CHAPTER XXIV.
He who gives up the smallest part of a secret has the rest no longer in his power .-- JEAN PAUL.
The Marchesa's confession made a great and immediate sensation throughout Italy.

Everyone who had known Michael, and a great many who had not, proclaimed with one consent that his innocence was no news to them.

The possibility that he might be shielding someone had been discussed at the time of the trial, but had found no shred of confirmation.
And now the mystery was solved at last, and in the most romantic manner.
Michael had come out with flying colours.
To many minds the romance was enhanced by the fact that the Marchesa was a gentle, middle-aged, grey-haired woman in no way attractive, whose whole interest in life centred in her daughter.

Michael's transcendent act of chivalry towards the Marchesa, dramatically acknowledged by her at last upon her deathbed, appealed even to the most unimaginative natures.

He became the hero of the hour.