ndnothinghappens.
ThegoodForlivesicouldnotunderstandit:theywerelookingforsignsandmiracles,andbehold!theycamenot.Eachdaytheysaidtothemselvesthatthiswouldbeonetoberememberedinthehistoryofthetownthatto-dayGirolamowouldsurelyleavehishesitationsbutthedayworeonquitecalmly.Everyonetookhisdinnerandsupperasusual,thesunjourneyedfromeasttowestasithaddoneonthepreviousday,thenightcame,andtheworthycitizenwenttohisbedathisusualhour,andsleptinpeacetillthefollowingsunrise.Nothinghappened,anditseemedthatnothingwasgoingtohappen.Thetroubledspiritsgraduallycametotheconclusionthattherewasnothingtobetroubledabout,andtheoldquietcameoverthetowntherewasnotalkofnewtaxes,andtheworldwaggedon....CheccoandMatteoandtheMoratiniresignedthemselvestothefactthattheskywasserene,andthattheyhadbetterpursuetheirwaywithouttroublingtheirlittleheadsaboutconspiraciesandmidnightdaggers.
Meanwhile,Ilaughed,andadmiredtheirfollyandmyownwisdom.ForIworriedmyselfaboutnoneofthesethingsIlivedinGiulia,forGiulia,byGiulia....Ihadneverenjoyedsuchhappinessbeforeshewasalittlecold,perhaps,butIdidnotmind.Ihadpassionthatlivedbyitsownflame,andIcaredfornothingaslongassheletmeloveher.AndIarguedwithmyselfthatitisanobviousthingthatloveisnotthesameonbothsides.Thereisalwaysonewholovesandonewholetshimselfbeloved.PerhapsitisaspecialdecreeofNatureforthemanlovesactively,caressesandispassionatewhilethewomangivesherselftohim,andisinhisembracelikesomesweet,helplessanimal.IdidnotaskforsuchloveasIgaveallIaskedwasthatmyloveshouldletherselfbeloved.ThatwasallIcaredforthatwasallIwanted.MyloveforGiuliawaswonderfuleventome.IfeltIhadlostmyselfinher.Ihadgivenmywholebeingintoherhand.SamsonandDelilah!ButthiswasnofaithlessPhilistine.Iwouldhavegivenmyhonourintoherkeepingandfeltitassureasinmyown.InmygreatloveIfeltsuchdevotion,suchreverence,thatsometimesIhardlydaredtouchheritseemedtomeImustkneelandworshipatherfeet.Ilearntt