He thought she was speaking of what had just happened, of which he had been a witness.
"Such miracles as that may happen--but they are the devil's miracles." Beatrice was silent for a moment.

She was indeed inclined to believe in a special intervention of the powers of evil in her own case.

Had she not been suddenly moved to tell a man that she loved him, only to discover a moment later that it was a mistake?
"What is the miracle you pray for, Ruggiero ?" she asked after a pause.
"To be changed into some one else, Excellency." "And then--would she love you ?" "By Our Lady's grace--perhaps!" The deep voice shook again.

He set his teeth, folded his arms over his throbbing breast, and planted one foot firmly on a stone before him, as though to await a blow.
"I am very sorry for you, Ruggiero," said Beatrice in soft, kind tones.
"God render you your kindness--it is better than nothing," he answered.
"Is she sorry for you, too?
She should be--you love her so much." "Yes--she is sorry for me.

She has just said so." He raised his clenched hand to his mouth almost before the words were uttered.