The Miracles of Antichrist

ut a great child. She could never succeed in looking like a woman of the world, and she real

es; and all such are only play places. She had never been allowed to go alone on the street. She ha

sily as a child would have done. And it appeared that she had the playful dispo

ken to her in the square, nor when he had proposed to her. It seemed quite natural to her that such things should happen in Diamante. She had seen ins

hat covered the furniture told her stories. And she found a deep meaning i

lecting money in order to buy back the family estate on Etna and the palace in Catania and the castle on the mainland. And if he went in

his arm, and place himself on the stairway to the gallery in the music-room in the summer-palace and sing ca

s daughter. He liked the life in Diamante and became friends with every one. He liked to talk to the bee-raisers and vineyard work

t take his anger seriously any longer. That old man, whom she loved, believed that he would be able to go on hating her year after year! He would live near her, hear her speak, see her eyes, be encompassed by her lo

ark-brown pony, when Don Ferrante came up from the shop to speak to her. And what Don Ferrante wished to say

ery distinctly, Donna Micaela see

ay before, and that he had succeeded in getting Cavaliere

at does that mean?

buying your father expensive wines from the mainla

he wished to go. There

-"Oh, well, not so rich."-"They do not have a room to themselves, I suppose?"-"No, but very big dormitories."-"And they eat fr

there. If you like to know it, it was not without

t also very angry. She thought that he had divested hims

at the summer palace was only a big, ugly old

llow her father to leave h

bout for his hat. Donna Micaela took his hat and followed him out to the gallery that ran round the court-yard.

a? Do you not see how I am struggling?"-"Save in some other way."-"I shall save in other ways. Giannita has had

8

She was thinking what she

with all my friends in Catania when I heard that my father had sought help from them and had not got it."-"I know it."-"And that I came here to Diamante that he might escape from seeing

t enjoyed singing to me? Have you not liked me to have considered you the most generous man in Si

leman from the Via Etnea!"-"Oh, no!"-"Up here on the mountain the ways are different. Here wives o

re him. It was dark, but enough light came from the other rooms for him to

h that. Now you have made me angry." She still knelt and looked up at him. "It is well," he said, "for you

rose and answered imperiously: "I shall tell him, but not ti

d mimicked her. "The less talk

rrante for believing that he could do what he liked

e is a miracle-working image of t

ght in gold for it. As soon as the hermit awoke from this dream he started for Catania. In the harbor lay a ship loaded with images of the saints, and among the images was one of the holy Madonna that was more holy than all the others. The hermit begged the captain not to carry that

anchor was up, the sail hoisted, and the wind fresh; but for three long days the ship lay as motionless as if it had been a rock. On the third day the captain took the Madonna image and threw it to the hermit

going to this Madonna

dral. The walls were covered with votive offerings, with silver hearts and picture

he, high and dark, and almost hidden by a golden railing, it seemed to her that its f

Mary; here was the afflicted mother who understood every sorrow;

4] to fall on her knees and tell her trouble, t

t that moment changing his mind. When she came home he would c

rning three

e went into Donna Elisa's shop to buy a wax candle. It was so early that she had been afraid that the sho

or forward and back to make the bell ring and call Donna Elisa in. A

time she had come over to Donna Elisa he had shut himself into his workshop. Donna Micaela knew no more about him than that he was to leave Diam

ok at him. She was full of anxiety as a hunted animal, but no sorrow[85] in the

lection of pictures in the palace at Catania. There he had not been in working blouse; he had had a black felt hat with long

te strange there. He looked for the wax candle in the drawers of rosaries and in the little medallion boxes. He could not find anything, and he grew so impatient t

s face, and how his gold-colored eyes glowed like yellow wine when the

er could have been so dark and so pale and so melancholy. And you did not possess such eyes of fire. All that the master who painted you has put into your face." But when Do

And he gave her the candle, but he did not know what it cost, and said that she could come in and pay it la

h a man should think of

she did it. She wished she could have asked him not to look at

ok down an image from the topmost shelf, and came back with it to her. It was a little gilded and painted w

carved. He was so certain that it had greater power than his other images that he had put it away on the top shelf, so that no one mi

She found him a

ere ruffled with anger, and that Lucifer was pressing his claws into the steel plate on his leg? Did s

She saw that it was beautiful and spirited, she said, but she knew that it c

ge and rolled it in paper a

wrapped up and put aw

Lucifer and thrown him into Etna? Did she not believe that it was true? Did she not know that San Michele lost a wing-feather in the fight, and that it was found in Caltanisetta? Did she know it or not? Or what did she mean by San Michele n

ver as Gaetano, she thought that his speech was

aid to him that some one had promised her in the name of the Madonna that, if she was a faithful wife to Don Ferrante, her father should enjoy an old age free of care. But now her

est earnestness. That was what induced

"you must turn to the blac

hat I have not

anger: "You will not say that you hav

in these last three weeks-p

h day been disappointed; and yet had known nothing better to do than begin again with her prayers. And it was visible on her face that he

