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assthroughthefire.Perhapsthesemisfortuneswillbethemeansofsavingyoursoulalive.AndnowthatthiscityhasreturnedtothefoldoftheMaster—forisnottheHolyFathertheVicarofChrist—beassuredthatthelossyouhavesufferedwillbemadegoodtoyouintheloveofhisHoliness,andthateventuallyyouwillreceivetherewardofthesinnerwhohasrepented,andsitamongsttheelectsinginghymnsofpraisetothegloryoftheMasterofallthings.' Hepausedtotakebreath.IsawCaterina'sfingersconvulsivelycloseroundthearmofherchairshewasrestrainingherselfwithdifficulty. 'Butthegreatestgriefofallisthelossofyourhusband,Girolamo.Ah,howbeautifulisthegriefofawidow!ButitwasthewillofGod.Andwhathashetocomplainofnow?Letusthinkofhimcladinrobesoflight,withagoldenharpinhishands.Ah,lady,heisanangelinheaven,andwearemiserablesinnersuponearth.Howgreatlytobeenviedishislot!Hewasahumble,piousman,andhehashisreward.Ah—' Butshecouldholdbacknolonger.Sheburstforthlikeafury. 'Oh,howcanyoustandbeforeme,utteringthesehypocrisies?Howdareyousaythesethingstome,whenyouareenjoyingthefruitsofhisdeathandmymisfortune?Hypocrite!Youarethevulturefeedingwiththecrows,andyoucomeandwhineandprayandtalktomeofthewillofGod!' Sheclaspedherhandsandliftedthempassionatelytowardsheaven. 'Oh,Ihopethatmyturnwillcome,andthenIwillshowyouwhatisthewillofGod.Letthemtakecare!' 'Youareincensed,dearlady,andyouknownotwhatyousay.Youwillregretthatyouhaveacceptedmyconsolationswithdisdain.ButIforgiveyouwithaChristianspirit.' 'Idonotwantyourforgiveness.Idespiseyou.' Sheutteredthewordslikethehissofaserpent.Savello'seyessparkledalittle,andhisthinlipsweredrawnratherthinnerthanbefore,butheonlysighed,andsaidg