Adone could suspect him! Adone could believe him to be an informer!
Was this all the recompense for eighteen years of unwearying affection, patience, and tuition? Though the whole world had witnessed against him, he would have sworn that Adone Alba would have been faithful to him.
"He is mad," he thought. "His first great wrong turns his blood to poison. He will come to me weeping to-morrow."
But he knew that what Adone had said to him, however repented of, however washed away with tears, was one of those injuries which may be forgiven, but can never be forgotten, by any living man. It would yawn like a pit between them for ever.
XVIII
To this apple-tree field there was a high hedge of luxuriant elder and ash, myrtle and field-roses. Behind this hedge old Gianna was waiting for him; the tears were running down her face. She took the skirt of his coat between her hands. "Wait, your reverence, wait! The child is in the cattle stable."
Don Silverio looked down on her a few moments without comprehension. Then he remembered.
"Is she there indeed? Poor little soul! She must not go to the house."
"She does not dream of it, sir. Only she cannot understand why Madonna Clelia's anger is so terrible. What can I do — oh, Lord!"