TranslatedByTheLadyMaryLoyd
CHAPTERI
"Pefarlatovendetta，Stasigur’，vastaancheella。"
——VoceroduNiolo。
EarlyinthemonthofOctober，181-，ColonelSirThomasNevil，adistinguishedIrishofficeroftheEnglisharmy，alightedwithhisdaughterattheHotelBeauveau，Marseilles，ontheirreturnfromatourinItaly。Theperpetualanduniversaladmirationofenthusiastictravellershasproducedasortofreaction，andmanytourists，intheirdesiretoappearsingular，nowtakethe/niladmirari/ofHoracefortheirmotto。Tothisdissatisfiedclassthecolonel’sonlydaughter，MissLydia，belonged。"TheTransfiguration"hasseemedtohermediocre，andVesuviusineruptionaneffectnotgreatlysuperiortothatproducedbytheBirminghamfactorychimneys。HergreatobjectiontoItaly，onthewhole，wasitslackoflocalcolourandcharacter。Myreadersmustdiscoverthesenseoftheseexpressionsasbesttheymay。AfewyearsagoIunderstoodthemverywellmyself，butatthepresenttimeIcanmakenothingofthem。Atfirst，MissLydiahadflatteredherselfshehadfoundthingsontheothersideoftheAlpswhichnobodyhadeverbeforeseen，aboutwhichshecouldconverse/avecleshonnetesgens/，asM。Jourdaincallsthem。Butsoon，anticipatedineverydirectionbyhercountrymen，shedespairedofmakinganyfreshdiscoveries，andwentovertothepartyoftheopposition。ItisreallyverytiresomenottobeabletotalkabutthewondersofItalywithouthearingsomebodysay"OfcourseyouknowtheRaphaelinthePalazzo————at————？ItisthefinestthinginItaly！"
andjustthething/you/happentohaveoverlooked！Asitwouldtaketoolongtoseeeverything，thesimplestcourseistoresorttodeliberateanduniversalcensure。
AttheHotelBeauveauMissLydiametwithabitterdisappointment。ShehadbroughtbackaprettysketchofthePelasgicorCyclopeanGateatSegni，which，asshebelieved，allotherartistshadcompletelyoverlooked。Now，atMarseilles，shemetLadyFrancesFenwick，whoshowedherheralbum，inwhichappeared，betweenasonnetandadriedflower，theverygateinquestion，brilliantlytouchedinwithsienna。
MissLydiagaveherdrawingtohermaid——andlostalladmirationforPelasgicstructures。
ThisunhappyframeofmindwassharedbyColonelNevil，who，sincethedeathofhiswife，lookedateverythingthroughhisdaughter’seyes。
Inhisestimation，Italyhadcommittedtheunpardonablesinofboringhischild，andwas，inconsequence，themostwearisomecountryonthefaceoftheearth。Hehadnofaulttofind，indeed，withthepicturesandstatues，buthewasinapositiontoassertthatItaliansportwasutterlywretched，andthathehadbeenobligedtotramptenleaguesovertheRomanCampagna，underaburningsun，tokillafewworthlessred-leggedpartridges。
ThemorningafterhisarrivalatMarseillesheinvitedCaptainEllis——
hisformeradjutant，whohadjustbeenspendingsixweeksinCorsica——
todinewithhim。ThecaptaintoldMissLydiaastoryaboutbandits，whichhadtheadvantageofbearingnoresemblancetotherobbertaleswithwhichshehadbeensofrequentlyregaled，ontheroadbetweenNaplesandRome，andhetolditwell。Atdessert，thetwomen，leftaloneovertheirclaret，talkedofhunting——andthecolonellearnedthatnowhereistheremoreexcellentsport，orgamemorevariedandabundant，thaninCorsica。"Thereareplentyofwildboars，"saidCaptainEllis。"Andyouhavetolearntodistinguishthemfromthedomesticpigs，whichareastonishinglylikethem。Forifyoukillapig，youfindyourselfindifficultieswiththeswine-herds。Theyrushoutofthethickets（whichtheycall/maquis/）armedtotheteeth，makeyoupayfortheirbeasts，andlaughatyoubesides。Thenthereisthemouflon，astrangeanimal，whichyouwillnotfindanywhereelse——
splendidgame，buthardtoget——andstags，deer，pheasants，andpartridges——itwouldbeimpossibletoenumerateallthekindswithwhichCorsicaswarms。Ifyouwantshooting，colonel，gotoCorsica！
