Talk of these things made no little agitation in the town when
ceremonies were over and the coffin had been embarked. The
generality threw up their hands, and cried shame, and asked why the
bishop did not take some action in so grave a scandal. But here and
there folk whispered together in a different tone, with winkings and
lips compressed, and nods significant of menace. Patience! Wait a
day or two, and they would see what they would see. Heaven was not
regardless of iniquity.
Scarce had the ship weighed anchor, to be wafted across the bay by a
gentle wind, when Petronilla started on her land journey for Rome.
The great chariot, the baggage, the servants riding, made fresh
commotion in Surrentum; many accompanied the great lady along the
winding road until they were weary and their curiosity satisfied. To
this obsequious escort Petronilla uttered certain words which before
evening were repeated throughout the town. 'Let us forgive our
enemies,' she said, with that air of hers, at once so grand and so
devout--'let us forgive our enemies, but let us omit no means,
however rigorous, of saving their souls'; and of those who reported
the saying, some winked and nodded more significantly than ever.
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