Only one more request, which after Ciceronian sentiments--which Cicero
could not practise--you are all too young not to wonder at. If you, my
three children, can manage it, without any heavy expense, or much
trouble to yourselves, it is my last wish as regards the body, that it
should lie by the side of my wife’s. The name of the little church, St.
Katharine’s on the Cliff, can scarcely have escaped my Clara’s excellent
memory. Lily lies beside her father, in the right-hand corner towards
the sea. Each of them has a cross of the Signor’s alabaster, made from
my own design. Lily’s is enough for me: put my name with hers."
Not only did we look upon his last fond wish as sacred, but we
accomplished it in the manner that was likely to please him most. We
put his own "Lilyflower," the little love-boat as they called it, into
commission again, engaged a good captain and crew, and taking old Cora
with us, set sail from Gloucester for the Mediterranean. Poor Cora was
now all devotion to Conrad and Lily, ever since she had found that they
were lawful blood and direct heirs of the Della Croce. The more recent
part of the family story she had known only from her master’s version,
and had set little store by the children as bearing the stamp of
disgrace; though she could not help loving sweet Lily. Now, by her
evidence, coupled with my dear Uncle’s deposition, his relics, and
documents, and my own testimony, confirmed by Balaam and Balak, we
established very easily the birth and the claims of my Uncle Edgar’s
children; and the old Count Gaffori, most venerable of signors, would
have kept us a month at least to go through all his accounts. He was
entreated to retain his position as the guardian of our Lily.
So far as our recent sorrow permitted enjoyment of scenery, we were all
enchanted with the Balagna. At the funeral of "Signor Valentine," whose
name was still remembered and loved, nearly all the commune was present;
and many a dignified matron shed tears, who had smiled as a graceful
girl, and strown flowers, at his wedding. They were burning with
curiosity to see our beautiful Lily, for the tender tale had moved them,
as Southern natures are moved; and many of them had loved and gloried in
her mother.
But in spite of all this desire, not a prying glance fell on her, as she
bowed in the hooded robe, and wept to the mournful vocero. Foremost of
all stood old Petro and Marcantonia, who had found out and kissed with
sobs of delight their beloved master’s daughter. For my part, I loved
the Corsicans; there is something so noble and simple about the men, so
graceful, warm-hearted, and lady-like in the women; and in a very short
time I could understand more than half they said. The black Vendetta,
they told me, was dying out among them, and in a few years would be but
a wonder of the past. God in His mercy grant it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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