There，asoneofmyentertainerssaidtome，youcangetashotateveryimaginablekindofgame，fromathrushtoaman！"
Attea，thecaptainoncemoredelightedLydiawiththetaleofa/vendettatransversale/（Avendettainwhichvengeancefallsonamoreorlessdistantrelationoftheauthoroftheoriginaloffence。），evenmorestrangethanhisfirststory，andhethoroughlystirredherenthusiasmbyhisdescriptionsofthestrangewildbeautyofthecountry，thepeculiaritiesofitsinhabitants，andtheirprimitivehospitalityandcustoms。Finally，heofferedheraprettylittlestiletto，lessremarkableforitsshapeandcoppermountingthanforitsorigin。AfamousbandithadgivenittoCaptainEllis，andhadassuredhimithadbeenburiedinfourhumanbodies。MissLydiathrustitthroughhergirdle，laiditonthetablebesideherbed，andunsheathedittwiceoverbeforeshefellasleep。Herfathermeanwhilewasdreaminghehadslainamouflon，andthatitsownerinsistedonhispayingforit，ademandtowhichhegladlyacceded，seeingitwasamostcuriouscreature，likeaboar，withstag’shornsandapheasant’stail。
"Ellistellsmethere’ssplendidshootinginCorsica，"saidthecolonel，ashesatatbreakfast，alonewithhisdaughter。"Ifithadn’tbeenforthedistance，Ishouldliketospendafortnightthere。"
"Well，"repliedMissLydia，"whyshouldn’twegotoCorsica？WhileyouarehuntingIcansketch——IshouldlovetohavethatgrottoCaptainEllistalkedabout，whereNapoleonusedtogoandstudywhenhewasachild，inmyalbum。"
Itwasthefirsttime，probably，thatanywishexpressedbythecolonelhadwonhisdaughter’sapprobation。Delightedashewasbytheunexpectedharmonyontheiropinions，hewasneverthelesswiseenoughtoputforwardvariousobjections，calculatedtosharpenMissLydia’swelcomewhim。Invaindidhedwellonthewildnessofthecountry，andthedifficultiesoftravelthereforalady。Nothingfrightenedher；
shelikedtravellingonhorsebackofallthings；shedelightedintheideaofbivouackingintheopen；sheeventhreatenedtogoasfarasAsiaMinor——inshort，shefoundananswertoeverything。NoEnglishwomanhadeverbeentoCorsica；thereforeshemustgo。Whatapleasureitwouldbe，whenshegotbacktoSt。James’sPlace，toexhibitheralbum！"But，mydearcreature，whydoyoupassoverthatdelightfuldrawing？""That’sonlyatrifle——justasketchImadeofafamousCorsicanbanditwhowasourguide。""What！youdon’tmeantosayyouhavebeentoCorsica？"
AstherewerenosteamboatsbetweenFranceandCorsica，inthosedays，inquiriesweremadeforsomeshipabouttosailfortheislandMissLydiaproposedtodiscover。ThatverydaythecolonelwrotetoParis，tocountermandhisorderforthesuiteofapartmentsinwhichhewastohavemadesomestay，andbargainedwiththeskipperofaCorsicanschooner，justabouttosetsailforAjaccio，fortwopoorcabins，butthebestthatcouldbehad。Provisionsweresentonboard，theskippersworethatoneofhissailorswasanexcellentcook，andhadnothisequalfor/bouilleabaisse/；hepromisedmademoiselleshouldbecomfortable，andhaveafairwindandacalmsea。
Thecolonelfurtherstipulated，inobediencetohisdaughter’swishes，thatnootherpassengershouldbetakenonboard，andthatthecaptainshouldskirtthecoastoftheisland，sothatMissLydiamightenjoytheviewofthemountains。
CHAPTERII
Onthedayoftheirdepartureeverythingwaspackedandsentonboardearlyinthemorning。Theschoonerwastosailwiththeeveningbreeze。Meanwhile，asthecolonelandhisdaughterwerewalkingontheCanebiere，theskipperaddressedthem，andcravedpermissiontotakeonboardoneofhisrelations，hiseldestson’sgodfather’ssecondcousin，whowasgoingbacktoCorsica，hisnativecountry，onimportantbusiness，andcouldnotfindanyshiptotakehimover。
"He’sacharmingfellow，"addedCaptainMattei，"asoldier，anofficerintheInfantryoftheGuard，andwouldhavebeenacolonelalreadyif/theother/（meaningNapoleon）hadstillbeenemperor！"
