Butfromthatdayonemighthavedatedacertainassumptionofyouthfulnessinhismanners。AtcardsitwasalwaysthesignorinoandGonerilagainstthetwoelderladies;inhisconversation，too，itwastotheyounggirlthatheconstantlyappealed，asifshewerehisnaturalcompanion——she，andnothisfriendsofthirtyyears。MadamePetrucci，alwayssereneandkind，tooknonoticeoftheselittlechanges，buttheywereparticularlyirritatingtoMissPrunty，whowas，afterall，onlyfouryearsolderthanthesignorino。
Thatladyhad，indeed，becomemorethanusuallysharpandforeboding。
Shereceivedthesignorino’sgayeffusionsinominoussilence，andwouldfrowndarklywhileMadamePetruccipettedher"littlebird，"asshecalledGoneril。Once，indeed，MissPruntywasheardtoremarkthatitwastemptingProvidencetohavedealingswithacreaturewhoseverynamewasasynonymforingratitude。ButtheelderladyonlysmiledanddeclaredthatherGonerillawascharming，delicious，arealsunshineinthehouse。
"NowIcallonyoutosupportme，signorino，"shecriedoneevening，whenthethreeelderssattogetherintheroom，whileGonerilwateredtherosesontheterrace。"IsnotmyGonerillaacharminglittle/bebe/？"
SignorGrazianowithdrewhiseyesfromthewindow。
"Mostcharming，certainly，butscarcelysuchachild。Sheisseventeen，youknow，mydearsignora。"
"Seventeen！/SantoDio！/Andwhatisoneatseventeenbutaninnocent，playful，charminglittlekitten？"
"Youarealwaysright，madame，"agreedthesignorino，buthelookedasifhethoughtshewereverywrong。
"OfcourseIamright，"laughedthelittlelady。"Comehere，myGonerilla，andholdmyskeinforme。SignorGrazianoisgoingtocharmuswithoneofhisdelightfulairs。"
"Ihopedshewouldsing，"falteredthesignorino。
"Who？Gonerilla？Nonsense，myfriend。Shewindssilkmuchbetterthanshesings。"
Gonerillaughed;shewasnotatalloffended。ButSignorGrazianomadeseveralmistakesinhisplaying。Atlastheleftthepiano。"Icannotplayto-night，"hecried。"Iamnotinthehumour。Goneril，willyoucomeandwalkwithmeontheterrace？"
BeforethegirlcouldreplyMissPruntyhaddartedanangryglanceatSignorGraziano。
"GoodLord，whatfoolsmenare！"sheejaculated。"Anddoyouthink，now，I’mgoingtoletthatgirl，who’sjustgettingridofhermalaria，gostar-gazingwithanyoldidiotwhileallthemistsarecurlingoutofthevalleys？"
"Brigida，mylove，youforgetyourself，"saidMadamePetrucci。
"Bah！"criedthesignorino。Hewasevidentlyoutoftemper。
Thelittleladyhastenedtosmooththetroubledwaters。"Talkingofmalaria，"shebegan，inherserenestmanner，"IalwaysrememberwhatmydearestMadameLillitoldme。ItwasatoneofPrinceTeano’sconcerts。Youremember，signorino？"
"/Che！/HowshouldIremember？"heexclaimed。"Itwasalifetimeago，deadandforgotten。"
Theoldladyshrank，asifaglassofwaterhadbeenrudelythrowninherface。Shesaidnothing，staringblindly。
"Gotobed，Goneril！"criedMissPrunty，inavoiceofthunder。
CHAPTERIV
BIRDSOFAFEATHER
AfewmorningsaftertheseeventsthepostmanbroughtaletterforGoneril。Thiswassucharareoccurrencethatsheblushedroseredattheverysightofitandhadtowalkupanddowntheterraceseveraltimesbeforeshefeltcalmenoughtoreadit。ThenshewentupstairsandknockedatthedoorofMadamePetrucci’sroom。"
"Comein，littlebird。"
Theoldlady，inpinkmerinoandcurl-papers，openedthedoor。Gonerilheldupherletter。
"MycousinJackiscomingtoFlorence，andheisgoingtowalkovertoseemethisafternoon。Andmayhestaytodinner，/cara/signora？"
"Why，ofcourse，Gonerilla。Iamcharmed！"
Gonerilkissedtheoldlady，anddanceddownstairsbrimmingoverwithdelight。
LaterinthemorningSignorGrazianocalled。
"Willyoucomeoutwithme，MeesGoneril？"hesaid。"Onmylandtheearliestvintagebeginsto-day。"
"Oh，hownice！"shecried。
"Come，then，"saidthesignorino，smiling。
"Oh，Ican’tcometo-day，becauseofJack。"
"Jack？"
"Mycousin;hemaycomeatanytime。"
"Yourcousin！"Thesignorinofrownedalittle。"Ah，youEnglish，"hesaid，"youconsiderallyourcousinsbrothersandsisters！"
Gonerillaughed。
"Isitnotso？"heasked，alittleanxiously。
"Jackismuchnicerthanmybrothers，"saidtheyounggirl。
"Andwhoishe，thisJack？"
"He’sadearboy，"saidGoneril，"andveryclever;heisgoinghomefortheIndiancivil-serviceexam;hehasbeenouttoCalcuttatoseemyfather。"
Thesignorinodidnotpayanyattentiontothelatterpartofthisdescription，butheappearedtofindthebeginningverysatisfactory。
"Soheisonlyaboy，"hemutteredtohimself，andwentawaycomparativelysatisfied。
GonerilspentmostofthedaywatchingtheroadfromFlorence。Shemightnotwalkonthehighway，butasteepshortcutthatjoinedthemainroadatthebottomofthehillwasquiteatherdisposal。Shewalkedupanddownformorethananhour。AtlastshesawsomeoneontheFlorenceroad。Shewalkedonquickly。Itwasthetelegraph-boy。
Shetoreopentheenvelopeandread："Venice。——Exam。onWednesday。
Startatonce。/Arivederci/。"
ItwaswithveryredeyesthatGonerilwentintodinner。
"Sothecousinhasn’tcome？"saidMissPrunty，kindly。
"No;hehadtogohomeatonceforhisexamination。"
"Idaresayhe’llcomeoveragainsoon，mydear，"saidthatdiscriminatinglady。ShehadquitetakenGonerilbackintohergoodgraces。
Theyallsattogetherinthelittleparlorafterdinner。Ateighto’clockthedoor-bellrang。ItwasnowsevenweekssinceGonerilhadblushedwithexcitementwhenfirstsheheardthatring，andnowshedidnotblush。
Thesignorinoentered。Hewalkedverystraightandhislipswereset。
Hecameinwiththeairofonepreparedtoencounteropposition。
"MeesGoneril，"hesaid，"willyoucomeoutontheterrace？——beforeitistoolate，"headded，withasavageglanceatMissPrunty。
"Yes，"saidGoneril;andtheywentouttogether。
"Sothecousindidnotcome？"saidthesignorino。
"No。"
Theywentonalittlewayinsilencetogether。Thenightwasmoon-litandclear;notawindstirredtheleaves;theskywaslikeasapphire，containingbutnotsheddinglight。Thelateoleanderssmelledverysweet;themoonwassofullthatonecoulddistinguishthepeculiargrayish-pinkoftheblossoms。
