To be sure it was a
signal warning to all men, as to the evils which might be expected
to flow from any sipping of the Circean cup which such creatures
proffered to their lips. But what fate could be too bad for the
Siren herself? To think of the audacity, the shameless effrontery of
such an one in daring to spread her lures, and wind her enchantments
around such a man as the Marchese di Castelmare. Of course he, poor
man, could not but feel her death as a terrible shock. What he had
set his heart on had been violently and awfully, taken away from
him. And how true it is that the blessed Saints know what is most
truly for our good! But what is all that to the dreadful accusation
hanging over the Marchese Ludovico? A Castelmare in the prison of
Ravenna under accusation of murder! And if it really were the case,
that the unfortunate young man, driven by the prospect of being
hurled down from his position and robbed of his inheritance, had
done this deed, how great, how terrible, must be the remorse of the
Marchese Lamberto!
It was curiously characteristic of the moral nature and habits of
thought of the people, that the Marchese Ludovico, even on the
hypothesis that he had committed the murder, was very leniently
judged for his share in the tragedy.
The men were more inclined to bear hard on the Marchese Lamberto.
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