Page 247 - Revelation

Svetlana de Rohan-Levashova. Revelation

"wall" behind which I felt confident and protected... But it had disappeared and there
was nothing to replace it. Girolamo was the most faithful and affectionate husband in
the world and a very important part of my world grew dark, empty and cold without
him. My life was gradually filling with sorrow, anguish and hatred, and the desire to
take revenge on Caraffa, forgetting about myself and the thought of how small my force
was compared to his ... Grief blinded me. It had immersed me in the abyss of despair
and the only way to get out of it was to defeat Caraffa.

He came back into my life in two weeks. One early sunny morning he entered my
room very self-confident, fresh and happy and pronounced with satisfaction:
– I have a surprise for you, Madonna Isidora! I think you will be immensely
pleased.

At once I broke out in a cold sweat. I knew his "surprises". They never bring
anything good... As if reading my thoughts, Caraffa added:
– It’s a pleasant surprise, really. I promise you. You’ll see it yourselsf now!
The door opened. And a fragile tall girl entered it, watchfully looking around...
Horror and joy seized me. I stiffened with astonishment... It was my daughter, my little

Anna!!! Although it was rather difficult to call her little, because she had noticeably
matured and shot up over these two years, becoming even lovelier...
My heart rushed to her, letting out a mute cry, almost jumping out of my chest!
But I forbade myself to hurry. I did not know what the unforeseeable Caraffa planned
this time. Therefore I had to behave very calmly which was almost beyond my forces.
Only the fear of making an irreparable mistake restrained my raging emotions which
were trying to break out like a hurricane. Happiness, horror, wild joy and fear of loss
tore me to pieces at one and the same time! Caraffa smiled being absolutely satisfied
with the produced effect... which at once made me inwardly shudder. I did not dare
even to think what could follow further... I knew that, if something terrible was to
happen, the desire to protect Anna would be too strong to stand up against Caraffa...
and I panicked, being afraid that I would be unable to say no to him whatever he would
ask for.

But to my greatest surprise, his "surprise" appeared to be a real one.
– Are you glad to see your daughter, Madonna Isidora? – Caraffa asked smiling
broadly.
– Everything depends on what will follow, Your Holiness... – I answered carefully.
– But, certainly, I am unspeakably glad!

– In that case enjoy the meeting. I will come for her in an hour. Nobody will
disturb you. And then I will come to fetch her. She will live in a monastery. I think it is
the best place for such gifted girl as your daughter.
– Monastery?!! But she never was a believer, Your Holiness. She is a hereditory
Witch, and nothing in the world will make her different. This is who she is; and she
will never be able to change. Even if you destroy her, she will remain a Witch! Just like
my mother and me. You will be unable to make a believer out of her!

– What a child you are, Madonna Isidora! – Caraffa sincerely laughed. – Nobody
was going to make a "believer" out of her. I think she can perfectly serve our saintly

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