"Itisalovelynight！"saidGoneril。
"Andalovelyplace。"
"Yes。"
Thenabirdsang。
"Youhavebeenherejusteightweeks，"saidthesignorino。
"Ihavebeenveryhappy。"
Hedidnotspeakforaminuteortwo，andthenhesaid：
"Wouldyouliketoliveherealways？"
"Ah，yes！butthatisimpossible。"
Hetookherhandandturnedhergently，sothatherfacewasinthelight。
"DearMeesGoneril，whyisitimpossible？"
Foramomenttheyounggirldidnotanswer。Sheblushedveryred，andlookedbrave。
"BecauseofJack！"shesaid。
"Ah！"
"Nothingissettled，"addedtheyounggirl，"butitisnousepretendingnottoknow。"
"Itisnouse，"herepeated，verysadly。
Andthenforalittlewhiletheylistenedtothebird。
"MeesGoneril，"saidthesignorinoatlast，"doyouknowwhyIbroughtyououthere？"
"Notatall，"sheanswered。
Itwasaminutebeforehespokeagain。
"IamgoingtoRometo-morrow，"hesaid，"andIwantedtobidyougood-bye。Youwillsingtometo-night，asitwillbethelasttime？"
"Oh，Ihopenotthelasttime！"
"Yes，yes，"hesaid，alittletestily;"unless——andIprayitmaynotbeso——unlessyoueverneedthehelpofanoldfriend。"
"DearSignorGraziano！"
"Andnowyouwillsingmemy’NobilAmore’？"
"Iwilldoanythingyoulike。"
Thesignorinosighedandlookedatherforaminute。Thenheledherintothelittleparlour，whereMadamePetrucciwassingingshrillyinthetwilight。
THEBRIGAND’SBRIDE：
ATALEOFSOUTHERNITALY
BY
LAURENCEOLIPHANT
TheItalianpeninsuladuringtheyears1859，1860，and1861offeredaparticularlytemptingfieldforadventuretoardentspiritsinsearchofexcitement;and，attractedpartlybymysympathywiththepopularmovement，andpartlybythatsimpledesire，whichgivessomuchzesttothelifeofyouth，ofriskingitonallpossibleoccasions，Ihadtakenanactivepart，chieflyasanofficiousspectator，inalltheprincipaleventsofthosestirringyears。Itwasinthespringof1862
thatIfoundmattersbeginningtosettledowntoadegreethatthreatenedmonotony;andwiththeterminationofthewintergaietiesatNaplesandthecloseoftheSanCarlo，Iseriouslybethoughtmeofacceptingtheofferofanavalfriendwhowasabouttoengageinblockade-running，andofferedtolandmeintheConfederateStates，whenarecrudescenceofactivityonthepartofthebrigandbandsinCalabriainducedmetoturnmyattentioninthatdirection。ThefirstquestionIhadtoconsiderwas，whetherIshouldenjoymyselfmostbyjoiningthebrigands，orthetroopswhichwereengagedinsuppressingthem。Astheformeraspiredtoapoliticalcharacter，andcalledthemselvespatrioticbandsfightingfortheirchurch，theircountry，andtheirking，——therefugeemonarchofNaples，——onecouldespousetheircausewithoutexactlylayingone’sselfopentothechargeofbeingabandit;butitwasnotoriousinpointoffactthatthebandscaredforneitherthepopenortheexiledkingnortheirannexedcountry，butcommittedthemostabominableatrocitiesinthenamesofallthethree，forthesimplepurposeoffillingtheirpockets。I
foresawnotonlyextremedifficultyinbeingacceptedasamemberofthefraternity，moreespeciallyasIhadhithertobeenidentifiedwiththeGaribaldians，butalsotheprobabilityoffindingmyselfcompromisedbyactsfromwhichmyconsciencewouldrevolt，andforwhichmylifewouldinalllikelihoodpaytheforfeit。Ontheotherhand，Icouldthinkofnofriendamongtheofficersofthebersaglieriandcavalryregimentsthenengagedinbrigand-huntingintheCapitanataandBasilicatatowhomIcouldapplyforaninvitationtojointhem。
UnderthesecircumstancesIdeterminedtotrusttothechapterofaccidents;and，armedwithaknapsack，asketch-book，andanair-gun，tookmyseatonemorningintheFoggiadiligence，withthevagueideaofgettingasnearthesceneofoperationsaspossible，andseeingwhatwouldturnup。Theair-gunwasnotsomuchaweaponofoffenceordefenceasameansofintroductiontotheinhabitants。Ithadtheinnocentappearanceofratherathickwalking-cane，withalittlebrasstriggerprojecting;andintheafternoonIwouldjointhegroupsittinginfrontofthechemist’s，which，forsomereasonorother，isgenerallyasortofopen-airclubinasmallNeapolitantown，orstrollintothesinglemodestcafeofwhichitmightpossiblyboast，andtoyabstractedlywiththetrigger。This，togetherwithmypersonalappearance，——fordowhatIwouldIcouldnevermakemyselflooklikeaNeapolitan，——wouldbecertaintoattractattention，andsomeonebolderthantherestwouldmakehimselfthespokesman，andpolitelyaskmewhetherthecaneinmyhandwasanumbrellaorafishing-rod;
onwhichIwouldamiablyreplythatitwasagun，andthatIshouldhavemuchpleasureinexhibitingmyskillandthemethodofitsoperationtotheassembledcompany。Thenthewholepartywouldfollowmetoanopenspace，andIwouldcallforapackofcards，andpossibly——forIwasagoodshotinthosedays——pinktheaceofheartsatfifteenpaces。Atanyrate，myperformancesusuallycalledforthplaudits，andthisinvolvedafurtherinterchangeofcomplimentsandexplanations，andtheproductionofmysketch-book，whichsoonprocuredmetheacquaintanceofsomeladies，andaninvitationasanEnglishartisttothehouseofsomerespectablecitizen。
Soithappenedthat，gettingoutofthediligencebeforeitreachedFoggia，Istrucksouth，andwanderedforsomedaysfromonelittletowntoanother，beingalwayshospitablyentertained，whethertherehappenedtobean/albergo/ornot，atprivatehouses，seeinginthiswaymoreofthemannersandcustomsoftheinhabitantsthanwouldhavebeenotherwisepossible，gainingmuchinformationastothehauntsofthebrigands，thewhereaboutsofthetroops，andhearingmuchlocalgossipgenerally。Theignoranceofthemostrespectableclassesatthisperiodwasastounding;ithasdoubtlessallchangedsince。Ihavebeenatatownoftwothousandinhabitants，notoneofwhomtookinanewspaper;thewholepopulation，therefore，wasinasprofoundignoranceofwhatwastranspiringintherestoftheworldasiftheyhadbeeninNovaiaZemlia。IhavestayedwithamayorwhodidnotknowthatEnglandwasanisland;IhavebeentheguestofacitizenwhohadneverheardofScotland，andtowhom，therefore，mynationalitywasanenigma;butInevermetanyone——Imeanofthissameclass——whohadnotheardofPalmerston。Hewasamysteriouspersonage，execratedbythe"blacks"andadoredbythe"reds。"AndIshonewithareflectedlustreasthecitizenofacountryofwhichhewasthePrimeMinister。
