"I intend to have the truth from one of the three of you before I let
you go," said he. "From you I require to know why you put him into the
cupboard."

"It was very silly," said Aurelia, "since he had done no harm. Nonna,
why did you put him into the cupboard?"

"Diana!" cried the old woman, "where else was I to put the boy?" The
doctor's laughter was terrible to me. I took a step forward.

"I will tell you, sir, the reason of both your puzzlements," I said. "I
was put into the cupboard because Donna Aurelia was rightly ashamed of
me, and I came out because I was honestly ashamed of myself."

"Ha!" said he, "so now we have it."

"You shall have it now," I replied. "I was honestly ashamed of myself,
and honestly glorious that I had been rebuked by so noble a lady. Sir,
it is true that I love this lady." Aurelia gave a shocked little cry,
but I went on. "It is true that I kiss her feet. Sir, I worship the
ground she presses with them--it is holy ground."

He scoffed at me. I said, "My feelings overcame me--I sinned--I am
utterly unworthy. Punish me for my sin as you will, I shall not defend
myself. But do not, and do not you, madam, I entreat, punish me for the
one thing I have done this night of which I may be rightly proud."

"Bah," said he, "you are a fool, I see. And now, madam---"