'Checco! Checco!'
It was heartbreaking.
'Go on!' said Savello.
A groan burst from Checco, and he swayed to and fro, as if he were going
to fall.
'Go on!' said Savello.
But Checco could not bear it.
'Oh, God! Stop!--stop!'
'What do you mean?' said Savello, angrily. 'Go on!'
'I cannot! Untie them!'
'You fool! I threatened to hang them, and I will. Go on!'
'You shall not! Untie them, I tell you!'
'I am master here. Go on!'
Checco strode towards him with clenched fists.
'By God, Master Priest, you shall go the way you came, if you thwart me.
Untie them!'
In a moment Matteo and I had pushed aside the men who held them, and cut
their cords. Checco staggered towards the children, and they with a
bound threw themselves into his arms. He clasped them to him
passionately, and covered them with kisses. A shout of joy broke from
the people, and many burst into tears.
Suddenly we saw a commotion on the castle walls. The Countess had fallen
back, and men were pressing round her.
She had fainted.