Asaconsequence，wehadpoliticaldiscussions，whichwereprotractedfarintothenight;fortheprincipalmealofthetwenty-fourhourswasa10-o’clock-P。M。supper，atwhich，aftertheinevitablemacaroni，weremanyunwholesomedishes，suchassaladsmadeofthistles，cows’
udders，andotherdelicacies，whichdeprivedoneofalldesireforsleep。Notwithstandingwhich，weroseearly，myhostessandtheladiesoftheestablishmentappearingintheearlypartofthedayinthemostextremedeshabille。Indeed，ononeoccasionwhenIwasfirstintroducedintothefamilyofarespectablecitizenandshownintomybedroom，Imistookoneofthetwofemaleswhoweremakingthebedfortheservant，andwassurprisedtoseeherhandalittledouceurIgaveherasanearnestofattentiononherparttotheother，withasmile。
Shesoonafterwardwenttobed：wealldid，from11A。M。tillabout3
P。M。，atwhichhourIwashorrifiedtomeetherarrayedinsilksandsatins，andtofindthatshewasthewifeofmyhost。Shekindlytookmeadrivewithherinacarriageandpair，andwithacoachmaninlivery。
Itwasbythissimplemeans，andbythusimposingmyselfuponthehospitalityoftheseunsophisticatedpeople，thatIworkedmyway，byslowdegrees，chieflyonfoot，intothepartofthecountryIdesiredtovisit;andItrustthatIinameasurerepaidthemforitbythestoresofinformationwhichIimpartedtothem，andofwhichtheystoodmuchinneed，andbylittlesketchesoftheirhomesandthesurroundingscenery，withwhichIpresentedthem。Iwas，indeed，dependentinsomemeasureforhospitalityofthisdescription，asI
hadtakennomoneywithme，partlybecause，totellthetruth，Ihadscarcelygotany，andpartlybecauseIwasafraidofbeingrobbedbybrigandsofthelittleIhad。Ithereforeeschewedthecharacterofa/milordoInglese/;butIneversucceededindispellingallsuspicionthatImightnotbeanephewoftheQueen，oratleastaverynearrelativeofPalmerstonindisguise。Itwassonatural，seeingwhatadeepinterestbothherMajestyandthePrimeMinistertookinItaly，thattheyshouldsendsomeoneincognitowhomtheycouldtrusttotellthemallaboutit。
Meantime，Iwasnotsurprised，whenIcametoknowthedispositionoftheinhabitants，atthesuccessofbrigandage。Ithasneverbeenmyfortunebeforeorsincetoliveamongsuchatimidpopulation。Onedayatalargetownaleadinglandedproprietorreceivednoticethatifhedidnotpayacertainsuminblackmail，——Iforgetatthisdistanceoftimetheexactamount，——hisfarmor/masseria/wouldberobbed。Thisfarm，whichwasinfactahandsomecountryhouse，wasdistantabouttenmilesfromthetown。Hethereforemadeanappealtothecitizensthattheyshouldarmthemselvesandhelphimtodefendhisproperty，ashehaddeterminednottopay，andhadtakenstepstobeinformedastotheexactdatewhentheattackwastobemadeindefaultofpayment。Morethanthreehundredcitizensenrolledthemselvesaswillingtoturnoutinarms。Onthedayprecedingtheattackbythebrigands，arendezvouswasgiventothesethreehundredonthegreatsquareforfiveinthemorning，andthitherIaccordinglyrepaired，unable，however，toinducemyhosttoaccompanyme，althoughhehadsignedasavolunteer。Onreachingtherendezvous，Ifoundthelandedproprietorandafriendwhowaslivingwithhim，andabouttenminutesafterwardtwoothervolunteersstrolledup。Fivewasallwecouldmusteroutofthreehundred。Itwasmanifestlyuselesstoattemptanythingwithsosmallaforce，andnoargumentscouldinduceanyoftheotherstoturnout;sotheunhappygentlemanhadthesatisfactionofknowingthatthebrigandshadpunctuallypillagedhisplace，carryingoffallhislivestockontheverydayandattheveryhourtheysaidtheywould。Asfortheinhabitantsventuringanydistancefromtown，exceptundermilitaryescort，suchathingwasunknown，andallcommunicationwithNapleswasforsometimevirtuallyintercepted。
IwasregardedasasortofmonomaniacofrecklessnessbecauseI
venturedonasolitarywalkofamileortwoinsearchofasketch——anactofnogreataudacityonmypart，forIhadwalkedthroughvariouspartsofthecountrywithoutseeingabrigand，andfounditdifficulttorealisethattherewasanyactualdangerinstrollingamilefromamoderatelylargetown。
Emboldenedbyimpunity，Iwastemptedonedaytofollowupamostromanticgleninsearchofasketch，whenIcameuponaremarkablyhandsomepeasantgirl，drivingadonkeybeforeherloadedwithwood。
Mysuddenappearanceonthenarrowpathmadetheanimalshyagainstaprojectingpieceofrock，offwhichhereboundedtotheedgeofthepath，which，givingway，precipitatedhimandhisloaddowntheravine。Hewasbroughtupunhurtagainstabushsometwentyfeetbelow，thefagotsofwoodbeingscatteredinhisdescentinalldirections。Foramomentthegirl’slarge，fierceeyesflasheduponmewithanger;buttheimpetuositywithwhichIwentheadlongafterthedonkey，withaviewofrepairingmyerror，andtheabsurdattemptsI
madetoreversethepositionofhisfeet，whichwereintheair，convertedherindignationintoaheartyfitoflaughter，as，seeingthattheanimalwasapparentlyuninjured，shescrambleddowntomyassistance。Byourunitedeffortsweatlastsucceededinhoistingthedonkeyuptothepath，andthenIcollectedthewoodandhelpedhertoloaditagain——anoperationwhichinvolvedafrequentmeetingofhandsandoftheeyes，whichhadnowlosttheferocitythathadstartledmeatfirst，andseemedgettingmoresoftandbeamingeverytimeI
glancedatthem，tillatlast，producingmysketch-book，Iventuredtoremark，"Ah，signorina，whatapictureyouwouldmake！Nowthattheassisloaded，letmedrawyoubeforewepart，thatImaycarryawaytherecollectionoftheloveliestwomanIhaveseen。"
"Firstdrawthedonkey，"shereplied，"thatImaycarryawayarecollectionofthe/galantuomo/whofirstupsethimoverthebank，andthenhelpedmetoloadhim。"
