“Thou meanest my untractable countryman?  I have bethought me much since we separated of his singular refusal, and hope still to find the means of conquering his obstinacy.”

“I hope thou may’st succeed, and thou well know’st that I am always to be counted on as an auxiliary.  But he was not in my thoughts at the instant; there is still another who nobly risked more than the mariner in our behalf, since he risked life.”

“This is beyond question, and I have already reflected much on the means of doing him good.  He is a soldier of fortune, I learn, and if he will take service in Genoa, I will charge myself with the care of his preferment.  Trouble not thyself, therefore, concerning the fortunes of young Sigismund; thou knowest my means, and canst not doubt my will.”

The baron cleared his throat, for he had a secret reluctance to reveal his own favorable intentions towards the young man, the last lingering feeling of worldly pride, and the consequence of prejudices which were then universal, and which are even now far from being extinct.  A vivid picture of the horrors of the past night luckily flashed across his mind, and the good genius of his young preserver triumphed.

“Thou knowest the youth is a Swiss,” he said, “and, in virtue of the tie of country, I claim at least an equal right to do him good.”

“We will not quarrel for precedence in this matter, but thou wilt do well to remember that I possess especial means to push his interests;—­means that thou canst not by possibility use.”

“That is not proved;” interrupted the Baron de Willading.  “I have not thy particular station, it is true, Signor Gaetano, nor thy political power, nor thy princely fortune; but, poor as I am in these, there is a boon in my keeping that is worth them all, and which will be more acceptable to the boy, or I much mistake his mettle, than any favors that thou hast named or canst name.”

The Signor Grimaldi had pursued his walk, with eyes thoughtfully fastened on the ground; but he now raised them, in surprise, to the countenance of his friend, as if to ask an explanation.  The baron was not only committed by what had escaped him, but he was warming with opposition, for the best may frequently do very excellent things under the influence of motives of but a very indifferent aspect.

“Thou knowest I have a daughter,” resumed the Swiss firmly, determined to break the ice at once, and expose a decision which he feared his friend might deem a weakness.

“Thou hast; and a fairer, or a modester, or a tenderer, and yet, unless my judgment err, a firmer at need, is not to be found among all the excellent of her excellent sex.  But thou wouldst scarce think of bestowing Adelheid in reward for such a service on one so little known, or without her wishes being consulted?”

“Girls of Adelheid’s birth and breeding are ever ready to do what is meet to maintain the honor of their families.  I deem gratitude to be a debt that must not stand long uncancelled against the name of Willading.”