The monk had calculated on the sick man's waning strength, and the ebbing tide of life proved his mightiest ally.
The stricken man lay still for a time, then he heaved a sigh.
"God grant that your words be true,—that I have not cast him in the way of temptation instead."
Raising himself with difficulty upon his pillows, he glanced significantly at the envoy from Rome. Then, with voice needlessly hushed, for there was no one present to hear him, he added:
"He must depart at once! He must not return to Avellino!"
The monk pondered a while, then shook his head.
"It were hardly wise. Francesco has signed the pledge and will not break his oath. He must himself inform the Apulian court of his decision, of his choice."
And inwardly he thought: Thus only will the sacrifice be complete and the triumph of the Church!
"Might he not inform them from wherever he goes?"
There was a strange dread in the elder Villani's eyes, which remained not unobserved by the other.