Signor Deodati seated himself by her as she desired, and as the gondola returned to the city, the old man said, in surprise:  “But you speak Italian like a native of Lucca.  How soft and musical my native tongue sounds from your lips!”

“There is my teacher,” said Mary, pointing to Geronimo.

“That is not true, my uncle.  Her modesty causes her to mislead you.  Miss Van de Werve speaks equally well both Spanish and French, nor is she ignorant of Latin.”

“Can that be so?” asked the elder Deodati, with an incredulous smile.

“That is nothing extraordinary in our city of Antwerp,” said Mr. Van de Werve.  “Most ladies of noble birth, and even merchants’ daughters, speak two or three foreign languages.  It is a necessity rather than a pleasure for us; for since the people of the South will not or can not learn our tongue, we are obliged to become familiar with theirs.”

The Signor Deodati, as though a new and sudden thought possessed his mind, seized his nephew’s hand, and fixing his eyes affectionately upon him, said in a calm tone:  “I am pleased with you, Geronimo.  Young as you are, you have conducted prudently the affairs of a large commercial house; you have acted as an experienced man; in order to please me, you have denied yourself pleasures which are so seductive to youth.  Taking the place of your father, I have kept a vigilant eye upon you, and it gladdens my old heart to know that I have in my successor a virtuous cavalier and a prudent merchant.  I know your desires, my son.  Be not disturbed, but hopeful.  I undertook a long voyage only to recompense you, if possible, for your gratitude.”

He arose, and said to Mary:  “I am loath to leave you, my dear young lady; but I have a few words to say privately to your father.  You will excuse me more readily, as I yield my place to Geronimo.”

Saying this, he walked with Mr. Van de Werve to the extremity of the boat, where both seated themselves upon a bench.

Trembling with fear, hope, and joyous anticipations, Mary and Geronimo watched the two parents, endeavoring to divine from the expression of their countenances the result of their conversation.  At first both were perfectly calm; by degrees they grew more excited; the derisive smile on the lips of Mr. Van de Werve betrayed the bitterness of his feelings, as the Signor Deodati in a decided manner counted on his fingers.  They were discussing the great affair—­the dowry and inheritance.  Their only thought was money!

Geronimo turned pale as he saw his uncle shake his head with evident dissatisfaction; and Mary trembled as she noticed the displeased expression of her father.

The private conversation lasted a long time, and still took no favorable turn; on the contrary, the two old men ceased speaking, as though displeased with each other.

Signor Deodati addressed a question to Mr. Van de Werve, to which the latter replied negatively.