me to seek other resources, even at +the risk of the gallows, and in all probability the fatal noose will +encircle my neck. Bah! if it is predestined, who can prevent it? My master +and I will receive only what we deserve. But I am forgetting the starving +young gentleman; I must go out to procure him some food. It will be a fine +opportunity to drink a pint of wine at the _Swan_; that cannot be closed +yet, for gamblers do not keep early hours. Only one pint in passing! not +more, for if my reason became clouded, I cannot answer for the +consequences; but there is no need to fear that, for my life is at stake. +I will return in half an hour." + +He extinguished the lamp, and hastily traversed the garden. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +SIMON TURCHI'S ALARM--CRIME BEGETS CRIME. + + +Some time after the hour of Change, Simon Turchi had returned home, and +was apparently preparing to go out again, for he had changed his doublet +for one of a darker color, and his cloak lay on a chair beside him. + +The signor was in high spirits; he carried his head proudly, a radiant +smile illumined his countenance, and from time to time he rubbed his hands +with an air of triumph. Julio had left for Germany! Nothing could have +prevented his departure, for he had not been seen in the city. Simon +Turchi has therefore no cause for fear, for if, contrary to expectation, +his garden be searched and the corpse of Geronimo be discovered, the +murder could easily be fastened upon Julio. + +Already, by vague remarks to his servants and acquaintances, Turchi had +prepared the way for making the accusation in case of necessity. He had +exhibited great anxiety at Julio's absence the night before and during +that day. He said that he had sharply reproved his servant for his +dissipated habits and his neglect of duty. Julio had left him in evident +anger. + +The servants, who could not comprehend their master's anxiety, thought +that he might be in some tavern, drowning his feelings with drink and +awaiting the night to return home. To this Turchi answered that he had +remarked for some time Julio's strange manner, that he seemed so +absent-minded, was often heard to sigh and weep--in a word, something +weighty appeared pressing on his conscience. + +Early in the morning he sent Bernardo to the pavilion to see if Julio were +there. Bernardo reported that there was no evidence of his having been +there, except two empty bottles upon a table. Simon pretended that he had +the bottles placed in the room, and Bernardo thought no more of the +affair. + +Simon Turchi would have satisfied himself by personal examination if Julio +had thoroughly performed his work before his departure, but he feared to +excite attention by his appearance in that direction; or, perhaps, he +might even be obliged to assist at the search of his garden, should the +bailiff refuse to exempt it. He determined to go to the cellar at +nightfall, when the search must be interrupted, to examine the +arrangements made by Julio. When therefore twilight was commencing to +replace the glare of day, and Simon was certain of not meeting the +officers of the law, he threw his cloak around his shoulders, turned with +a light step and joyous heart the corner of the street, and took the +direction to the square of Meir. + +He had gone but a short distance, when he met Messire John Van +Schoonhoven. + +A smile lighted up Turchi's countenance. He was delighted to be +accidentally brought into the bailiff's company, as he would thus learn +the result of the researches already made. + +After a polite salutation, Messire Van Schoonhoven said: + +"I am happy to meet you. I was on my way to your house." + +"To my house?" said Turchi. "Have you news of my friend?" + +"No, signor; I wish to see you concerning an affair which, although not +serious, necessitates a conversation with you. I would have spoken to you +on this subject this evening when at Mr. Van de Werve's, but the place was +inappropriate to such discussions." + +"Return then with me," stammered Turchi, with ill-disguised anxiety. + +"Where were you going, signor?" said the bailiff. + +"I was going to take a walk along the Scheldt, in order to seek some +diversion to the grief I feel for the disappearance of the unfortunate +Geronimo." + +"What I have to say, signor, need not interfere with your walk. I will +accompany you a part of the way and enjoy with you the evening breeze." + +The bailiff turned and walked by Turchi's side. + +Looking around, to assure himself that they were not overheard, Messire +Van Schoonhoven said: + +"The affair in question would not require so many precautions were I not +bailiff and you my friend. But in consequence of these two reasons, my +mission becomes painful, and I must claim in advance your forbearance. You +know that my agents are searching every house, building, and garden in the +vicinity of the Hospital Grounds where Geronimo was last seen. The +greatest part of this quarter has been carefully examined without any +result." + +Simon Turchi perfectly understood the bailiff's design, and although his +heart beat painfully, he mastered his emotion, and said in an indifferent +tone: + +"And you think, Messire Van Schoonhoven, that my garden should be searched +in like manner? It is very natural. No one is above the law--the knight +and the peasant are there equal." + +"Believe me, signor, that the thought of so disrespectful a conduct +towards an honorable nobleman, and that nobleman my friend for years, +would never have occurred to me. But the search became a necessity without +any fault of mine. The presence of at least twenty of my agents in that +quarter attracted the curious. A crowd followed those engaged in the +search, and when it was noticed that your summer-house was the only one +exempted, the magistrates were openly accused of injustice. The people +were told that this was done by my order; but so great was the commotion +that the affair reached the ears of the burgomaster and the constables, +and these gentlemen waited on me, urging me to visit your garden likewise, +so as to remove all cause of complaint." + +"This explanation is wholly unnecessary, at least as far as regards +myself," interrupted Simon Turchi. "I desire you to search my +country-house as you do all the other dwellings in the vicinity." + +They were not far from the bridge of Meir, and they ceased speaking, as in +so frequented a place they were in danger of being overheard. Farther on, +Turchi said: + +"I acknowledge, however, that I am hurt and irritated by the disrespect +and audacity of the populace. One might be tempted to suppose that they +considered me capable of killing my best friend! My blood boils at the +idea of such a suspicion!" + +Simon gladly availed himself of the opportunity thus offered of +attributing to a just indignation the cruel anxiety which tortured him. He +had anticipated the announcement just made him by the bailiff, and in +consequence had taken suitable measures to screen himself in case of +discovery; but now a terrible doubt as to the result of the search, and as +to the confidence which might be reposed in his statements, arose in his +mind. The least unforeseen accident, the slightest oversight in his +arrangement, might be his ruin. + +"It is scandalous!" he exclaimed, shaking his fist. "To express publicly +the opinion that a nobleman could so far degrade himself as to become a +secret assassin! I will know who my insolent calumniators are, and I will +then see if justice has power at Antwerp to protect an innocent stranger +against the defamation of the people!" + +"Calm yourself, signor," said Messire Van Schoonhoven; "I comprehend your +well-founded indignation; but you are mistaken if you think the +perquisition ordered by the burgomaster and constables be, in your regard, +aught but a condescension to the clamors of the multitude. As for myself, +I beg you not to be displeased with me for accomplishing my duty." + +"You need offer no excuse, messire," said Simon, speaking more calmly. "It +is but proper and natural to search my garden. I am irritated solely by +the insolence of the people. Do your duty, and continue to honor me with a +friendship of which I am proud, and of which I will always strive to be +worthy." + +"When will it be convenient to you, Signor Turchi, to have the officers +visit your house?" asked the bailiff. + +"The time is perfectly indifferent to me." + +"But appoint an hour; I would regret causing you any inconvenience or +trouble." + +Simon Turchi reflected a moment, and said: + +"To-morrow morning urgent affairs demand my attention; come then about +noon." + +"Suppose we say two o'clock?" + +"Very well; between two and three." + +"I will call for you to accompany me, signor. Do not be disturbed by this +domiciliary visit; it implies no suspicion, but, as I said before, it is a +simple condescension to the populace. Shall I have the honor of meeting +you this evening at the house of Mr. Van de Werve?" + +"I do not know, messire. Mary's excessive grief affects me so much that it +haunts me day and night. Would that I could offer the least consolation to +the afflicted young girl! But of what use is it to mingle my tears with +hers, when there is no ray of hope to illumine the darkness of her +despair?" + +Messire Van Schoonhoven pressed Simon's hand. + +"Your sincere friendship for Geronimo does you honor, signor," he said. +"Were he your own brother, you could not be more deeply grieved. And how +great is your generosity! Geronimo was your friend, but he was at the same +time an obstacle to the accomplishment of the dearest wish of your heart. +Through affection for him you have sacrificed your fondest hopes of +happiness. But the inexplicable disappearance of Geronimo spreads out +before you a brighter future. Time will alleviate the bitterness of Mary's +sorrow, and who so well as yourself, signor, could restore her to +happiness--you who possess her father's confidence and esteem?" + +"Speak not of such things," said Simon. "I would gladly yield all the +happiness the future might have in store for me to see my friend once more +unharmed. But alas! alas!" + +"That does not prevent me, signor, from cherishing the hope that, if +Geronimo is really dead, you may one day receive the reward of your +sincere friendship and your magnanimous generosity. To-morrow at two +o'clock! May God be with you, signor!" + +"And may He protect you, messire!" + +Simon Turchi watched him until he was lost to sight, and then glanced +around in order to note the degree of darkness. He drew his cloak closely +around him, and walked