Smilingatthisambiguouscompliment，Igaveherthesketchshedesired，andwasabouttoclaimmyreward，whensheabruptlyremarked：
"Thereisnottimenow;itisgettinglate，andImustnotlinger，asIhavestillanhourtogobeforereachinghome。Howisitthatyouarenotafraidtobewanderinginthissolitaryglenbyyourself？Doyounotknowtherisks？"
"Ihaveheardofthem，butIdonotbelieveinthem，"Isaid;
"besides，Ishouldbepoorplunderforrobbers。"
"Butyouhavefriends，whowouldpaytoransomyou，Isuppose，ifyouwerecaptured？"
"Mylifeisnotworthahundredscuditoanyofthem，"Ireplied，laughing;"butIamwillingtoforegothepleaseofdrawingyounow，/bellissima/，ifyouwilltellmewhereyoulive，andletmecomeandpaintyouthereatmyleisure。"
"You’reabraveone，"shesaid，withalittlelaugh;"thereisnotanothermaninallAscoliwhowoulddaretopaymeavisitwithoutanescortoftwentysoldiers。ButIamtoogratefulforyouramiabilitytoletyourunsucharisk。/Addio/，SignorInglese。TherearemanyreasonswhyIcan’tletyoudrawmypicture，butIamnotungrateful，see！"——andsheofferedmehercheek，onwhichIinstantlyimprintedachasteandfraternalsalute。
"Don’tthinkthatyou’veseenthelastofme，/carrissima/，"Icalledout，assheturnedaway。"IshallliveonthememoryofthatkisstillIhaveanopportunityofrepeatingit。"
AndasIwatchedherretreatingfigurewithanartist’seye，Iwasstruckwithitsgraceandsuppleness，combined，asIhadobservedwhileshewashelpingmetoleadthedonkey，withanunusualdegreeofmuscularstrengthforawoman。
ThespotatwhichthisepisodehadtakenplacewassoromanticthatI
determinedtomakeasketchofit，andtheshadesofeveningwereclosinginsofastthattheywarnedmetohurryifIwouldreachthetownbeforedark。Ihadjustfinisheditandwasstoopingtopickupbyair-gun，whenIheardasuddenrush，andbeforeIhadtimetolookupIwasthrownviolentlyforwardonmyface，andfoundmyselfstrugglingintheembraceofapowerfulgrasp，fromwhichIhadnearlysucceededinfreeingmyself，whenthearmswhichwereclaspingmewerereinforcedbyseveralmorepairs，andIfeltaropebeingpassedroundmybody。
"Allright，signors！"Iexclaimed。"Iyieldtosuperiornumbers。Youneednotpullsohard;letmegetup，andIpromisetogowithyouquietly。"AndbythistimeIhadturnedsufficientlyonmybacktoseethatfourmenwereengagedintyingmeup。
"Tiehiselbowstogetherandlethimgetup，"saidone;"heisnotarmed。Here，Giuseppe，carryhisstickandpaint-boxwhileIfeelhispockets。/CorpodiBaccho！/twelvebajocchi，"heexclaimed，producingthosecoppercoinswithanairofprofounddisgust。"Itistobehopedheisworthmoretohisfriends。Now，youngman，trudge，andrememberthatthefirstsignyoumakeofattemptingtorunawaymeansfourbulletsthroughyou。"
AsIdidnotanticipateanyrealdanger，andasaprolongeddetentionwasamatterofnoconsequencetoamanwithoutanoccupation，I
steppedforwardwithalightheart，ratherpleasedthanotherwisewithanticipationsofthebrigand’scave，andturningoverinmymindwhetherornotIshouldproposetojointheband。
Wehadwalkedanhourandithadbecomedark，whenweturnedofftheroad，upanarrowpaththatledbetweenrockysidestoaglade，attheextremityofwhich，underanoverhangingledge，wasasmallcottage，withwhatseemedtobeapatchofgardeninfront。
"Ho！Anita！"calledoutthemanwhoappearedtobetheleaderoftheband;"open！Wehavebroughtafriendtosupper，whowillrequireanight’slodgings。"
Anoldwomanwithalightappeared，andoverhershoulder，tomydelight，IsawthefaceIhadaskedtobeallowedtopaintsoshortlybefore。Iwasabouttorecogniseherwithanexclamation，whenIsawahurriedmotionofherfingertoherlip，whichlookedanaturalgesturetothecasualobserver，butwhichIconstruedintoasignofprudence。
"Wheredidyoupickhimup，Croppo？"sheasked，carelessly。"Heoughttobeworthsomething。"
"Justtwelvebajocchi，"heanswered，withasneeringlaugh。"Come，/amicomio/，youwillhavetogiveusthenamesofsomeofyourfriends。"
"IamtolerablyintimatewithhisHolinessthePope，andIhaveabowingacquaintancewiththeKingofNaples，whommayGodspeedilyrestoretohisown，"Ireplied，inalightandairyfashion，whichseemedexceedinglytoexasperatethemancalledCroppo。
"Oh，yes，weknowallaboutthat;wenevercatchamanwhodoesnotprofesstobeaNeroofthedeepestdyeinordertoconciliateoursympathies。Itisjustaswellthatyoushouldunderstand，myfriend，thatallarefishwhocomeintoournet。Themoneyofthepope’sfriendsisquiteasgoodasthemoneyofGaribaldi’s。YouneednothopetoputusoffwithyourItalianfriendsofanycolour;whatwewantisEnglishgold——good，solidEnglishgold，andplentyofit。"
"Ah，"saidI，withalaugh，"ifyoudidbutknow，myfriend，howlongIhavewantedittoo！IfyoucouldonlysuggestanEnglishmanwhowouldpayyouformylife，Iwouldwritetohimimmediately，andwewouldgohalvesintheransom。Hold！"Isaid，abrightideasuddenlystrikingme。"SupposeIweretowritetomygovernment——howwouldthatdo？"
Croppowasevidentlypuzzled;mycheerfulandunembarrassedmannerapparentlyperplexedhim。HehadasuspicionthatIwasevencapableoftheaudacityofmakingafoolofhim，andyetthatpropositionaboutthegovernmentratherstaggeredhim;theremightbesomethinginit。
"Don’tyouthink，"heremarked，grimly，"itwouldaddtotheeffectofyourcommunicationifyouweretoencloseyourownearsinyourletter？Icaneasilysupplythem;andifyouarenotalittlemoreguardedinyourspeechyoumaypossiblyhavetoaddyourtongue。"
"Itwouldnothavetheslightesteffect，"Ireplied，payingnoheedtohisthreat;"youdon’tknowPalmerstonasIdo。Ifyouwishtogetanythingoutofhimyoumustbeexcessivelycivil。Whatdoeshecareaboutmyears？"AndIlaughedwithsuchscornfulcontemptthatCroppothistimefeltthathehadmadeafoolofhimself，andIobservedthelovelygirlbehind，whilethecornersofhermouthtwitchedwithsuppressedlaughter，makeasignofcaution。
