His face relaxed. A sigh passed his lips. His failing strength had apparently returned to him.
"You may call Fra Anselmo," he said gently. "But first, my son, kneel to receive my blessing!"
Francesco stumbled blindly to the bedside and forced himself to kneel. He shivered, as the sick man's hot, dry hand lay upon his hair, and only by main force he restrained himself from crying out aloud.
Then the whispered phrase of the benediction fell meaningless upon his ear:
"Pax tecum nunc et per omnia saecula,—Amen!"—
[CHAPTER II]
THE PLEDGE
