The Signor Deodati, deeply moved, seated her by his side, and said, with tender compassion: "My poor Mary, we have no tidings yet of our Geronimo. Are we not unhappy? Why did not God recall me to himself ere this? Did I leave Italy and come hither to drink the bitter dregs in my chalice of life? Could I weep like you, Mary, I might find some relief, but old age has dried up my tears. Alas! alas! where is my poor Geronimo, the child whom God gave me, to close my eyes on the bed of death? I would give my fortune to save him, and the little that remains to me of life to know that he still lives." Tears filled Mr. Van de Werve's eyes as he contemplated his daughter and the desolate old man; but he controlled his emotion, and said: "Mary, I requested you to stay in your own apartment, because you cannot moderate the expression of your sorrow. You have disregarded my desire. I willingly pardon you, my child; but if you wish to remain longer with Signor Deodati, you must exercise some self-control; otherwise I shall send for your duenna to take you away." He then added, in a more gentle manner: "Now, Mary, I beg, I supplicate you, comprehend the duty devolving upon you. Be courageous, and do your best to console our unhappy friend." With a heroic effort Mary raised her head, and although still weeping, said: "You are right, father. We grieve as though there were no room for hope; but--but--" So great was the violence she was doing herself that she could scarcely draw her breath; but conquering this emotion, she resumed: "Ah! signor, we cannot know. God is so good, and Geronimo has so pure a heart!" "God is indeed good, my child; but his designs are impenetrable. If I could only imagine some probable cause to explain my nephew's absence. But nothing--nothing!" "The bailiff gave us, this morning, a reason for supposing that Geronimo may yet return to us unharmed." "You speak of the banker Liefmans, do you not, father?" "Yes, my child. He disappeared suddenly. A fortnight had passed in useless inquiry; his parents had the service for the dead offered for him, and he was found alive and well in a cellar, where some robbers had imprisoned him, in order by it to obtain a large sum of money." "And the same may happen, to Geronimo!" said Mary, with a confidence she did not feel, in order to aid her father in his kind intentions. Signor Deodati shook his head incredulously. Mary took his hand tenderly, and said, cheerfully: "We must hope, signor. Perhaps the Lord in his mercy will grant that our fears may not be realized. Would we not for the remainder of our lives offer our grateful prayers to heaven?" "Yes, yes; during our whole lives. And I would go in my old age to Our Lady of Loretto to express my boundless gratitude to the Madonna. But suppose he has fallen under the assassin's sword?" Mary shuddered at the thought, but she interrupted the old man.