aclotma of lamnanansKrrc University of California Berkeley From the collection of MRS. ALFRED EHRMAN EMMA AND ALFRED E H KM AN THE MADONNA OF SACRIFICE BOOKS BY MR. ORCUTT The Madonna of Sacrifice. A Story of Florence The Moth. A Novel The Lever. A Novel The Spell. A Novel The Flower of Destiny. A Novel Robert Cavelier. A Novel Princess Kallisto. And other Tales of the Fairies Good Old Dorchester. A Narrative History The Writer's Desk-Book 71ORGIVE, forgive! " he faintly murmured. I For the last time he raised himself, direct- ing his dimmed eyes toward the frame which had always enclosed his Madonna. [Page 49] THE MADONNA SACRIFICE A STORY OF FLORENCE BY WILLIAM DANA ORGUTT Frontispiece bg Gertrude Demain Hammond CHICAGO F. G. BROWNE & CO. 1913 COPYRIGHT, 1913 BY F. G. BROWNE & CO. All rights reserved Copyright in England PUBLISHED, FEBRUARY, 1913 THE -PLIMPTON -PRESS {W-D-Oj NORWOOD-MA SS-U-S'A THE MADONNA OF SACRIFICE The Madonna ^Sacrifice TT^OFO rose guiltily from the -*- marvelously-carved old prie- Dieu as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps, wondering if the impression of his elbows, left behind in the luxurious velvet cushions, would betray the great liberty he had taken. Safe he was from discovery he knew, for at this time in the day the shadows became heavy in the little chapel of the Palazzo Orcagna, illumined as it was only by the flickering [3] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE light which shone intermittently from the two tiny silver lamps, ever burning before the Madonna of Sacrifice. The picture hung directly above the small altar; at the left stood the life-size Ecce Homo, of wood and stucco. Times without number had Fofo knelt before the Madonna during the years which had elapsed since first he entered the Orcagna household, and when on his twelfth birthday his duties were made to include those of acolyte, tending the candles and supplying the wine for the mass, he rejoiced; for he knew that it must have been his own dear Lady who had that day chosen him to be her attendant, as to [4] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE her alone was given knowledge of the anniversary. IN those days mass was regularly said in the little chapel of the Orcagnas, but since the beautiful Donna Giulia had left it two years before, as the bride of the hand- some Barone, the acolyte had been required to don his cassock and surplice only at rare intervals. Fofo missed this sadly. The chapel was to him the only real home he had ever known, and the Madonna of Sacrifice his nearest mother. So it was that each moment he could steal from his household duties was passed in her sweet companionship, and the service [51 THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE which he rendered in the chapel was to her rather than to the padrone di casa, the Marquis d' Orcagna. [E might have thought that it was not well for a youth whose frail body could scarce endure his daily labors to spend so much of his time in this damp, sunless chapel. They might indeed be even more persuaded could they have noted the changes which had taken place in Fofo since his young mistress had gone to her new home. The little acolyte had lengthened out until his blue, homespun blouse came down only to the hips, and his loose trousers failed to touch [6] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE his ankles. His deep, brown eyes, always the most prominent part of his face, seemed now even larger and more wistful, since the face had become thinner and more wan, and the hair grew unheeded almost to his shoulders. The Donna Giulia would have heeded it, but the Mar- quis was too preoccupied. Fofo moved so quietly about the house, and attended so faithfully to his duties, that the master did not notice him. But no one there was who would have denied him the blessed privilege of kneeling to his dear Lady. He longed to do more than merely bend his knee and mur- mur the familiar words to which his lips had become accustomed. [7] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE Today, as his eye caught sight of the volume resting on the prie-Dieu, left there by the last member of the household who had preceded him, he had yielded to a great temptation. The Madonna must be as wearied as he at hearing the one single prayer which he had repeated to her over and over, how many times he could not say. If he might kneel to his beloved mistress with his eyes upon the book resting before him, perhaps he could frame a new prayer with the lips as if his eyes had learned it from the book, and she would forgive his shallow pretense be- cause of the added homage which his act had paid her. [8] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE 11 IS eyes did not remain long upon the book. Nothing could keep them from gazing into the depths of those glorious orbs, radi- ating at him from the sublimely beautiful face of the Madonna. For centuries the wonderful crea- tion of the great master had hung there, greeting each new genera- tion of the Orcagnas with a loving welcome which endured up to the time when they in turn required her sympathy and consolation. Strangers came from far-away countries, counting it a rare' priv- ilege to see her, and she had been coveted for every great collection; yet Fofd knew how jealously the [9] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE sweet Madonna saved her real ex- pression for him and for those of the household to whom it rightfully belonged. ITE watched the shadows deepen, changing from purple into gray. The great silver candle-sticks, the Orcagna coat-of-arms emblazoned upon the tapestries, the heavy carved chairs, all faded away, but the face of the dear Madonna smiled upon him, and listened ap- provingly to the new prayer which he brokenly delivered in her honor. Fof6 had no right to kneel at the carved desk, and it was his con- science rather than his ears which first detected the approaching foot- [10] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE steps. As they came nearer, Fof6 knew them to be his master's, and his heart beat so violently that he feared it might bring on that paroxysm of coughing which he had learned to dread, and thus disclose his hiding-place. The pro- tecting shadows hung heavily about the pillar behind which he stood; the Madonna had not reproved him for his daring. Courage entered Fofd's heart. The master might speak harshly to him, he might even order him to be flogged, but what matter so long as the dear Madonna had not refused him her ever-comforting smile, to which naught else in Fofo's life compared ! Hi] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE 1 HE Marquis entered the little chapel. No one could help admir- ing the tall, straight figure, un- touched as yet by time, and the handsome face, which portrayed the fire and pride of the artist and, yet again, of the patrician. For the Orcagnas inherited the artistic feeling of their great ancestor, whose marvelous shrine, designed by him, and fashioned after ten years' labor, the expression his soul demanded of his hand, is still shown to admiring throngs in Florence at the Orsanmichele as one of the jewels of lavishly- bedecked Italy. To the fame of the House of Orcagna later gener- [12] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE ations had added fortune, trans- mitting both to its posterity. -T OFO'S watchful eyes detected a shadow resting upon his master's face which was not cast there by the fast-gathering twilight. He had noticed it before, yet it had not impressed him as it did today. What more natural than that the father's heart be saddened by the loneliness which came into the household when the beautiful Donna Giulia had left it on her wedding day? Still, the memory of the festival, Fof 6 thought, should be a comfort to the Marquis, for its sumptuousness had been a seven- days' wonder even in Florence, [13] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE which city has witnessed so many regal nuptials. Pride alone should have solaced him, for the dowry, given by the Marquis with his daughter, was said to equal a prince's ransom, in keeping with the precedents of the House of Orcagna. Fofo himself had been permitted to see the rich necklet of diamonds, rubies and pearls, the hood and the net for the fair Donna Giulia's hair, both gener- ously interwoven with pearls, the great pieces of cloth, satins, vel- vets and damasks, embroidered cushions, belts, purses, thimbles, needlecases, ivory combs, together with beaten silverware of every description. But the one present [14] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE which he had gazed at, with greater interest even than the marvelous illuminated missal with the silver clasps, had been the infant Jesus in wax, wearing a damask dress trimmed with pearls. This, he felt certain, though he dare not ask, was the present from the Madonna of Sacrifice, intended by her to serve as a reminder that she still watched over her beloved daughter. Jr OFO was wrong. Not even the memory of this wonderful wedding could serve to lighten the loneli- ness of the Marquis, living by himself, the last of the Orcagnas, in the great palazzo which bore the honored name. The boy wondered [15] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE why it was, under these circum- stances, that his master spent so much more of his time at home than formerly, and why he no longer invited his friends to keep him company. In the old days the Marquis was ever the center of all that went on in pleasure- loving Florence, and his figure moved familiarly on the Bourse and at the races. Now he seemed to shun the friends and the places which had previously welcomed him,- and this at a time when he would naturally most have needed them. Fofo felt a pang when he saw the change which had recently been wrought in that noble face: the eyes lacked their former fire, [16] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE new lines had come in the cheeks; the white mustachios curled up- ward, as always, it is true, but the lips beneath them quivered as if in pain. For the first time in his life, Fofo dared, even in his thoughts, to pity his master. It was right that he should come to the chapel to repeat a Pater Noster or an Ave Maria to the blessed Madonna, who would surely com- fort him; still the guilty thought came back to Fofo that when the Marquis knelt to seek his consolation, he would perhaps recognize the identity of those freshly-made elbowmarks upon the velvet cushions. 