XXVII
關燈
小
中
大
behindtheirbacks.Howcouldthey!Myheartwasburstingwithinme,butIdaredsaynothing.Theywereledtothescaffold.Asobbingcrycamefromthepeopleandwailedthroughtheheavyair.
TheCountessstoodstill,lookingatherchildren.Shemadenottheslightestmotionshemighthavebeenofstone.
Thechildrencriedout,—
'Checco!Checco!'
Itwasheartbreaking.
'Goon!'saidSavello.
AgroanburstfromChecco,andheswayedtoandfro,asifheweregoingtofall.
'Goon!'saidSavello.
ButCheccocouldnotbearit.
'Oh,God!Stop!—stop!'
'Whatdoyoumean?'saidSavello,angrily.'Goon!'
'Icannot!Untiethem!'
'Youfool!Ithreatenedtohangthem,andIwill.Goon!'
'Youshallnot!Untiethem,Itellyou!'
'Iammasterhere.Goon!'
Checcostrodetowardshimwithclenchedfists.
'ByGod,MasterPriest,youshallgothewayyoucame,ifyouthwartme.Untiethem!'
InamomentMatteoandIhadpushedasidethemenwhoheldthem,andcuttheircords.Checcostaggeredtowardsthechildren,andtheywithaboundthrewthemselvesintohisarms.Heclaspedthemtohimpassionately,andcoveredthemwithkisses.Ashoutofjoybrokefromthepeople,andmanyburstintotears.
Suddenlywesawacommotiononthecastlewalls.TheCountesshadfallenback,andmenwerepressingroundher.
Shehadfainted.
