He had seem the weapon in the air, and had seen also the murderous look in the artist's eyes.
"I had better not think anything more about it," he said to himself, fearing lest he should think anything unjust.
So he went on his way towards the palace, and tried to think about Gianbattista and Lucia, their marriage and their future life.

The two young faces came up before him as he walked, and he smiled calmly, forgetting what he had so recently passed through, in the pleasant contemplation of a happiness not his own.

He reached his rooms, high up at the top of the ancient building, and he sighed with a sense of relief as he sat down upon the battered old chair before his writing-table.
Presently the Cardinal sent for him.

Don Paolo rose and carefully brushed the dust from his cassock and mantle, and smoothed the long silk nap of his hat.

He was a very neat man and scrupulous as to his appearance.