The Marchesa's nerves were terribly shaken by the tragedy, but she has
recovered wonderfully and still fans herself and smokes countless
cigarettes through the long summer afternoon.
Of those left, Bastianello and Beatrice are the most changed--both,
perhaps, for the better. The sailor is graver and sterner than before,
but he still has the gentleness which was never his brother's. Beatrice
has not yet learned the great lesson of love in her own heart, but she
knows and will never forget what love can grow to be in another, for she
has fathomed its deepest depth.
And now you will tell me that Ruggiero did wrong and was a great sinner,
and a murderer, and a suicide, and old Luigione is sure that he is
burning in unquenchable fire. And perhaps he is, though that is a
question neither you nor I can well decide. But one thing I can say of
him, and that you cannot deny. He was a man, strong, whole-hearted,
willing to give all, as he gave it, without asking. And perhaps if some
of us could be like Ruggiero in all but his end, we should be better
than we are, and truer, and more worthy to win the love of woman and
better able to keep it.
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