"What! would you dare?"
"Why not? Do you think Julio would permit himself to be led like a sheep
to the slaughter?"
"Listen! Ho comes!" exclaimed Simon Turchi, starting with terror.
The repeated strokes of the knocker resounded through the court-yard where
the little door gave entrance into the garden.
"Julio, I ask you again," said Turchi, anxiously, "what reliance I may
place upon you?"
"I will do what I have promised--neither more nor less."
"Then go open the door. Be guarded in your words, and show no disquietude.
Bring him to this room; tell him that I am engaged with the foreign
merchant; if he does not sit down at once, watch a favorable moment to
lead him to the arm-chair. Then call me and I will do the rest."
"You, then, are determined to make me entice the Signor Geronimo to sit
down in the arm-chair?"
Turchi replied in a threatening voice and with flashing eyes: "Pietro Mostajo, remember the Superintendent of Lucca."
Julio left the building, went to the garden-gate and opened it.
"Benvenuto, Signor Geronimo," he said, "what good luck brings you here on
a visit to my master? It is a long time since we have seen you."
"It is indeed a long time," replied the young noble with a genial smile,
as he walked towards the house. "But the place looks so wild and uncared
for. Did not the Signor Turchi speak of having the garden put in order?"
"Yes; but for some time my master has been very melancholy, and nothing
seems to give him pleasure."
"I know it, Julio; but things will be better for him now."
"Would that your words were true, signor!"
"What a heavy sigh, Julio. You excite my fears. Is your master ill?"
The servant felt the importance of self-control, if he would not arouse
the gentleman's suspicions. He therefore said, in a careless manner: "Nothing is the matter, signor. My master is very well, and to-day is in a
good humor. Ever since I saw Bufferio's sword lifted against you, I have
suffered from an occasional sudden palpitation of the heart. I find relief
only in a deep sigh."
As they thus talked together, he conducted Geronimo to the room containing
the large arm-chair.
"Signor Geronimo," he said, "my master is up-stairs. I will inform him of
your arrival. Please be seated."
Julio left the room; but instead of ascending the staircase, he hid
himself behind a door and listened attentively to hear the clasping of the
springs of the chair.