"
"Not to this end, reverend Carmelite, for Antonio having given offence
to the Republic, in the matter of a grandson that is pressed for the
galleys, has been sent to purgatory without a Christian hope for his
soul."
"There is an eye that watcheth on the meanest of us, son; we will
believe he was not forgotten."
"Cospetto! They say that those the Senate look black upon get but little
aid from the church! Wilt thou pray for him, Carmelite, and make good
thy words?"
"I will," said Father Anselmo, firmly. "Make room, son, that no decency
of my duty be overlooked."
The swarthy, expressive faces of the fishermen gleamed with
satisfaction, for, in the midst of the rude turmoil, they all retained a
deep and rooted respect for the offices of the church in which they had
been educated. Silence was quickly obtained, and the boats moved on with
greater order than before.
The spectacle was now striking. In front rowed the gondola which
contained the remains of the dead. The widening of the canal, as it
approached the port, permitted the rays of the moon to fall upon the
rigid features of old Antonio, which were set in such a look as might be
supposed to characterize the dying thoughts of a man so suddenly and so
fearfully destroyed. The Carmelite, bare-headed, with clasped hands, and
a devout heart, bowed his head at the feet of the body, with his white
robes flowing in the light of the moon.
Pages:
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389