rapidly down a side street, which soon brought him +before the gate of his own garden. Unlocking the door, he traversed the +walk rendered almost invisible by the darkness. + +Beaching the house, he lighted a lamp and ascended the stairs to a room, +which, in better times, he was accustomed to use as a bed-room, when +occasionally he passed the night at the pavilion. + +Casting his cloak upon a chair, he seated himself near a table, evidently +a prey to distracting thoughts. He drew a phial from his doublet, and +fixed his eyes upon it. By degrees, however, the clouds seemed to pass +from his mind. He replaced the phial in his doublet, and said, calmly: + +"Why am I so terrified? Did I not expect the search? Have not my +precautions been well taken? What have I to fear? Julio is already at +such a distance that he cannot be overtaken. If the corpse be found in the +cellar, I will impute the crime to Julio. My explanation will be such that +there will be no room for suspicion. But suppose it should be known! O +torturing doubt! What a desperate game! Wealth, honor, power, and the hand +of Mary Van de Werve, against my life and the honor of my family! Triumph +and happiness on the one hand; disgrace and death on the scaffold on the +other! Suppose I go to the bailiff, and accuse Julio of the murder? That +would put me above suspicion. But no; the search will be superficial, mere +matter of form for the sake of appearances. If Julio as arranged things +properly, they will merely cast a glance into the cellar. My presence will +be a restraint upon the officers, and will prevent them from pushing their +search so far as to imply a suspicion. If they do not find the body, as is +probable, the affair will forever remain secret, and I will have in future +no cause for alarm. I must take courage and descend into the cellar, to +see how Julio performed the task assigned him before his departure." + +He approached a large wardrobe, took from it a bottle, poured out a large +glass of wine and drank it. Lighted by the lamp, he descended the +staircase and approached the cellar; but before proceeding through the +subterranean passage, he hesitated and stepped back: + +"Singular!" he said; "I am overpowered by fear! I recoil in terror before +that dark cave, as though the dead could arise from the grave to take +revenge. What! I had the courage to stab him while living, and yet I +tremble upon approaching the spot where lie his inanimate remains! Away +with this childish terror!" + +However bold his words, the Signor Turchi did not become calm, and his +heart beat violently as he again slowly approached the entrance to the +cellar. He hesitated an instant, as he looked down the long, dark passage, +but was about to proceed, when a noise outside the building made him shake +with fear. + +"What can it be? Am I not mistaken? Some one unlocks the garden-gate! Will +I be found here? Am I betrayed?" + +After a moment of torturing doubt he fled from the cellar to his room, his +hair bristling with terror. + +"They open the door of the house! They are within! They come! Great +heavens! What can it mean?" + +A man appeared on the threshold of the room in which Simon Turchi had +taken refuge. + +"Julio! it is Julio!" exclaimed Simon, in despair. + +The servant reeled under the influence of liquor. His cheeks were flushed, +his eyes wandering, and while the smile upon his lips indicated a +disagreeable surprise at the presence of his master, it also said plainly +that he feared not Simon's anger. He held in his hand a small wheaten +loaf, but he hid it hastily under his doublet as if unwilling for Turchi +to see it. + +Casting upon him a look of fury, Simon Turchi sprang to his feet, clenched +his fist, and exclaimed in a rage: + +"This is too much! Infamous traitor! cowardly rascal! whence do you come? +Does hell itself bring you here for the destruction of both of us? Speak, +base drunkard, and tell me why you are here! Quick, or I will stretch you +dead at my feet. I thirst for your blood." + +Julio drew his knife from the scabbard and stammered, in a voice +indistinct from intoxication: + +"Wait awhile, signor. Wine, good wine has dulled my senses. You want to +kill me? It would be very fortunate for one of us to die here--the +executioner would have less work. But which of us must first render our +account before the supreme tribunal, my knife and your dagger will decide. +I am ready." + +"Insolent wretch!" cried Turchi, grinding his teeth, "my own safety and +yours compel me to a painful circumspection; but beware how you brave me! +Tell me why you are not on your way to Germany." + +"You ask me something that I don't know myself. But let me see. Just as I +was about to leave I went to the _Swan_, and drank a few pints of wine. +This morning, when I awoke, I was seated before a table at the _Silver +Dice_. How I came there, I cannot tell. It was then too late for me to +pass the gate. I determined to wait until to-morrow, and I came here to +take a night's rest before setting out on the journey." + +"And you played at dice?" said Turchi. + +"I think I did; for the rattling of the dice still sounds in my ears." + +"And the money? the two hundred crowns?" + +"Be quiet, signor, on that point. I ask you for nothing. What business is +it of yours that I have spent or lost a few pieces of gold, provided I +leave for Germany to-morrow at daybreak?" + +Simon Turchi was like one frenzied. + +"Yes," he exclaimed, "and at the first tavern you meet on the way you will +drown your senses with drink, and you will squander my money." + +"Not so, signor; rely upon me--I will leave to-morrow morning at daybreak, +and if I drink on the way it will only be to quench a burning thirst." + +Simon Turchi's eye shone with a sudden and mysterious light, excited by +some secret thought. He became calm, and shrugging his shoulders, said +quietly, as though he submitted with resignation to the contradictions +which he could not avoid: + +"I ought, Julio, to punish your want of fidelity. If the bailiff had come +here to-day, as I expected, your culpable neglect of duty would have +placed us both in the hands of justice. Fortunately the visit will not be +made before noon to-morrow. As your negligence has had no evil +consequences, I fully pardon you, upon condition that you leave the city +before sunrise, and that you travel without stopping until you reach the +Rhine." + +"Never fear this time, signor," replied Julio. "I will pass the night +here, and at early dawn I will be beyond the city gate. In the first +village I will buy a horse, and I will make such speed that he who would +catch me must needs have wings." + +He yawned, stretching his arms above his head, and said: + +"I am overpowered by fatigue and sleep. If you have no other directions to +give, permit me, signor, to go to bed, that I may be ready for the +morning." + +"Then I may rely upon you, Julio?" + +"Have no anxiety about my journey; the rising sun will not find me at +Antwerp." + +"Are you certain?" + +"As certain as I am that a halter hangs over my head, and over yours +something quite as disagreeable." + +This jest of his servant made Turchi convulsively contract his lips, but +he restrained any expression of feeling, and arose, saying: + +"Julio, would you like a glass of good Malmsey?" + +"Ah, signor," replied the servant, "I was just thinking that a cup of +Malmsey would relieve my parched throat, when, lo! my desire finds an echo +in your heart." + +"One single glass--a parting bumper." + +"One or many, signor, as you wish--either will be welcome; but the +excellent wine locked in the cupboard of your room will be particularly +acceptable." + +"Well, Julio, come with me, and we will drink to the happy termination of +your journey." + +He arose, traversed a passage, and ascended to the upper story. The +servant followed him staggering, and trying to steady himself by the wall. + +Having reached his bed-room, Turchi drew a second chair to the table, and +said: + +"Sit down, Julio; here is a bottle already opened. If I did not fear its +effects, we would empty it in honor of your departure." + +Julio sat down, and held the bottle before the lamp. + +"Bah!" he exclaimed, "it only contains about four glasses. You need not +trouble yourself about that quantity." + +Signor Turchi took two large glasses from the cupboard, placed them on the +table, and filled their to the brim. + +"A pleasant journey to you, Julio," he said, "and may you arrive safely at +your destination." + +They both emptied their glasses at one draught, but the servant pushed his +glass to his master, saying: + +"Oh, the divine liquor! it is a cooling balm to my burning throat. One +more glass, signor, I beg you." + +Simon filled the glasses again, and said: + +"Yes, but on condition that you wait awhile before drinking it." + +Hoping that his obedience might procure him a third glass, Julio resisted +the temptation to gratify himself at once. + +In the meantime, Turchi contemplated his servant with a peculiar +expression. There was a malicious sparkle in his eye, and a smile of +triumph on his lips. He evidently had some purpose in thus watching Julio; +but what could be his secret design? + +At last he pretended that he was about to take the wine, but by a quick +movement he upset it. + +With an exclamation of impatience he raised the glass, and said: + +"It is a sin to spill such wine. Now I have no more in which to drink your +health. Get another bottle, Julio, from the cupboard; it is perhaps the +last time that we shall drink together. On the third shelf, the bottle +with the long neck." + +Julio arose with difficulty from his chair, and staggered to the cupboard. + +Simon Turchi thrust his hand in his doublet, and drew out a very small +phial. He hastily poured nearly the whole contents into Julio's glass, and +immediately concealed the phial; and although he trembled in every limb, +he said, calmly: + +"A little higher, Julio--to the left; that is the right bottle." + +The servant brought the bottle to his master, who uncorked it; but as he +was about to pour out the wine, he said: + +"Empty your glass, Julio; this is a different wine, and the mixture would +spoil both." + +Julio drank the wine, but no sooner had he swallowed it than he exclaimed: + +"What was in my glass? It had a strange, bitter taste. Did you put poison +in it?" + +"What a silly idea!" said Turchi, turning pale. + +"You are capable of such a deed, signor." + +"The lees gave the bad taste, Julio. Take another glass, and it will pass +away." + +Emptying his glass again, Julio said: + +"You are right; it is gone. I never tasted anything