If the judges took this view of
the case, it was clear that Giovanni would have little chance of
an acquittal. The thing looked so possible that even Corona might
believe it--even Corona, for whose sake he had rushed madly into
such desperate danger.
And to-day she would not see him; very possibly she would not know
where he was. And to-morrow? And the next day? And all the days
after that? He supposed that he would be allowed to write to her,
perhaps to see her, but it would be hard to explain his position.
She did not love him any longer, and she would not understand. He
wondered how much she would care, if she really cared at all,
beyond a discreet anxiety for his safety. She would certainly not
comprehend a love like his, which had chosen such a sacrifice,
rather than allow her wish to remain ungratified. How could she,
since she did not love him? And yet, it was imperatively necessary
that she should be informed of what had happened. She might
otherwise suppose, naturally enough, that some accident had
befallen him, and she would in that case apply to the police,
perhaps to the cardinal himself, to find out where he was. Such a
contingency must be prevented, by some means, before night. Until
then, she would not be frightened by his absence.
Pages:
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553