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.