Surely justice demanded it!" she cried out. "God's justice, as
well as man's. His act in marrying me was a defilement of one of the
holiest of sacraments, and for that he should surely be punished and struck
down!"
I went upon my knees to her. "Dear love!" I cried. "See, I have you daily
in my sight. Let me not be ungrateful for so much."
She took my face in her hands and looked into my eyes, saying no word.
Then she leaned forward, and very gently touched my forehead with her 1ips.
"God pity us a little, Agostino," she murmured, her eyes shining with
unshed tears.
"The fault is mine--all mine!" I denounced myself. "We are being visited
with my sins. When I can take you for my own--if that blessed day should
ever dawn--I shall know that I have attained to pardon, that I am cleansed
and worthy of you at last."
She rose and I escorted her within; then went to my own chamber to bathe
and rest.
CHAPTER XIV
THE CITATION
We were breaking our fast upon the following morning when Falcone sent word
to me by one of the pages that a considerable force was advancing towards
us from the south.
I rose, somewhat uneasy. Yet I reflected that it was possible that, news
of the revolt in Piacenza having reached Parma, this was an army of
Pontificals moving thence upon the rebellious city.
Pages:
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472