XXVI

ently,— 'Youarebesideyourself.YoushouldturntotheConsolerofSorrow.Watchandpray!' 'Whatisityouwantwithme?'shesaid,takingnonoticeofhisremark. Savellohesitated,lookingather.Shebeatherfootimpatiently. 'Quick!'shesaid.'Tellme,andletmeremaininpeace.Iamsickofyou.' 'Icametoofferyouconsolation,andtobidyoubeofgoodfaith.' 'DoyouthinkIamafool?Ifyouhavenofurtherbusinesswithme—go!' Thepriestnowhadsomedifficultyincontaininghimselfhiseyesbetrayedhim. 'Iamamanofpeace,andIdesiretospillnoblood.ThereforeIwishedtoproposethatyoushouldcomewithmeandsummontheCastellantogiveupthecitadel,whichmaybethemeansofavoidingmuchbloodshed,andalsoofgainingthethanksoftheHolyFather.' 'Iwillnothelpyou.ShallIaidyoutoconquermyowntown?' 'Youmustrememberthatyouareinourhands,fairlady,'heansweredmeekly. 'Well?' 'Iamamanofpeace,butImightnotbeabletopreventthepeoplefromrevengingthemselvesonyouforyourrefusal.Itwillbeimpossibletohidefromthemthatyouarethecauseoftheholdingbackofthecitadel.' 'Icanwellunderstandthatyouwouldhesitateatnothing.' 'ItisnotI,dearlady—' 'Ah,noyouaretheservantofthePope!ItisthewillofGod!' 'Youwouldbewisetodoaswerequest.' Therewasalookofsuchferocityinhisfacethatonesawhewouldindeedhesitateatnothing.Caterinathoughtalittle.... 'Verywell,'shesaid,tomyintensesurprise,'Iwilldomybest.' 'YouwillgainthegratitudeoftheHolyFatherandmyownthanks.' 'Iputanequalvalueuponboth.' 'Andnow,madam,Iwillleaveyou.Takecomfort,andapplyyourselftopiousexercises.Inprayeryouwillfindaconsolationforallyourwoes.' Heraisedhishandasbefore,and,withtheoutstretchedfingers,repeatedtheblessing.