"The clock of St. James is striking ten," she said.

"Father, will you walk with me to the dock-yard to see if any new ships
have arrived?"

"What is the hour of high tide?" her father asked Geronimo.

"At noon," he replied.

"Why need we go so soon to the dock-yard?" asked the old cavalier. "Many
days may yet pass before the _Il Salvatore_ appears in the Scheldt. Do not
fear, Mary, that the Signor Deodati will take us by surprise. Don Pezoa,
the agent of the king of Portugal, has given orders that I shall be
notified as soon as the galley we are awaiting is signaled in the river,
at noon."

He was interrupted by the entrance of a servant, who announced that the
Chevalier John Van Schoonhoven,[8] the bailiff, desired to speak with him.

Geronimo was about to withdraw, but Mr. Van de Werve said to him,
cordially:

"Remain, signor; I will send Petronilla, Mary's duenna as a companion for
her; the interview with the Chevalier Schoonhoven may not detain me long.
We will afterwards go to the dock-yard, and we will at least enjoy the
fine weather. Stay, I beg you."

Hardly had he left the hall when an old woman entered, and seated herself
near the door. She drew a chaplet from her pocket, and commenced praying