"The bailiff gave us, this morning, a reason for supposing that Geronimo
may yet return to us unharmed."
"You speak of the banker Liefmans, do you not, father?"
"Yes, my child. He disappeared suddenly. A fortnight had passed in useless
inquiry; his parents had the service for the dead offered for him, and he
was found alive and well in a cellar, where some robbers had imprisoned
him, in order by it to obtain a large sum of money."
"And the same may happen, to Geronimo!" said Mary, with a confidence she
did not feel, in order to aid her father in his kind intentions.
Signor Deodati shook his head incredulously.
Mary took his hand tenderly, and said, cheerfully: "We must hope, signor. Perhaps the Lord in his mercy will grant that our
fears may not be realized. Would we not for the remainder of our lives
offer our grateful prayers to heaven?"
"Yes, yes; during our whole lives. And I would go in my old age to Our
Lady of Loretto to express my boundless gratitude to the Madonna. But
suppose he has fallen under the assassin's sword?"
Mary shuddered at the thought, but she interrupted the old man.
"Signor, Geronimo possessed an amulet which had rested on the tomb of our
Lord. He was convinced that it would preserve him from a violent death,
and he always wore it around his neck."
"I know the circumstances under which the amulet was given him," replied
Deodati. "I myself had some faith in this talisman, because it was the
recompense of a good action; but we have no proof that the woman who gave
it to Geronimo had any certain knowledge of its efficacy. However, Mary,
we will still hope. Your sweet voice has mitigated my sorrow. May my poor
nephew be restored to me. The happiness I expected in my old age may yet
be a reality. You, Mary,--pure image of piety, goodness, and love,--you
will be my child! And when old Deodati will be called to leave this world,
he will see you and Geronimo by his dying bed, like two angels, pointing
out to his expiring goal the path to heaven. Oh! no, no; this would be too
much happiness. My mind wanders. And yet, Mary, let us hope!"
The young girl was deeply moved by the picture of that happiness which she
had thought was lost to her forever. Her eyes were suffused with tears;
her limbs trembled, and had not a stern look from her father reminded her
of her duty, her oppressed heart would have found relief in sobs.