And the true story of the fault which condemned Father Fabiano to end his days amid the swamps of St.
Apollinare, as well as the precise nature of the connection which had existed between him and Paolina's parents, can be only matter of conjecture.
Paolina, as has been said, pursued her path slowly.

She had tripped along much more lightly on her way from the city to St.Apollinare.

And yet she was urged on by a burning anxiety to know whither Ludovico and Bianca had gone, and for what purpose they had come thither.

But, despite this nervous anxiety, she stepped slowly, because her heart disapproved of the course she was taking.

It seemed as if she was drawn on towards the forest by some mysterious mechanical force, which she had not the strength to resist.