"Asheisasoldier，"beganthecolonel——hewasabouttoadd，"Ishallbeverygladheshouldcomewithus，"whenMissLydiaexclaimedinEnglish：
"Aninfantryofficer！"（Herfatherhadbeeninthecavalry，andsheconsequentlylookeddownoneveryotherbranchoftheservice。）"Anuneducatedman，verylikely，whowouldbesea-sick，andspoilallthepleasureofourtrip！"
ThecaptaindidnotunderstandawordofEnglish，butheseemedtocatchwhatMissLydiawassayingbythepursingupofherprettymouth，andimmediatelyentereduponanelaboratepanegyricofhisrelative，whichhewoundupbydeclaringhimtobeagentleman，belongingtoafamilyof/corporals/，andthathewouldnotbeintheveryleastinthecolonel’sway，forthathe，theskipper，wouldundertaketostowhiminsomecorner，wheretheyshouldnotbeawareofhispresence。
ThecolonelandMissNevilthoughtitpeculiarthatthereshouldbeCorsicanfamiliesinwhichthedignityofcorporalwashandeddownfromfathertoson。But，astheyreallybelievedtheindividualinquestiontobesomeinfantrycorporal，theyconcludedhewassomepoordevilwhomtheskipperdesiredtotakeoutofpurecharity。Ifhehadbeenanofficer，theywouldhavebeenobligedtospeaktohimandlivewithhim；buttherewasnoreasonwhytheyshouldputthemselvesoutforacorporal——whoisapersonofnoconsequenceunlesshisdetachmentisalsoathand，withbayonetsfixed，readytoconveyapersontoaplacetowhichhewouldrathernotbetaken。
"Isyourkinsmaneversea-sick？"demandedMissNevilsharply。
"Never，mademoiselle，heisassteadyasarock，eitheronseaorland！"
"Verygoodthen，youcantakehim，"saidshe。
"Youcantakehim！"echoedthecolonel，andtheypassedontheirway。
Towardfiveo’clockintheeveningCaptainMatteicametoescortthemonboardtheschooner。Onthejetty，nearthecaptain’sgig，theymetatallyoungmanwearingabluefrock-coat，buttoneduptohischin；
hisfacewastanned，hiseyeswereblack，brilliant，wideopen，hiswholeappearanceintelligentandfrank。Hisshoulders，wellthrownback，andhislittletwistedmustacheclearlyrevealedthesoldier——
foratthatperiodmustacheswerebynomeanscommon，andtheNationalGuardhadnotcarriedthehabitsandappearanceoftheguard-roomintothebosomofeveryfamily。
Whentheyoungmansawthecolonelhedoffedhiscap，andthankedhiminexcellentlanguage，andwithouttheslightestshyness，fortheservicehewasrenderinghim。
"Delightedtobeofusetoyou，mygoodfellow！"saidthecolonel，withafriendlynod，andhesteppedintothegig。
"He’snotveryceremonious，thisEnglishmanofyours，"saidtheyoungmaninItalian，andinanundertone，tothecaptain。
Theskipperlaidhisforefingerunderhislefteye，andpulleddownthecornersofhismouth。Toamanacquaintedwiththelanguageofsigns，thismeantthattheEnglishmanunderstoodItalian，andwasanoddityintothebargain。Theyoungmansmiledslightlyandtouchedhisforehead，inanswertoMattei’ssign，asthoughtoindicatethateveryEnglishmanhadabeeinhisbonnet。Thenhesatdownbesidethem，andbegantolookveryattentively，thoughnotimpertinently，athisprettyfellow-traveller。
"TheseFrenchsoldiersallhaveagoodappearance，"remarkedthecolonelinEnglishtohisdaughter，"andsoitiseasytoturnthemintoofficers。"ThenaddressingtheyoungmaninFrench，hesaid，"Tellme，mygoodman，whatregimenthaveyouservedin？"Theyoungmannudgedhissecondcousin’sgodson’sfathergentlywithhiselbow，andsuppressinganironicsmile，repliedthathehadservedintheInfantryoftheGuard，andthathehadjustquittedtheSeventhRegimentofLightInfantry。
"WereyouatWaterloo？Youareveryyoung！"
"Ibegyourpardon，colonel，thatwasmyonlycampaign。"
"Itcountsastwo，"saidthecolonel。
TheyoungCorsicanbithislips。
"Papa，"saidMissLydiainEnglish，"doaskhimiftheCorsicansareveryfondoftheirBuonaparte。"
