"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."