The Miracles of Antichrist

in the south, it is always the habit of every one while yet a child to choose a god-brother

one another. In a god-brother’s ear a man can bury his secrets. He can trust him with both money and sweetheart, and not be deceived. God-brothers and sisters are as

ughters. What a glad sight it is on the holy Baptist’s day to see all those little children in festival array wandering through the great towns looking for a go

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red cloak and pointed cap and eight heavy, black curls that stood out under the cap. Her name was Giannita, and she was daugh

She had Giannita with her, and they were both dressed in their best. Donna Elisa was dressed in black silk with jet, and Giannita had

they reached the white Catania, that lies and shines on the black

fied at the thought of going into it. But Donna Elisa walked bravely in,

were friends from infancy, and asked that Gia

le marvel of rose-colored silk, Venetian lace, big, black eyes, and thick,

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and thoughtfully at Giannita, walked round her, and was fascinated by her smooth, even curls

t, they held each other

sister, s

ine, and I

use, my bre

joys, my

place in

h other and called e

said the little signorina, and both th

iends in the short time that

each in her own world and never met. During the whole time

ng. She was very skilful and was often overwhelmed with work. But it is trying to the eyes to embroider, and i

1] street. The eyes fell through the half-open door on great baskets with fresh vegetables and bright-colored fruits, and far back in the back

ght. “It is a misfortune that the post-wagon does not reach Diamante before ten,” she said. “I shall fall asleep on th

ll you take me with you to Catania, Donna Alfari?” s

y, “Lord, child, will you g

h pleasure. “If I will!” she said. “I ha

l and strong, her eyes gay, and she had a careless smil

man. “You will go with me at

ar her again. She loved her god-sister, Giannita, and she did it not only because San Giovanni has commanded people to love their god-brothers and[

tania. Her mother was dead, and she had not been willing to leave her father, and

is my god-sister driving there.” And she stared at everybody to see if

iked a young wood-carver, Gaetano Alagona, and he had never shown the slightest desire to marry her. Giannita had often

thers, because she had such a god-sister. What if she should now go to see

boy came running. “Giornale da Sicilia,” he ca

d by. “What are you saying?” she screamed. “You

d the boy. Giannita bought the paper and began to read

-day in the courts,” wrote the pap

understood. There was not a muscle in her body which did not

ight had laid them waste. And that was not the worst. He had also dissipated a charitab

rew it into the street and trampled on it.

when she came to Catania for the first time in twelve y

trouble to tell her what was going on. Was it not desti

aid; “you may do as you like,

not understand that it is for this, and not for your sake, that God ha

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moment that there was somet

among the street boys and riff-raff, and saw Cavaliere Palmeri on the bench of the accused.

annita thought she saw even more plainly that she had come there as

eet again and asked her w

g told her that this was her god-sister. She who was driving was pale and bent and had beseeching eyes. Giannita loved her from the first

almeri, but suddenly a doubt struck her. “What can God wish me to do for one who has grown up in

hed to speak to her. She was surprised when the servant came back[55] and said that

going to wait here the whole

ove out of the palace in hal

god-sister, do you not understand?” she said to the man.

sed her voice. She was from Diamante and had not been in Catania for twelve years. Until yesterday afternoon at f

ell him the whole story to move him, when the door wa

yesterday at four

anger, Signo

ister from Diamante, who came here twelve years ago with Donna Elisa. Did sh

at was it that happened yesterday at four

and to go to you, god-

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me,” she said, as if afraid that the servant s

d so quickly towards Giannita that she was frightened. “Tell me in

she, the woman of the world, had a much more wild and untamed appearance than the

at her violence that she

streamed from her lips. She said that she knew that Giannita had been comma

s. God hate her! on the c

or her, she began to talk. She did not let her speak; she interrupted her constantly. She seemed to be so te

r, failed her father. Giannita must have read the last account. Then she burst out again in passionate questionings.

gan, the signorina became frightened and interrupted her. She to

dresses, or servants, or even a roof over her head. Neither was it enough that she had now lost all her friends, so that she did not at all kno

something el

e she rocked to and fro in agony. But when

d loved her. He had always had her live in

use her. It had been no sacrifice to remain unmarried, for she had never love

port that I have stolen, but it is not true.” Then she had believed him, and helped him to hide fro

he prefect in Catania had come to her. She received him smiling, and the prefect came as if to talk of roses, and the beautiful weather. Then he said: “Will the signorina look at this little paper? Will

he had not known what she said! She had always been very proud. She had not been able to bear to have their name stamped with dishonor. She had wished for a mo

iven himself up. And ever since he had been in prison he had not been willing to see her. He did not answer her letters, and the fo

anxiously as if she awai

at you have to say?” she exc

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e for her to force h

has let it to an English lady, who is to move in to-day. Some of her things w

t. Its crown was dented, and its dress dirty, and all the small ornaments which adorned it were rusty and broken. But when I saw it lying on the floor, I took it up and carried it into the room

d stood there as dull as before, but a clock began to strike just then. It struck four, and it was

Palace of Justice to see my father. But he never turned his e

elf on my knees before him in one of the narrow passages. Giann

ternoon at four o’clock, I was so frightened. The Christchild sends me

last silent and listened breathle

a told her

come here quite unexpectedly. And I know nothing at all; but as soon as I set my foot on the street here, I hea

questioning towards her. Now the new blow was c

ought. I know an old house there, where we could live cheaply. And I would embroider and sew, so that we could support ourselves. When I was out in the street I thought that it might be

wards Giannita. “Well

for I love you,” said Giannita, and fel

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else to say?” as

d Giannita, “but I

ina’s face softened; how her color came back and how her eye

o you think that it is a miracle? Do you think tha

whispered Gi

me, and he sends you to me. Do you think that

t was;

not forsaken

as not for

“When you came, Giannita, I thought that nothing was left me but to kill m

I can do for you, god-

ther drew her to h

e Christchild,” she said. “It is enough that I k