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.