Page 451 - Revelation

Svetlana de Rohan-Levashova. Revelation

the best burn... burn because of the most foolish lies.

– Tell me, Sever. Has Golden Maria ever succeded in visiting the Northern
Country? – I asked, again wishing to change the subject of the conversation.
Sever attentively scrutinized my face, as if wishing to get down to my soul. Then
he sadly smiled and quietly pronounced:

– You are very shrewd, Isidora... But I cannot tell you all of that. I can only answer
– yes. She visited the holy Land of her ancestors... the Land of Radomir. Wanderer
helped her. But I have no right to tell you more... Forgive me.
It was unexpected and strange. On telling me about the events which, in my
understanding, were far more serious and more important, Sever suddenly refused to
tell me such a "trifle"! Certainly, my interest became much stronger, allowing me to
cherish hopes that somehow I would know it before I die. Somehow I will have time for
that…
Unexpectedly the door swung open and we saw Caraffa on the threshold. To my
surprise he looked fresh and satisfied.

– Well, well... Madonna Isidora receives guests! Very interesting. From the very
Meteora, if I am not mistaken? The great Sever in person! Will you introduce me,
Isidora? I think it will be very useful for all of us!
And complacently laughing, Caraffa sat himself on a chair with an air of
importance.

Isidora-9. The loss of Anna. A Woman-Warrior

Caraffa stared rudely at Sever as if the latter was a rare exotic animal. For some
incomprehensible reason the Pope’s face shone with confidence which frightened me
more than his hurling "thunderbolts" of terrible dissatisfaction...
– Well, well, venerable Sever! We meet at last! Once I’d promised, I knew that
you would come to me; I don’t change my promises, as a rule.

– Don’t flatter yourself, Caraffa. – Sever pronounced calmly. – I would never give
you that kind of pleasure, as you know perfectly well. My interest is in Madonna
Isidora. She is too valuable to be in your hands. But, of course, you are unable to
understand that.
– Man’s value depends on in what way he can be of benefit to God. Well, Madonna
Isidora, as you know, is a witch... and a very mighty one. Therefore her attitude toward
God does not leave a glimmer of hope of her changing for the better. And, thus, her
"value" for me and our holiest church comes to zero, dearest Sever.

– Why do you keep her locked up then, ceaselessly killing her family one by one,
Caraffa? – Sever asked frostily.
– Good heavens, dearest Sever! Madonna Isidora is absolutely free in her acts
and decisions!
– And caustically smiling, added: – As soon as she deigns to give to me what I ask, she
is free to go wherever she wishes, even if it be against my will.
The room "sparkled" with tension. The conversation, unpleasant for Sever and
me, portended nothing good. But, apparently, Caraffa pursued his own aim (as usual,

Back to content

450