He took Mary's hands in his, and said: "Do not yield, to despair, Mary; all hope is not lost. Last night a
thought--a strange thought--occurred to my mind. And if I be correct,
there are still well-founded reasons for expecting Geronimo's return."
"Speak, Simon," said Mary, anxiously. "Tell us this thought."
Signor Turchi cast down his eyes in feigned embarrassment.
"Impossible, Mary; it is a secret which I have no right to divulge."
"Alas! is even this consolation refused me?" she exclaimed, despairingly.
"This is unkind, Simon," said Mr. Van de Werve. "Why do you cheer us up
and awaken our curiosity only to cast us down by your silence? Give no
names; but at least give us some idea of the reasons we have for hope."
Simon Turchi shrugged his shoulders.
"Ah, signor," said Deodati, reproachfully, "you are ungenerous. This
morning before 'Change you were about to confide the secret to me, when
you were interrupted by the approach of friends. Tell it to me now."
Simon glanced expressively at Mary, as if to convey the idea that her
presence prevented him from complying with the old man's request.
"Mary," said Mr. Van de Werve, "I beg you to go to your room. These
varying emotions are more than you can bear; if I learn anything of
interest, I will, my child, communicate it to you at once."
The young girl rose without reply, but she glanced reproachfully at Simon
Turchi.
"Do not blame me, Mary," he said; "I am deeply grieved to cause you pain;
only rest assured that what I do is caused by affection for Geronimo and
yourself."
Without noticing this excuse the young girl obeyed her father, and slowly
left the room.
"Now," said Mr. Van de Werve, "what is the secret you wish to impart to
us?"
"I am greatly embarrassed," replied Simon Turchi, shaking his head
doubtfully; "my intention was to speak only to Signor Deodati of the
affair; perhaps it would be indiscreet in me to reveal to you also, Mr.
Van de Werve, a secret which, under different circumstances--"
"For the love of God, abandon these useless evasions!" said Signor
Deodati, roused to a high pitch of excitement by his impatience. "Why
should not Mr. Van de Werve know that which, in your opinion, would give
us a clue to my nephew?"
"Since I am forced to speak," said Turchi, with a sigh, "approach and
listen."