No one noticed him. Had he attracted attention, his friends would have
supposed that, like the other Italians, he had been moved by the chant of
his compatriot.
Turchi soon roused himself. Like a man who has taken a sudden resolution,
he walked up to Geronimo, smiled pleasantly, and threw his arms around his
neck.
"Thanks, thanks, Geronimo!" he exclaimed. "You have made me truly happy by
giving me additional cause to be proud of my country."
While embracing him, he also whispered: "Geronimo, I wish to speak privately to you this evening. I will go to the
garden presently; try to follow me; you will be pleased."
Having said these words, he fell back as if to make way for Mr. Fugger,
the rich banker, who wished to offer his congratulations.
The servants reappeared in the hall with wines and various delicacies.
Master Christian was tuning his violin. The guests, informed that this
excellent artist was about to entertain them with his wonderful skill,
drew near the piano.
Geronimo, perplexed by the words of Simon Turchi, watched his friend and
sought an opportunity to speak to him alone. He saw him leave the room,
and as the entrance of the servants with refreshments, and the desire of
the guests to approach Master Christian, had caused a stir among the
company, the young man was enabled to rejoin Simon in the garden.
The garden, situated in the rear of the house, although not large, was
crossed by several winding paths, and along the wall were wide-spreading
trees and blocks of verdure.
When Geronimo entered the garden, he perceived several persons who had
left the heated apartment to enjoy the fresh air, and who were walking in
different directions.
As he was seeking in the dim light to distinguish Simon Turchi, the latter
approached from an arbor, took his arm and led him in silence to a retired
part of the garden, where he seated himself on a bench, and said in low
tone: "Sit down, Geronimo! I have good news for you."
"Ah! have you succeeded in obtaining the money?"
"I have been successful. But come nearer! no one must overhear us. A
foreign merchant, whom I saved two years ago from dishonor and ruin, at
the risk of my own destruction, will furnish me with the means of
returning you the ten thousand crowns."
"God be praised!" said Geronimo, with a sigh of relief. "He will not long
delay, I hope, to fulfil his generous designs."
"I will pay you to-morrow what I owe you."