They had thought the sick man would live some hours longer, but at three o'clock he had expired.

As soon as the torrents of rain would permit, Don Clemente and the priest had gone out, but Giovanni and Maria had remained with the mother until the arrival of the dead man's elder sister; the mother seemed to have quite lost her senses.

Then they also had left, to go in search of Noemi.

Not finding her at the inn, they had started for the church.

In the square they had met the Padre, coming out of one of the best houses.