“I was tossed hither and thither. I had such failures that life seemed to me a mockery, and such successes that I would fain have lived a thousand years. Of one thing in it all I am glad: I never complained of God in failure, nor glorified myself in success. I give thanks for that!”
He closed his eyes and seemed to pray.
After a moment he spoke again.
“I have known one perfect thing on earth,” he said, and clasped his hands. “I have found in life one beauty that grows on the soul forever. One being in touching the earth has consecrated it. There is no flaw in Jesus of Nazareth.”
The pause that followed was so long that Don Claudio bent to touch the cold hands.
The dying man roused himself.
“Farewell, my beloved pupil!” he said. “God be with thee! Go in peace! And tell them to come to me.”
The young man knelt, and weeping, pressed his lips to the cold hand that could not lift itself.
“Farewell! God be with you!” he echoed in a stifled voice; and rose and went out of the room.
A light shone through the open door of an adjoining chamber, and Tacita and the nurse could be seen each lying on a sofa inside. They started up at the sound of Don Claudio’s step.