Volume I Part 5 (1/2)
I was in that state of ruff voice of Bettina's hter was dying As I would have been very sorry if she had departed this life before she could feel the effects of ot up hurriedly and went downstairs I found Bettina lying in her father's bed writhing with fearful convulsions, and surrounded by the whole fa her body now to the right, now to the left, striking at rando herself by violent shaking from the hands of those who endeavoured to keep her down
With this sight before ht's adventure still in e of hue of artifice and tricks, and I could not understand how I foundsuch a scene, and cos, one of whom I intended to kill and the other to dishonour At the end of an hour Bettina fell asleep
A nurse and Doctor Olivo came soon after The first said that the convulsions were caused by hysterics, but the doctor said no, and prescribed rest and cold baths I said nothing, but I could not refrain frouessed, that Bettina's sickness was the result of her nocturnal eht which shewith Cordiani At all events, I detere until the return of her brother, although I had not the slightest suspicion that her illness was all shaive her credit for so much cleverness
To return toher dress handy on the bed I took it into my head to search her pockets
I found a s, I took possession of it to read it in irl's i unable to read would very likely have given it to the doctor, her son I thought she swords: ”As your father is away it is not necessary to leave your door ajar as usual When we leave the supper-table I will go to your closet; you will find ave way to an irresistible fit of laughter, and seeing how coht I was cured of iveness, and Bettina of conte received a lesson of such importance for the ree tothe preference to Cordiani, as fifteen years old, while I was only a child Yet, in spite of iveness, the kick administered by Cordiani was still heavy upon ainst him
At noon, as ere at dinner in the kitchen, where we took our ain to raise piercing screams Everybody rushed to her room, but I quietly kept my seat and finishedwhen I caht to the kitchen close by her mother's; but it was no concern of mine, and I re the night, and to the confusion which took place in the , when she had a fresh fit of convulsions
Doctor Gozzi and his father returned in the evening Cordiani, who felt uneasy, came to inquire from me what my intentions were, but I rushed towards him with an open penknife in my hand, and he beat a hasty retreat I had entirely abandoned the idea of relating the night's scandalous adventure to the doctor, for such a project I could only entertain in a e The next day the mother came in while ere at our lesson, and told the doctor, after a lengthened preahter's illness; that it was caused by a spell thrown over her by a witch, and that she knew the witch well
”It may be, my dear mother, but we must be careful not to make a mistake Who is the witch?”
”Our old servant, and I have just had a proof of it”
”How so?”
”I have barred the door of my room with two broomsticks placed in the shape of a cross, which she o in; but when she saw them she drew back, and she went round by the other door It is evident that, were she not a witch, she would not be afraid of touching them”
”It is not complete evidence, dear mother; send the woman to me”
The servant made her appearance
”Why,” said the doctor, ”did you not enter h the usual door?”
”I do not knohat you mean”
”Did you not see the St Andrew's cross on the door?”
”What cross is that?”
”It is useless to plead ignorance,” said the ht?”
”Atof the sort You were at the witches' Sabbath; you are a witch, and have bewitched nant at such an accusation, spits at her ets hold of a stick to give the servant a drubbing; the doctor endeavours to keep his mother back, but he is compelled to let her loose and to run after the servant, as hurrying down the stairs, screahbours; he catches her, and finally succeeds in pacifying her with some money
After this comical but rather scandalous exhibition, the doctor donned his vest his sister and of ascertaining whether she was truly possessed of an unclean spirit The novelty of this mystery attracted the whole of my attention All the inmates of the house appeared to me either ine that diabolical spirits were dwelling in Bettina's body When we drew near her bed, her breathing had, to all appearance, stopped, and the exorcisms of her brother did not restore it Doctor Olivo happened to come in at that moment, and inquired whether he would be in the way; he was answered in the negative, provided he had faith
Upon which he left, saying that he had no faith in any miracles except in those of the Gospel
Soon after Doctor Gozzi went to his roo myself alone with Bettina I bent down over her bed and whispered in her ear
”Take courage, get well again, and rely upon my discretion”