The Disciple of a Saint; Being the Imaginary Biography of Raniero Di Landoccio Dei Pagliaresi

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II THE DEMONIAC The crowded courtyard was confusedly illumined by the red glare which had deepened in the sky. Among the rude men-at-arms, lolling, chattering, evidently quite at home, moved sundry Religious, mostly in the Dominican habit, bent on exhortation, or, as it would appear, sometimes on good-fellowship. Some of the soldiery met them with jeers, but these were few; the greater number were listening with a certain rough seriousness. At one side of the court a group of peasants from the mountains surrounded two donkeys. On the back of one of the beasts was bound something large and dark. From the centre of this group, imparting an indescribable effect of wildness and dreariness to the scene, came stifled cries and yells, to which no one paid the slightest attention. It was not easy to discover Gualtiero in the bewildering noise and movement; but presently Neri, perceiving a grey habit amid the prevalent black and white, made his way to his cousin's side. The boy was quite still now; his cowl drawn over his face, his eyes fixed on the gate of the castlekeep. He turned and smiled absently as Neri touched him. The anger of a moment before had died away. He even moved confidingly a little nearer to his cousin. Hark! She comes! he said. And in fact the great portal swung open, and the ladies of the castle appeared. The white-haired Countess Bianchina first--a noble and commanding presence--Madonna Benedctta, a sterner, younger copy of her mother; Madonna Isa, more gentle, yet sharing with the others the air of high rank and familiarity with command. Both the younger women, pending their admission to the Dominican Order, were attired with great simplicity, yet with suitable and dignified richness. Following the Countess, and conversing with Mad...