XXIV
關燈
小
中
大
leenteredthewomenofthelowerclasseshadcome,joiningtheirshrillcriestotheshoutsofthemen.Thenoisewasstupendous,andaboveallrangthecriesofLibertyandDeath.
'TheCountess!TheCountess!'
Itbecamethegeneralcry,drowningtheothers,andfromallquarters.
'WhereistheCountess?Bringherout.DeathtotheCountess!'
AcrywentupthatshewasinthePalace,andtheshoutbecame,—
'TothePalace!TothePalace!'
Checcosaidtous,—
'Wemustsaveher.Iftheygetholdofhershewillbetorntopieces.Letherbetakentomyhouse.'
MatteoandPansecchitookallthesoldierstheycouldandenteredthePalace.InafewminutestheyappearedwithCaterinaandherchildrentheyhadsurroundedherandwerewalkingwithdrawnswords.
Ayellbrokefromthesethousandsofthroats,andtheysurgedtowardsthelittleband.Checcoshoutedouttothemtolethergoinpeace,andtheyheldbackalittlebutasshepassedtheyhissedandcursedandcalledherfoulnames.Caterinawalkedproudly,neitherturningtotherightnortotheleft,nosignofterroronherface,notevenapallidcheek.Shemighthavebeentraversingthepiazzaamidstthehomageofherpeople.Suddenlyitoccurredtoamanthatshehadjewelsconcealedonher.Hepushedthroughtheguardsandputhishandtoherbosom.Sheliftedherhandandhithimintheface.Acryofragebrokefromthepopulace,andtheymadearush.Matteoandhismenstopped,closingtogether,andhesaid,—
'ByGod!IswearIwillkillanymanwhocomeswithinmyreach.'
Theyshrankbackfrightened,andtakingadvantageofthis,thelittlebandhurriedoutofthepiazza.
Thenthepeoplelookedatoneanother,wa