BeforethecolonelcouldtranslateherquestionintoFrench，theyoungmanansweredinfairlygoodEnglish，thoughwithamarkedaccent：
"Youknow，mademoiselle，thatnomaniseveraprophetinhisowncountry。We，whoareNapoleon’sfellow-countrymen，areperhapslessattachedtohimthantheFrench。Asformyself，thoughmyfamilywasformerlyatenmitywithhis，Ibothloveandadmirehim。"
"YouspeakEnglish！"exclaimedthecolonel。
"Veryill，asyoumayperceive！"
MissLydia，thoughsomewhatshockedbytheyoungman’seasytone，couldnothelplaughingattheideaofapersonalenmitybetweenacorporalandanemperor。ShetookthisasaforetasteofCorsicanpeculiarities，andmadeuphermindtonoteitdowninherjournal。
"PerhapsyouwereaprisonerinEngland？"askedthecolonel。
"No，colonel，IlearnedEnglishinFrance，whenIwasveryyoung，fromaprisonerofyournation。"
Then，addressingMissNevil：
"MatteitellsmeyouhavejustcomebackfromItaly。Nodoubt，mademoiselle，youspeakthepurestTuscan——Ifearyou’llfinditsomewhatdifficulttounderstandourdialect。"
"MydaughterunderstandseveryItaliandialect，"saidthecolonel。
"Shehasthegiftoflanguages。Shedoesn’tgetitfromme。"
"Wouldmademoiselleunderstand，forinstance，theselinesfromoneofourCorsicansongsinwhichashepherdsaystohisshepherdess：
"S’entrassi’ndruparadisusantu，santu，Enuntruvassiatia，min’escriria。"
（"IfIenteredtheholylandofparadiseandfoundtheenot，Iwoulddepart！"）
——/SerenatadiZicavo/。
MissLydiadidunderstand。Shethoughtthequotationbold，andthelookwhichaccompanieditstillbolder，andreplied，withablush，"Capisco。"
"Andareyougoingbacktoyourowncountryonfurlough？"inquiredthecolonel。
"No，colonel，theyhaveputmeonhalf-pay，becauseIwasatWaterloo，probably，andbecauseIamNapoleon’sfellow-countryman。Iamgoinghome，asthesongsays，lowinhopeandlowinpurse，"andhelookeduptotheskyandsighed。
Thecolonelslippedhishandintohispocket，andtriedtothinkofsomecivilphrasewithwhichhemightslipthegoldcoinhewasfingeringintothepalmofhisunfortunateenemy。
"AndItoo，"hesaidgood-humouredly，"havebeenputonhalf-pay，butyourhalf-paycanhardlygiveyouenoughtobuytobacco！Here，corporal！"andhetriedtoforcethegoldcoinintotheyoungman’sclosedhand，whichrestedonthegunwaleofthegig。
TheyoungCorsicanreddened，drewhimselfup，bithislips，andseemed，foramoment，onthebrinkofsomeangryreply。Thensuddenlyhisexpressionchangedandheburstoutlaughing。Thecolonel，graspinghisgoldpiecestillinhishand，satstaringathim。
"Colonel，"saidtheyoungman，whenhehadrecoveredhisgravity，"allowmetoofferyoutwopiecesofadvice——thefirstisnevertooffermoneytoaCorsican，forsomeofmyfellow-countrymenwouldberudeenoughtothrowitbackinyourface；thesecondisnottogivepeopletitlestheydonotclaim。Youcallme’corporal，’andIamalieutenant——thedifferenceisnotverygreat，nodoubt，still————"
"Lieutenant！Lieutenant！"exclaimedSirThomas。"Buttheskippertoldmeyouwereacorporal，andthatyourfatherandallyourfamilyhadbeencorporalsbeforeyou！"
Atthesewordstheyoungmanthrewhimselfbackandlaughedlouderthanever，somerrilythattheskipperandhistwosailorsjoinedthechorus。
"Forgiveme，colonel！"hecriedatlast。"Themistakeissocomical，andIhaveonlyjustrealizedit。Itisquitetruethatmyfamilygloriesinthefactthatitcanreckonmanycorporalsamongitsancestors——butourCorsicancorporalsneverworestripesupontheirsleeves！Towardtheyearofgrace1100certainvillagesrevoltedagainstthetyrannyofthegreatmountainnobles，andchoseleadersoftheirown，whomtheycalled/corporals/。Inourislandwethinkagreatdealofbeingdescendedfromthesetribunes。"
"Ibegyourpardon，sir，"exclaimedthecolonel，"Ibegyourpardonathousandtimes！Asyouunderstandthecauseofmymistake，Ihopeyouwilldomethekindnessofforgivingit！"andheheldouthishand。
