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"Mary is naturally very susceptible, Signor Geroni to her of her beloved h she knew no sorrow"

The young girl did not await the conclusion of this explanation; before

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

to the weathercock, and said: "Look, Geroniht," replied the young h

"Rejoice then, for to-day your uncle ht of the city"

"I do not think so; however, it is possible," said the young man, sadly

"How coldly you speak, Geroniirl, in surprise;

"what cloud obscures your soul?"

"I nor," remarked

the father "You seem dejected; have you received bad news of your uncle?"

Geroni to drive

away unpleasant thoughts, he said, in a faltering voice: "No, no, it is

not that I witnessed just now near the Do which

touched me deeply, and I have not yet recovered from the shock Have you

not heard of a Florentine merchant named Massimo Barberi?"

"Is he noble?" asked Mary "I do not rehly esteemed"

"I know him well," said Mr Van de Werve "I met him lately in company