Ashes

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1908. Not illustrated. … they were a feline and stealthy enemy trying to vanquish him at unawares. “I am strong !” he repeated, supporting himself on the flimsy balcony. “Monster! it is I who shall vanquish you!” And he did not perceive that the monster stood by his side–inexorable. VIII In the long sleepless night, Anania decided, or believed he decided his fate. “I will place her here with Aunt Grathia, until I have found my feet. I will speak to Signor Carboni and to Margherita. I will tell them, ‘This is how matters stand, my mother is to live with me the moment my position allows it. This is my duty, and I will do my duty though the universe fall.’ He will drive me away like an unclean animal; I will have no illusions about it. Next, I will look for a post; and I shall find one, and then I will take the poor wretch with me, and we will live together, miserably of course, but I shall pay my debts, and I shall be a man. A man! say rather a living corpse.” He seemed to himself calm, cold, already dead to joy. But in the depth of his heart was a cruel intoxication of pride, a fury of infatuated resistance to fate and to society and to himself. “It is what I willed,” he thought. “I knew it K might end like this. I have been allowing myself to drift. Woe is me! now I must expiate my folly. I will expiate!” This illusion of courage sustained him through the night and through the following day, when he made the ascension of the Gennargentu. The morning was sad, windless, but cloudy and misty; he determined to persevere in his expedition, hoping the weather would clear. In reality, he wanted to give himself proof of his courage and indifference. What were mountains from henceforth to him? What were far horizons? What the whole world? But he willed to do what he had resolved to do….