Page:The Coming Race, etc - 1888.djvu/359

Rh She had died, perhaps of love, more likely of shame. Do you know how I spent that night? I will tell you:—I stole a pickaxe from a mason's shed, and, all alone and unseen, under the frosty heavens I dug the fresh mould from the grave,—I lifted the coffin,—I wrenched the lid,—I saw her again —again. Decay had not touched her. She was always pale in her life!—I could have sworn she lived!—It was a blessed thing to see her once more, and all alone too! But then at dawn, to give her back to the earth,—to close the lid, to throw down the mould, to hear the pebbles rattle on the coffin,—that was dreadful! Signer, I never knew before, and I don't wish to think now, how valuable a thing human life is. At sunrise I was again a wanderer; but now, that Clara was gone, my scruples vanished, and again I was at war with my betters. I contrived, at last, at O, to get taken on board a vessel bound to Leghorn, working out my passage. From Leghorn I went to Rome, and stationed myself at the door of the cardinal's palace. Out he came,—his gilded coach at the gate.

"'Ho, father,' said I, 'don't you know me?'

'"Who are you?'

"'Your son,' said I, in a whisper.

"The cardinal drew back, looked at me earnestly, and mused a moment. ' All men are my sons,' quoth he then, very mildly, 'there is gold for thee. To him who begs once, alms are due; to him who begs twice, jails are open. Take the hint, and molest me no more. Heaven bless thee! 'With that he got into his coach, and drove off to the Vatican. His purse, which he had left behind, was well supplied. I was grateful and contented, and took my way to Terracina. I had not long passed the marshes, when I saw two horsemen approach at a canter.

"'You look poor, friend,' said one of them, halting; 'yet you are strong.'

"'Poor men and strong are both serviceable and dangerous, Signor Cavalier.'

"'Well said—follow us.'

"I obeyed and became a bandit. I rose by degrees; and as I have always been mild in my calling, and have taken purses without cutting throats, bear an excellent character, and can eat my macaroni at Naples without any danger to life and limbs. For the last two years I have settled in these parts, where I hold sway, and where I have purchased land. I am called a farmer, signer; and I myself now only rob for amusement, and to keep my hand in. I trust I have satisfied your curiosity. We are within a hundred yards of the castle."