The Carmelite turned instinctively towards the palace, forgetting in the sudden impulse all but his sense of earthly justice. There were forms at the windows, and he fancied a signal to stay the impending blow was about to be given.
"Hold!" he exclaimed. "For the love of Maria of most pure memory, be not too hasty!"
The exclamation was repeated by a shrill female voice, and then Gelsomina, eluding every effort to arrest her, rushed through the Dalmatians, and reached the group between the granite columns. Wonder and curiosity agitated the multitude, and a deep murmur ran through the square.
"'Tis a maniac!" cried one.
"'Tis a victim of his arts!" said another, for when men have a reputation for any particular vice, the world seldom fails to attribute all the rest.
Gelsomina seized the bonds of Jacopo, and endeavored frantically to release his arms.
"I had hoped thou would'st have been spared this sight, poor Gessina!" said the condemned.
"Be not alarmed!" she answered, gasping for breath. "They do it in mockery; 't is one of their wiles to mislead—but they cannot—no, they dare not harm a hair of thy head, Carlo!"
"Dearest Gelsomina!"
"Nay, do not hold me; I will speak to the citizens, and tell them all. They are angry now, but when they know the truth they will love thee, Carlo, as I do."