Ellena lifted it, gazed upon it for a moment, and then pressing it to her lips said, "This was my father."
"Your father!" he repeated in an inward voice, "your father!" and shuddering, turned away.
Ellena looked at him with surprise. "I never knew a father's care," she said, "nor till lately did I perceive the want of it.—But now."——
"His name?" interrupted the Confessor.
"But now," continued Ellena—"if you are not as a father to me—to whom can I look for protection?"
"His name?" repeated Schedoni, with sterner emphasis.
"It is sacred," replied Ellena, "for he was unfortunate!"
"His name?" demanded the Confessor, furiously.
"I have promised to conceal it, father."
"On your life, I charge you tell it; remember, on your life!"