Ossoli family had been high in favor
and in office, in Rome, and the same vista opened for his own
future, had he chosen to follow their lead. The Pope left
for Molo di Gaeta, and then came a suspension of all legal
procedure, so that the estate was never divided, before we
left Italy, and I do not know that it has ever been.

"Ossoli had the feeling, that, while his own sister and family
could not be informed of his marriage, no others should know
of it; and from day to day they hoped on for the favorable
change which should enable them to declare it. Their child was
born; and, for his sake, in order to defend him, as Margaret
said, from the stings of poverty, they were patient waiters
for the restored law of the land. Margaret felt that she
would, at any cost to herself, gladly secure for her child a
condition above want; and, although it was a severe trial,--as
her letters to us attest,--she resolved to wait, and hope,
and keep her secret. At the time when she took me into her
confidence, she was so full of anxiety and dread of some
shock, from which she might not recover, that it was
absolutely necessary to make it known to some friend. She
was living with us at the time, and she gave it to me. Most
sacredly, but timidly, did I keep her secret; for, all the
while, I was tormented with a desire to be of active service
to her, and I was incapacitated from any action by the
position in which I was placed.

"Ossoli's post was one of considerable danger, he being in one
of the most exposed places; and, as Margaret saw his wounded
and dying comrades, she felt that another shot might take him
from her, or bring him to her care in the hospital. Eagerly
she watched the carts, as they came up with their suffering
loads, dreading that her worst fears might be confirmed. No
argument of ours could persuade Ossoli to leave his post to
take food or rest. Sometimes we went to him, and carried a
concealed basket of provisions, but he shared it with so many
of his fellows, that his own portion must have been almost
nothing. Haggard, worn, and pale, he walked over the Vatican
grounds with us, pointing out, now here, now there, where some
poor fellow's blood sprinkled the wall; Margaret was with us,
and for a few moments they could have an anxious talk about
their child.