in my life more +disagreeable." + +Turchi watched his servant narrowly. With assumed carelessness he said: + +"Take care, Julio, to be up by daybreak. Go on foot to the village of +Lierre; buy a good horse there, and make all possible haste to reach +Diest; that is the shortest route, and you will be more likely to escape +notice than on the highway. Once in Cologne, you are out of danger; but be +careful not to remain there. Merchants from Antwerp frequently visit that +city; you might possibly be recognized and arrested. You must leave the +territories of the emperor. When the affair is forgotten, and when by my +marriage with Miss Van de Werve I will have acquired a considerable +fortune, I will send for you, and you will live with me as a friend rather +than a servant. You shall spend your days in pleasure, and you will never +have cause to regret what you have done for me. But, Julio, you do not +answer? Is not such a fate desirable?" + +"I am overpowered by sleep," stammered Julio, almost unintelligibly. + +A triumphant smile flitted across Turchi's face. + +"To-morrow at two o'clock," he continued, "the officers of justice will +make a domiciliary visit here, but the bailiff will permit no search which +intimates a suspicion. Since you have filled the cellar with fire-wood and +empty casks, the bailiff will be satisfied that all is right. Perhaps, +Julio, I may be able to recall you in two or three months." + +Julio's head had fallen upon the table, but from time to time he started +and muttered some indistinct words, showing that he was not in a deep +sleep. Without once removing his eye from him, Simon continued to speak, +although he was convinced that Julio no longer heard his words. + +Suddenly Julio groaned. His head and limbs fell as though he had been +struck by death; but the heaving of the chest and the deep scarlet of the +cheeks proved that he was in a heavy sleep. + +Simon quietly contemplated him for a while longer with a smile of +satisfaction. Then he arose, approached his servant, shook him violently, +and cried out: + +"Julio, Julio, wake up!" + +Julio did not stir. + +"It succeeds according to my wishes," he said. "The poison is doing its +work. He is deaf and insensible; he reposes in an eternal sleep. Life will +be extinguished by degrees until sleep makes way for death. But I must not +tarry. I must act quickly and forget nothing. And first the money!" + +He searched Julio's pocket, and found in it one hundred and twenty crowns. +After counting them on the table, he exclaimed: + +"Eighty crowns spent already! It is impossible. He has either lost them at +the gaming-table, or been robbed while he was sleeping in the tavern." + +Still doubtful, he examined his garments, and found in a purse under his +girdle the twenty crowns which he had destined for his mother. + +"Ah, ah!" said Simon, laughing; "I had not all; I hear the sound of gold." + +He put the twenty crowns with the rest of the money, and having satisfied +himself that no more remained on the person of Julio, he was about to +transfer the crowns to his pocket, when a sudden idea occurred to his +mind. + +"If I leave all this money on his person, they might think he had been +paid to commit the deed; if I leave nothing, there will be no reason to +conclude that he killed the Signor Geronimo to rob him. I wonder how much +money Geronimo generally carried about him. I should suppose five or six +crowns, or perhaps ten. I will leave six crowns and all the small change. +And the keys? He must keep them, or, of course, he could not have entered +without my knowledge. But should he be roused to consciousness by the +death-agony, he might have sufficient strength to get out. I will leave +him all the keys but that of the outer building. Iron bars render the +place secure; he could not even enter the garden. Now I will put the phial +in his doublet--no, in the pocket of his girdle; it will be as easily +found. I will remove the bottles and everything which could indicate the +presence of two persons." + +He locked up the bottles and glasses, arranged the chairs, and wiped up +the wine which had been spilled on the table and the floor. + +While thus engaged, he muttered to himself: + +"I must not remain longer. I myself must go to the bailiff and accuse +Julio of the murder. Shall I go this evening? No; they might come and find +him alive, and a powerful antidote might perhaps rouse him from sleep. +To-morrow, then--to-morrow morning. But how shall I explain the affair? +When and how did he reveal his crime? Night will suggest a means. All is +done. I will go home and appear calm and cheerful." + +He threw his cloak around his shoulders, took the lamp from the table, and +walked to the door. There he stopped for a moment to contemplate his +victim and precipitately descended the staircase. At the foot of the steps +he extinguished the light, traversed the garden, opened the gate, and +disappeared in the darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +FOOD AT LAST--DEATH OF JULIO. + + +When Julio left the cellar for the purpose of procuring bread, Geronimo +cast himself on his knees, full of gratitude to God, to return thanks for +the unexpected deliverance. + +Julio had said "soon," but an hour passed, then another, then many more, +and he came not. + +A painful doubt began to take possession of Geronimo's mind. Had an +accident happened to Julio? Had he perhaps cruelly abandoned his victim? +Had he set out for Germany with the certainty that hunger would kill him +whom the dagger had spared? + +The unfortunate cavalier had no means of measuring the flight of time. +What in the immutable darkness of his prison seemed to him a century, +might in reality be only a few hours, and the promised bread would soon +appear to his eyes as the star of safety--in a quarter of an hour, in a +minute--that very instant. + +By such reflections Geronimo sought to endure patiently the pangs of +hunger. He put his ear to the keyhole and ceased breathing that he might +catch the slightest sound. Alas! hour after hour passed in unbroken +silence. Although Geronimo knew not whether it was day or night, his +increasing sufferings were to him a sure indication of the passage of +time. For a while he encouraged himself by the thought that Julio would +not bring him the promised bread until dawn, and that he would give him at +the same time food and liberty. + +This hope by degrees diminished, and at last vanished entirely. The +suffering young man could not longer deceive either his body or his mind; +it became evident to him that the hour which he had hoped would restore +him to freedom had long passed. + +He had been abandoned--devoted to a cruel martyrdom, a frightful death! He +was then to die in the midst of the torments of hunger--to die slowly in +indescribable suffering, and fall into the yawning grave prepared for him! + +Struck with terror by the conviction thus forced upon him, the unfortunate +cavalier arose despairingly and ran panting and crying around the cellar, +as though he could thus escape the death which menaced him. + +The pain of his wounds was increased by this violent and feverish +agitation. His breast heaved under his difficult respiration, but the +gnawing hunger which agonized him made these sufferings seem light. +Falling to the ground from exhaustion, he commenced, as soon as he had +gained a little strength, his struggle against the tortures of hungry. At +times his despair was cheered by the thought that even yet Julio might +come. But Julio was plunged by the influence of poison into a mortal +sleep, and in all probability would appear before Geronimo at the +judgment-seat of God. + +Hoping against hope, the young man seated himself on the ground. The +violence of his sufferings seemed to abate and leave him at rest for a few +moments. His thoughts wandered to all he loved upon earth, but the respite +was of short duration. Soon the agony he endured drew from him piercing +cries. During his long martyrdom no torment had equalled the present. It +seemed as though he were being devoured by flames, or as if molten lead +were coursing through his veins. + +He writhed in convulsions, beat his breast, and in heart-rending accents +called upon God for help. But nothing relieved his horrible sufferings. + +He filled the air with his groans and screams, he beat the door with blind +fury, tore the flesh from his fingers in his useless efforts to make an +opening in his prison-walls, and ran from side to side as though the pangs +of hunger had driven him mad. + +At last, exhausted and convinced that there was no escape, that he must +soon enter into his last agony, he threw himself upon the ground, bowed +his head and joined his hands in prayer, begging for resignation to meet +the death which would end his cruel martyrdom. His mind now appeared +clear, and he was perfectly conscious, for after a while he shed a torrent +of tears. His lips moved, giving utterance to confused sounds, but by +degrees his words became more distinct, and fixing his eye in the darkness +on the spot where he knew the grave had been dug, he said: + +"No more hope! All is over. I must die! The grave yawns to receive me. +Alas! what a place for my mortal remains! Forgotten, unknown, concealed by +the darkness of a horrible crime! Not a tear will fall upon the tomb of +the unfortunate victim; not a cross will mark the spot where I lie; not a +prayer will be whispered over my body! Death approaches. Ah! I must not +thus cling to life; I will pray and lift my hands in supplication to God. +He alone--" + +He stopped under the influence of a sudden emotion. + +"Heavens! did I not hear a noise?" + +He listened breathlessly for a time to catch the indistinct sound he +thought he had heard; but he was mistaken. + +"Why should I hope, when hope is no longer possible? Let me rather seek +strength in the consideration of the better life which awaits me. The +death I endure will purify me from all my sins. If God, in His +impenetrable designs, has appointed this to be my earthly fate, He will, +in His mercy, take into account before his judgment-seat what I have +innocently suffered here below. Consoling hope, which, encourages me to +look with confidence into eternity! + +"And yet my life was so happy! Everything in the world smiled upon me; my +path was strewn with roses; the future spread out before me like a +cloudless sky resplendent with stars. God had not only given me health, +fortune, and peace of heart, but also the hope of uniting my fate with +that of a lovely young girl. Mary Van de Werve! the incarnation of all +that men admire and heaven