The Amulet

taken by European commerce remained unchanged. America had not

of commerce, compelled the nations of Europe and As

in some measure, the commercial prosperity of Venice; but popular insurrections and continual civil wars had induced

iar advantages of her situation, and obliged commerce to seek a new emporium. Portugal and Spain were the most powerful nations on sea; countless ships left their ports for the two Indies, and brought back spices, pearls, and the precious metals for distribution throughout the Old World. This commercial activity re

in a most flourishing condition. Thousands of ships of every form and size covered its broad river like a forest

ch stuffs of the Southern countries; German vessels with grains and metals; and all returned to their own countries heavily freighted with other merchandise, and made way for t

Transportation into the interior of the country was effected by means of very strong wagons, several hundred of which daily l

ablish themselves in a city where gold was so abundant, an

hants from other countries, each of whom had his own attendants; one chronicle estimates, per

for purposes of trade and for information of the arr

amount of wealth at the

say that the king of Por

three millions of gold

a debt of seventy

to nearly six millions of gold crowns, a sum which for that period would

cts, in order to restrain the lavish expenditure. This was not done on account of the foreign inhabitants of the place, but for the advantage of many noble famil

d from this circumstance they were thrown into intimate intercourse with the noble families of Antwerp, all of whom spoke

mansion, which was the favorite resort of the élité of the Italian me

s of high birth,[6] he was very cordial and hospitable to all strangers whose rank entitled them to admission to his home circle. Moreover, he was extremely wealthy, luxuriou

ghter of extraordinary beauty, so lovely, so modest, notwithstanding the homage offered to

urned from church, as she still held in her hand a rosary of precious stones, and her hood lay on a chair near her. She seemed to be engrossed by some pleasing though

Eyck, in which the great master had represented the Virgin in prayer,

c genius, for the image seemed to live and think. It charmed by the beauty of feature, the majest

eyes, whose expression, although calm and thoughtful, revealed a keen sensibility and a tender, loving soul; her golden hair fell in ringlets over a brow of marble whiteness, and no painter had ever traced a cheek of lovelier mould or more delicate hue; her whole be

omp and show. A waist of sky-blue velvet encircled her slender form, and a brocade skirt fell in large folds to her feet. Only on her open slee

ble floor; tables and chairs of oak, slabs supporting exquisite statuary from the chisel of the most celebrated artists, were ranged along the walls; an ivory crucifix surmounted

owly towards the large window which overlooked the garden. She fixed her eyes upon the beautiful blue sky

There was something grave and severe in his imposing appearance and even in his dress; for although his doublet was

he said, as he appro

d always be with you, d

the sky is, and how br

we might almost imagine

a

rew her father to the window, and pointing to the sky, said:

sterday it has

e been kept out at sea can ascend the Sc

"that among these vessels will be found the Il Salvator

ble wind," replied the young girl. "I thank th

aughter's words had evidently made

caressingly around

yet you promised me to await tranqu

should be so magnificent as to reflect credit on our rank. The Signor Geronimo, whom you seem to prefer to all others, lives very economically; he dresses simply, and abstains from all that kind of ex

y rich and of high birth," replied the young girl, sadly. "Did not the

mo. Would it not be an insult to you, which your brothers would avenge, were your hand to be refused from pecuniary motives? I regret that you have so irrevocably fixed your affections on

the young girl, sorro

has been spared; he has expended a fortune to please you. At one time you did not dislike him; but ever since the fatal night when he was attacked by unknown assassins and wounded in the f

as if frightened by the accusation. "Dea

e, dignified gen

long been an intimate

nimo

ess. He is young and inexperienced, and he possesses nothing himself. The Signor Turchi, on the contrary, is rich and highly esteemed in the world as partn

Father, I am your submissive child. Command, and I will obey without a murmur, and humbly

ed her face with her hands, and wept bitterly; her

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

"that depends upon the magnitude of your demands.

er. "I will endeavor to fulfil my duty as a father, and at the s

yes expressed such gratitude that Mr. Van de

prudence, all yield before one glance of your e

door, and announced,

omplexion was of that light and clear brown which adds so much to the manly beauty of some Southern nations. The dark beard and h

rove to appear cheerful, Mary's

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 sw

" (May peace be in this house!)

ars which he perceived on Mary's face so startled him that he interrupted his ceremonious greeti

an de Werve. "I was speaking to her of her beloved mother, and sh

er father had finished speaking, she led her lover to the window, pointed

" replied the young man,

day your uncle may be

ver, it is possible," sa

xclaimed the young girl, in surpris

manner, signor," remarked the father. "You seem d

ring voice: "No, no, it is not that. I witnessed just now near the Dominican Convent something which touched me deep

ked Mary. "I do n

r, but a man h

n company with Lopez de Galle, for whom he had attended to so

or Barberi taken out of a sewer; he had two dagger-wounds in

ns, and that vengeance or jealousy was the cause is sufficiently proved by the fact that in no case have the bodies been despoiled of their money or jewels. This custom of lying in

man shoo

young girls, and you would not omit this opportunity were it not for the advice of a man of experience. Geronimo, listen to the words of calm reason: do not rashly expose yourself to the danger of

