For some moments Mr. Van de Werve contemplated his daughter with
ever-increasing pity; then overcome by the sight of her grief, he took her
hand, and tenderly pressing it, he said to her: "Cheer up, my dear Mary,
do not weep. We will see what answer the Signor Deodati will return to the
conditions I will propose to him. Geronimo is of noble birth; if his uncle
will consent to bestow upon him a suitable fortune, your desires shall be
fulfilled."
"But, dear father," said the still weeping girl, "that depends upon the
magnitude of your demands. If you ask impossibilities of the Signor
Deodati--"
"No, no, have no anxiety," said Mr. Van de Werve, interrupting her. "I
will endeavor to fulfil my duty as a father, and at the same time to spare
you any future sorrow. Are you satisfied now?"
Mary silently embraced her father, and her eyes expressed such gratitude
that Mr. Van de Werve was deeply moved, and said, tenderly: "Who could refuse you anything? Age, experience, prudence, all yield
before one glance of your eye. Conceal your emotion; I hear some one
coming."
A servant opened the door, and announced, "The Signor Geronimo."
The young nobleman thus introduced was remarkable for his fine form, and
the graceful elegance of his manners and carriage. His complexion was of
that light and clear brown which adds so much to the manly beauty of some
Southern nations. The dark beard and hair, his spirited black eyes, gave a
singular charm to his countenance, while his calm and sweet smile
indicated goodness of heart.
Although upon his entrance he strove to appear cheerful, Mary's eye
detected a concealed sadness.
The dress of Geronimo was simple in comparison with the rich attire of the
other Italian nobles, his compatriots. He wore a felt hat ornamented with
a long plume, a Spanish cloak, a cloth doublet lined with fur, violet
satin breeches, and gray boots. His modest attire was relieved only by the
sword which hung at his side; for the hilt glittered with precious stones,
and the armorial bearings engraved upon it proved him to be of noble
birth.
"Che la pace sia in quelle casa!" (May peace be in this house!) he said,
as he entered the hall.
He bowed profoundly to Mr. Van de Werve, and saluted him most
respectfully; but the traces of tears which he perceived on Mary's face so
startled him that he interrupted his ceremonious greetings, and fixed his
eyes inquiringly upon her. She had been weeping, and yet she smiled
joyously.