Thus they obtained a list of the clergy who
wereacting as spies for the government. I am going to die, and indespair, since I
shall not see you again.
No sooner had the gaoler moved away thanVanina
flung herself on Missirillis bosom.
The young man said to him with a laugh:Why,
Monsignor, do not you recognise Vanina Vanini?
Come and see me, and if God is to call me
toHimself, I shall die happy in your arms.
The trial of the carbonari from Forli did not take
long. Vanina sank down on a chair, half unconscious, and plunged in the
mostagonizing grief.
When her tale was finished:All this is nothing,
said Vanina: I have done more, in my love foryou.
Never have you seemed so adorable, she cried; yes,
my littlecountry surgeon, I am yours for ever. He would have succeeded hut for the
gaoler, who came running at thesound of her cries. I swear to keep your secret, and,
if youinsist on it, I will never come again. He would have succeeded hut for the
gaoler, who came running at thesound of her cries.
A moment later the Ministertook a chocolate drop
from a comfit box. Destroy, crush the scoundrel who hasbetrayed us, even if he
should be my own father. I will take them both into my service, said the young
Princeimpulsively. Once, about midnight, he thought he could see someone inthe dark
on the terrace: was it Vanina? Our venuta was surprised; I wasbrought, in chains,
from the Romagna to Rome.
Vanina came each night to press her face against
the panes of theyoung carbonaros window. However that may be, thislady, whose name
must never be uttered, saved my life.
Withoutanswering Missirilli, she offered him these.
ThoseRoman Princes, whom I despise as citizens, have so many advantagesover
me!
All sounds had long ceased; Vanina was absorbed in
her sombrethoughts.
I am going to send to fetch him, replied Vanina.
The day before yesterday, I liedwhen I said that my name was Clementina; I am an
unhappy carbonaro.
The words he had now utteredstruck a fatal spark in
her mind.
Yourmeeting this evening can do without you.