“Leave that to me,” answered the marchesa, imperiously.  “If Count Nobili comes to marry you, is not that proof enough that he is satisfied?”

Enrica felt that it must be so.  A wild joy possessed her.  This joy was harder to bear than the pain.  Enrica was actually sinking under the hope that Nobili might return to her!

Fra Pacifico noticed the gray shadow that was creeping over her face.

“Enrica must go at once to her room,” he said abruptly, “else I cannot answer for the consequences.  Her strength is overtaxed.”

As he spoke, Fra Pacifico hastily opened the door leading into the sala.  He took Enrica by the hand and raised her.  She was perfectly passive.  The marchesa rose also; for the first time she came into the full light of the lamp.  Enrica stooped and kissed her hand mechanically.

“My niece, you may prepare for your approaching marriage.  Count Nobili will be here shortly—­never fear.”

The marchesa’s manner was strange, almost menacing.  Fra Pacifico led Enrica across the sala to her own door.  When he returned, the marchesa was again reading Count Nobili’s letter.

“A love-match in the Guinigi family!” She was laughing with derision.  “What are we coming to?”

She tore the letter into innumerable fragments.

“My father, I shall leave for Lucca early to-morrow.  You must look after Enrica.  I am satisfied with what has passed.”

“God send we have done right!” answered the priest, gloomily.  “Now at least she has a chance of life.”

“Adieu, Fra Pacifico.  When next we meet it will be at the marriage.”

Fra Pacifico withdrew.  Had he done his duty?—­Fra Pacifico dared not ask himself the question.

CHAPTER VI.

THE CHURCH AND THE LAW.

Ten days after the departure of the marchesa, Fra Pacifico received the following letter: 

REVEREND AND ESTEEMED FATHER:  I have put the matter of Enrica’s marriage into the hands of the well-known advocate, Maestro Guglielmi, of Lucca.  He at once left for Rome.  By extraordinary diligence he procured a summons for Count Nobili to appear within fifteen days before the tribunal, to answer in person for his breach of marriage-contract—­unless, before the expiration of that time, he should make the contract good by marriage.  The citation was left with the secretary at Count Nobili’s own house.  Maestro Guglielmi also informed the secretary, by my order, that, in default of his—­Count Nobili’s—­appearance, a detailed account of the whole transaction with my niece, and of other transactions touching Count Nobili’s father, known to me—­of which I have informed Maestro Guglielmi—­would be published—­upon my authority—­in every newspaper in all the cities throughout Italy, with such explanations and particulars as I might see fit to insert.  Also that the name of Count Nobili, as a slanderer and a perjurer, should be placarded on all the spare walls of Lucca, at Florence, and throughout Tuscany.  The secretary denies any knowledge of his master’s present address.  He declared that he was unable, therefore, to communicate with him.