The Amulet

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.