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inrevengeforthemurderofherhusband.... Westoodlookingupatherwithopenmouths,dumbfounded.AcryofragebrokefromthepeopleMatteoutteredanoath.CheccolookedangrilyatSavello,butsaidnothing.Thepriestwasfurioushisbigredfacegrewpurple,andhiseyesglistenedlikeaserpent's. 'Bastard!'hehissed.'Bastard!' Tremblingwithanger,heorderedthechildrentobesentfor,andhecriedouttotheCountess,— 'Donotthinkthatweshallhesitate.Yoursonsshallbehangedbeforeyourveryeyes.' 'Ihavethemeansofmakingmore,'sherepliedscornfully. Shewaslion-hearted.Icouldnothelpfeelingadmirationfortheextraordinarywoman.Surelyshecouldnotsacrificeherchildren!AndIwonderedifamanwouldhavehadthecouragetogivethatboldanswertoSavello'sthreats. Savello'sexpressionhadbecomefiendish.Heturnedtohisassistants. 'Letadoublescaffoldbeerectedhere,atonceandquickly.' Thechiefsoftheconspiracyretiredtoashelteredplace,whilethemobgatheredinthepiazzaandsoonthebuzzofmanyvoicesmingledwithhammeringandthecriesofworkmen.TheCountessstoodabovelookingatthepeople,watchingthegradualerectionofthescaffold. Inalittlewhileitscompletionwasannounced.Savelloandtheotherscameforward,andthepriestoncemoreaskedherwhethershewouldsurrender.Shedidnotdeigntoanswer.Thetwoboyswerebroughtforward—onewasnine,theotherseven.Asthepeoplelookedupontheiryouthamurmurofpitypassedthroughthem.Myownheartbegantobeatalittle.TheylookedatthescaffoldandcouldnotunderstandbutCesare,theyounger,seeingthestrangefolkroundhimandtheangryfaces,begantocry.Ottavianowasfeelingrathertearfultoobuthissuperioragemadehimashamed,andhewasmakingmightyeffortstorestrainhimself.AllatonceCesarecaughtsightofhismother,andhecalledtoher.Ottavianojoinedhim,andtheybothcriedout,— 'Mother!Mother!' Shelookedatthem,butmadenottheslightestmotion,shemighthavebeenofstone....Oh,itwashorribleshewastoohard! 'Oncemore,Iaskyou,'saidSavello,'willyousurrenderthecastle?' 'No—no!' Hervoicewasquitesteady,ringingclearasasilverbell. Savellomadeasign,a