miling, and drummed on one of the g

prayed to the M

8

s. She had gone to the street where she had lived first, and nursed the sick

he ought to have been satisfied with her prayers. She had spent her days in the Ca

shoulders. Had she no

at she had not tried. She had given silver hearts an

unt anything that she had done; he onl

me so much money. I cannot do more. At last I have succeeded in get

thusiasm that had filled them when they had compelled God to obey their prayers, smiled scornfull

saints. Everybody called to them for help, but few understood what they ought to do to get their prayers g

strength and conviction in Gaetano's words that she began to

d her what she had to do. He forbade her to give the Madonna any gifts, or to pray to her, or to do anythi

hing to do, to show her that it is serious, and not play. You must be able to show her that you will not live if you are not helped. Do you mean to continue to

swiftly out from behind the cou

y if you do not get help. You shall throw yourself into sin and death

rried up the spiral street, came to the Cathedral, and threw

to leave their homes and go out into the streets. As soon as the inhabitants of the summer palace had come outside their door they had met acquaintances. Donna Elisa had taken Cavalier

sewing on that alt

red that all day yester

derstand what you are

is no help for i

to speak to him about. And when they came to Porta Etnea, she turned out through t

ith people. Donna Micaela spoke so the people in D

yesterday. The Madonna perhaps had placed herself in such a dark corner of the Cathedral so that no on

moved from her niche. The floor and walls of her chapel had been covered with white almond-blos

e had prayed to no Madonna. Oh, a shame, a shame! It was plainly an old heathen goddess. She had a helmet, not a

emy and worship it! Did he know what was the worst misfortune? Their Madonna was so ugly. She was dis

el; to have been fooled by all the legends about her! To have wasted three weeks in

ite white. Sometimes they passed under an almond-tree, which arched them over with its glistening branches, as thickly covered with flowers as if they had been dipped in a bath of silver. The moonlig

dued Gaetano, so that he did not seize her, and throw h

t she was afraid of what he might do. In s

een of heaven, the old black goddess came and placed herself between them. She saw her come like a dried-up and officious old maid, and stand in front of the great queen of heaven, so that now no Madonna existed for her any longer. She believed that the latter was angry with her bec

9

honored the black Madonna of Diamant

was her last hour. She said in a faint voice, as if to excus

at a child she was, and that she did n

gently drew her to him and kissed her, because sh

e understood instantly that he had kissed her as he would a child. She only walked quickly on and began to cry. That kiss h

er and husband, she should be so forsaken that t

bs, he felt that he too began to shake. A str

n her arm. And his voice, when he spoke, was not c

o Argentina if the Mad

9

ild. She turned and went back into the town. Gaetano did not follow her; he remained standing

a Micaela, but on the third he came

den, and instantly told her

tood in his workshop and considered everything th

misfortunes would not have brought her near to him. If the Madonna refused to help her, it was because she wished to set her free from her promise of faithfulness to Don Ferrante. For all the saints knew that she was his, Gaetano's. She was created for him; for him she had grown up; for him she was alive. When

9

e her behind. She must go w

with clenched hands and blazing eyes. He did not ask h

it was his duty. What would be

t moving. She sat silent a long time

going?" she as

iamante on

does the s

unday evening

nd walked away towar

lowed to go with him." She went down a few steps, as if she did not mean to say anything

ain her. A time would come when she would not run away

I be to-morrow a fugitive wife? Will the world have the right to say all possible evil of me?" Everything seemed equally terrible to her. She was[97] appalled at the thought of flee

lly would not be a greater misery to go with Gaetano than to remain with Don

evouring restlessness the whole week. Worst of all, she c

prayers. But then she thought: "The Mado

ws, and remembered the little image that once had help

child. "Help me, help me! Help my old father, and help m

rmented and distressed. "If I could sleep only on

ast to the decision to speak to him before he left, and tell him that she

wake till the clock struck nine the next morning. And then Gaetano w

g new and strange had come over her. It seemed to her that in

make plans for something foolish? Now please notice that just as you are talking and talking you hear a rustling near by, and look round in wonder to see if some one has thrown a stone. It is useless to

of the world. For when San Pasquale lived here on the earth, do you know by chance what he did, do you know what he thought about more than anything else? San Pasquale gave heed to all the little flint-stones that lay in his path, and gathered them up into his ba

at Randazzo sat by her daughter's sick bed one night and fell asleep. The daughter lay unconscious and was about to die, and no one could summon the priest. How was the mother waked in time? How was she waked, so that she could send he

ords without one of them being an oath. And do you think that it did any good for his wife and neighbors to admonish him? But over his bed he had a little picture representing San Pasquale, and the little pictu

little way down the[100] mountain. It is quite small and poor, but the white

becomes the most beautiful in Diamante. For the blossoming branches arch over it

they camped in San Pasquale's church and in the Franciscan monastery beside it. And in the church itself they stabled brute beasts, and led such a wild l

ntion to San Pasquale. For although the whole of the slopes of Etna are white then with almond-

sed, people go there to get advice from the saint. There is an image of him under a big stone canopy just by the

like dark-winged dragons, and vomited forth rain, and breathed mists and darkness. It grew so thick over Diamante that one could scarcely see across the street. The dampness dripped from everythin