"/PerDio！/"heexclaimed，jumpingupwithfury。"Understand，SignorInglese，thatCroppoisnottobetrifledwith。Ihaveasummarywayoftreatingdisrespect，"andhedrewalongandexceedinglysharp-
lookingtwo-edgedknife。
"Soyouwouldkillthegoose"（"andIcertainlyamagoose，"I
reflected）"thatmaylayagoldenegg。"Butmyallusionwaslostuponhim，andIsawmycharmertouchherforeheadsignificantly，asthoughtoimplytoCroppothatIwasweakintheupperstory。
"Animbecilewithoutfriendsandtwelvebajocchiinhispocket，"hemuttered，savagely。"Perhapsthenightwithoutfoodwillrestorehissenses。Come，fool！"andheroughlypushedmeintoadarklittlechamberadjoining。"Here，Valeria，holdthelight。"
SoValeriawasthenameoftheheroineofthedonkeyepisode。Assheheldasmalloil-lampaloftIperceivedthattheroominwhichIwastospendthenighthadmoretheappearanceofacellarthanachamber;
ithadbeenexcavatedontwosidesfromthebank;onthethirdtherewasasmallholeaboutsixinchessquare，apparentlycommunicatingwithanotherroom，andonthefourthwasthedoorbywhichIhadentered，andwhichopenedintothekitchenandgeneralliving-roomoftheinhabitants。Therewasaheapofonionsrunningtoseed，thefagotsoffire-woodwhichValeriahadbroughtthatafternoon，andanoldcaskortwo。
"Won’tyougivehimsomekindofabed？"sheaskedCroppo。
"Bah！hecansleepontheonions，"respondedthatworthy。"Ifhehadbeenmorecivilandintelligentheshouldhavehadsomethingtoeat。
Youthree，"hewenton，turningtotheothermen，"sleepinthekitchen，andwatchthattheprisonerdoesnotescape。Thedoorhasastrongboltbesides。Come，Valeria。"
Andthepairdisappeared，leavingmeinadensegloom，stronglypervadedbyanordouroffungusanddecayingonions。Gropingintooneofthecasks，Ifoundsomestraw，andspreadingitonapieceofplank，IpreparedtopassthenightsittingwithmybacktothedriestpieceofwallIcouldfind，whichhappenedtobeimmediatelyundertheair-hole——afortunatecircumstance，astheclosenesswasoftenstifling。Ihadprobablybeendozingforsometimeinasittingposition，whenIfeltsomethingticklethetopofmyhead。Theideathatitmightbealargespidercausedmetostart，when，stretchingupmyhand，itcameincontactwithwhatseemedtobearag，whichI
hadnotobserved。Gettingcarefullyup，Iperceivedafaintlightgleamingthroughtheaperture，andthensawthatahandwasprotrudedthroughit，apparentlywavingtherag。AsIfeltinstinctivelythatthehandwasValeria’s，Iseizedthefinger-tips，whichwasallI
couldgetholdof，andpressedthemtomylips。Theywerequicklydrawnaway，andthenthewhisperreachedmyears：
"Areyouhungry？"
"Yes。"
"Theneatthis，"andshepassedmeatinpannikinfullofcoldmacaroni，whichwouldjustgothroughtheopening。
"DearValeria，"Isaid，withmymouthfull，"howgoodandthoughtfulyouare！"
"Hush！he’llhear。"
"Who？"
"Croppo。"
"Whereishe？"
"Asleepinthebedjustbehindme。"
"Howdoyoucometobeinhisbedroom？"
"BecauseI’mhiswife。"
"Oh！"Alongpause，duringwhichIcollapseduponmystrawseat，andswallowedmacaronithoughtfully。Astheresultofmymeditations，"Valeria，/carissima/！"
"Hush！Yes。"
"Can’tyougetmeoutofthisinfernalden？"
"Perhaps，iftheyallthreesleepinthekitchen;atpresentoneisawake。Watchformysignal，andiftheyallthreesleepIwillmanagetoslipthebolt。Thenyoumustgivemetimetogetbackintobed，andwhenyouhearmesnoreyoumaymaketheattempt。Theyareallthreesleepingonthefloor，sobeverycarefulwhereyoutread;Iwillalsoleavethefrontdooralittleopen，sothatyoucanslipthroughwithoutnoise。"
"DearestValeria！"
"Hush！Yes。"
"Handmethatcane——itismyfishing-rod，youknow——throughthishole;
youcanleavethesketch-bookandpaint-boxunderthetreethatthedonkeyfellagainst;Iwillcallforthemsomedaysoon。And，Valeria，don’tyouthinkwecouldmakeourlipsmeetthroughthisbeastlyhole？"
"Impossible。There’smyhand;heavens！Croppowouldmurdermeifheknew。NowkeepquiettillIgivethesignal。Oh，doletgomyhand！"
"Remember，Valeria，/bellissima，carissima/，whateverhappens，thatI
loveyou。"
ButIdon’tthinksheheardthis，andIwentandsatontheonions，becauseIcouldseetheholebetterandthesmellofthemkeptmeawake。
Itwasatleasttwohoursafterthisthatthefaintlightappearedattheholeinthewallandahandwaspushedthrough。Irushedatthefinger-tips。
"Here’syourfishing-rod，"shesaid，whenIhadreleasedthemandshehadpassedmemyair-gun。"Nowbeverycarefulhowyoutread。Thereisoneasleepacrossthedoor，butyoucanopenitabouttwofeet。Thenstepoverhim;thenmakeforagleamofmoonlightthatcomesthroughthecrackofthefrontdoor，openitverygently，andslipout。
/Addio，caroInglese/;mindyouwaittillyouhearmesnoring。"
Thenshelingered，andIheardasigh。
"Whatisit，sweetValeria？"andIcoveredherhandwithkisses。
"IwishCroppohadblueeyeslikeyou。"
ThiswasmurmuredsosoftlythatImayhavebeenmistaken，butI’mnearlysurethatwaswhatshesaid;thenshedrewsoftlyaway，andtwominutesafterwardIheardhersnoring。AsthefirstsoundissuedfromherlovelynostrilsIstealthilyapproachedthedoor，gentlypusheditopen，stealthilysteppedoveraspacewhichItrustedclearedtherecumbentfigurethatIcouldnotsee，clearedhim，stolegentlyonforthestreakofmoonlight，trodsquarelyonsomethingthatseemedlikeanoutstretchedhand，foritgaveundermypressureandproducedayell，feltthatImustnowrushformylife，dashedthedooropen，anddownthepathwithfouryellingruffiansatmyheels。Iwasaprettygoodrunner，butthemoonwasbehindacloudandthewaywasrocky;moreover，theremusthavebeenashortcutIdidnotknow，foroneofmypursuersgaineduponmewithunaccountablerapidity——heappearedsuddenlywithintenyardsofmyheels。Theotherswereatleastahundredyardsbehind。Ihadnothingforitbuttoturnround，lethimalmostrunagainstthemuzzleofmyair-gun，pullthetrigger，andseehimfallinhistracks。Itwastheworkofasecond，butitcheckedmypursuers。Theyhadheardnonoise，buttheyfoundsomethingthattheydidnotbargainfor，andlingeredamoment;then，theytookupthechasewithredoubledfury。ButIhadtoogoodastart;andwherethepathjoinedthemainroad，insteadofturningdowntowardthetownastheyexpectedIwould，Idodgedroundintheoppositedirection，theuncertainlightthistimefavouringme，andIheardtheirfootstepsandtheircursesdyingawayonthewrongtrack。