"Itisthejustpunishmentofmypettypride，"saidtheyoungman，stilllaughing，andcordiallyshakingtheEnglishman’shand。"Iamnotatalloffended。AsmyfriendMatteihasintroducedmesounsuccessfully，allowmetointroducemyself。MynameisOrsodellaRebbia；Iamalieutenantonhalf-pay；andif，asthesightofthosetwofinedogsofyoursleadsmetobelieve，youarecomingtoCorsicatohunt，Ishallbeveryproudtodoyouthehonoursofourmountainsandour/maquis/——if，indeed，Ihavenotforgottenthemaltogether！"
headded，withasigh。
Atthismomentthegigcamealongsidetheschooner，thelieutenantofferedhishandtoMissLydia，andthenhelpedthecoloneltoswinghimselfupondeck。Oncethere，SirThomas，whowasstillverymuchashamedofhisblunder，andatalosstoknowwhathehadbetterdotomakethemanwhoseancestrydatedfromtheyear1100forgetit，invitedhimtosupper，withoutwaitingforhisdaughter’sconsent，andwithmanyfreshapologiesandhandshakes。MissLydiafrownedalittle，but，afterall，shewasnotsorrytoknowwhatacorporalreallywas。
Sheratherlikedthereguest，andwasevenbeginningtofancytherewassomethingaristocraticabouthim——onlyshethoughthimtoofrankandmerryforaheroofromance。
"LieutenantdellaRebbia，"saidthecolonel，bowingtohim，Englishfashion，overaglassofMadeira，"ImetagreatmanyofyourcountrymeninSpain——theyweresplendidsharp-shooters。"
"Yes，andagreatmanyofthemhavestayedinSpain，"repliedtheyounglieutenantgravely。
"IshallneverforgetthebehaviourofaCorsicanbattalionattheBattleofVittoria，"saidthecolonel；"Ihavegoodreasontorememberit，indeed，"headded，rubbinghischest。"Alldaylongtheyhadbeenskirmishinginthegardens，behindthehedges，andhadkilledIdon’tknowhowmanyofourhorsesandmen。Whentheretreatwassounded，theyralliedandmadeoffatagreatpace。Wehadhopedtotakeourrevengeonthemintheopenplain，butthescoundrels——Ibegyourpardon，lieutenant；thebravefellows，Ishouldhavesaid——hadformedasquare，andtherewasnobreakingit。Inthemiddleofthesquare——I
fancyIcanseehimstill——rodeanofficeronalittleblackhorse。Hekeptclosebesidethestandard，smokinghiscigarascoollyasifhehadbeeninacafé。Everynowandthentheirbuglesplayedaflourish，asiftodefyus。Isentmytwoleadingsquadronsatthem。Whew！
Insteadofbreakingthefrontofthesquare，mydragoonspassedalongthesides，wheeled，andcamebackingreatdisorder，andwithseveralriderlesshorses——andallthetimethosecursedbugleswentonplaying。Whenthesmokewhichhadhungoverthebattalionclearedaway，Isawtheofficerstillpuffingathiscigarbesidehiseagle。I
wasfurious，andledafinalchargemyself。Theirmuskets，foulwithcontinualfiring，wouldnotgooff，butthemenhaddrawnup，sixdeep，withtheirbayonetspointedatthenosesofourhorses；youmighthavetakenthemforawall。Iwasshouting，urgingonmydragoons，andspurringmyhorseforward，whentheofficerIhavementioned，atlengththrowingawayhiscigar，pointedmeouttooneofhismen，andIheardhimsaysomethinglike/"Alcapellobianco！"/——I
woreawhiteplume。ThenIdidnothearanymore，forabulletpassedthroughmychest。Thatwasasplendidbattalion，M。dellaRebbia，thatfirstbattalionoftheEighteenth——allofthemCorsicans，asIwasafterwardtold！"
"Yes，"saidOrso，whoseeyeshadshoneashelistenedtothestory。
"Theycoveredtheretreat，andbroughtbacktheireagle。TwothirdsofthosebravefellowsaresleepingnowontheplainsofVittoria！"
"And，perhaps，youcantellmethenameoftheofficerincommand？"
"Itwasmyfather——hewasthenamajorintheEighteenth，andwaspromotedcolonelforhisconductonthatterribleday。"
"Yourfather！Uponmyword，hewasabraveman！Ishouldbegladtoseehimagain，andIamcertainIshouldrecognisehim。Ishestillalive？"
"No，colonel，"saidtheyoungman，turningslightlypale。
