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hatweshallhesitate.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,andhewasmakingmightyefforts
