The Procuratore of the court then began to examine the old man with
reference to his knowledge of the circumstances connected with the
visit of Paolina Foscarelli to the church of St. Apollinare, and her
disposal of herself after leaving it; but the friar replied that it
would be uselessly occupying the time of the court to enter into any
such particulars, inasmuch as he had come thither to prove that
Paolina had nothing whatever to do with the crime.
"But," remarked the Procuratore, "if it is in your power to do that,
why did you not give the necessary information to the Commissary of
Police when you were, on several occasions, examined at St.
Apollinare?"
"Signori miei," said the old man, addressing himself to the court in
general, "it is no affair of mine to meddle with the administration
of human justice. No words that I could say could undo the deed, or
bring the murdered woman back to life. Evil enough had been done.
Why should I cause further trouble, and sorrow, and shame, to
others? It was more fitting to one of my order to leave retribution
in the hands of Him who can best award it, and whose mercy may touch
the heart of the sinner with repentance."
"But if so, frate mio," rejoined the Procuratore, "what, pray, is
the motive that now brings you here?"
"Surely, the determination that the innocent shall not suffer for
the guilty.
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