Thereupon
old Saracinesca, whose blood was roused by the atrocity, delivered
a terrible anathema against the murderous wretches who had ruined
the building, and expressed himself in favour of burning them
alive, a fate, indeed, far too good for them. Anastase profited by
the old gentleman's eloquence to make advances to the baby. Little
Orsino, however, struck him a vigorous blow in the face with his
tiny fist and yelled lustily.
"He does not like strangers," remarked Corona, coldly. She rose
with the child in her arms and moved towards the door, Gouache
following her with the intention of opening it for her to go out.
The prince was still thundering out curses against the
conspirators, and Anastase attempted to say a word unobserved as
Corona passed him.
"Will you not give me a hearing?" he asked in a low tone,
accompanying his words with an imploring look.
Corona raised her eyebrows slightly as though surprised, but his
expression of genuine contrition softened her heart a little and
rendered her answer perhaps a trifle less unkind than she had
meant it to be.
"You should be satisfied--since I keep your secret," she said, and
passed quickly out.
When Gouache turned after closing the door he was aware that Sant'
Ilario had been watching him, by the fixed way in which he was now
looking in another direction.
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