loves: virtue, piety, modesty, charity, beauty, +love! Alas! alas! must I leave all that? Must I say a last adieu, renounce +my hopes, and never see her again? Die and sleep forever in an unknown +tomb, while she lives!" + +A cry of anguish escaped him. But it was caused rather by his train of +thought than by the adieu he had just spoken, for he added, in a suppliant +voice: + +"Pardon, O Lord, pardon! Thy creature clings to life; but be not angry +with the weakness of my nature. Should I die by the terrible death of +starvation, I humbly accept Thy holy will, and I bless Thy hand which +deals the blow! God of mercy, grant that I may find grace with Thee!" + +Calmed by this invocation, he resumed, with less emotion and in a tone +which proved that his soul had received consolation: + +"And if I be permitted in my last hour to offer to Thee my supplications, +I pray Thee, O God of mercy, to spare my uncle, and let not my misfortune +deprive him also of life. He was my father and benefactor; he taught me to +live in the fear of Thy holy name. By the cruel sufferings which I endure, +by my terrible death, have pity on him! Let Thy angels also guard and +protect the pious and pure young girl who is before Thee as an immaculate +dove! Jesus, Saviour of mankind, on the cross you prayed to your heavenly +Father for those who crucified Thee. Demand not an account of my blood +from my enemy. Pardon him, lead him back to the path of virtue, and after +death grant him eternal rest! My strength fails; the sweat of death is on +my brow. O my God! in this, my last hour, grant me the grace to die with +Thy love alone in my heart, and Thy holy name alone upon my lips!" + +The last words of this prayer had scarcely fallen from his lips, when he +cried aloud, arose trembling, and eagerly fixed his eyes upon the opposite +wall, upon which a faint streak of light flickered. + +"O my God! what means this?" he exclaimed. "Light? light? a voice? Is some +one coming? Is there still hope? I shall not die! Cruel dream! Frightful +illusion! But no, it is indeed a light; it becomes brighter. I hear a +human voice. Alas! this suspense is worse than death!" + +Tottering from weakness, and supporting himself by the sides of the wall, +he gained the door, and trembling between hope and fear, he put his eye to +the keyhole in order to discover who was approaching his person. + +He saw in the distance a man with a lamp in his hand; but his gestures +were so strange, and his countenance so singular, that he was at a loss to +know whether it were a human being, or only a creation of his own +disordered brain. + +Still he heard confused sounds in the passage; a voice seemed to complain, +curse, and call for aid. + +By degrees the mysterious apparition drew nearer, and Geronimo recognized +the servant of Simon Turchi; but why was Julio writhing in such horrible +convulsions? Why was his face so horribly contorted? Why did he threaten +and rage in such harsh accents? + +A horrible conviction forced itself upon Geronimo's mind. Julio had sought +in drink the courage necessary to accomplish the work which fate exacted +of him. He had thus drowned his senses, and had come now to slay his +victim without mercy. + +The thought for the moment roused his fears; but he remembered that he had +just offered to God his life in expiation of his sins. He retired to the +other side of the cellar, knelt by the side of the grave, and with a smile +upon his lips and his eyes lifted to heaven, he calmly awaited the fatal +blow. + +He heard Julio trying to insert the key in the lock as if his hand were +unsteady. He noticed that there was no finger in his tone of voice; on the +contrary, the cries which escaped him were rather those of alarm and +distress; but before he had time for reflection the door opened. + +Julio put down the lamp as if his strength had entirely failed him, and +fell upon the ground, exclaiming in a supplicating voice: + +"O signor, help, help! I am poisoned! A burning fire consumes me! Take +pity on me! For the love of God, deliver me from this torture!" + +"Poisoned!" exclaimed Geronimo, hastening to Julio. "What has happened to +you? The mark of death is on your face!" + +"Simon Turchi gave me last night poisoned wine, in order to destroy the +witness who could prove your death by his hand. He made me pay Bufferio to +assassinate you. He wishes to marry Mary Van de Werve, and he desires to +remove any cause of fear that his happiness may be disturbed. Ah! the +poison consumes me!" + +"Tell me, Julio, what I can do for your relief." + +Saying this, he knelt by Julio, and threw open his doublet to give him +air: + +"Thanks, thanks, O my God! here is bread!" exclaimed Geronimo, almost wild +with joy, and snatching with feverish haste the small loaf which Julio had +concealed, and which he had entirely forgotten since his fatal stupor. + +The young man, absorbed in satisfying his devouring hunger, no longer +heeded Julio's complaints, but having soon appeased its cravings, he took +his hands, saying: + +"I bless you, Julio, and may the omnipotent God reward you in heaven. Tell +me what I can do to save you. Set me at liberty, and I will fly for +physician and priest. The keys--quick, the keys!" + +"Alas!" said Julio, in a hopeless voice, "my cruel murderer took from me +the keys of the door. We are shut up in the building. But I cannot die +thus, consumed by poison, without confession, without hope of pardon for +my soul! Go up-stairs, signor, call aloud, break open the door, wrest the +iron bars from the windows. Collect all your strength, take pity on me and +help me!" + +Geronimo seized the keys, and, lighted by the lamp, he hastily traversed +the subterranean passage, and mounted the staircase. + +The gray dawn was appearing in the east, but to the eyes of the young man +so long accustomed to utter darkness it was almost as bright as noonday. + +Convinced that Julio's condition demanded immediate aid, Geronimo hastily +tried all the keys in the exterior door, pulled all the bolts, endeavored +to wrench the door from the hinges, and worked with so much energy that at +last he fell from weakness. + +Taking a short rest, he arose, threw up the windows, shook the iron bars, +ran up-stairs and called aloud for help. But all his efforts were +useless--the pavilion was too far removed from any habitation to permit +him to indulge the hope that his voice, weak as it was, could be heard. + +In running through the building--almost maddened by despair--to seek an +outlet, he entered the kitchen, where he perceived a vessel full of water. +The sight filled him with joy. Perhaps water, taken in large quantities, +might deaden the effects of the poison and save Julio's life. At any rate, +he had no other remedy, and as it was his only hope, he grasped at it as +if it were an inspiration from heaven. + +Filling a pitcher, he ran with it to the cellar, and radiant with joy, +approached Julio, who had barely strength to ask in a feeble voice: + +"Is the priest coming? Will the doctor be here? Ah! it is too late!" + +"Drink," said Geronimo, holding the pitcher to his lips; "the water will +cool the inflammation and refresh you." + +Julio took the water. + +"Thank you, signor; it is useless, the water does me no good." + +"Take more, I beg you, Julio,--as much as you can." + +Julio obeyed mechanically and nearly emptied the pitcher. His respiration +became very labored, and the sweat ran in big drops from his brow. + +"Do you feel better, Julio?" asked the young man. + +"A little better; the heat is not so burning." + +"There is still hope!" exclaimed Geronimo, joyfully. "Take courage, Julio; +have confidence in the mercy of God. When all human aid fails us, then God +gives his omnipotent assistance." + +"But," said Julio, "my heart beats so feebly, my limbs are benumbed. +Signor, I am dying. The poison is killing me." + +"Die? Julio! You have delivered me from death, and shall I be powerless to +save you? What shall I do? O my God, what can I try?" + +"Think no more of it, signor," said the dying man. "I feel that there is +no hope. Alas! I was partly the cause of your bitter sufferings: I pushed +you into the chair; I intended to kill you, the deliverer of my blind +mother! Take pity on me! Let not your just malediction follow my poor soul +into eternity. Pardon me, signor, pardon!" + +"Speak not thus, Julio. But for you, that yawning grave would now cover my +corpse. Shall I refuse pardon to you who spared my life? No; I will pray +for you, I will give alms for the repose of your soul. Have confidence in +the goodness of God." + +"Confidence?" said Julio, in a dying voice. "I shudder to think of the +judgment which awaits me. In this, my death agony, I see with frightful +clearness. I dare not hope in God's mercy. I have done nothing to merit +it. A dark veil is before my eyes." + +The death-rattle was in his throat. + +Geronimo passed his arm around his neck and raised his head, and seeing +Julio's eyes fixed upon him, he said, tenderly and fervently: + +"Julio, listen to me! You say you dare not hope in the mercy of God' Have +you forgotten that Jesus Christ shed his blood to redeem fallen man? Do +you not know that there is joy before the angels when a sinner, by sincere +repentance, escapes the eternal enemy of man and enters triumphant into +heaven? You repent, do you not? You sincerely repent?" + +Julio bowed affirmatively. + +"Ah!" exclaimed Geronimo, "if I cannot save your body from death, at least +let me keep your soul from eternal torments. Oh! if I could thus repay the +debt of gratitude I owe you! Julio, were God to prolong your life, would +you renounce evil and return courageously and sincerely to the path of +duty and virtue? You say yes? You implore God's mercy, do you not? You +have confidence in the inexhaustible treasure of his goodness? Then, +Julio, raise your dying eyes to heaven, direct your last thoughts to Him +who is the source of all mercy, and with full confidence let your soul +wing its flight to the supreme tribunal. Already from the highest heaven +God absolves the repentant sinner!" + +A triumphant hope illumined the countenance of Julio as he endeavored to +raise his eyes to heaven. + +"Saved--his soul is saved!" exclaimed Geronimo, transported with a pious +joy. + +A slight convulsion passed over the limbs of Julio, his muscles became +paralyzed, his head fell heavily on Geronimo's shoulder, and drawing his +last breath, he murmured, almost unintelligibly: + +"Mercy! O my God!" + +"He is dead!" said Geronimo. "May thy soul receive my fraternal embrace in +its passage to eternity! May this mark of reconciliation weigh in the +balance of eternal justice!" + +He bent over the dead; but as if contact with the corpse had deprived him +of his little remaining strength, he fell as it were lifeless. Not a limb +moved, his arms dropped motionless, his eyes closed, it seemed that his +soul had also taken its flight to heaven to accompany the soul of Julio +before God's judgment seat. