Here in Pesaro I would remain until her poor body was delivered to the earth, and then I would set out upon a last emprise.

Messer Ramiro del' Orca should account to me for this vile deed.
There in the House of Peace I sat gnawing my hands and maturing my bloody plans whilst the night wore on.

Later a still more frenzied mood obsessed me--a burning desire to look again upon the sweet face of her I had loved, the sainted visage of Madonna Paola.

What was there to deter me?
Who was there to gainsay me?
I stood up and uttered that challenge aloud in my madness.

My voice echoed mournfully up the aisles, and the sound of the echo chilled me, yet my purpose gathered strength.
I advanced, and after a moment's pause, with the silver-broidered hem of the pall in my hands, I suddenly swept off that mantle of black cloth, setting up such a gust of wind as all but quenched the tapers.