The Amulet

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."