The Amulet

strangers as well as citizens. His love for art and science induced him to bring together the best artists and the most noted literary men of the day with the

roduce this effect, the natural brown of the oak had been left in some places. All the rest shone with gold and silver, which was relieved by a beautiful scarlet, brilliant yellow, and the softest sky-blue. The many small figures scattered over the ornaments were highly gilded. From the wooden wainscot arose slight pillars, which, uniting in the Gothic style, supported t

ems and devices were in profusion: lions, wild boars, eagles, ermines, bands and crosses of gold, silver, green, and blue quartz, so nu

at the extremity of the hall. They consisted of a black boar on a field of gold, quartered by three chevrons of si

coat of arms of the Wyneghem, the Van Immerseel, the Van Wilre, the Van Mildert, the Van Coolput

hin the niches formed b

e most illustrious ance

wn, in which he was rep

in the servic

t celebrated masters of Netherlands. The eye rested on the creations of the immortal brothers Van Eyck, the touching Quintin Massys, the intellectual

in woods of different colors, and upon it lay two lutes and a violin-a proof t

he pillars formed projections, numerous sconces were fastened; and when Mr. Van de Werve received his friends in the even

g, it being the time appointed for their reunion. Although he had been deeply moved by the murderous assault, and his daughter Mary had scarc

light. The large double door was thrown open, and in the vast hall were c

ere were, however, only men present, for this evening was by a previous arran

n de Werve; they had separated according to their pleasure in diffe

s, whose more simple attire proclaimed them to be artists, were showing each other their designs; another party, evi

expected arrival of vessels, and the price of gold and different kinds of merchandise. Among these foreigners was to be seen every description of costume, and every variety of tongue could be heard. The Spaniar

but supposing that the greater part of those invited had arrived, he left this place and was walking

m on his arrival at Antwerp, and he had been the object of so much polite attenti

ed him by every expression of respect and esteem. They had already spoken of the attempted assassination, and Simon Turchi had expressed his astonishment, for he did not believ

some wicked design; for while talking, his eyes incessantly wandered to Geronimo, and he endeavored to divine f

Deodati glanced around the room upon the di

m the merchants around him? I do not mean the tall old man, I am acquainted with him

to the distinguished commercial houses of the Gigli, the Spignoli, and the Gualterotti. A little apart, and behind them, is Don Pezoa, the superintendent of the king of Portugal; he is speaking with Diégo d'

s young friends, and as he sees me with you, he is undoubtedly convinced that I could not be in better or more agreeable company. Have the kindness to tell me

fellow-laborer Gerard, also a learned geographer, and one of the luminaries of the day. The only one whose dress indicates his Italian birth is Louis Guicciardini, a Florentine gentleman, who is here for the purpose of collecting materials for an extensive work on the Low Countries, and particularly on the powerful commercial city of Antwerp. The gentleman plainly dressed, with a black beard, holding a book in his hand, is Ch

re bold, active, intelligent, industrious, and learned, and they possess all the qualifications requisite for the material prosperity

and I have seen them so often, that I know them as old friends. Look at the corner near the piano, where those collected

some man with noble fe

sh Ra

Mr. Van de Werve, and you may remember how

son; his very attitude is amusing,

s pictures in which he represents the Saviour carrying his cross to Calvary. In this he represents pilgrims with their staves, Spanish soldiers in doublets, monks and nuns; the

such conceits do but very little honor to the artist. Is it a custom

es promise of great perfection in his art. The others, as well as I can recognize them at this distance, are Lambert Van Noord, Egide Mostaert, William Key, Bernard de Rycke, and the two brothers Henry and Martin Van Cleef, all celebrated historical, fancy, or portrait painters. Near them is Master Grimmer, a famous landscape-pain

med with his intelligence, but still more with the kind consideration which made hi

had playfully sent him away, telling him that the agreeable company of the

d literary men, manufacturers and artists, were mingling with each other; rank and condition were disregarded

r waiters on which were wines of every description,

the room offering th

almsey, Rhenish wine, cl

stributed, Geronimo never lost sight of Mr. Van de Werve,

e Werve sometimes gratified his friends and acquaintances by allowing his beautiful daughter to be present at their

tantly watched Mary's betrothed, noticed the radiant e

suit had been rejected, and that Geronimo had succeeded where

ction. Rage and jealousy goaded him almost to madness; he felt that the scar on his face, by i

