Little by little the Market Place filled with people. The soldiers marched up, the executioner arrived, and much noise and talking went on around her; but she saw and heard nothing. She felt as if she were quite alone.
When Nicola Tungo arrived, it was just the same with him. He had no thought for all the others, but saw only her. When he saw at the first glance that she was entirely overcome with sorrow, his face beamed, and he felt almost happy. He called loudly to her:
'You have not slept much this night, maiden?'
'No,' she said; 'I have watched in prayer for you; but now I am in despair, for my prayers have no power.'
He knelt down before the block, and she knelt so that she could hold his head in her hands.
'Now I am going to your Bridegroom, Caterina.'
She sobbed more and more.
'I can comfort you so badly,' she said.
He looked at her with a strange smile.