It was then that she thought of the world-mother, and remembered the

prayer she had heard a thousand times but never used before.

"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of

death--Amen!"

When she rose from her knees she felt like a child who had been crying

and was comforted.

IX For some days after this the house was in a tumult. Men in red caps

labelled "Casa di Vendita" were tearing up carpets, dragging out pieces

of furniture and marking them. The catalogue was made, and bills were

posted outside the street door announcing a sale of "Old and New Objects

of Art" in the "Appartamento Volonna." Then came the "Grand

Esposizione"--it was on Sunday morning--and the following day the

auction.

Roma built herself an ambush from prying eyes in one corner of the

apartment. She turned her boudoir into a bedroom and sitting-room

combined. From there she heard the shuffling of feet as the people

assembled in the large dismantled drawing-room without. She was writing

at a table when some one knocked at the door. It was the Commendatore

Angelelli, in light clothes and silk hat. At that moment the look of

servility in his long face prevailed over the look of arrogance.

"Good-morning, Donna Roma. May I perhaps...."

"Come in."

The lanky person settled himself comfortably and began on a confidential

communication.

"The Baron, sincerely sorry to hear of your distresses, sends me to say

that you have only to make a request and this unseemly scene shall come

to an end. In fact, I have authority to act on his behalf--as an unknown

friend, you know--and stop these proceedings even at the eleventh hour.

Only a word from you--one word--and everything shall be settled

satisfactorily."

Roma was silent for a moment, and the Commendatore concluded that his

persuasions had prevailed. Somebody else knocked at the door.

"Come in," said the Commendatore largely.

This time it was the auctioneer. "Time to begin the sale, Signorina. Any

commands?" He glanced from Roma to Angelelli with looks of

understanding.

"I think her Excellency has perhaps something to say," said Angelelli.

"Nothing whatever. Go on," said Roma.

The auctioneer disappeared through the door, and Angelelli put on his

hat.

"Then you have no answer for his Excellency?"

"None."

"Bene," said the Commendatore, and he went off whistling softly.

The auction began. At a table on a platform where the piano used to

stand sat the chief auctioneer with his ivory hammer. Beneath him at a

similar table sat an assistant. As the men in red caps brought up the

goods the two auctioneers took the bidding together, repeating each

other in the manner of actor and prompter at an Italian theatre.




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