God has chosen Francesco as his instrument to save many souls that would otherwise be damned, and Leone's most fervent prayer is that through no merit of his own but through his devotion to Francesco he will be one of that select company of the redeemed. Yet even as he nourishes that hope, he knows that he has no right to it, because he is so sinful and plagued by temptations. Leone shivers, drawing away. But when I unwrap it, it will open again. Francesco straightens his spine and opens his arms out from his sides as if he were praying, and perhaps he is.
Leone unfastens the end of the bandage and slowly pulls away the outer layer.
It comes loose easily, but with the next layer he feels a slight resistance, and Francesco's knitted brow tells him what he already knows. Francesco bites his lower lip without speaking. There is one layer to go, and it will be the most painful. Leone brings the loose part of the bandage just to the edge of the wound, and then pulls it lightly to find the deepest part. Francesco's face has gone white, but he does not flinch.