Her prayer was finished, or it might be that her thoughts had taken
another turn; she arose and walked slowly towards the large window which
overlooked the garden. She fixed her eyes upon the beautiful blue sky; her
countenance was bright, as though a sweet hope filled her heart, and a
rosy hue suffused her cheeks.
An old man at this moment entered the room. Heavy moustaches shaded his
lips, and a long beard fell upon his breast. There was something grave and
severe in his imposing appearance and even in his dress; for although his
doublet was of gold cloth, his whole body was enveloped in a long cloak,
whose dark color was relieved by a lining of white fur.
"Good morning, Mary," he said, as he approached the young girl.
"May the blessing of God always be with you, dear father," she replied.
"Come, see how lovely the sky is, and how brightly the sun shines."
"It is charming weather; we might almost imagine ourselves in the month of
May."
"It is the eve of May, father." And with a joyous smile she drew her
father to the window, and pointing to the sky, said: "The wind has
changed; it blows from the direction of England."
"True; since yesterday it has been south-east."
"So much the better; the ships which have been kept out at sea can ascend
the Scheldt with to-day's or to-morrow's tide."
"And you hope," said Mr. Van de Werve, shaking his head, "that among these
vessels will be found the Il Salvatore, which is to bring the old Signor
Deodati from Lucca?"
"I have so long implored of heaven this favorable wind," replied the young
girl. "I thank the God of mercy that my prayer has been heard!"
Mr. Van de Werve was silent; his daughter's words had evidently made a
disagreeable impression upon him.
She passed her arm caressingly around his neck, and said: "Dear father, you are sorrowful; and yet you promised me to await
tranquilly the arrival of Signor Deodati."
"It is true, my child," he replied; "but, as the time approaches when I
must come to a decision, my soul is filled with anxiety. We are the
descendants of an illustrious family, and our style of living should be so
magnificent as to reflect credit on our rank. The Signor Geronimo, whom
you seem to prefer to all others, lives very economically; he dresses
simply, and abstains from all that kind of expenditure which, being an
evidence of wealth and chivalric generosity, elevates a man in the eyes of
the world. That makes me fear that his uncle is either in moderate
circumstances or very avaricious."