17 THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE 1 Fofo's amazement, the Mar- quis stepped quickly by the prie- Dieu, and passed to a position directly in front of the Madonna. He did this without even crossing himself. This to the boy was terri- fying. Then the master folded his arms and gazed long at the picture. His strong, erect body quivered from time to time with an emotion inexplicable to Fofo, finally cul- minating in a soul-wracking groan which made the echoes ring in the little chapel, so frightening Fofo that he nearly disclosed his hiding- place. "I have made my sacrifice for her, beata," he murmured. "This [18] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE is a house of sacrifice, and you, its protectress, must bear your share. Yet the palazzo of the Orcagnas will be desolated without you." OTRANGE words indeed, the boy thought, repeating them to himself. Of course it was a house of sacrifice, as must every house be which loves the dear Christ; and the Madonna herself was the symbol of sacrifice. Strange words indeed! At length the master turned, and rapidly left the chapel. With the security given by the sound of the retiring footsteps, Fofo came out from his retreat, standing be- fore the Madonna where the Mar- [19] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE quis had stood, and gazed into her face silently asking an explanation. Before this could be given, Fofo heard the master returning, this time accompanied by another. ROM the same hiding-place Fofo saw the two men enter the chapel. He who accompanied the padrone was evidently an artist, for he brought with him his box of colors and his easel. Fofo could not hear all the words the Marquis spoke, but from the gestures he could easily understand that this painter was to reproduce the Madonna of Sacrifice. A flood welled up in Fofo's heart. His blessed Lady was to be counterfeited! Sacrile- [20] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE gious eyes were to be permitted to gaze upon her substitute! The master must be mad; always until now he had relentlessly denied petitions made for copies of the masterpiece. This Fofo knew, for he had overheard many such requests. "Can you make a replica so close that as it hangs here it will, in any light, appear the same?" Fofo heard the Marquis ask. "Si, signore" the little painter answered with confidence. "If I cannot do it, then it cannot be done." "Bene" the Marquis continued curtly, turning abruptly as if anxious to end the interview. [21] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE "You shall begin tomorrow. A domani" "A domani" repeated the artist, "and a rivederla" he added to the back of the retreating figure, which made no response. 1 HE little painter took possession of the chapel and, deeming himself alone, indulged in certain liberties which would have been unthought of had he known of the jealous eyes which followed his every move- ment from behind the shadow- shrouded pillar. It was too late to begin his work that day, but all could be gotten in readiness for the morrow. Fofo watched him move aside the prie-Dieu, and 122] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE place his easel in the very spot where the beautiful Donna Giulia had so often pressed her knees; he saw him lift the Ecce Homo bodily, and place it one side as if it had been no more than an ordi- nary block of wood. How was it, Fofo asked himself, that a shaft from Heaven did not avenge the sacrilege? Ought he not to make himself God's instrument? Fofo looked to his blessed Lady for instructions. Her face taught him his presumption. Her eyes were full, almost to overflowing, and the expression more sad than he had ever seen it; but he was certain that her lips moved and that he even heard the words spoken: [23] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE "Weep not for me, but for your- self." The expression on the Christ's face also contained a re- proach. Dear God! What mortal hand could offer Him indignities! unconscious, the little painter continued his arrange- ments for the morrow. Then the artist in him returned, and he regarded the canvas before him with professional joy: "Bellissima!" he exclaimed. "I alone could do it justice. Bellis- sima!" He approached nearer to the painting and placed his finger upon it. Fofo sprang with clenched hands from his hiding-place, for- [24] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE getful of all save that an impious touch had desecrated the cheek of his blessed Lady; but the eyes of the Madonna shot stern, compel- ling glances at her self-appointed protector, and Fofo slunk back, abashed. He was glad that the little painter's hand concealed the expression on his Lady's face, for he felt that he could not have endured the full strength of her reproach. TROM that day Fofo became more and more concerned in watch- ing his master. Once when, in the performance of his duties, he was in the apartments of the Mar- quis, he was obliged to make his [25] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE escape furtively, lest the padrone should raise his bowed head sud- denly, and become aware that a menial had been admitted to the sacred intimacy of his suffering. Visitors came now from time to time to the palazzo, but they were strangers rather than friends, and Fofo heard them speak to the Marquis in tones of such severity that he was amazed. They must be