"WasheatWaterloo？"
"Yes，colonel；buthehadnotthehappinessofdyingonthefieldofbattle。HediedinCorsicatwoyearsago。Howbeautifultheseais！ItistenyearssinceIhaveseentheMediterranean！Don’tyouthinktheMediterraneanmuchmorebeautifulthantheocean，mademoiselle？"
"Ithinkittooblue，anditswaveslackgrandeur。"
"Youlikewildbeautythen，mademoiselle！Inthatcase，IamsureyouwillbedelightedwithCorsica。"
"Mydaughter，"saidthecolonel，"delightsineverythingthatisoutofthecommon，andforthatreasonshedidnotcaremuchforItaly。"
"TheonlyplaceinItalythatIknow，"saidOrso，"isPisa，whereI
wasatschoolforsometime。ButIcannotthink，withoutadmiration，oftheCampo-Santo，theDuomo，andtheLeaningTower——especiallyoftheCampo-Santo。DoyourememberOrcagna’s’Death’？IthinkIcoulddraweverylineofit——itissogravenonmymemory。"
MissLydiawasafraidthelieutenantwasgoingtodeliveranenthusiastictirade。
"Itisverypretty，"shesaid，withayawn。"Excuseme，papa，myheadachesalittle；Iamgoingdowntomycabin。"
Shekissedherfatherontheforehead，inclinedherheadmajesticallytoOrso，anddisappeared。Thenthetwomentalkedabouthuntingandwar。TheydiscoveredthatatWaterlootheyhadbeenpostedoppositeeachother，andhadnodoubtexchangedmanyabullet。Thisknowledgestrengthenedtheirgoodunderstanding。Turningabout，theycriticisedNapoleon，Wellington，andBlucher，andthentheyhuntedbuck，boar，andmountainsheepincompany。Atlast，whennightwasfaradvanced，andthelastbottleofclarethadbeenemptied，thecolonelwrungthelieutenant’shandoncemoreandwishedhimgood-night，expressinghishopethatanacquaintance，whichhadbeguninsuchridiculousfashion，mightbecontinued。Theyparted，andeachwenttobed。
CHAPTERIII
Itwasalovelynight。Themoonlightwasdancingonthewaves，theshipglidedsmoothlyonbeforeagentlebreeze。MissLydiawasnotsleepy，andnothingbutthepresenceofanunpoeticalpersonhadpreventedherfromenjoyingthoseemotionswhicheveryhumanbeingpossessingatouchofpoetrymustexperienceatseabymoonlight。Whenshefeltsuretheyounglieutenantmustbesoundasleep，liketheprosaiccreaturehewas，shegotup，tookhercloak，wokehermaid，andwentondeck。Nobodywastobeseenexceptthesailoratthehelm，whowassingingasortofdirgeintheCorsicandialect，tosomewildandmonotonoustune。Inthesilenceofthenightthisstrangemusichaditscharm。UnluckilyMissLydiadidnotunderstandperfectlywhatthesailorwassinging。Amidagooddealthatwascommonplace，apassionatelinewouldoccasionallyexciteherliveliestcuriosity。Butjustatthemostimportantmomentsomewordsof/patois/wouldoccur，thesenseofwhichutterlyescapedher。Yetshedidmakeoutthatthesubjectwasconnectedwithamurder。Cursesagainsttheassassin，threatsofvengeance，praiseofthedeadwereallmingledconfusedly。
Sherememberedsomeofthelines。Iwillendeavourtotranslatethemhere……"Neithercannonnorbayonets……
Broughtpallortohisbrow……
Assereneonthebattlefield……asasummersky。
Hewasthefalcon——theeagle’sfriend……
Honeyofthesandtohisfriends……
Tohisenemies，atempestuoussea……Prouderthanthesun……gentlerthanthemoon……HeforwhomtheenemiesofFrance……
neverwaited……Murderersinhisownland……struckhimfrombehind……
AsVittoloslewSampieroCorso……
NeverwouldtheyhavedaredtolookhiminTheface……SetuponthewallBeforemybed……mywell-earnedcrossofhonour……redisitsribbon……redderismyshirt！……Formyson，mysoninafarcountry……keepmycrossandmyblood-stainedshirt！……Hewillseetwoholesinit……Foreachholeaholeinanothershirt！……Butwillthataccomplishthevengeance？……Imusthavethehandthatfired，theeyethataimed……theheartthatplanned！"……
Suddenlythesailorstoppedshort。
"Whydon’tyougoon，mygoodman？"inquiredMissNevil。
