Never would he allow any one to touch those two children, whose dolorous lives had been so pure and whom the grave alone had united.

He was the master in his house, and they should be sewn together in the same shroud, and nailed together in the same coffin.

Then too the religious service should take place at the neighbouring church of San Carlo, of which he was Cardinal-priest and where again he was the master.

And if needful he would address himself to the Pope.

And such being his sovereign will, so authoritatively expressed, everybody in the house had to bow submissively.
Donna Serafina at once occupied herself with the laying-out.