e air; gondolas and longboats furrowed the
waters; from boat and wharf joyous greetings of friends mingled with the
song of the sailors. Even the wagoners from beyond the Rhine, who had
ranged their strongly-built wagons near the cemetery of Burg, in order to
load them with spices for Cologne, could not resist the influence of the
beautiful May-day and the general hilarity; they collected near the gate
of the dock-yard, and entoned in their German tongue a song so harmonious
and sweet, and yet so manly, that every other sound in their vicinity was
hushed.

At this moment an elegant vehicle passed the gate of the dock-yard, and
stopped near the German wagoners as the last strain of their song died
upon the air.

A young man, and after him an old man and a young girl richly attired,
alighted from the carriage.

Those immediately around, merchants as well as workmen, stepped
respectfully aside and saluted Mr. Van de Werve, whilst glancing
admiringly at his daughter. Some Italians of lower rank murmured loud
enough to reach Mary's ears: "_Ecco la bionda maraviglia_."

Mr. Van de Werve ordered his people to await him at the gate of the
dock-yard, and passed on, saluting those whom he met, to the place where
the Portuguese flag indicated the gondola of Lopez de Galle, which was
prepared to receive him. They threw a carpet across the plank upon which
Mary was to step in passing into the gondola. Mary, her father, and
Geronimo entered the boat; the six oars dipped simultaneously into the
water, and, pushed by the strong arms of the Portuguese sailors, the
gondola sped rapidly through the waves. Swift as a fish and light as a
swan, it skimmed the surface of the Scheldt, and made many a turn through
the numerous vessels until it had succeeded in finding an open way down
the river. Then the sailors exerted all their strength, as if to show the
beautiful young girl what they were capable of in their trade. The
gondola, obeying the impulse given it by the oarsmen, bounded forward
under each stroke of the oars, and gracefully poised itself on the waves
caused by its rapid passage.

Complete silence reigned in the gondola; the sailors looked with timid
admiration upon the beautiful countenance of the young girl. Mary, with
downcast eyes, was persuading herself that Geronimo's uncle would
undoubtedly consent to their union. The young man was absorbed in thought,
and yielded by turns to joy, hope, and fear. Mr. Van de Werve contemp