Pagina 156 di 788

So all rushed towards them from the other room, and, pouring

through the doorway like a swift wave, carried away the young

couple who were standing on the threshold like Janus, the

two-headed god.

Before Thaddeus and Telimena could smooth the hair on their

heads, the threatening shouts had died away; a murmur mixed with

laughter was spreading through the throng, a truce had come to

the brawl; the Monk had appeased it-an old man, but strong and

with very broad shoulders. Just as the Assessor had run up to the

Jurist, and when the combatants were already making threatening

gestures at each other, he suddenly seized them both by the

collar from behind, and twice knocking their two heads violently

together like Easter eggs, he spread out his arms like a

signpost, and tossed them at the same moment into opposite

corners of the room; for a moment he stood still with

outstretched arms, and cried, "Pax, pax, pax vobiscum; peace be

with you!"