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +IS IT HIS GHOST?--THE GUILTY EXPOSED. + + +It was scarcely eight o'clock in the morning when Signor Deodati was on +his way to the residence of Mr. Van de Werve. + +The old merchant was walking very slowly, with his eyes cast down. From +time to time he shook his head, as if disturbed by painful thoughts. His +countenance expressed dissatisfaction rather than sorrow; indeed, it might +even be said to indicate angry and bitter feelings. + +The servant who opened the door ushered him into a parlor and went to call +his master. Deodati threw himself into a chair, covered his face with his +hands, and was so absorbed in thought that he was not aware of Mr. Van de +Werve's entrance. + +"Good morning, signor," said the Flemish noble, saluting him. "Your early +visit encourages me to hope that you have news of our poor Geronimo." + +"Bad news, Mr. Van de Werve, bad news," said the old man, with tearful +eyes. "Sit down near me, for I have not power to raise my voice." + +"I notice, signor, that you are very pale. Are you ill?" + +"My emotion has its origin in something worse than illness. Day before +yesterday Signor Turchi asserted in your presence that Geronimo had lost a +considerable sum at play, and that he had fled the country to escape my +just indignation. Great as was my confidence in Turchi, I could not credit +the truth of this revelation. I determined to seek in my nephew's accounts +the marks of his ingratitude, or rather the proofs of his innocence. I +passed a portion of the night in calculating over and over again; for the +invariable result was so frightful that my mind and heart refused to +accept the evidence of my senses. The sum lost in gambling by my nephew is +incredible." + +"What!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, "then the Signor Turchi was not +mistaken in his suspicions?" + +"Ten thousand crowns!" said Deodati sighing. + +"Ten thousand crowns!" replied Mr. Van de Werve. "Impossible! That is a +fortune of itself." + +"And yet it is true. There is a deficit of ten thousand crowns in the +money vault of the house, and there are exactly ten thousand crowns +unaccounted for on the books. Not a line, not a mark refers in any manner +to the employment or destination of this sum. Evidently it must have been +used otherwise than in the business transactions of the house, and as +Geronimo himself told the Signor Turchi that he had lost a considerable +amount at play, I am forced in spite of myself to admit the painful truth. +Ten thousand crowns! Can neither virtue nor fidelity be found upon earth? +A child whom I treated as my own son, whom I loved with blind affection, +and over whose welfare I would have watched as long as I lived. And this +is the return for all my love! Ah! signor, this ingratitude is like a +dagger in my heart." + +Mr. Van de Werve gazed abstractedly as if in deep thought. Then he said, +seriously: + +"You are truly unhappy, signor, and I commiserate your sorrow. How can it +be possible? All is deceit and perfidy. Geronimo seemed the soul of virtue +and loyalty; he lived with so much economy and conducted himself so +honorably, that to those who knew him not he might have appeared either a +poor man or a precocious miser. And this tranquil, modest, prudent young +man loses at the gaming-table ten thousand crowns, the property of his +benefactor! His laudable course of conduct was but a base hypocrisy!" + +"And nevertheless," murmured the old Deodati, "my unfortunate nephew had a +pure and loving heart! Might not his blindness have been the effect of one +solitary and momentary error? Perhaps so. Man sometimes meets fatal +temptations which attract him irresistibly, but to which he yields only +once in his life." + +"Why then did he fly, and thus acknowledge his guilt? No, signor, no +excuse can palliate such misdeeds. I burn with indignation at the thought +that such signal favors have met with such cold and base ingratitude. The +idea of your affliction restrains me from speaking of the outrage done my +daughter. Fortunately, the reputation and social position of my family is +such as to screen it from the consequences of such an act. But, signor, I +hope you will agree with me that there can no longer be a question of an +alliance between my daughter and your nephew. He may return and obtain +your pardon, but that will not change my determination. From this day +forward the Signor Geronimo is as a stranger whom we have never known." + +Deodati regarded the irritated nobleman with tearful eyes, and seemed to +deprecate the inflexible decree. + +Mr. Van de Werve took his hand, and said in a calmer manner: + +"Be reasonable, signor, and do not let yourself be blinded by affection. +What a dishonor to my name, were I to permit a man with so tarnished a +reputation to enter my family! Could I confide the happiness of my good +and noble child to one who was not withdrawn from a culpable love of play +by life-long benefits? Could I accept as my son a man whom I could not +esteem, whom on the contrary I would despise for his ingratitude to you? +Acknowledge with me that such a union is impossible, and let us talk no +more of it. Be still my friend, however, as long as you remain at +Antwerp." + +The merchant shook his head, and after a few moments' silence, he replied: + +"Alas! I ought to admit that there is no hope of realizing this honorable +alliance. What happiness Geronimo has staked on the cast of a die! I thank +you, Mr. Van de Werve, for your proffered friendship, but I shall not +remain at Antwerp. To-day I shall beg Signor Turchi to settle up the +affairs of the house in this city. Now that I have no one in the world to +care for, none for whom to work and amass money, I shall retire from +commerce. I have ordered the _Il Salvatore_ to be provisioned, and I shall +set sail by the first favorable wind." + +"You are right, signor. By returning to your own beautiful country, you +will the sooner forget this misfortune." + +"God knows when I will revisit my country!" replied the old man. + +"Are you not going to Italy?" demanded Mr. Van de Werve. + +"No, sir; but to England." + +"In search of your nephew? Signor Turchi led us to suppose that he had +sought refuge in that island. I admire your unbounded love for a man so +little deserving of it; but, signor, you require rest. Follow my advice: +go to Italy, and do not shorten your life by the sorrows which may await +you in England." + +"The advice is no doubt good," replied Deodati; "but I cannot follow it. +However guilty he may be, Geronimo is the only son of my deceased brother, +whom I promised on his death-bed to watch over his child as if he were my +own. Were I to abandon Geronimo entirely, he might be pushed by want and +misery into the path of vice, perhaps of infamy. I will fulfil my duty to +the last. If I love him less than formerly, at least I will save him from +utter ruin." + +"What generosity!" exclaimed Mr. Van de Werve, in admiration. "You travel +about in search of your nephew; you endanger your health. I foresee that +he has but to speak to obtain pardon. And this great sacrifice, this +magnanimous affection meets with such a return! It is frightful!" + +"No, sir," replied Deodati, "I will not pardon Geronimo. He will never be +the same to me. Should I find him, or should he return to me, I will give +him an income sufficient to keep him from want; that being done, I shall +renounce the world and retire into a cloister, to await there in solitude +and peace the time when it may please God to call me to himself." + +Mr. Van de Werve heard the street-door open, and said eagerly to the old +merchant: + +"Signor, my daughter is at church and may return at any moment. I beg you +not to speak of these things in her presence. Since the disappearance of +Geronimo, she does nothing but weep and pray; no consideration alleviates +her sorrow, nothing consoles her. If she were suddenly to lose all hope, +it might cause her death. Heavens! Signor Turchi, what has happened to +him?" + +He arose hastily and regarded in astonishment Simon Turchi, who entered +and attempted to speak, but the words seemed to die upon his lips; for he +stood trembling in the centre of the room, uttering unintelligible sounds. +He was pale as death. + +Deodati arose also, and looked inquiringly at Turchi. + +The latter said, hurriedly: + +"I went to the house of the bailiff; he was not at home. He has been sent +for, and he will be here immediately with his officers to accompany me to +my garden. Oh! I have terrible news to communicate; but my mind wanders, I +am losing my senses. I can tell nothing, particularly to you, Signor +Deodati. Unhappy old man! Why did God reserve such a trial for your old +age?" + +"Another misfortune? Speak, Simon, speak," said Deodati, in suppliant +tones, and trembling from anxiety. + +Turchi fell, as if from exhaustion, upon a chair, and said, in a voice +broken by sobs: + +"No, signor, ask me nothing; I could not break your heart by such stunning +tidings. Alas! alas! who anticipated such a misfortune? My unhappy friend! +my poor Geronimo!" + +A torrent of tears fell from his eyes, and while Deodati and Mr. Van de +Werve begged him to tell the cause of big extraordinary emotion, he +stammered: + +"Oh! let me be silent; despair tortures my heart. I can tell no one but +the bailiff; he will soon be here. If I could but doubt! But no, it is too +true; there is no more hope! May the God of mercy receive his poor soul +into heaven!" + +"Of whom do you speak?" exclaimed Deodati. "His soul? Whose soul? +Geronimo's?" + +Steps were heard in the vestibule. Simon Turchi went to the door, and +said: + +"Here is the bailiff! He will know the secret which is breaking my heart." + +The bailiff entered the room, looked around in surprise, and at last said +to Simon Turchi, who continued to talk confusedly: + +"You have sent for me in all haste, in order to make a terrible +revelation; I am here with my officers. Have you discovered Geronimo's +assassins? Speak, Simon, and tell us what you know." + +"So horrible is this secret, messire, that my tongue refuses to tell it. +Ah! if I could forever--" + +"Calm yourself, signor," said the bailiff, with perfect self-possession. +"What have