popularity was dear to him. He
knew that, if he were suddenly strict after being lax, he would cause
people to call him a tyrant. For this reason he told his Privy Council
that he must go to Poland on important business of state. "I have chosen
Angelo to rule in my absence," said he.

Now this Angelo, although he appeared to be noble, was really a mean
man. He had promised to marry a girl called Mariana, and now would have
nothing to say to her, because her dowry had been lost. So poor Mariana
lived forlornly, waiting every day for the footstep of her stingy lover,
and loving him still.

Having appointed Angelo his deputy, the Duke went to a friar called
Thomas and asked him for a friar's dress and instruction in the art of
giving religious counsel, for he did not intend to go to Poland, but to
stay at home and see how Angelo governed.

Angelo had not been a day in office when he condemned to death a young
man named Claudio for an act of rash selfishness which nowadays would
only be punished by severe reproof.

Claudio had a queer friend called Lucio, and Lucio saw a chance of
freedom for Claudio if Claudio's beautiful sister Isabella would plead
with Angelo.

Isabella was at that time living in a nunnery. Nobody had won her heart,
and she thought she would like to become a sister, or nun.

Meanwhile Claudio did not lack an advocate.

An ancient lord, Escalus, was for leniency. "Let us cut a little, but
not kill," he said. "This gentleman had a most noble father."

Angelo was unmoved. "If twelve men find me guilty, I ask no more mercy
than is in the law."

Angelo then ordered the Provost to see that Claudio was executed at nine
the next morning.

After the issue of this order Angelo was told that the sister of the
condemned man desired to see him.

"Admit her," said Angelo.

On entering with Lucio, the beautiful girl said, "I am a woeful suitor
to your Honor."

"Well?" said Angelo.

She colored at his chill monosyllable and the ascending red increased
the beauty of her face. "I have a brother who is condemned to die," she
continued. "Condemn the fault, I pray you, and spare my brother."

"Every fault," said Angelo, "is condemned before it is committed. A
fault cannot suffer. Justice would be void if the committer of a fault
went free."

She would have left the court if Lucio had not whispered to her, "You
are too cold; you could not speak more tamely if you wanted a pin."

So Isabella attacked Ang