The Amulet

"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."