"Do any doubt it?" he rejoined. "It is the lot of man, reverend monk;
and more especially is it the lot of those on whom the judgment of St.
Mark has alighted. It were better that your penitent looked to his
soul."
"Surely thou hast thy private and express commands! They have named a
minute when this bloody work is to be performed?"
"Holy Carmelite, I have. The time will not be weary, and you will do
well to make the most of it, unless you have faith already in the
prisoner's condition."
As he spoke, the officer threw a glance at the dial of the square, and
walked coolly away. The action left the priest and the prisoner again
alone between the columns. It was evident that the former could not yet
believe in the reality of the execution.
"Hast thou no hope, Jacopo?" he asked.
"Carmelite, in my God.
"They cannot commit this wrong! I shrived Antonio--I witnessed his fate,
and the Prince knows it!"
"What is a Prince and his justice, where the selfishness of a few rules!
Father, thou art new in the Senate's service."
"I shall not presume to say that God will blast those who do this deed,
for we cannot trace the mysteries of his wisdom. This life and all this
world can offer, are but specks in his omniscient eye, and what to us
seems evil may be pregnant with good.--Hast thou faith in thy Redeemer,
Jacopo?"
The prisoner laid his hand upon his heart and smiled, with the calm
assurance that none but those who are thus sustained can feel.
Pages:
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537