ked him wi

ter, Signor Turc

," said Simon, endeavori

em to me very warm. Shall I accompany you

ead, and smiling in an

king too long at the large lustre, and its brilliant light made me dizzy. B

roduced his beloved child. A murmur of admiration ran through

as arranged around her head in the form of a crown, in the centre of which were placed some white flowers fastened by choice pearls. But the admiration of the spectators was excited b

ure white, she had the appearance of a bride. It was, of course, by her father's request; but what did it mean? Did he intend by this to make it know

short distance; for, as his eye fell on the beautiful girl, rage filled his heart as he reflected that

f death. Happily for him, all eyes were turned towards the young girl, otherwise many a one mi

s guests. All expressed in courteous terms the

of voice a rare modesty and reserve, and at the same time an exquisite politeness. Still more astonishing was her rich and varied knowledge. Whether conversing

spoke to him so tenderly and affectionately that, overcome by e

n Turchi, she s

I am sincerely grateful to you, signor, for the friendship you manifest to the nephew of Signor Deodati. You

became of a deep-red color. And yet it was absolutely necessary for him to appear calm, and to reply cordially to the

of sacrifices, which, even when voluntarily made, painfully wound the heart; of a self-abnegation which could find its con

m, and was gratefu

e said, warmly, as she passe

ew kind words to Master Christian, many Italian g

and was turning over the leaves of a book handed her by Master Christian. The old Deodati expressed a wish to hear a song in the langu

lf at the piano, to accompany

egrees her voice became firmer and stronger, until at the end of

hant, for instead of endeavoring to add to the effect, she softened still more her singularly sweet voice, and let the words

s unfavorable opinion was not of long duration. They, like all others, soon yielded to the irresistible fascination of Mary's exquisite voice. They listened with such rapt at

on her felt as though they were contemplating an angel before the throne of God. Even Simon Turchi was subd

thus

o, our G

save from i

joy should b

r hearts wi

ison!-God

other give

ark bonds a

again incli

ar!-the s

its saving

mpressest

at drives o

nointed vi

death bes

ng remedy

ith many a

eison!-bro

ator from

y virtue, fr

help to v

leison! G

consola

leave us 'n

perilous

, Father-

pirit-w

God-Thee,

y praise Th

sound had died away, and then arose a murmur of admirati

rhaps, of escaping the praises lavished upon her, or, it may be, yielding to a real desire, she a

in every Italian heart. The notes fell from his lips like a shower of brilliant stars; his bosom heaved, his eyes sparkled, and his rich tenor voice filling the hall produced an indescribable effect upon the auditors. As his song proceeded, it s

ia! I

d in the e

im his beloved son, Mary spoke to him in the most flattering

; jealousy so gnawed his heart that he sank deeper and deeper into the abyss of hatred and

riends would have supposed that, like the other Itali

n a sudden resolution, he walked up to Geronimo, sm

You have made me truly happy by giving me a

ng him, he al

this evening. I will go to the garden presen

to make way for Mr. Fugger, the rich banke

in the hall with wines

formed that this excellent artist was about to enterta

He saw him leave the room, and as the entrance of the servants with refreshments, and the desire of the guests to ap

ot large, was crossed by several winding paths, and along

persons who had left the heated apartment to enjoy the

approached from an arbor, took his arm and led him in silence to a retired

nimo! I have go

cceeded in obtai

ant, whom I saved two years ago from dishonor and ruin, at the risk of my own dest

sigh of relief. "He will not long delay,

u to-morrow wh

w? how fo

bring you the money; you

fle were I obliged

. Only go to my country

ome one ap

t's silence,

I have promised to keep him concealed in my garden for several days.[17] He wishes to assist me, but he is over-prudent an

"I must sign with you for security! Who is t

l be my security, but the ten thousand crowns will be in the money vault, and your uncle will not find one florin missing. Your only danger would arise from an inability on my part to meet the note. But you need fear

ful to you for your kindness. Will thi

exchange on Milan,

eliable bil

accepting them. Fear nothing,

ange, between five and six

e to me, provided I kn

and six o'clock. But let us return to the

remained standing in t

werp. Say nothing, therefore, to your uncle, to Mary, nor to any one else. The least indiscretio

sible for me to remain until dark. My uncle will be seriously d

tain you over

t from the house entere

oni

you, as Miss Van de Werve is about to retire from the company

he servant; on the way, Turc

ween the hours

absence of his nephew, and was about to remonstrate with him. But, by Turchi's explanation, this wa

nd offering his arm to his uncle,

glanced at him entreatingly,