you learned?" + +"But--but I must be alone with you. The news I have to communicate must +not be revealed before Signor Deodati." + +The old man said, with tearful eyes: + +"You are cruel, Signor Simon! What could you say more terrible? You speak +of Geronimo's soul; you announce his death, and yet you leave me in this +horrible doubt. Speak, I conjure you." + +All that Simon Turchi had said was only a deception practised upon his +auditors, in order to make them believe that grief had affected his mind, +and to prepare the way for his revelation. + +At last he appeared to yield to necessity, and said: + +"God grant that the frightful news may not afflict you as it did me! +Listen! you know that two days ago my servant Julio left my service +because I severely reproved his irregularities. This disquieted me, +because I had noticed that he was pursued by some secret remorse. Just +now, hardly a half hour ago, I left my residence, and was going towards +the Dominican church to pray for my poor friend. On the way I thought of +my servant Julio, and feared that in his despair he might have taken his +life. When I was near the bridge, I heard my own name timidly pronounced. +I turned and saw Julio. I commenced to reproach him with his absence, but +putting his finger on his lips, he whispered: + +"'Signor, I beg you to follow me; I have a secret to reveal to you.' + +"His manner and tone of voice were so peculiar that I accompanied him to a +retired spot. His revelation caused me such intense grief that I could +hardly stand, and I was obliged to support myself against the wall as I +received the confession of the penitent assassin." + +A cry of horror escaped Deodati. Eager to hear the remainder, Mr. Van de +Werve gazed fixedly upon the narrator. The bailiff was more calm--he +listened attentively and nodded his head, as if he foresaw the conclusion +of Turchi's narrative. + +"I hardly dare continue," he said. "My soul revolts--but I must disregard +my feelings," and in a more tranquil manner, he resumed: + +"Shuddering with horror, I heard Julio say: + +"'Master, I have committed a frightful murder. Remorse pursues me as a +malediction from God. I shall put an end to my guilty life. In an hour I +shall be in eternal torments, but I wish the body of my victim to be +buried in holy ground. Go to your pavilion. In the lowest cellar, at the +extremity of the subterranean passage, you will find the corpse of Signor +Geronimo buried.'" + +Tears fell fast from the eyes of Signor Deodati, and sobs convulsed his +frame. + +Turchi continued: + +"'Signor Geronimo!' I exclaimed, in terror. 'Have you killed my poor +friend?' + +"'Yes, I put to death Signor Geronimo. I needed money to spend at the +taverns, and you would not give it to me. I killed him in order to get the +money he might have about him. Adieu! This very day all will be over with +me.' Before I had sufficiently recovered from the shock to think of +seizing Julio, he had disappeared. Probably, to-day--" + +"Heavens!" exclaimed Simon Turchi, "I hear Miss Van de Werve." + +"For the love of God, not a word in her presence," said Mr. Van de Werve. + +Mary entered the room, looking around anxiously. She had seen the officers +at the door, and she seemed to inquire of her father the cause of their +presence. + +She remarked her father's pallor and embarrassment. Simon Turchi looked +down, as if in despair. Deodati covered his face with his hands. + +A cry of anguish escaped the young girl, and she glanced in turns at her +father, Deodati, Turchi, and the bailiff; but they each seemed anxious to +avoid her eye. + +"Go to your room, Mary," said Mr. Van de Werve. + +"Give me this proof of affection. Ask nothing." + +The young girl, struck by these evidences of some misfortune, ran to her +father and exclaimed, joining her hands: + +"Speak, father, and tell me what has happened. Leave me not in this +terrible suspense. Tell me that they have not found Geronimo's dead body. +Alas! he is dead! Is it not so?" + +Throwing her arms around her father's neck, she wept bitterly, conjuring +him to tell her the cause of their emotion. + +Without giving her any explanation, Mr. Van de Werve attempted to lead his +daughter out of the room; but she, like one crazed by grief, released her +hand from her father's, fell upon her knees before Turchi, and exclaimed: + +"By the love you bore him, signor, take pity on me and tell me what has +happened to him. Let me not leave the room under the frightful conviction +that he is dead!" + +Turchi remained silent, gazing upon her with an expression of profound +sadness. + +"You, too, are implacable, inexorable!" she said, rising. + +"But you, at least--his uncle, his father--will be more merciful." + +She ran to the weeping merchant, gently forced his hands from his face, +and conjured him, in piteous accents, to give her some information which +would relieve the torturing suspense. + +The old Deodati, still weeping, threw his arms around her neck, and +murmured: + +"God bless you, my child, for your love. Let us pray for him!" + +Mr. Van de Werve had left the room to call Petronilla. He returned with +her, and said to his daughter: + +"Mary, go with your duenna. You must not remain here longer." + +The young girl seemed not to hear her father's words, for she was +immovable as if petrified by grief. + +He added, in an impatient, severe tone: + +"Mary, leave the room. I wish it; I command it. Obey me." + +She arose and walked slowly towards the door. Tears flowed down her +cheeks; she supported her trembling limbs by leaning on the arm of her +duenna. Mr. Van de Werve feared she would lose consciousness before +reaching her own apartment. + +All, with the exception of the perfidious Turchi, were moved by compassion +for the unhappy young girl. + +As the duenna opened the door to let her mistress pass out, strange sounds +were heard in the vestibule. + +Mary started, and stepped back into the room, as though in presence of +some apparition. + +"It is his ghost, his spirit," she exclaimed, "arisen from the grave to +demand vengeance upon his murderers!" + +She gazed with intense emotion, then added, in accents of the wildest joy: + +"He smiles upon me; it is himself! He lives! It is Geronimo!" + +Pronouncing this cherished name, she fell insensible in the arms of her +attendant, who, assisted by the bailiff, carried her to an armchair. + +Signor Geronimo entered. His face was as pale and fleshless as that of a +skeleton. The wound he had received in his neck appeared like a large spot +of clotted blood--his garments were disordered, soiled, and blood stained. +He seemed really a spectre just arisen from the tomb. + +As soon as Turchi recognized his victim, he recoiled, uttering a cry of +terror; and imagining that God had permitted a miracle in order to punish +his crime, he extended his trembling hands to Geronimo, as if to implore +pardon. + +The young man cast upon him a look of disgust and contempt, and exclaimed: + +"You here, assassin? Tremble, for the Supreme Judge will demand of you an +account of my blood and of Julio's death." + +A murmur of surprise and terror ran through the room; all eyes were fixed +on Simon Turchi, who seemed crushed by Geronimo's words. + +Having thus addressed Turchi, Geronimo rushed into his uncle's arms and +embraced him in a transport of joy. + +"Oh, unexpected happiness!" he exclaimed. "It is permitted me to see my +uncle again in this world! I know you have suffered; you have suffered as +a father deprived of his only child! No more sorrow now. I will repay you +for your tender affection; I will love you; I will show my gratitude; I +will venerate you. Ah! bless the God of mercy, who has saved me from the +fangs of that tiger thirsting for my blood! But Mary, where is Mary? Ah! +there she is! My beloved friend, what has happened?" + +He ran to the insensible young girl, knelt before her, and endeavored to +recall her to consciousness by every endearing epithet. + +In the meantime Mr. Van de Werve aided the duenna in her exertions to +restore animation. Taking advantage of this, Simon Turchi walked towards +the door with the intention of making his escape; but the bailiff +discovering his design, drew his sword and placed himself in the doorway. + +Then Simon Turchi understood the fate awaiting him. He bowed his head and +covered his face with his hands. He trembled in every limb, and his breast +heaved with sighs of anguish. Every expectation of escape by flight, or by +making an appeal for pardon, vanished as he beheld the indignant +expression of the bailiff. + +Mary at last recovered from the faint into which she had fallen. She +looked around her in surprise, as if ignorant of what had happened; but +when Geronimo's voice fell in joyous accents on her ear, a bright smile +irradiated her countenance, and she exclaimed: + +"It is not a dream! He lives! I see him once more! Geronimo! Geronimo!" + +The young noble was too overpowered to do more than call the name of his +beloved. + +Only a few minutes had elapsed since Geronimo's entrance; all were too +much moved to express their surprise in words. But the bailiff resolved to +put an end to this harrowing scene by the performance of a painful duty. + +He said, in an imperative manner: + +"Signor Geronimo, be pleased to interrupt for a moment the expression of +your happiness. By the authority of the law I ask you what has happened, +and why you stigmatize the Signor Turchi as an assassin. Approach, and +obey my order." + +Turchi, foreseeing that his frightful crime was about to be revealed, +writhed convulsively and was covered with shame and confusion. He dared +not look upon his accuser. + +"Declare the truth," ordered the bailiff. + +"Five or six weeks ago," said Geronimo, "Simon Turchi told me that +unforeseen circumstances made it an imperative necessity for him to raise +the sum of ten thousand crowns, adding that if he did not succeed in +obtaining it immediately, the credit of his house would be gone, and that +he himself would be irretrievably ruined. He needed the sum, he said, only +for one month. I lent him the ton thousand crowns, and at his earnest +solicitation, in order to conceal the knowledge of this loan from the +clerks, I made no entry upon the books of the transaction, but was +satisfied with an acknowledgment in writing of the debt." + +Old Deodati made an exclamation of joy, ran to his nephew, and embraced +him affectionately. + +"God be praised! Dear Geronimo, you restore me to life. That wicked man +tried to persuade me that you had lost ten thousand crowns at play. You +were too virtuous, too grateful for that, my beloved