I know it."
"And that would be the miracle--if she ever should? Such miracles have
been done by men themselves without the help of the saints, before now."
Ruggiero looked up sharply and he felt his hands shaking. He thought she
was speaking of what had just happened, of which he had been a witness.
"Such miracles as that may happen--but they are the devil's miracles."
Beatrice was silent for a moment. She was indeed inclined to believe in
a special intervention of the powers of evil in her own case. Had she
not been suddenly moved to tell a man that she loved him, only to
discover a moment later that it was a mistake?
"What is the miracle you pray for, Ruggiero?" she asked after a pause.
"To be changed into some one else, Excellency."
"And then--would she love you?"
"By Our Lady's grace--perhaps!" The deep voice shook again. He set his
teeth, folded his arms over his throbbing breast, and planted one foot
firmly on a stone before him, as though to await a blow.
"I am very sorry for you, Ruggiero," said Beatrice in soft, kind tones.
"God render you your kindness--it is better than nothing," he answered.
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