and possessions."

He ceased, and every voice was raised in applause.

"Hail, Prince of Cornaro!" was the general exclamation.

"Prince," cried Jean Maret, "I give you thanks for the thousand crowns.
The odd five hundred I will give towards Rosa's dowry."

"Nay," rejoined the prince; "the half thou mayst; it is all that thou
canst be permitted, for I desire to find some room to add to Rosa's
store."

"Ha!" said old Gaspar, with a laugh. "Although not rich, her suitor is
yet certain he brings her riches."

"Good sir," replied Gulielmo, "I can show you but little coin, it is
true; yet you may perceive some gain will be mine if you but choose to
read this obligation."

Thereupon he delivered a slip of parchment into the hand of the host,
who turning it once or twice round in the vain attempt to decipher its
intention, passed it to the prince, saying:

"I pray your excellency to read it. My eyes are somewhat weak, and
indeed my scholarship is not so good as it once was."

"Know all (read the prince, after naming the date), that I will pay to
order of Gulielmo Massani, or his lawful heirs, four thousand crowns,
with interest, as soon hereafter as demand may be made. BENVOGLIO."