Chapter 37: The Adorer

VI.—Memorare

“Memorare, pia Virgo, non esse auditum
a saeculo quemquam ad tau currentem
praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua
petentem suffragia, a te esse derelictum.”
Saint Bernard.

“My lord, my lord, hush! listen!” exclaimed Veltro during the ascent of the tower’s staircase. “But do not betray me! I believe they are interceding for you, for the affair was infamous, if I know aught about it. To-morrow, my lord, to-morrow, you understand, I know that the order will come to open the door for you, but hush!”

“What?” Guido, atremble, questioned, “I shall be free to-morrow?”

“Yes, my lord, but that is enough on this subject. Only, I believe that your lordship owes a present to our holy madonna. She has rewarded your devotion, she has interceded; it is she, I am sure it is she...”

“Thank you, Veltro, you are a good man. The first ducats that are returned to me will be for the Novella, the second for you.”

He hastened to the accustomed vision, but his limbs gave way, his hands glanced over the rope-support, his heart beat like the eternal clock; he required the effort of supreme will-power to overcome dizziness, to pass the last steps, to fall on his knees near the balustrade.

There, full of anguish, made giddy by the sudden rolling that shook the tower, like a ship amid storm, he felt himself fainting, then his eyes dimmed and he wept.

Indifferent as a madonna, the Novella watched him weep.

Then, without transition, he felt in his soul the rage that dismissed lovers feel.