great men indeed to do this, greater than the master, or they would not so have dared. IT was usually before these strange visitors arrived or just after they had departed that the Marquis bowed his head upon the writing [26] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE desk in the library, and Fofo learned to avoid going to this room at such times. The master paced the floor for hours together, and Fofo several times heard the word rovina wrung from the soul of the Marquis as by relentless hands. The word be- wildered him. What had "ruin" to do with the House of Orcagna? Could it be that the Donna Giulia's sposo had fallen into difficulties, even with the princely dote which the Marquis had given? Had the padrone himself been unfortunate on the Bourse, or taken too many tickets in the lotto? These were questions he might ask himself alone; he could not trouble the blessed Madonna, particularly [27] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE now that she herself was suffering in noble silence the great indignity of being counterfeited. 1 HE picture upon the little painter's easel advanced day by day. Fof6 could have told how many strokes the brush had made each afternoon when the shadows gathered and forced the artist to lay aside his palette, and to wrap his canvas round about with the white sheet, - - the shroud of Fofo's dear Lady. Yet the light was strong enough, after the painter had departed, for Fofo to unwind the cloth and stand sadly before the picture, turning from time to time to the blessed original. [28] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE JLjATE one afternoon the boy stealthily, and with an expression of guilt on his pallid face, drew a long, narrow knife from under his blouse. With his eyes held stead- fastly away from the Madonna, he made a vicious slash at the picture upon the easel. He knew well that he stood too far from the canvas to strike it, but even though the sharp blade encountered no resistance, the act in itself gave him joy. For several nights, lying awake on his straw mattress, he had imagined himself cutting the picture into strips, and today he had secreted the knife upon his person before going to the chapel. 129] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE A.FTER the single stroke through the air, Fofo turned belligerently toward the Madonna, yet his eyes refused to meet hers fairly. "Why may I not destroy it?" he de- manded rebelliously. "See, donna beata, with one blow of this knife I can undo his work forever." Fofo knew what the answer was, even before he looked into the sweetly restraining expression on her face. "It is something like you," he reluctantly admitted, something within him demanding that he be just. "The piccolo diavolo has skill, yet he paints only what he sees." [30] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE 1 HEN the strain of these days and nights proved too strong for him. Dropping the sheet, he threw himself before his Lady, his body torn with the violent coughing brought on by his convulsive weep- ing: "Oh, Madonna santissima," he cried, "oh, bellissima, why has the master consented to this awful crime? Why has the dear Christ permitted the master to consent? Even though the little painter can- not paint what he does not see, even though the sweet eyes fade when he looks at them, and the blessed lips lose their smile, still the crime of it! Let me destroy [31] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE the canvas, let me kill the piccolo diavolo, so that the padrone by my deed may be brought to realize." Jr OFO could have sworn that the saintly arms unfolded, and that the beloved hands rested lightly upon his head. He dared not look up lest he lose some detail of the miracle, yet it served to comfort him. Weeping still, he turned from the Madonna, carefully replaced the sheet about the canvas as he had found it, and returned to his evening duties. ON the following day a most unusual event occurred. A visitor was announced to the Marquis, [32] THE MADONNA O/ SACRIFICE and instead of bowing his head upon the table in the library the master held it erect, even though a strange expression crossed his face, and he said, "At last ! " The visitor was an Americano, molto impor- tante, Fofo heard the master say, and with him came another man, who spoke French, and seemed to be the guide of the Americano. "We have come to see it," the Frenchman said, almost before the greetings had been spoken; and in an aside to the Marquis he whispered, "All is arranged." 