"God loves a grateful heart; may He grant you to-day the desires of your heart!" But the young man did not hear these words of encouragement; standing in the gondola, he waved to his uncle as if endeavoring to express to him by signs his joy at seeing him.
The gondola approached the galley, which slowly ascended the Scheldt in a favorable wind and with a rising tide.
The light boat soon gained the large ship.

Before the ladder was lowered, Geronimo caught the cable of the galley, and ere Mary had recovered from her terror, he had reached the deck and was in his uncle's arms.
Mr.Van de Werve mounted the ladder cautiously, and approached Signor Deodati, with whom he exchanged the most cordial salutations.
Mary remained in the gondola; she saw Geronimo embrace his uncle repeatedly; she rejoiced to perceive that the eyes of the old man were filled with tears of emotion.

She was still more happy when she saw the affability with which her father and Geronimo's uncle conversed together, as though they were old friends.
Very soon the Signor Deodati descended into the gondola to accompany Mr.
Van de Werve and Geronimo to the city.
The Flemish cavalier introduced his daughter to the Italian noble.
The old man gazed upon the ravishing beauty of the young girl in speechless admiration.

Mary's lovely features were illumined by an enchanting smile which moved the old man's heart; her large blue eyes were fixed upon him with so soft and supplicating an expression that the Signor Deodati, extending his hand, murmured: "_E la graziosa donzella!_" (The beautiful girl!) But Mary, encouraged by his look of affection, and unconsciously urged by a mysterious instinct, extended both hands to the old man, who folded her in his arms and pressed her to his heart.
Geronimo, overjoyed at the reception given to Mary by his uncle, turned aside to conceal his emotion.
"_Iddio vi dia pace in nostra patria!_ May God grant you peace in our country, Signor Deodati!" said Mary, taking the old man's hand.

"Come sit by me; I am so happy to know you.