Thesailor，withajerkofhishead，pointedtoafigureappearingthroughthemainhatchwayoftheschooner：itwasOrso，cominguptoenjoythemoonlight。"Prayfinishyoursong，"saidMissLydia。"Itinterestsmegreatly！"
Thesailorleanedtowardher，andsaid，inaverylowtone，"Idon’tgivethe/rimbecco/toanybody！"
"Thewhat？"
Thesailor，withoutreplying，begantowhistle。
"IhavecaughtyouadmiringourMediterranean，MissNevil，"saidOrso，comingtowardher。"Youmustallowyouneverseeamoonlikethisanywhereelse！"
"Iwasnotlookingatit，IwasaltogetheroccupiedinstudyingCorsican。Thatsailor，whohasbeensingingamosttragicdirge，stoppedshortatthemostinterestingpoint。"
Thesailorbentdown，asiftoseethecompassmoreclearly，andtuggedsharplyatMissNevil’sfurcloak。ItwasquiteevidenthislamentcouldnotbesungbeforeLieutenantOrso。
"Whatwereyousinging，PaoloFrance？"saidOrso。"Wasita/ballata/
ora/vocero/？Mademoiselleunderstandsyou，andwouldliketoheartheend。"
"Ihaveforgottenit，Ors’Anton’，"saidthesailor。
AndinstantlyhebeganahymntotheVirgin，atthetopofhisvoice。
MissLydialistenedabsent-mindedlytothehymn，anddidnotpressthesingeranyfurther——thoughshewasquiteresolved，inherownmind，tofindoutthemeaningoftheriddlelater。Buthermaid，who，beingaFlorentine，couldnotunderstandtheCorsicandialectanybetterthanhermistress，wasaseagerasMissLydiaforinformation，and，turningtoOrso，beforetheEnglishladycouldwarnherbyanudge，shesaid：
"Captainwhatdoes/givingtherimbecco/mean？"
"Therimbecco！"saidOrso。"Why，it’sthemostdeadlyinsultthatcanbeofferedtoaCorsican。Itmeansreproachinghimwithnothavingavengedhiswrong。Whomentionedtherimbeccotoyou？"
"Yesterday，atMarseilles，"repliedMissLydiahurriedly，"thecaptainoftheschoonerusedtheword。"
"Andwhomwashetalkingabout？"inquiredOrsoeagerly。
"Oh，hewastellingussomeoddstoryaboutthetime——yes，IthinkitwasaboutVanninad’Ornano。"
"Isuppose，mademoiselle，thatVannina’sdeathhasnotinspiredyouwithanygreatloveforournationalhero，thebraveSampiero？"
"Butdoyouthinkhisconductwassoveryheroic？"
"Theexcuseforhiscrimeliesinthesavagecustomsoftheperiod。
AndthenSampierowaswagingdeadlywaragainsttheGenoese。Whatconfidencecouldhisfellow-countrymenhavefeltinhimifhehadnotpunishedhiswife，whotriedtotreatwithGenoa？"
"Vannina，"saidthesailor，"hadstartedoffwithoutherhusband’sleave。Sampierodidquiterighttowringherneck！"
"But，"saidMissLydia，"itwastosaveherhusband，itwasoutofloveforhim，thatshewasgoingtoaskhispardonfromtheGenoese。"
"Toaskhispardonwastodegradehim！"exclaimedOrso。
"Andthentokillherhimself！"saidMissLydia。"Whatamonsterhemusthavebeen！"
"Youknowshebeggedasafavourthatshemightdiebyhishand。WhataboutOthello，mademoiselle，doyoulookonhim，too，asamonster？"
"Thereisadifference；hewasjealous。Sampierowasonlyvain！"
"Andafterallisnotjealousyakindofvanity？Itisthevanityoflove；willyounotexcuseitonaccountofitsmotive？"
MissLydialookedathimwithanairofgreatdignity，andturningtothesailor，inquiredwhentheschoonerwouldreachport。
"Thedayafterto-morrow，"saidhe，"ifthewindholds。"
"IwishAjacciowereinsightalready，forIamsickofthisship。"
Sherose，tookhermaid’sarm，andwalkedafewpacesonthedeck。
Orsostoodmotionlessbesidethehelm，notknowingwhetherhehadbetterwalkbesideher，orendaconversationwhichseemeddispleasingtoher。
"BloodoftheMadonna，whatahandsomegirl！"saidthesailor。"Ifeveryfleainmybedwerelikeher，Ishouldn’tcomplainoftheirbitingme！"
MissLydiamaypossiblyhaveoverheardthisartlesspraiseofherbeautyandbeenstartledbyit；forshewentbelowalmostimmediately。
