"
The Signor Marcelli lowered his eyes respectfully at this opinion of his
friend, but he did not see fit to discourage a belief which was merely a
sudden ebullition, produced by the recollection of younger days. Baptiste
was instantly dispatched with a request that the baron would do a stranger
of rank the favor to come to the water-gate.
"Tell him 'tis a traveller disappointed in the wish to be of his company,"
repeated the Genoese. "That will suffice. I know him courteous, and he is
not my Melchior, honest Marcelli, if he delay an instant:--thou seest! he
is already quitting the bark, for never did I know him refuse an act of
friendliness--dear, dear Melchior--thou art the same at seventy as thou
wast at thirty!"
Here the agitation of the Genoese got the better of him, and he walked
aside, under a sense of shame, lest he might betray unmanly weakness. In
the mean time, the Baron de Willading advanced from the water-side,
without suspecting that his presence was required for more than an act of
simple courtesy.
"Baptiste tells me that gentlemen of Genoa are here, who are desirous of
hastening to the games of Vevey," said the latter, raising his beaver,
"and that my presence may be of use in obtaining the pleasure of their
company.
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