Pagina 604 van 1118

Meanwhile the Unknown, standing at the door of the castle, looked

below, and saw the litter slowly ascending, and Nibbio walking a

few steps in advance of it. At the sight of his master, he

hurried forward. "Come here," said the signor to him, and led the

way to an inner hall. "Well?" said he, stopping.-"All has been

done according to your wishes," replied Nibbio, bowing. "The

order in time, the young girl in time, no one near the place, a

single cry, no one alarmed, the coachman diligent, the horses

swift; but--"

"But what?"

"But, to say truth, I would rather have received orders to plunge

a dagger in her heart at once, than to have been obliged to look

at her, and hear her entreaties."

"What is this? What is this? What do you mean?"

"I would say that during the whole journey-yes, during the whole

journey-she has excited my compassion."

"Compassion! What dost thou know of compassion? What is

compassion?"