And then there would have been no more Paolo,
no more domestic annoyances, no more of the priest's
smooth-faced disapprobation and perpetual opposi-
tion in the house. He would have soon brought
Maria Luisa and Lucia to reasoil. What could they
do without the support of Paolo ? They were only
women after all. As for Gianbat-tista, if once the
poisonous influence of Paolo were removed — and how



184 TtfARZIO'S CRUCIFIX chap, vm

surely removed ! — Marzio's lips twisted as though he
were tasting the sourness of failure, like. an acid fruit
— if once the priest were gone, Gianbattista would
come back to his old ways, to his old scorn of priests
in general, of churches, of oppression, of everything
that Marzio hated. He might marry Lucia then, and
be welcome. After all, he was a finer fellow for the
pretty girl than Gasparo Carnesecchi, with his claw
fingers and his vinegar salad. That was only a farce,
that proposal about the lawyer — the real thing was to
get rid of Paolo. There could be no healthy liberty
of thought in the house while this fellow was sneakin"
in and out at all hours. Tumble Paolo into a quiet
grave — into the river with a sackful of old castings at
his neck — there would be peace then, and freedom.
Marzio ground his teeth as he thought how nearly he
had done the thing, and how miserably he had failed.
It had been the inspiration of the moment, and the
details had appeared clear at once to his mind. Going
over them he found that he had not been mistaken.