boy!" + +"Observe the respect due the law, Signor Deodati. Continue your statement, +Signor Geronimo." + +"What an odious falsehood!" said the young man. + +Then turning to the bailiff, he continued: + +"When we last met in this house, Signor Turchi told me that a foreign +merchant, who wished to remain unknown, would repay me the ten thousand +crowns. I was to go to his country-house alone, and secretly to return the +note I held, and receive reliable bills of exchange upon Italy. When I +went, Julio, Simon Turchi's servant, pushed me into a chair prepared as a +trap, in which my body was caught and held immovable by steel springs. +Then Simon entered with a dagger in his hand; he took from me the note, +and destroyed it in my presence. He attempted to stab me in the breast, +but the blow was warded off by a copper amulet which I wore around my +neck. I then received in my neck what I considered a mortal wound; I felt +my blood flowing freely, and I bade, as I supposed, an eternal adieu to +life." + +Old Deodati, without being aware of it, had drawn his sword from the +scabbard as if he were about to pierce Turchi to the heart; but he was +restrained by a look of severity from the bailiff, although he continued +playing with the hilt, and muttering in an undertone menaces against the +murderer. + +"I awoke to consciousness," continued Geronimo, "in a dark dungeon; I was +lying beside a grave which had been dug to receive my remains. When Julio +returned to bury my corpse, he found me living. He was about to kill me, +but he recognized the amulet I wore around my neck, and I was saved. The +old blind woman who gave me the amulet as a recompense for delivering her +from the hands of the Moslems was Julio's mother. Last night Signor Turchi +gave poisoned wine to Julio, who died in my arms, declaring to me that +Signor Turchi hired Bufferio to assassinate me. I labored for hours before +I succeeded in obtaining egress from the garden. Now behold me saved from +a frightful death through the miraculous protection of God, and restored +to all that is dear to me on earth!" + +The bailiff's voice was heard, issuing his commands, in the vestibule. +Turchi comprehended the order. He cast himself on his knees, extended his +hands, and weeping, cried out: + +"Oh! Messire Van Schoonhoven,--Geronimo,--I have been guilty of a +frightful crime. I deserve your hatred, your contempt and death; but have +pity on me! Spare me the shame of the scaffold; do not cover my family +with eternal infamy. Exile me to the ends of the earth; but pardon, +pardon, deliver me not to the executioner!" + +Five officers of justice appeared at the door. + +"What are your commands?" asked the chief. + +"Bind the signor's hands behind his back!" + +"Heavens! bind my hands like a thief!" exclaimed Turchi. + +"Bind the hands of a nobleman?" repeated the chief in surprise. + +"Execute my order immediately! This nobleman is an infamous robber and a +cowardly assassin. Cast him in the deepest dungeon; he shall pay the +penalty of his crime upon the scaffold." + +The command was promptly obeyed, and Turchi, in spite of his resistance, +was dragged from the room followed by the bailiff. + +Mary and Geronimo wept with joy. Deodati claimed their attention saying: + +"My dear children, let us fulfil a sacred duty of gratitude. God has so +visibly protected innocence that the feeling of His presence in our midst +overpowers me. Your hopes will become a reality. Let us pray!" + +He knelt before the crucifix, bowed his head and joined his hands. + +Geronimo and Mary knelt beside the old man, Mr. Van de Werve behind them. + +For a long time they lifted their grateful hearts in thanksgiving to the +God of goodness. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +MARY VAN DE WERVE'S (NOW MADAME GERONIMO DEODATI) DEPARTURE FOR ITALY--THE +PUNISHMENT OF SIMON TURCHI. + + +It was six o'clock in the morning. + +The height of the sun indicated that the warm season of summer had +replaced the mild month of May. It was apparently a festival day at +Antwerp, for through all the gates people poured from the surrounding +country into the city. The streets were filled with persons of all ages, +who, talking and laughing, hastened to the centre of the city, as though +they anticipated some magnificent spectacle. + +Before Mr. Van de Werve's residence was a compact mass of citizens who +seemed impatient at the delay. Through a sentiment of respect, they were +perfectly quiet, speaking in very low tones, and making way to afford a +passage through the crowd every time that a cavalier or any notable +personage presented himself for admission into the house. + +The attraction to the centre of the city must have been very powerful, for +the greater part of those who passed neither stopped nor turned their +heads. Some approached, and learning upon inquiry as to the cause of the +gathering, that Miss Van de Werve was about to leave for Italy, they +immediately resumed their walk, as if the sight of this departure were no +equivalent to the imposing spectacle they were going to witness. A few, +however, remained in order to discover the real object of so large a +concourse of people. + +An old gray-headed peasant, after having listened to the conversation +going on among the peasants, recognized in the crowd a man from his own +village, who had been residing for some time in the city, near the church +of Saint James, and who consequently, he thought, must be better informed +than the others in regard to Miss Van de Werve. + +He elbowed his way through the crowd until he reached his friend, struck +him on the shoulder, and said: + +"What is going on here, Master John, to collect such an assembly? I heard +some one say that Miss Van de Werve was about to leave for Italy." + +"Ah! Master Stephen," said the other, "call her Madame Geronimo Deodati." + +"Is she married?" + +"One would say, Master Stephen, that our village is at the other end of +the world. Even the children of Antwerp bless this marriage as a striking +proof of God's justice." + +"I did hear, friend John, that God had visibly avenged virtue and punished +crime. The assassin dies by a frightful death, and the victim becomes the +husband of the noblest and wealthiest young lady in the marquisate. Do you +know her, Master John?" + +"Do I know her? She passes my house twice every day in going to church. I +furnish the family with bread, and I have frequent opportunities of +speaking with this amiable young lady." + +"I would like to see her," said the old man, "but if I wait, I shall +arrive too late at the public square." + +"You need not fear," replied Master John. "The executioner's car will not +leave the prison for an hour to come." + +The peasant hesitated as to what he should do. + +"Are you sure that the young lady will leave at once?" + +"Immediately, Master Stephen. Mr. Van de Werve urges the departure--he +wishes to be out of the city before the executioner commences his work." + +"Why," said the peasant, "did they wait until to-day? In their place I +would have gone long ago." + +"Ah!" replied Master John, "here is another evidence of God's intervention +in these terrible affairs. The vessel which bears them to Italy has been +ready to sail for a week. During all that time the wind blew constantly +from the south-west; it changed to the east only last night, so that their +departure before was impossible. But the tide is high now and will +commence to ebb at the very hour fixed for the death of the assassin. You +see that God himself willed Mr. Van de Werve to remain here until his +vengeance was accomplished." + +"Does she go to Italy to reside?" + +"Oh, no; she only goes on a wedding trip. She will return in the course of +a year, when the impression of the perfidy and cruelty of Simon Turchi +will be less painful. Back, back, Master Stephen, they are coming!" + +From the crowd arose a joyous shout. Each was anxious to approach Madame +Deodati. Those who did not know her desired to see the noble young woman +whose name was so painfully connected with the bloody history of Simon +Turchi, and who was esteemed a model of pure virtue, fervent piety, and +ideal beauty. The neighbors and those who had the honor of knowing her +collected in order to salute her, to bid her a respectful and cordial +adieu, and to wish her a happy voyage. + +Mary Van de Werve, now Madame Geronimo Deodati, appeared at the door +accompanied by her husband. As soon as the people perceived her, loud and +long acclamations greeted her; they waved their caps, clapped their hands, +rent the air with their cries of joy, and strove to obtain a glance of the +angelic features of the beautiful lady and the noble countenance of her +husband, who had been so miraculously preserved, by the providence of God, +from the hands of his cruel enemy, Simon Turchi. + +Mr. Van de Werve walked by his daughter's side; the old Deodati was near +his beloved nephew Geronimo. Then followed Mary's two married brothers and +a large number of her father's near relatives and friends, as well as many +Italians, Portuguese, and Spaniards, who wished to escort Geronimo to the +ship. + +When Mary heard the benedictions and joyous shouts of the people, and saw +all eyes fixed upon her with looks of love, the blood mantled to her +cheeks, and she modestly cast down her eyes. But immediately raising them, +she saluted the crowd as a mark of her gratitude for their kindness. The +multitude, at a sign from Mr. Van de Werve, opened a passage for the +party, and they proceeded to the Scheldt amid acclamations testifying the +love and respect they inspired. Their drive resembled a triumphal +procession. The old Deodati was deeply moved. He seemed rejuvenated. A +sweet smile was upon his lips, and he looked proudly upon Geronimo. Thus +full of the thought of their future happiness, they reached the dock-yard. +In the middle of the Scheldt was the _Il Salvatore_, decked with flags and +rocking upon the waves as if conscious of the precious treasure about to +be confided to it. + +A part of the sailors were occupied in unmooring the vessel; even the +harsh grating sound of the capstan could be heard on the wharf. The rest +of the crew manned the masts, and they waved their caps in the air, +shouting: + +"_Benvenuto! benvenuto! Viva, viva la nostra signora!