Part 3: Chapters 40-46 Summary

In chapter 40, Alessandra and Erila run into a monk who claims to be looking for help for an injured person, but the person has clearly been dead a long time. Erila helps Alessandra escape, convinced the monk is the murderer who has been terrorizing the city's poor. They arrive home from Plautilla's to find an anxious Cristoforo waiting for her. Tomaso has been arrested and Cristoforo is frightened he might give his lover's name under torture. Alessandra waits up with Cristoforo all night only to learn that Tomaso gave his torturer's the painter's name instead.

In chapter 41, Cristoforo promises to get both the painter and Tomaso released. Cristoforo has learned that more people have come out against Savonarola and his rule is about to fall. This suggests it will be possible for Cristoforo to use his political connections to...