But when she had driven a few hours a terrible rain began, and everything was wrapped in mist. As she did not wish to miss seeing any of the beautiful d

ngs she brought with her in her trunks was the Christ image, upon which Donna Micaela had called the evening before. For that im

for it was as if he wished to greet him. Just as Miss Tottenham's travelling-carri

ards all day qui

1

all the work people home; and like them, they are hung under the roof in a litt

themselves. Whoever has seen old Fra Felice from the Franciscan monastery put his foot in the loop of the rope an

s no one touching it. Nor did any one sit crouching on the roof to set them going. People plainly saw how the b

, and listened. She had never heard anything more beautiful. She did not know that it was a miracle, but

he metal was that rang in Sa

w she was to live and love; now she was to go to meet something great

1

d solemnly to the sound of bells into a great castle. And to whom could th

awoke she felt that she loved Gaetano, and that

her hand to it and whispered: "You, who are morning to the day when I am going away, you are

ll liked th

ose bells, that would not stop ringing. No one asked about them during the first half-hour. Du

always loud and their clang seemed now to grow and grow. It soon sounded as if the fog were fil

rd the bell of the Dominican monastery chime in, and at last she was certain that all the bells in the town rang and rang all they could, all the bells in the five monaster

, and that every one spoke with a metallic voice. People also noticed that it was impossible to play on mandolin and guitar, because the bells blended with the music and made

s, because they thought that they swung to and fro. And the

h the sound of the bells, and they said that all the pendulums conformed

ly rung a couple of hours, and whe

inctly how the air quivered with the strokes, and they thought that they perceived how everything moved in time. Those who fled up to the dark attic found the sound[105] of the bells

e terrified except Donna Micaela

k himself what the saint foretold. Each had his own dread, and believed that San Pasquale gave warning to him of what he least

e that San Pasquale was ringing such a misfortune upon Di

la, and lamented that it was San Pasquale who was ringing

t him from seeing as far as he will. He sees that an enemy's fleet is approaching in the ba

e was thinking. "He is tolling a passing-bell for the beautiful alm

1

lone. They rocked her to dream. She sat quite still in the music-room and let joy r

could think of anything but the gre

not believe they would survive the morrow. And the priests could not rejoice, although they had so many penitents that

is desk under the court-house loggia, and were more than willing to pay him a soldo a word, i

ime. At noon the mothers came, their faces stiff with terror, and took their li

day. But the poor boys did not dare to enjoy it; they pre

n the ringing s

and put on the light-green velvet livery that he wears only on saints' days and on the king's birthday. And no one could see him sitting in the gateway dressed in tha

how people frigh

who had cheated and beggared him would get his punishment. He went into all the little shops along the Corso and struck th

ear at the same table, and no one had ever thought that they could do anything else. But now they suddenly let thei

d things that she had to sell. But Donna Elisa thought only of Gaetano, who was away, and believed that San Pasquale w

on ringing the whole afternoo

1

arthquake which they foretold, and

er, people moved their miserable old furniture out on the street into the rain, and spread tents of bed-quil

out through Porta Etnea to see the bells swinging and swinging, and to convince themselves that no one was touching the rope,-that it

outside the old gray-brother, Fra Felice, went about with a b

his hand. An old woman came carefully carrying something under a green umbrella. It was a glass with water and oil,

o tie up the bells, no one dared to propose

d Fra Felice to collect money. Fra[109] Felice was beloved.

ked with her head high and quite without fear. She came to thank him for having r

ne had to go in to him in his shop, and tell him what they thought, and hear his opin

d they all came up to him and said: "This is a terrible ri

t down behind the counter. And Don Ferrante had him sitting there all day, quite livi

struck the counter, saying that the hour had com

them, the more he began to wonder why everybody streamed into his shop. It seemed as if they meant someth

1

thinking the same, although they did not dare to say it. He thought that the advocate was sitting and waiting for h

continually to him to ask what he thought of the bell-ringing. And the priest too came to the shop f

and Don Matteo and all the others came only to reproac

e ringing?" But one never came and asked, and that was Donna Micaela. She could not come when she felt no fear. She was merely delighted and proud that the pa

ante at ten o'clock at night. Towards four, she thought,

She would beg him to be patient for a few months, until they[111] could have a home

at had seemed dreadful appeared so no longer.

hear the rattling o

g. She saw people passing through the open portico that ran round the court-yard, and through which one had to go to come into the ro

errante had wished to drive Torino out of his shop; Torino had cut him with his knif

Micaela, but of Cavaliere Palmeri. When he saw him, he let his wife know without a word,

What, what! her father need not go? She was s

content! But she was not. She

1

and so she must be faithful to Don Ferrante. She s

it was a false conclusion. She had been so

A torpor and faintness came over her. There was nothing to do but to rest after the endless journey she had made. But that she could never do. She began to we