NeverthelessIranonatfullspeed，anditwasnottillthedaywasdawningthatIbegantofeelsafeandrelaxmyefforts。ThesunhadbeenupanhourwhenIreachedasmalltown，andthelittle/locanda/
wasjustopeningforthedaywhenIenteredit，thankfulforahotcupofcoffeeandadirtylittleroom，withadirtierbed，whereIcouldsleepoffthefatigueandexcitementofthenight。IwasstrollingdownalmosttheonlystreetintheafternoonwhenImetacoupleofcarabineersridingintoit，andshortlyafterencounteredthewholetroop，tomygreatdelightincommandofanintimatefriendwhomIhadleftamonthbeforeinNaples。
"Ah，/caromio/，"heexclaimed，whenhesawme，"wellmet！Whatonearthareyoudoinghere？LookingforthosebrigandsyouweresoanxioustofindwhenyouleftNaples？Consideringthatyouareintheheartoftheircountry，youshouldnothavemuchdifficultyingratifyingyourcuriosity。"
"Ihavehadanadventureortwo，"Ireplied，carelessly。"Indeed，thatispartlythereasonyoufindmehere。IwasjustthinkinghowIcouldgetsafelybacktoAscoli，whenyourwelcomeescortappeared;forI
supposeyouaregoingthereandwillletmetakeadvantageofit。"
"Onlytoodelighted;andyoucantellmeyouradventures。Letusdinetogetherto-night，andIwillfindyouahorsetorideonwithusinthemorning。"
IamafraidmyaccountoftheepisodewithwhichIhaveacquaintedthereaderwasnotstrictlyaccurateinallitsdetails，asIdidnotwishtobringdownmymilitaryfriendsonpoorValeria;soIskippedallallusiontoherandmydetentioninherhome，merelysayingthatIhadhadascufflewithbrigandsandhadbeenfortunateenoughtoescapeundercoverofthenight。AswepasseditnextmorningIrecognisedthepathwhichleduptoValeria’scottage，andshortlyafterobservedthatyoungwomanherselfcominguptheglen。
"Holloa！"Isaid，withgreatpresenceofmind，asshedrewnear，"mylovelymodel，Ideclare！Justyourideon，oldfellow，whileIstopandaskherwhenshecancomeandsittomeagain。"
"Youartistsaresadrogues;whatchancesyourprofessionmustgiveyou！"remarkedmycompanion，ashecastanadmiringglanceonValeriaandrodediscreetlyon。
"Thereisnothingtobeafraidof，lovelyValeria，"Isaid，inalowtone，asIlingeredbehind;"besureIwillneverbetrayeitheryouroryourrascally——hem！ImeanyourexcellentCroppo。Bytheby，wasthatmanmuchhurtthatIwasobligedtotripup？"
"Hurt！SantaMaria！heisdead，withabulletthroughhisheart。
Cropposaysitmusthavebeenmagic，forhehadsearchedyouandheknewyouwerenotarmed，andhewaswithinahundredyardsofyouwhenpoorPippofell，andheheardnosound。"
"Croppoisnotfarwrong，"Isaid，gladoftheopportunitythusofferedofimposingontheignoranceandcredulityofthenatives。"Heseemedsurprisedthathecouldnotfrightenmetheothernight。TellhimhewasmuchmoreinmypowerthanIwasinhis，dearValeria，"I
added，lookingtenderlyintohiseyes。"Ididn’twanttoalarmyou;
thatwasthereasonIlethimoffsoeasily;butImaynotbesomercifulnexttime。Now，sweetest，thatkissyouoweme，andwhichthewallpreventedyourgivingmetheothernight。"SheheldupherfacewiththeinnocenceofachildasIstoopedfrommysaddle。
"Ishallneverseeyouagain，SignorInglese，"shesaid，withasigh;
"forCropposaysitisnotsafe，afterwhathappenedthenightbeforelast，tostayanotherhour。Indeed，hewentoffyesterday，leavingmeorderstofollowto-day;butIwentfirsttoputyoursketch-bookunderthebushwherethedonkeyfell，andwhereyouwillfindit。"
Ittookusanotherminuteortwotopartafterthis;andwhenIhadriddenawayIturnedtolookback，andtherewasValeriagazingafterme。"Positively，"Ireflected，"Iamoverheadandearsinlovewiththegirl，andIbelievesheiswithme。Ioughttohavenippedmyfeelingsinthebudwhenshetoldmeshewashiswife;butthenheisabrigand，whothreatenedbothmyearsandmytongue，tosaynothingofmylife。Towhatextentisthedomestichappinessofsucharuffiantoberespected？"AndIwentonsplittingthemoralstrawssuggestedbythistrainofthoughtuntilIhadrecoveredmysketch-bookandovertakenmyescort，withwhomIrodetriumphantlybackintoAscoli，wheremyabsencehadbeenthecauseofmuchanxietyandmyfatewaseventhenbeingeagerlydiscussed。MyfriendswithwhomIusuallysatroundthechemist’sdoorweremuchexercisedbythereservewhichI
manifestedinreplytothefireofcross-examinationtowhichIwassubjectedforthenextfewdays;andEnglisheccentricity，whichwasproverbialeveninthissecludedtown，receivedafreshillustrationinthelightandairymannerwithwhichItreatedacaptureandescapefrombrigands，whichIregardedwithsuchindifferencethatIcouldnotbeinducedeventocondescendtodetails。"Itwasamerescuffle;
therewereonlyfour;and，beinganEnglishman，Ipolishedthemalloffwiththe’box，’"andIclosedmyfistandstruckascientificattitudeofself-defence，branchingoffintoalearneddisquisitiononthepugilisticart，whichfilledmyhearerswithrespectandamazement。FromthistimeforwardthesentimentwithwhichIregardedmyair-gununderwentachange。WhenafriendhadmademeapresentofitayearbeforeIregardeditinthelightofatoyandratherresentedthegiftastoojuvenile。"Iwonderhedidnotgivemeakiteorahoop，"Imentallyreflected。ThenIhadfounditusefulamongItalians，whoareatriflingpeopleandlikeplaythings;butnowthatithadsavedmylifeandsentabulletthroughaman’sheart，Inolongerentertainedthesamefeelingofcontemptforit。NotagainwouldImakelightofit——thispotentengineofdestructionwhichhadprocuredmethecharacterofbeingamagician。Iwouldhideitfromhumangazeandcherishitasasortoffetich。SoIboughtawalking-
stickandanumbrella，andstrappeditupwiththem，wrappedinmyplaid;andwhen，shortlyafter，anunexpectedremittancefromanauntsuppliedmewithmoneyenoughtobuyahorsefromoneoftheofficersofmyfriend’sregiment，whichsoonafterarrived，andIacceptedtheirinvitationtoaccompanythemontheirbrigand-huntingexpeditions，notoneofthemknewthatIhadsuchaweaponasanair-
