Note: Translator Pauline Bancroft Flach died in 1966, less than 70 years ago. Therefore, this work is protected by copyright, restricting your legal rights to reproduce it. However, you are welcome to view it on screen, as you do now. Read more about copyright.
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PALAZZO G ERA CI — PA LA ZZO CORVAJA 281
The wife was desperate, the husband perhaps
even more so. He threatened the carabiniere
whenever he made a movement. Yet the carabiniere
seemed to see that the victory would be his. The
people had laughed when he spoke of “ Signorina
Francesco.” “Cut me down, if you will,” he said to
Piero. “Does it help you? Will you retain the
child for that? He is not yours. He is Ninetta’s.”
Piero turned to Donna Micaela. “Pray to him to
help me.” He pointed to the image.
Donna Micaela instantly went forward to Marcia.
She was shy and trembled for what she was
venturing, but it was not the time for her to hold back.
“ Marcia,” she whispered, “confess! Confess, — if
you dare!” ’The startled woman looked at her.
“I see it so well,” whispered Donna Micaela; “you
are as alike as two berries. But I will say nothing
if you do not wish it.” “ He will kill me,” said
Marcia. “ I know one who will not let him kill
you,” said Donna Micaela. “Otherwise they will
take your child from you,” she added.
All were silent, with eyes fixed on the two women.
They saw how Marcia struggled with herself. The
features of her strong face were distorted. Her lips
moved. “The child is mine,” she said, but in so
low a voice that no one heard it. She said it again,
and now it came in a piercing scream: “ The child
is mine!”
“What will you do to me when I confess it?”
she said to the man. “The child is mine, but not
yours. He was born in the year when you were at
work in Messina. I put him with La Felucca, and
Ninetta’s boy was there too. One day when I came
to La Felucca she said, 4 Ninetta’s boy is dead.’
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