1 HEN occurred the extraordinary event. The Marquis begged his visitors to take a glass of wine [33] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE with him in his library before going to the cappella, and as they pre- ceded him on the stairway the master fell behind, and motioned Fofo to him. "Tell that miserable painter to leave at once and to take every- thing of his from the cappella, everything, do you understand? And come to me when it is done." V OFO flew rather than ran to the chapel, and with a joy never before his own, ordered the piccolo diavolo to depart with a force and air belonging only to one vested with authority. "At last!" the master had said. At last he had come to realize, and Fofo had been 134 J THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE made the instrument! That the little painter failed to comprehend the meaning of the strange com- mands, given him by this boy whom he had considered so far beneath him, mattered nothing to Fofo; the fact that he did not obey was everything. The padrone had given him authority to offset his waning strength, so the piccolo diavolo must yield. The struggle was brief, and Fofo triumphantly turned the great key to the one cell the cappella possessed, until now long unused for prayer and meditation. The easel was quickly removed, and the box of colors followed it behind the heavy tapestries. With feverish excitement Fofo restored the prie- [35] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE Dieu to its wonted position, and reverently lifted back the Ecce Homo. He was obliged to pause two or three times, until the sharp pain passed from him, but the joy of living had returned. Gratefully he sank on his knees before his blessed Lady. " Our suffering is over, beatissima. The padrone has awakened. The dear Christ has spoken." Then he returned to his master. "Shall we descend to the cap- pella?" the Marquis graciously asked his visitors, and they arose at once. 1 HE dignified figure of the Mar- quis led the way down the broad [36] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE flight of steps, and through the dim corridor which opened into the chapel. No word was spoken until some moments after the three men stood before the Madonna of Sacrifice. It was the Frenchman who broke the silence, speaking to the Americano: "Is it not all I promised you?" "It is magnificent!" "In part it is my life," the Mar- quis said with bitterness. "I am relinquishing my flesh and blood, and at the same time breaking my country's laws." The Americano looked up quickly. "Is it not agreed?" he demanded. The Marquis bowed his head. "I ask no man to do for me [37] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE what is contrary to his own wish or judgment," the Americano con- tinued; "but in exchange for this I give in part what represents my life. A million francs! Is it not a fair equivalent? I understood". . . . "It is agreed," the Marquis re- plied quickly, but his voice sounded like that of another in the ears of his little acolyte, standing un- noticed in the rear of the chapel. -F OFO watched the men with- draw, but stood unmoved. This, then, was the purchaser of the counterfeit of his dear Lady, this Americano, molto importante. But could it be yes; though he could not hear all, yet he had [38] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE distinctly recognized the word, milione. A million francs for the work of that piccolo diavolo, who painted all he saw, yet who saw so little! Fofo's respect for the little painter was mightily in- creased, none the less, as he unlocked the door to the cell, per- mitting the unwilling prisoner again to enjoy his freedom. He watched him cautiously work his way to a position which gave a clear path to the door leading into the palazzo, whither he made a wild dash, as if expecting interference. But Fofo had performed the task the padrone had entrusted to him, and besides, his body asked for rest. Presently the painter returned, and with THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE him was the Marquis. All had again been arranged, Fofo con- cluded, and peace restored, as the piccolo diavolo replaced his easel in its former position, moving away the prie-Dieu and the Ecce Homo. It was plain that he had been exhorted to hasten in his work, for he moved excitedly, and had no eyes except for his picture and the beautiful model. OUT now Fofo understood, and his resentment abated. It was a crime, of course, to counterfeit his blessed Madonna, but when an Americano stood ready to pay a million francs by way of atone- ment for the sacrilege, Fofo could [40] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE understand. With this vast sum the master could make up any losses he might have suffered, and he would give a part of it to the Church by way of expiation. So now he bent such strength as still remained to serving the little painter, where before he had ob- structed him, even though he re- ceived no thanks for his pains; for in this way the work would sooner be completed, the money would be paid over by the rich Americano, the padrone would again be happy, and the entire household restored to its former decorum. -L-jACH day was carrying nearer to completion the work of the [41] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE piccolo diavolo. For some time now, even though Fofo's poor body responded less and less willingly to his spirit, he had felt that the picture was ^finished, but the artist returned each morning and added a few strokes here, or made some slight alteration there. It all seemed a needless waste of time to Fofo, for the picture looked as much like the blessed Madonna as it ever could, and he was im- patient to have it all over. Each night he prayed to his Lady that the morning might come without the little painter's return. I ET when that morning arrived at last, and his prayer was answered, [42] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE Fofo was frankly surprised. He rubbed his eyes briskly, to make sure that he could trust his sight, for not only had the piccolo