Page:Tales of the Dead.djvu/176

 made an indelible impression on my mind of the events of that dismal morning.

“We were proceeding silently to the church of the Salutation; when Filippo, in our way thither, frequently requested me to remove the stranger from Camilla’s side, for she had evil designs against her.

What stranger?’ I asked him.

In God’s name, don’t speak so loud,’ replied he; ‘for you cannot but see how anxious she is to force herself between Camilla and me.’

Mere chimera, my friend; there are none but yourself and Camilla.’

Would to Heaven my eyes did not deceive me!’—‘Take care that she does not enter the church,’ added he, as we arrived at the door.

She will not enter it, rest assured,’ said I: and to the great astonishment of Camilla’s parents I made a motion as if to drive some one away.

“We found Filippo’s father already in the church; and as soon as his son perceived him, he took leave of him as if he was going to die. Camilla sobbed; and Filippo exclaimed:—

There’s the stranger; she has then got in.’

“The parents of Camilla doubted whether under such circumstances the marriage ceremony ought to be begun.