_" + +At the same time the sound of five or six cannon from the _Il Salvatore_ +boomed over the waters, prolonged by the echoes from either side as it +floated down the river. The multitude replied by three cheers, and the +last reverberation of the cannon was lost in the _vivas_ of those on the +shore and ships. + +In the meantime parents and friends were bidding adieu. Many tears were +shed, and it was with tearful eyes that Mary Van de Werve received upon +her brow her brothers' kiss. + +The _Il Salvatore_ weighed anchor; the sails caught the wind, and the +vessel floated majestically down the river with the tide. + +Mr. Van de Werve, Deodati, and their two happy children, entered the bark +which awaited them. Petronilla seated herself beside her mistress. They +exchanged a last adieu, and the eight oars fell simultaneously in the +water. The bark, under the strokes of the robust oarsmen, cut the waves in +a rapid course. + +At this moment Geronimo's eyes were filled with tears. Lifting his eyes to +heaven, he said: + +"Blessed be Thou, my God, for all the sufferings Thou hast sent me; +blessed be Thou for Thy infinite goodness. I thank Thee for the wife it +has pleased Thee to give me; she will be my companion in my much loved +country. A thousand thanks for all Thy benefits!" + +The bark had reached the galley. A ladder was lowered, and, aided by the +sailors, the party ascended the deck. The pilot gave the signal, the sails +were unfurled, the ship rocked for a moment as if courting the breeze, +and then it rapidly cleaved the waves. + +The cannon again boomed from the _Il Salvatore_, and again the +acclamations of the crowd rent the air. + + * * * * * + +The sounds had hardly died away when the spectators, as if impelled by one +thought, immediately retired, and made all speed to reach the central part +of the city. + +The crowd which left the wharf so precipitately soon arrived at the grand +square, but they found it already occupied by so compact a mass of human +beings, that it was impossible for them to penetrate it. As far as the eye +could reach, there was a sea of heads; all the windows were crowded with +women and even children; the roofs swarmed with curious spectators; the +iron balustrades seemed to bend under the weight of the children who had +climbed upon them. + +A solemn silence reigned in the midst of the vast multitude. Not a sound +was heard save the slow and mournful tolling of the death-bell, and at +intervals a scream so piercing, so frightful, that those who listened to +it turned pale and trembled. Every eye was fixed upon a particular spot, +whence clouds of smoke curled in the air, and from which escaped the cries +of distress. + +What passed that day on the grand square of Antwerp is thus related by +Matthew Bandello, Bishop of Agen, who lived at that period, and who wrote +from the testimony of an eye-witness: + + * * * * * + +"Upon the appointed day, Simon Turchi was enclosed in the same chair and +driven on a wagon through the streets of Antwerp, the good priest +accompanying him and exhorting him. When they reached the grand square, +the chair was removed from the wagon. The executioners lighted a slow +fire, which they kept alive with wood, but in such a manner that the +flames should not rise too high, but sufficed to roast slowly the unhappy +Turchi. The priest remained as near to him as the heat permitted, and +frequently said to him: + +"'Simon, this is the hour for repentance!' + +"And Simon, as long as he could speak, replied: + +"'Yes, father.'" + + * * * * * + +Simon Turchi evinced great repentance and much patience, and he accepted +with resignation the painful and infamous death to which he was condemned. +When it was certain that he was dead, his body, partially consumed, was +conveyed outside the city gates and attached to a stake by an iron chain. +The dagger with which he had stabbed Geronimo was thrust into his side. +The stake was so placed on the public road that it could be seen by all +who passed, in order that the punishment inflicted for murder might serve +as a warning to others, and prevent the commission of infamous crimes. + + + + +THE END. + + + + +ENDNOTES + + +[Footnote 1: "All the foreign merchants who resided at Bruges, with the +exception of a few Spaniards, established themselves here about the year +1516, to the great disadvantage of Bruges and to the advantage of +Antwerp."--Le Guicciardini, _Description of the Low Countries_. Arnhem, +1617, p. 113.] + +[Footnote 2: C. Schibanius, in his _Origines Antwerpien Sum_, says that he +has often seen in the Scheldt twenty-five hundred vessels, many of which +were detained at anchor for two or three weeks before being able to +approach the wharf.] + +[Footnote 3: The stables, and coach-houses used by this company for +transportation still exist at Antwerp. Although they are now occupied as +barracks, they preserve their original name--_Hessenhaus_.] + +[Footnote 4: See the statistics of population given by Schibanius in the +_History of Antwerp_, by Mertens & Torfo, Part IV., ch. v.] + +[Footnote 5: The inhabitants of Antwerp are experienced and skilled in +commercial affairs, and although they may not have left their own country +the greater part of them, even the women, can speak four, five, and +sometimes seven different languages.] + +[Footnote 6: "The nobles of Netherlands do not engage in commerce like the +Italian noblemen from Venice, Florence, Genoa, and Lucca."--L. +Guiccardini, _Description of the Low Countries_, p. 140.] + +[Footnote 7: "Two well-known Italian merchants, both of noble birth, +natives of Lucca, who were great friends." Van Mertens, _History of the +Low Countries_, Vol. I.] + +[Footnote 8: The bailiff (schoat) was the representative of the prince in +the prosecution of crimes. He alone, and his agents by his orders, could +make arrests, except in cases of flagrant crime or of persons lying in +wait. This high functionary was also called the _margrave_, because the +margrave of the Low Countries was, in virtue of that office, the bailiff +of the city of Antwerp.] + +[Footnote 9: "It is estimated that three thousand new houses were either +erected by himself, or by others through his assistance."--Mertens & +Torfo, _History of Antwerp_.] + +[Footnote 10: This church was demolished at the commencement of this +century. The spot upon which it stood is now called the "_Plain of Saint +Walburga_."] + +[Footnote 11: In the _History of Antwerp_, by Mertens & Torfo, Part IV., +chapter iii., is found a view of the city, from the banks of the Scheldt, +as it was in 1556, and details concerning the principal edifices.] + +[Footnote 12: "Geronimo went to Simon and demanded payment of the sum +lent, and for which he held a note. Turchi made various excuses, and put +off payment from day to day."--_Matteo Bandello._] + +[Footnote 13: "A fierce desire of vengeance took possession of Simon, and +he sought to kill Geronimo."--_Matieo Bandello._] + +[Footnote 14: A measure of four pints.] + +[Footnote 15: "One night, when passing through the streets, he received +from the hands of an enemy an ugly wound in the face. He suspected +Geronimo of having inflicted it; in which he was mistaken, for the author +of the attack was afterwards discovered."--_Matteo Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 16: "After Simon Turchi had determined to revenge himself, and +after long consideration, he ordered a large wooden arm-chair, to which +were attached two iron bars, so arranged that whoever should sit down in +it would be caught by the legs below the knees, and would be unable to +move."--Van Meteren, _History of the Low Countries_.] + +[Footnote 17: "Geronimo, a merchant from Lyons desires to see you, but as +he does not wish to be known at Antwerp now, he is concealed in my garden. +He begs that you will meet him there."--_Matteo Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 18: "This chair being made, he told one of his servants, named +Julio, who was proscribed in Italy, and under sentence of death."--Van +Meteren, _History of the Low Countries_.] + +[Footnote 19: "And the said Julio pushed Geronimo into a large arm-chair, +which sprang and closed."--_Origin and Genealogy of the Dukes and +Duchesses of Brabant_. Antwerp, 1565; p. 308.] + +[Footnote 20: "In the cellar ... in a grave which had been prepared by the +said Julio to bury Geronimo after the commission of the murder."--_Origin +and Genealogy of the Dukes and Duchesses of Brabant_.] + +[Footnote 21: _Order and Proclamation of Messire Van Schoonhoven, bailiff, +and of the Burgomaster, Constables, and Council of the city of Antwerp_: + +"It having come to the knowledge of the bailiff, burgomaster, and +constables of this city that Geronimo Deodati, a merchant of Lucca, went +out yesterday afternoon, about four o'clock, from his residence in this +city, near the Convent of the Dominicans, and that he was seen for the +last time beyond the Square of Meir, and since then he has not been heard +of, and we know not what has become of him, so that there is great +suspicion that the said Geronimo has been maltreated, or even put to +death; therefore, the magistrates of the same city do proclaim that he who +first will give information as to what has become of the said Geronimo, +will receive the sum of three hundred florins."--_Extract from the "Book +of Laws of the City of Antwerp_."] + +[Footnote 22: "The bailiff said that the magistrates had determined to +search all the stables, cellars, and gardens, to discover whether the +ground in any of these places had been recently dug."--E. Van Meteren, +_History of the Low Countries_.] + +[Footnote 23: "Simon Turchi was known to be a perverse and immoral man; in +a word, he was a compound of every vice and every evil +inclination."--_Matteo Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 24: "Go and do what I have commanded you. Disinter the body, +take it on your shoulders and cast it into the sewer which is in the +square where the three streets meet."--_Simon Turchi_.--_Matteo +Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 25: "I will send Bernardo to help you, and I will order him to +obey you, whatever you may command. When you have thrown the body into the +sewer, you can, by a quick movement, push Bernardo in also. The sewer is +deep, and whoever falls into it is immediately drowned."--_Matteo +Bandello_.] + +[Footnote 26: "Simon Turchi begged Julio to take the crime upon +himself."--Van Meteren, _History of the Low Countries_.] + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Amulet, by Hendrik Conscience + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AMULET *** + +***** This file should be named 13835.txt or 13835.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/8/3/13835/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Valerine Blas and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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