"Beloved, that is my story. At Tortona I parted from the women, and
hired the waggon which brought us the rest of the way. But I had
done better, perhaps, to go with them to Milan, as Gioconda advised.
For my money began to run low, and, save Milan, there was no large
town on the road where I could sell another jewel. Yet here again
Our Lady helped; for at Trecate I found the good priest, the brother
of these Bavarelli, and he, having heard my tale, offered to travel
to Milan and do my business. So I parted with two more of the
stones; and yet a third--a little one--I gave him for Our Lady of
Trecate, as a thank-offering. We have money enough to reward these
good people, though they lodge us for yet another six months; but the
crown has only one stone remaining. It is a diamond--set in the very
front of the band--and, I think, more valuable than all the rest."
Her voice came to a halt. "O beloved," she asked after a while,
quietly, almost desperately, "why are you silent? Can you not
forgive?"
"Forgive?" I echoed. "Dear, I was silent, being lost in wonder, in
love.
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