Is there anything extraordinary in the
circumstance that two of so illustrious hopes should struggle to prevent
their own misery? Signori, the night that old Antonio died, I was alone,
among the graves of the Lido, with many melancholy and bitter thoughts,
and life had become a burden to me. Had the evil spirit which was then
uppermost, maintained its mastery, I might have died the death of a
hopeless suicide. God sent Don Camillo Monforte to my succor. Praised be
the immaculate Maria, and her blessed Son, for the mercy! It was there I
learned the wishes of the Neapolitan, and enlisted myself in his
service. I swore to him, senators of Venice, to be true--to die in his
cause, should it be necessary, and to help him to his bride. This pledge
have I redeemed. The happy lovers are now in the States of the Church,
and under the puissant protection of the cardinal secretary, Don
Camillo's mother's brother."
"Fool! why did'st thou this? Had'st thou no thought for thyself?"
"Eccellenza, but little. I thought more of finding a human bosom to pour
out my sufferings to, than of your high displeasure. I have not known so
sweet a moment in years, as that in which I saw the lord of Sant' Agata
fold his beautiful and weeping bride to his heart!"
The inquisitors were struck with the quiet enthusiasm of the Bravo, and
surprise once more held them in suspense. At length the elder of the
three resumed the examination.
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