"It would be no use," he said; "the thing is
hopeless."
A police official stepped forward out of the
crowd.
"Forgive my intruding, Your Eminence. I
think the old man is not quite sound in his mind.
He is perfectly harmless, and his papers are in
order, so we don't interfere with him. He has
been in penal servitude for a great crime, and is
now doing penance."
"A great crime," the Gadfly repeated, shaking
his head slowly.
"Thank you, captain; stand aside a little,
please. My friend, nothing is hopeless if a man
has sincerely repented. Will you not come to me
this evening?"
"Would Your Eminence receive a man who is
guilty of the death of his own son?"
The question had almost the tone of a challenge,
and Montanelli shrank and shivered under it as
under a cold wind.
"God forbid that I should condemn you, whatever
you have done!" he said solemnly. "In His
sight we are all guilty alike, and our righteousness
is as filthy rags. If you will come to me I will
receive you as I pray that He may one day receive me.
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