guninmypossession。
Our/modusoperandi/ontheseoccasionswasasfollows：Onreceivinginformationfromsomeproprietorthatthebrigandswerethreateninghisproperty，——itwasimpossibletogetintelligencefromthepeasantry，fortheywereallinleaguewiththebrigands;indeed，theyalltookaholidayfromregularworkandjoinedabandforafewweeksfromtimetotime，——weproceeded，withaforcesufficientlystrongtocopewiththesupposedstrengthoftheband，tothefarminquestion。
Thebandswereallmounted，andaveragedfrom200to400meneach。Itwascalculatedthatupwardof2000menwerethusengagedinharryingthecountry，andthisenabledtheNeritotalkoftheking’sforcesengagedinlegitimatewarfareagainstthoseofVictorEmmanuel。RidingoverthevastplainsofCapitanata，wewoulddiscernagainsttheskyoutlinethefigureofasolitaryhorseman。Thisweknewtobeapicket。Thentherewasnotimetobelost，andawaywewouldgoforhimhelter-skelteracrosstheplain;hewouldinstantlygallopinonthemainbody，probablyoccupyinga/masseria/。Iftheythoughttheywerestrongenoughtheywouldshowfight。Ifnottheywouldtaketotheirheelsinthedirectionofthemountains，withusinfullcryafterthem。Iftheywerehardlypressedtheywouldscatter，andwewereobligedtodothesame，andtheresultwouldbethattheswiftesthorsemenmightpossiblyeffectafewcaptures。Itwasanexcitingspeciesofwarfare，partakingagooddealmoreofthecharacterofahunting-fieldthanofcavalryskirmishing。Sometimes，wherethegroundwashilly，wehadbersaglieriwithus，andasthebrigandstooktothemountainsthewarfareassumedadifferentcharacter。Sometimes，indefaultoftheseactivelittletroops，wetooklocalvolunteers，whomwefoundaverypoorsubstitute。Onmorethanoneoccasionwhenwecameuponthebrigandsinafarmtheythoughtthemselvessufficientlystrongtoholditagainstus，andoncethecowardiceofthevolunteerswasamusinglyillustrated。Thebandwasestimatedatabout200，andwehad100volunteersandadetachmentof50cavalry。Oncomingunderthefireofthebrigandsthecavalrycaptain，whowasincommand，orderedthevolunteerstocharge，intendingwhentheyhaddislodgedtheenemytoridehimdownontheopen;butthevolunteerofficerdidnotrepeatthewordandstoodstock-still，hismenallimitatinghisexample。
"Charge！Isay，"shoutedthecavalrycaptain，"whydon’tyoucharge？I
believeyou’reafraid！"
"/Evero/，"saidthecaptainofvolunteers，shrugginghisshoulders。
"Here，takemyhorse——you’reonlyfittobeagroom;andyou，men，dismountandletthesecowardsholdyourhorses，whileyoufollowme。"
And，jumpingfromhishorse，thegallantfellow，followedbyhismen，chargedthebuilding，fromwhichahotfirewasplayinguponthem，swordinhand。Inlessthanaquarterofanhourthebrigandswerescampering，someonfootandsomeonhorseback，outofthefarmbuildings，followedbyafewstrayandharmlessshotsfromsuchofthevolunteersashadtheirhandsfree。Welostthreemenkilledandfivewoundedinthislittleskirmish，andkilledsixofthebrigands，besidesmakingadozenprisoners。WhenIsay"we"Imeanmycompanions，for，havingnoweapon，Ihaddiscreetlyremainedwiththevolunteers。Thesceneofthisgallantexploitwasontheclassicbattle-fieldofCannae。Thiscaptain，whowasnotthefriendIhadjoinedthedayaftermybrigandadventure，wasamostpluckyanddashingcavalryofficer，andwaswellsecondedbyhismen，whowereallPiedmonteseandofaverydifferenttemperamentfromtheNeapolitans。Ononeoccasionabandof250brigandswaitedforusonthetopofasmallhill，neverdreamingthatweshouldchargeupitwiththeoddsfivetooneagainstus;butwedid，andafterfiringavolleyatus，whichemptiedacoupleofsaddles，theybrokeandfledwhenwewereabouttwentyyardsfromthem。Thenbeganoneofthemostexcitingscurriesacrosscountryitwasevermyfortunetobeengagedin。Thebrigandsscattered——sodidwe;andIfoundmyselfwithtwotroopersinchaseofapairofbandits，oneofwhomseemedtobethechiefoftheband。Asmallstreamwoundthroughtheplain，whichwedashedacross。Justbeyondwasatributaryditch，whichwouldhavebeenconsideredafairjumpinthehunting-field：bothbrigandstookitinsplendidstyle。Thehindmostwasnottenyardsaheadoftheleadingtrooper，whocameacropper;onwhichthebrigandreinedup，firedapistol-shotintotheprostratehorseandman，andwasoff;butthedelaycosthimdear。Theothertrooper，whowasalittleaheadofme，gotsafelyover。Ifollowedsuit。Inanothermomenthehadfiredhiscarabineintothebrigand’shorse，anddowntheybothcamebytherun。Weinstantlyreinedup，forIsawtherewasnochanceofovertakingtheremainingbrigand，andthetrooperwasintheactofcuttingdownthemanashestruggledtohisfeet，whentomyhorrorI
recognisedthelovelyfeaturesof——Valeria。
"Stay，man！"Ishouted，throwingmyselffrommyhorse。"It’sawoman！
touchherifyoudare！"Andthen，seeingtheman’seyegleamwithindignation，Iadded，"Bravesoldiers，suchasyouhaveprovedyourselftobe，donotkillwomen;thoughyourtraducerssayyoudo，donotgivethemcausetospeaktruth。Iwillberesponsibleforthiswoman’ssafety。Here，tomakeitsureyouhadbetterstrapustogether。"Ipiquedmyselfexceedinglyonthishappyinspiration，wherebyIsecuredanarm-in-armwalk，ofapeculiarkind，itistrue，withValeria;andindeedmyreadinesstosacrificemyselfseemedrathertoastonishthesoldier，whohesitated。However，hiscomrade，whosehorsehadbeenshotintheditch，nowcameup，andsecondedmyproposalasIofferedhimamountonmine。
"HowonearthamItoletyouescape，dearValeria？"Iwhispered，givingherasortofaffectionatenudge;thepositionofourarmspreventedmysqueezinghersasIcouldhavewished，andthetwotrooperskeptbehindus，watchingus，Ithought，suspiciously。
"Itisquiteimpossiblenow——don’tattemptit，"sheanswered;"perhapstheremaybeanopportunitylater。"
"WasthatCroppowhogotaway？"Iasked。
