89/147 He recognised the village schoolmistress, whom he had once seen for a moment at the priest's house. He was already moving away without greeting her, when she moaned softly: "Hear me!" Stepping back into the passage she fell upon her knees, stretched out beseeching hands to him, and dropped her head upon her breast. He hesitated a moment and then said, with dignified gravity: "What do you want of me ?" It had become almost dark. The lightning flashed, the noise of the thunder filled the miserable little lane, and prevented the two from hearing each other. Benedetto approached the door. |