diavolo disappeared, but all that had to do with him as well. The counter- feit of the Madonna, the easel on which it had rested, the little painter's box of colors, all were gone. And most astonishing of all, the prie-Dieu and the Ecce Homo had been restored to their original positions without his assist- ance. At first he was filled with vague foreboding, but then he realized that it was the padrone's thoughtful care for him. The mas- ter then had noticed that Fofo's strength had waned during these [43] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE last few weeks; even with all his own cares and worries, he had taken notice, and had spared him the mortification of finding that the Ecce Homo had grown too heavy for him to lift. The dull red spots in Fofd's cheeks grew deeper, and he smiled, the first smile which had come to his lips for months. With the padrone's interest and the sweet Madonna's protection, naught could come to him now but good, and his pain would pass away. JL ERHAPS it was this happiness, surging through his blood, which brought on the fresh paroxysm, convulsing the frail body, and [44] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE delaying the gratification of his im- mediate impulse to share his new- found joy with his blessed Lady. Even though the crimson spot he found upon his handkerchief, when he removed it from his mouth, was larger than usual, yet he paid little heed, for the pain had ceased. It seemed a long distance now from where he stood to his accustomed place at the foot of the picture, but Fofo dragged his tired body, supporting himself by resting his hand upon the heavy carved chairs and the prie-Dieu. Then he sank in a shrunken heap on the spot where he had so often knelt. "Oh, Madonna beatissima" he cried, weakly yet joyfully, "we [45] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE must forgive the padrone, you and I, for the rich Americano could not be denied. It is true that he has carried away with him the counter- feit, but we cannot blame him for wanting it so much. It cannot speak to him, nor comfort him, as you have spoken and comforted the beautiful Donna Giulia, and the padrone and the poor Fofo, but he thinks it will and he does not know. And the master is kind and good to me, even as you are, Madonna beatissima." IT required a longer time than usual for Fofo to say all this, and it was more difficult for him to raise his head to receive the Ma- [46] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE donna's answer, but at length his eyes looked into hers. For a long moment they rested there, dilating more and more with fear and appre- hension. For the first time no answer came back. The Ma- donna's eyes were dull, the lips were silent. "Santa Maria!" Fofo moaned; " I have offended my blessed Lady ! " llE gazed long at the picture, his face becoming more and more dis- torted by his grief, but his heart still hoping for a response which should prove his fears unwarranted. "I have offended the Madonna beatissima by helping the piccolo diavolo," he continued; "I have [47] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE shared his crime, and this is my punishment. Gesu! 0, the dear Christ, plead with her to forgive me and to give me back her love!" _T ROM sheer weakness the boy collapsed at the foot of the picture, moaning incoherently. At length, exerting almost superhuman effort, he raised himself to his knees. He glanced at the face of the Madonna with timid hope, but, groaning, held his arm before his eyes to shut out the unrelenting visage. " She will not forgive !" he cried, prostrating himself upon the cold stones. "The sin is too great. Yet Fof6 did not know. San- tissima, I would have killed the [48] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE piccolo diavolo. I would have cut the counterfeit into one strip for each franc the Americano offered, but Fofo did not understand. Now it is too late, too late!" 11 IS agony took complete con- trol, but, as the moments passed, he seemed to become more calm. "Forgive, forgive!" he faintly mur- mured, "Fof6 did not under- stand." For the last time he raised himself, directing his dimmed eyes toward the frame which had always enclosed his Madonna. There was no hope in his face now, yet. there was a compelling force to look once more, however terrifying the experi- ence, at the one figure which had [49] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE been his daily guide. But now his gaze appeared to be fixed upon something higher than the picture above the altar, even requiring him to turn his face upwards, as if look- ing through the very roof of the chapel itself. Gradually the pain disappeared from the emaciated features, and the terror was re- placed by a smile so radiant that the slight figure seemed already a part of another world. Jr ERHAPS saintly angels rolled back the grisly stones on which the heavy rafters rested, as they had, centuries before, rolled away those before the tomb of the dear Christ. When the Marquis, hours later, [50] THE MADONNA of SACRIFICE found what he thought was Fofo, lying at the foot of the counter- feited picture, perhaps the little acolyte had really found the true Madonna, who is beyond the price even of a rich Americano. Perhaps it was she who smiled upon him even then. [51]