nces; but he could not
venture to expose himself to the cold and damp night-air."

Geronimo seemed in deep thought.

"Signor, my master did not send me solely to inform you of his
indisposition; he directed me to accompany you to the serenade, and to
protect you in case of danger. He knows how courageous I am, and that were
five or six to attack you, I would not flee before them."

"I accept your services, Julio. You always seemed to me to be a devoted
servant. The lute-players have not yet arrived. Go to the kitchen and tell
the cook to give you a pint of beer."

Julio went to the kitchen, but found the cook asleep. He awoke him, gave
him his master's order, and received the pint of beer.

He expected, while drinking, to talk with the servant, and he had
commenced speaking of quarrels, combats, knives, and the heroic deeds in
which he had been the actor, but the servant had scarcely seated himself
before he fell again into a deep sleep. Julio emptied his glass in
silence, until a knock at the door and the sound of stringed instruments
announced the arrival of the lute-players.

Geronimo called him, and on entering the ante-chamber he found Geronimo
ready to go out with the lute-players.

Julio was troubled on remarking that these latter were armed. If these
people were brave men, Bufferio and his comrades would have to deal with
an equal number of adversaries. Who could foresee the termination of the
struggle? However, he felt reassured on reflecting that Geronimo and the
lute-players, being attacked unexpectedly, would not have time to defend
themselves.

They left the house together, passed the Dominican Convent, and soon
reached Prince Street, at the upper end of which was the stone well behind
which Bufferio was concealed, if he had been faithful to his promise.

Up to that time Julio had walked in advance of the others, in order to
appear bold and intrepid; he now commenced to fall back, and placed
himself in the rear. His heart failed him; for, however well the plans
had been laid, the blow might miss its aim, or might not cause death.

They were within about one hundred feet of the well.

The young gentleman, wholly ignorant of the danger which threatened him,
was thinking of his unhappy friend, Simon Turchi, overpowered by a heart
sorrow, tossing on a bed of suffering, while he was on his way to serenade
his beloved Mary. He also, in his own mind, deplored the involved
condition of Simon's business