"Yes。Hecouldnotgethiscowardlymentostandonthathill。"
"Whatabotherthosemenarebehind，dearest！Letmepretendtoscratchmynosewiththishandthatistiedtoyours，whichIcanthusbringtomylips。"
Iaccomplishedthismanoeuvreratherneatly，butpartiesnowcamestragglinginfromotherdirections，andIwasobligedtogiveupwhisperingandbecomecircumspect。Theyallseemedratherastonishedatourgroup，andthecaptainlaughedheartilyasherodeupandcalledout，"Whohaveyougottiedtoyouthere，/caromio/？"
"Croppo’swife。Ihadhertiedtomeforfearsheshouldescape;
besides，sheisnotbad-looking。"
"Whataprize！"heexclaimed。"Wehavemadeatolerablehaulthistime——twentyprisonersinall，amongthemthepriestoftheband。Ourcolonelhasjustarrived，soIaminluck;hewillbedelighted。Seetheprisonersarebeingbroughtuptohimnow;butyouhadbetterremountandpresentyoursinalesssingularfashion。"
Whenwereachedthecolonelwefoundhimexaminingthepriest。Hisbreviarycontainedvariousinterestingnoteswrittenonsomeofthefly-leaves。
Forinstance：
"AdministeredextremeunctiontoA————，shotbyCroppo’sorder;mysharetenscudi。
"Ditto，ditto，toR————，hungbyCroppo’sorder，mysharetwoscudi。
"Ditto，ditto，toS————，roastedbyCroppo’sordertomakehimnameanagenttobringhisransom;overdonebymistake，anddied，sogotnothing。
"Ditto，ditto，toP————，executedbytheknifebyCroppo’sorderfordisobedience。
"M————andF————andD————，threenewmembers，joinedto-day;
confessedthem，andreceivedtheusualfees。"
Hewasadark，beetle-browed-lookingruffian，thisholyman;andthecolonel，whenhehadfinishedexamininghisbookofprayerandcrime，tossedittome，saying，"There！thatwillshowyourfriendsinEnglandthekindofpoliticianswemakewaragainst。Ha！whathavewehere？Thisismoreserious。"Andheunfoldedapieceofpaperwhichhadbeenconcealedinthebreastofthepriest。"Thiscontainsalittlevaluableinformation，"headded，withagrimsmile。"Nobodylikepriestsandwomenforcarryingaboutpoliticalsecrets，soyoumayhavemadeavaluablecapture，"andheturnedtowhereIstoodwithValeria;"letherbecarefullysearched。"
Nowthecolonelwasaverypompousman，andthedocumenthehadjustdiscoveredonthepriestaddedtohissenseofself-importance。When，therefore，alarge，carefullyfoldedpaperwasproducedfromtheneighbourhoodofValeria’slovelybosomhiseyessparkledwithadmiration。"Ho，ho！"heexclaimed，asheclutchediteagerly，"theplotisthickening！"Andhespreadouttriumphantly，beforehehadhimselfseenwhatitwas，theexquisitelydrawnportraitofadonkey。
Therewasasuppressedtitter，whichexplodedintoashoutwhenthebystanderslookedintothecolonel’sindignantface。IonlywasaffecteddifferentlyasmygazefelluponthistouchingevidenceofdearValeria’sloveforme，andIglancedathertenderly。"Thishasadeepersignificancethanyouthinkfor，"saidthecolonel，lookingroundangrily。"Croppo’swifedoesnotcarefullysecreteadrawinglikethatonherpersonfornothing。See，itisdonebynocommonartist。Itmeanssomething，andmustbepreserved。"
"ItmayhaveabiblicalreferencetothestateofItaly。YourememberIssacharwaslikenedtoanassbetweentwoburdens。InthatcaseitprobablyemanatedfromRome，"Iremarked;butnobodyseemedtoseethepointoftheallusion，andtheobservationfellflat。
ThatnightIdinedwiththecolonel，andafterdinnerIpersuadedhimtoletmevisitValeriainprison，asIwishedtotaketheportraitofthewifeofthecelebratedbrigandchief。Ithankedmystarsthatmyfriendwhohadseenherwhenwemetintheglenwasawayondutywithhisdetachmentandcouldnottestifytoourformeracquaintance。
MymeetingwithValeriaonthisoccasionwastootouchingandfulloftenderpassagestobeofanygeneralinterest。Valeriatoldmethatshewasstillabride，thatshehadonlybeenmarriedafewmonths，andthatshehadbeencompelledtobecomeCroppo’swifeagainstherchoice，asthebrigand’swillwastoopowerfultoberesisted;butthat，thoughhewasjealousandattachedtoher，hewassternandcruel，and，sofarfromwinningherlovesincehermarriage，hehadratherestrangeditbyhisfitsofpassionandferocity。Asmaybeimagined，theportrait，whichwasreallyverysuccessful，tooksometimeinexecution，themoreespeciallyaswehadtodiscussthepossibilitiesofValeria’sescape。
"Wearegoingtobetransferredto-morrowtotheprisonatFoggia，"
shesaid。"Ifwhilewewerepassingthroughthemarket-placeadisturbanceofsomesortcouldbecreated，asitismarket-dayandallthecountrypeopleknowmeandaremyfriends，arescuemightbeattempted。Iknowhowtoarrangeforthat，onlytheymustseesomechanceofsuccess。"
Abrightthoughtsuddenlystruckme;itwassuggestedbyatrickIhadplayedshortlyaftermyarrivalinItaly。
"YouknowIamsomethingofamagician，Valeria;youhavehadproofofthat。IfIcreateadisturbancebymagicto-morrowwhenyouarepassingthroughthemarket-place，youwon’tstaytowonderwhatisthecauseoftheconfusion，butinstantlytakeadvantageofittoescape。"
"Trustmeforthat，/caromio/。"
"Andifyouescapewhenshallwemeetagain？"
"Iamknowntoowellnowtoriskanothermeeting。IshallbeinhidingwithCroppo，whereitwillbeimpossibleforyoutofindme，norwhilehelivescouldIeverdaretothinkofleavinghim;butIshallneverforgetyou，"——andshepressedmyhandstoherlips，——"thoughIshallnolongerhavethepictureofthedonkeytorememberyouby。"
"See，here’smyphotograph;thatwillbebetter，"saidI，feelingalittleannoyed——foolishly，Iadmit。Thenwestrainedeachothertoourrespectiveheartsandparted。Nowitsohappenedthatmyroominthe/lacanda/inwhichIwaslodgingoverlookedthemarket-place。Hereatteno’clockinthemorningIpostedmyself;forthatwasthehour，asIhadbeencarefultoascertain，whentheprisonersweretostartforFoggia。Iopenedthewindowaboutthreeinchesandfixeditthere;I
tookoutmygun，puteightballsinit，andlookeddownuponthesquare。Itwascrowdedwiththecountrypeopleintheirbright-
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