Then he took hold of Marietta's mantle at her elbow, and held her back.

She turned and looked at him in amazement.
"You must not go in, lady," he said.

"It is an ugly wound to see." Marietta pushed him aside quietly, and led the way.

Nella followed her as fast as she could, and Pasquale came last.

He knew that the two women would need help.
Zorzi lay quite still where he had fallen, with one hand on the billet of beech wood, the other arm doubled under him, his cheek on the dusty stone.