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openhisgates.IwassentforwardtoinformCaterinaofthelastoccurrencesandoftheprotonotary'sdesireforaninterview. TheCountesshadreceivedapartmentsintheOrsiPalace,anditwasinoneoftheseroomsthatthegoodSavellowasushered. Hestoppedonthethreshold,andliftinguphisarmstretchedouttwofingers,andinhisthick,fatvoice,said,— 'ThepeaceofGodbeuponyou!' Caterinabowedandcrossedherself.Hewentuptoherandtookherhandinhis. 'Madam,ithasalwaysbeenmyhopethatIshouldsomedaymeettheladywhosefamehasreachedmeasthemosttalented,mostbeautiful,andmostvirtuousofhertime.ButIdidnotthinkthatthedayofourmeetingwouldbeoneofsuchbitternessandwoe!' Heexpressedhimselfinmeasuredtones,graveandslow,andveryfittotheoccasion. 'Ah,lady,youdonotknowthegriefIfeltwhenIwasmadeacquaintedwithyourterribleloss.IknewyourdearhusbandinRome,andIalwaysfeltforhimamostprofoundaffectionandesteem.' 'Youareverykind!'shesaid. 'Icanunderstandthatyoushouldbeoverwhelmedwithgrief,andItrustyoudonotthinkmyvisitimportunate.IhavecometoofferyousuchconsolationasisinmypowerforisitnotthemostblessedworkthatourDivineMasterhasimposeduponus,tocomforttheafflicted?' 'IwasundertheimpressionthatyouhadcometotakeoverthecityonbehalfofthePope.' 'Ah,lady,IseethatyouareangrywithmefortakingthecityfromyoubutdonotthinkIdoitofmyself.Ah,noIamaslave,Iam