His home would have been a hell, instead of being emancipated from tyranny as he had at first imagined.

Discovery and conviction would have come at last, the galleys for life for himself, dishonour and contempt for his family.
He remembered Paolo's words as he stood contemplating the crucifix just before that moment which had nearly been his last.

_Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem_--"Who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven." In a strange revulsion of feeling Marzio applied the words to himself, with an odd simplicity that was at once pathetic and startling.
"If Christ had not died," he said to himself, "I should not have made this crucifix.

If I had not made it, it would not have frightened me.

I should have killed my brother.