XXVII
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中
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WEwenttothefortressinsolemnprocession,thepeople,aswepassed,minglingshoutsofpraiseforCheccowithyellsofderisionforCaterina.Shewalkedonwithherstatelyindifference,andwhentheprotonotaryaddressedher,repelledhimwithdisdain.
TheCastellanwassummoned,andtheCountessaddressedhiminthewordswhichSavellohadsuggested,—
'AsHeavenhastakentheCountfromme,andalsothecity,Ibegyou,bytheconfidenceIshowedinchoosingyouasCastellan,tosurrenderthisfortresstotheministersofHisHolinessthePope.'
Therewasalighttingeofironyinhervoice,andherlipsshowedtheshadowofasmile.
TheCastellanrepliedgravely,—
'BytheconfidenceyoushowedinchoosingmeasCastellan,IrefusetosurrenderthisfortresstotheministersofhisHolinessthePope.AndasHeavenhastakentheCountfromyou,andalsothecity,itmaytakethecitadeltoo,but,byGod!madam,nopoweronearthshall.'
CaterinaturnedtoSavello,—
'WhatshallIdo?'
'Insist.'
Shesolemnlyrepeatedherrequest,andhesolemnlymadehisreply.
'Itisnogood,'shesaid,'Iknowhimtoowell.HethinksIamspeakingundercompulsion.HedoesnotknowthatIamactingofmyownwill,forthegreatloveIbearthePopeandtheChurch.'
'Wemusthavethecitadel,'saidSavello,emphatically.'Ifwedonotgetit,Ica
