dvancedtotheplatform,andthere,thesoldiersfallingback,theprisonerswereleftstandingbeforetheirjudges.
'MarcoScorsacanaandPietroAlbanese,'saidtheCountess,inaclear,calmvoice,'youhavebeenfoundguiltyofmurderandtreasonandasitwasyouwhocastthebodyofmydearhusbandoutofthePalacewindowontothehardstonesofthepiazza,soyouaresentencedtobehangedfromthatsamewindow,andyourbodiescastdownontothehardstonesofthepiazza.'
Amurmurofapprovalcamefromthepopulace.Pietrowinced,butMarcoturnedtohimandsaidsomethingwhichIcouldnothearbutIsawtheglanceofdeepaffection,andtheansweringsmileofPietroasheseemedtotakecourage.
TheCountessturnedtoSavello.
'Doyounotagreethatthejudgmentisjust?'
'Mostjust!'hewhispered.
'Theprotonotarysays,"Mostjust!"'shecalledaloud,sothatallshouldhear.Themanwinced.
Marcolookedathimscornfully,andsaid,'Iwouldtentimesratherbeinmyplacethaninyours.'
TheCountesssmiledatthepriestandsaid,'Yousee,IcarryoutthewillofGodindoinguntoothersastheythemselveshavedone.'
Shemadeasign,andthetwomenwereledtothePalaceandupthestairs.ThewindowoftheHallofNymphswasthrownopen,andabeamthrustout,towhichwasattachedarope.Pietroappearedatthewindow,withoneendoftheroperoundhisneck.
'Good-bye,sweetfriend,'hesaidtoMarco.
'Good-bye,Pietrino,'andMarcokissedhim.
Thentwomenhurledhimfromthesill,andheswunginmid-airahorriblemovementpassedthroughhisbody,anditswayedfromsidetoside.Therewasapauseamanstretchedoutwithaswordandcuttherope.Fromthepeoplecameahugeshout,andtheycaughtthebodyasitfellandtoreittopieces.InafewminutesMarcoappearedatthewindow,butheboldlysprangoutintospace,needingnohelp.Inalittlewhilehewasahangingcorpse,andinalittlewhilemorethemobhadfallenonhimlikewolves.Ihidmyfaceinmyhands.Itwasawful!Oh,God!Oh,God!
Thenanotherbeatingofdrumsbrokethroughthetumult.Ilookedup,wonderingwhatwascoming.Atroopofsoldiersenteredthesquare,andafterthemanassledbyafoolw