fr:Mathias Sandorf - III,5
CHAPTER VII.MALTA
so it was the son
of the Rovigno fisherman
who had just told his
name to Dr. Antekirtt. By a providential chance it was Luiga Ferrato whose courage and ability had saved the yacht and her passengers and crew from certain destruction.
The doctor was going
to seize Luigi and clasp
him in his arms. He
checked himself. It
would have been Count
Sandorf who would have
thus shown his gratitude; and Count Sandorf was dead to everybody, even to the son of Andrea Ferrato.
But if Pierre Bathory
was obliged keep the
same reserve, and for the
same reasons, he was about
to forget it when the doctor
stopped him by a look. The two went into the saloon, and Luigi was asked to follow.
“My friend,” asked the
doctor, “are you the son
of an Istrian fisherman, whose name was Andrea Ferrato?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have you not a sister?”
“Yes, and we live together at Valetta; but—” he added, with a certain amount of hesitation—“did you know my father?”
“Your father!” answered the doctor. “Your father
fifteen years ago gave shelter to two fugitives in his house
at Rovigno. Those fugitives were friends of mine whom
his devotion was unable to save. But that devotion cost
Andrea Ferrato his liberty and his life, for on account of
it he was sent to Stein, where he died.”
“Yes, died, but he did not regret what he had done,” said Luigi.
The doctor took the young man's hand.
“Luigi,” said he, “it was to me that my friends gave
the task of paying the debt of gratitude they owed your
father. For many years I have been seeking to find what
had become of your sister and you, but all trace had been
lost when you left Rovigno. Thank Heaven you were sent
to our assistance! The ship you have saved I named the
‘Ferrato,’ in remembrance of your father, Andrea! Come to my arms, my child!”
While the doctor clasped him to his breast Luigi felt
the tears start into his eyes. At this affecting scene Pierre
could not remain unmoved. He felt his whole soul go
forth toward this young man of his own age, the brave son
of the fisherman of Rovigno.
“And I! I!” exclaimed he, with outstretched arms.
“You, sir?”
“I! The son of Stephen Bathory!”
Did the doctor regret the avowal? No! Luigi Ferrato
could keep the secret as well as Pescade and Matifou.
Luigi was then informed how matters stood, and learned
Dr. Antekirtt's objects. One thing he was not told, and
that was that he was in the presence of Count Mathias
Sandorf.
The doctor wished to be taken at once to Maria Ferrato. He was impatient to see her again, impatient, above all, to hear how she had lived a life of work and misery since Andrea's death had left her alone, with her brother to look after.
“Yes, doctor,” answered Luigi, “let us go ashore at
once! Maria will be very anxious about me! It is forty-eight
hours since I left her to go fishing in Melleah Creek, and during last night's storm she will be afraid I have got drowned!”
“You are fond of your sister?” asked the doctor.
“She is my mother and my sister combined,” answered
Luigi.