Page:The International - Volume 1.djvu/161

Rh the Messina gate was rapidly coming to an end. The case seemed so clear that the town was finally compelled to admit the justness of the claim against it—of the 350 liras—and all would have been settled, had it not been for Marie, the wife of the lame tailor, and the niece and mistress of the syndic. Sitting upon the sculptured balcony, under dark shrubbery, in a court that every artist would have envied her, she spent her time plotting against Archangelo, whom she could never forgive for leaving her for Phenicia. She easily convinced the syndic, who himself was desirous of revenge, that he should oppose the payment of the claim, as his voice had great weight among the members of the council, many of whom envied Archangelo.

"I acknowledge that, in the end, we must pay," explained the syndic; "but it is well to let the law take its wonted course, and defer the payment as long as possible."

"Why, he has come by that money as if it had dropped into his lap from the sky," cried another, green with envy.

"But, in the meantime, Archangelo may perish; you know how hard up they are," said a timid voice in the crowd.

"We are in the right—let him perish; the law must take its course," was the reply.

″Why does he not compromise?" said the syndic. "If he would accept a fourth, we would pay him that amount at once."

Cries of approval were general; all wondered at the wisdom of the syndic. The following day they went to Archangelo, who indignantly declined the proposal. He had a right to the whole; why, then, should he be content with a part? They said he was greedy, which caused bitterness on both sides.

Venera dug her nails into her cheeks, and ran as usual to complain to Nunziata.

"We will seek justice to the last extremity!" she exclaimed. "God and all his angels must be with us."

Nunziata sympathized with them deeply. Nevertheless, she said: "Let not the poor seek for justice, it does not grow for them. Doubtless, God will be with you, but those that make and administer the laws have the devil with them, before whom, at times, God steps back to try our souls. From the beginning of the world, justice has gone in rags and fetters. If the law is for you, the whole world will be against you."

To their sorrow, Nunziata's prophecy was soon fulfilled. In a short time all the people of Taormin looked upon Archangelo as a public enemy, trying to enrich himself at the expense of the town. It did not occur to any one that the community also had duties toward the individual. Archangelo was despised by all. Not a single pair of shoes was brought to the little shop to be repaired, and gaunt poverty soon stared upon the inmates of Corvejo palace, from every nook and corner.

Archangelo wandered about like a spirit; Carmenio, who still got a little work, banged away at his copper kettles as if he were possessed; Venera wept without ceasing, clenched her fists, and cursed the day when her son brought Phenicia beneath their roof. Phenicia did what she could. She comforted the others—worked, prayed, and at times even went to their more fortunate neighbors to beg for a morsel of bread for the poor children.

Archangelo often went to Messina to see his attorney, who was so generous with his promises, that his client's return always brought a ray of hope to the suffering family. But the wheels of time turned very slowly, and the burden of poverty seemed all the heavier the longer it was borne. A black cloud hung over the Corvejo palace; the occupants no longer ate nor slept, and were as silent as though preparing for death. The hum of the busy street penetrated into the house like the scornful laugh of life, bringing joy to all except to them. And in the night, when all the city slept, they watched and sighed, and from afar they heard the sea singing something that sounded like a funeral dirge; through the battered Gothic windows the stars looked down upon them like the innumerable candles upon the altar of some great cathedral where mass was