When it was night and the piazza deserted, Andrea and I and the old
steward went out and made our way to the place where the horrible corpse
was lying. We wrapped it in a long black cloth and took it up silently,
bearing it to the church where for generations the Orsi had been buried.
A dark-robed monk met us in the nave and led the way to a door, which he
opened; then, as if frightened, left us. We found ourselves in the
cloisters. We laid the body down under an arch and advanced into the
centre, where was a plot of green scattered over with little crosses. We
took spades and began to dig; a thin rain drizzled down and the ground
was stiff and clayey. It was hard work and I sweated; I took off my coat
and allowed the rain to fall on me unprotected; I was soon wet to the
skin. Silently Andrea and I turned up the soil, while Pietro, beneath
the cloisters, watched by the body and prayed. We were knee deep now,
and still we threw up heavy spadefuls of clay. At last I said,--
'It is enough.'
We climbed out and went to the body. We took it up and bore it to the
grave, and reverently we laid it in. Pietro placed a crucifix on the old
master's breast, and then we began to pile in the earth.
And so without priests, without mourning, in the dead of night, and by
the drizzling rain, was buried Orso Orsi, the great head of the family.
In his time he had been excellent in war and in all the arts of peace.
He had been noted for his skill in commerce; in politics he had been the
first of his city, and, besides, he had been a great and generous patron
of the arts. But he lived too long, and died thus miserably.
Next day I set about thinking what I should do. I could be of no more
use to anyone in Forli; indeed, I had never been of use, for I had only
stood by and watched while those I loved and honoured were being put to
cruel deaths. And now I must see that my presence did not harm my kind
hosts. Caterina had thrown into prison some fifty of those who had taken
part in the rebellion, notwithstanding her solemn promise of amnesty,
and I knew well enough that if I were discovered Pietro and Andrea would
suffer as severe a punishment as myself. They gave no sign that my
presence was a menace to them, but in the woman's eyes, Andrea's mother,
I saw an anxious look, and at any unexpected sound she would start and
look fearfully at me. I made up my mind to go immediately. When I told
Andrea, he insisted on coming with me, and although I painted the danger
in lively colours he would not be dissuaded. The next day was
market-day, and we resolved to slip out in a cart as soon as the gates
were opened. We would be taken for tradesmen, and no one would pay
attention to us.
I was anxious to see what was happening in the town and what people were
talking of; but I thought it prudent not to venture out, for my disguise
might be seen through, and if I were discovered I knew well what to
expect. So I sat at home twiddling my thumbs and chattering with Andrea.
At last, getting tired of doing nothing, and seeing the good woman about
to scrub out her courtyard, I volunteered to do it for her. I got a
broom and a pail of water and began sweeping away vigorously, while
Andrea stood in the doorway scoffing. For a little while I forgot the
terrible scene in the piazza.
There was a knock at the door. We stopped and listened; the knock was
repeated, and as no answer was given, the latch was raised and the door
opened. A servant-maid walked in and carefully closed it behind her. I
recognised her at once; it was Giulia's maid. I shrank back, and Andrea
stood in front of me. His mother went forward.
'And pray, madam, what can I do for you?'
The maid did not answer, but stepped past her.
'There is a serving-man here for whom I have a message.'
She came straight towards me, and handed me a piece of paper; then,
without another word, slid back to the door and slipped out.
The note contained four words, 'Come to me to-night,' and the
handwriting was Giulia's. A strange feeling came over me as I looked at
it, and my hand trembled a little.... Then I began pondering. Why did
she want me? I could not think, and it occurred to me that perhaps she
wished to give me up to the Countess. I knew she hated me, but I could
not think her as vile as that; after all, she was her father's daughter,
and Bartolomeo was a gentleman. Andrea looked at me questioningly.
'It is an invitation from my greatest enemy to put myself in her hands.'
'But you will not?'
'Yes,' I said, 'I will.'
'Why?'
'Because it is a woman.'
'But do you think she would betray you?'
'She might.'
'And you are going to take the risk?'
'I think I should be glad to prove her so utterly worthless.'
Andrea looked at me open-mouthed; he could not understand. An idea
struck him.
'Are you in love with her?'
'No; I was.'
'And now?'
'Now, I do not even hate her.'