is advice with a smile wh

is to be the object of our homage. Permit me, however, the liberty to decide

es you no honor to reject the advice of a man of experience, in order to carry out an un

ry, in a supplicating

o; he will inc

posed to danger than others? That Geronimo should be rash is excusable; but, Mary,

of of her father, and murmured as if to exc

sed the young man, and h

a

d, care

to my father, and he will then know why you do

drew from under his doublet an object suspended on a steel chai

cross between two bent sabres, and beneath them a crescent, filled up the centre of the me

e time; he turned it over and over, as though he sought

t, and cabalistic characters. It is a Mohammedan talisman

y mistaken, sir,"

d would not that signify that the faith of Chri

you call i

s it from the gray stone beneath the cross. This stone is a draconite, taken,

aordinary powers, but I also remember that the great naturalist forgets to tell us the inherent qualities of the stone. Alas! signor, would you trust in this talisman, and believe that it could protect you against t

pilgrim; that it rested one entire night of Good Friday upon the tomb of our Lord at Jerusalem; but I will be candid, and say to you that I do not consider it possessed

ents," said Mr. Van de Werve, struck by t

h God gave me the grace to perform a good action. I would willingly tell you how the amule

pleased if you would satisfy m

lied Geronimo, "I will

treating her even more cruelly than usual, that I dared to defend her by force. Had not my master expected a large sum for my ransom, a frightful death would have been the punishment of my audacity. After being kept a few days in prison and harshly treated, I was sent back to the fields to work as before. The condition of the blind slave was not in the least changed; she was still inhumanly beaten. Her misfortunes pierced my heart, and I was maddened by my inability to protect from pagan cruelty a woman who was my sister by our common faith and a common misfortune. No longer venturing to have recourse to force, I sought other means to mitigate her sufferings. During the few hours of repose granted to us, or rather to our overseers, I hastened to the blind woman and shared with her the best of my food; I strove to fortify her by the hope that God would liberate her from this terrible slavery; I told her, that should I ever become free, I would procure her liberation, even were it necessary to renounce for years my own pleasures that I might amass sufficient for her ransom. I spoke to her of our country, of the goodnes

e both touched by the r

God bless you for having been so comp

and love you more for your generosity to the unfortunate blind

strange amulet from her bosom and presented it to me, conjuring me to wear it always. She told me that it possessed the power of protecting and saving the one who carried it on his person, when all human aid failed or was insufficient. As to the origin of the amulet, she only knew that it had been brought back from Jerusalem by one of h

till live?"

t is her name-I doubt not, is living peacefully in her native village, and prays much for me. This is the only reason why I attribute any virtue to the amulet; I believe in the prote

nimo. I hope it may be in my power to prove to you how much your generosity ennobles you and elevates you in my esteem; but although your confidence in

rd are good sentinels. When I pass through the streets at night, I am always well accompanied, and my hand never leaves the hilt

he stroke of a large clock from some neighboring belfry.

James is strikin

me to the dock-yard to see i

f high tide?" her f

n," he

in the Scheldt. Do not fear, Mary, that the Signor Deodati will take us by surprise. Don Pezoa, the agent of the king of Po

he entrance of a servan

nhoven,[8] the bailiff,

hdraw, but Mr. Van de Wer

interview with the Chevalier Schoonhoven may not detain me long. We will afterwards

w a chaplet from her pocket, and commenced praying in a low voice. This was apparently an habitu

oice, Geronimo! My father has just promised not

or his kindness," sai

nce. "I noticed you were depressed when you first came. Be more

arrive!" said Geronimo

le's arrival?" exclaimed M

o you. Yes; since yesterday morning I have dreaded my uncle's arrival. Previously I imp

en heard fro

happiness which I thought already mine, a dark cloud comes to overshadow my life. I seem even no

pale, and anxiously awaited a

m ten thousand crowns. Should I refuse his request, the credit of his house would be irretrievably ruined. His name I considered sufficient security for ten times the amount he wished to borrow. At all events, although it pained me to disobey my uncle's positive injunctions, I coul

e your fears to-day; to-morrow, perhaps, he will fulfil his p

ks; but still I have not the amount in hand. O Mary! my uncle has an eagle eye in business affairs; he will at once discover the deficit of ten thousand crowns-a deficit resulting from my lending money: a thing he ha

Geronimo? You ought to hav

possibly re

of payment. Summon this merchant before the magistrates; a

complaint from me would be the cause of irreparable ruin to him. Let us hope that he will succeed in procuring th

king?" said Mary; "your l

my reserve; there is between merchants a law

law; but she was evidently a

en him new strength, or the sight of her sorrow made him affect a c

which equals any other in consideration and wealth. In a few days, to-day even, or to-morrow, he may acquit himself o

our vows! May the benediction of the priest descend upon our union! We will pass in Italy the first months of our happy

s voice in the hall giving u

n any manner, what I have told you. Keep my secret even from your father; reme

ati has arrived; the Il Salvatore is in sight. Don Pezoa has just sent me information to that effect, and he has pl

r, ran joyfully and put on her hood before her duenna had time to approach her.

ssed to the carriage, the great gate was flung open,