ShortlyafterOrsoalsoretired。Assoonashehadleftthedeckthemaidreappeared，and，havingcross-questionedthesailor，carriedbackthefollowinginformationtohermistress。The/ballata/whichhadbeenbrokenoffonOrso’sappearancehadbeencomposedontheoccasionofthedeathofhisfather，ColoneldellaRebbia，whohadbeenmurderedtwoyearspreviously。ThesailorhadnodoubtatallthatOrsowascomingbacktoCorsica/perfarelavendetta/，suchwashisexpression，andheaffirmedthatbeforelongtherewouldbe/freshmeat/tobeseeninthevillageofPietranera。Thisnationalexpression，beinginterpreted，meantthatSignorOrsoproposedtomurdertwoorthreeindividualssuspectedofhavingassassinatedhisfather——individualswhohad，indeed，beenprosecutedonthataccount，buthadcomeoutofthetrialaswhiteassnow，fortheywerehandandglovewiththejudges，lawyers，prefect，andgendarmes。
"ThereisnojusticeinCorsica，"addedthesailor，"andIputmuchmorefaithinagoodgunthaninajudgeoftheRoyalCourt。IfamanhasanenemyhemustchooseoneofthethreeS’s。"（Anationalexpressionmeaning/schioppetto/，/stiletto/，/strada/——thatis，/gun/，/dagger/，or/flight/。
TheseinterestingpiecesofinformationwroughtanotablechangeinMissLydia’smannerandfeelingwithregardtoLieutenantdellaRebbia。FromthatmomenthebecameapersonofimportanceintheromanticEnglishwoman’seyes。
Hiscarelessair，hisfrankandgoodhumour，whichhadatfirstimpressedhersounfavourably，nowseemedtoheranadditionalmerit，asbeingproofsofthedeepdissimulationofastrongnature，whichwillnotallowanyinnerfeelingtoappearuponthesurface。OrsoseemedtoherasortofFieschi，whohidmightydesignsunderanappearanceoffrivolity，and，thoughitislessnobletokillafewrascalsthantofreeone’scountry，stillafinedeedofvengeanceisafinething，andbesides，womenarerathergladtofindtheirheroisnotapolitician。ThenMissNevilremarkedforthefirsttimethattheyounglieutenanthadlargeeyes，whiteteeth，anelegantfigure，thathewaswell-educated，andpossessedthehabitsofgoodsociety。Duringthefollowingdayshetalkedtohimfrequently，andfoundhisconversationinteresting。Hewasaskedmanyquestionsabouthisowncountry，anddescribeditwell。Corsica，whichhehadleftwhenyoung，togofirsttocollege，andthentotheEcolemilitaire，hadremainedinhisimaginationsurroundedwithpoeticassociations。Whenhetalkedofitsmountains，itsforests，andthequaintcustomsofitsinhabitantshegreweagerandanimated。Asmaybeimagined，theword/vengeance/occurredmorethanonceinthestorieshetold——foritisimpossibletospeakoftheCorsicanswithouteitherattackingorjustifyingtheirproverbialpassion。OrsosomewhatsurprisedMissNevilbyhisgeneralcondemnationoftheundyinghatredsnursedbyhisfellow-countrymen。Asregardedthepeasants，however，heendeavouredtoexcusethem，andclaimedthatthe/vendetta/isthepoorman’sduel。"Sotrueisthis，"hesaid，"thatnoassassinationtakesplacetillaformalchallengehasbeendelivered。’Beonyourguardyourself，Iamonmine！’arethesacramentalwordsexchanged，fromtimeimmemorial，betweentwoenemies，beforetheybegintolieinwaitforeachother。Therearemoreassassinationsamongus，"headded，"thananywhereelse。Butyouwillneverdiscoveranignoblecauseforanyofthesecrimes。Wehavemanymurderers，itistrue，butnotasinglethief。"
WhenhespokeaboutvengeanceandmurderMissLydialookedathimclosely，butshecouldnotdetecttheslightesttraceofemotiononhisfeatures。Asshehadmadeuphermind，however，thathepossessedsufficientstrengthofmindtobeabletohidehisthoughtsfromeveryeye（herown，ofcourse，excepted），shecontinuedinherfirmbeliefthatColoneldellaRebbia’sshadewouldnothavetowaitlongfortheatonementitclaimed。
TheschoonerwasalreadywithinsightofCorsica。Thecaptainpointedouttheprincipalfeaturesofthecoast，and，thoughallofthesewereabsolutelyunknowntoMissLydia，shefoundacertainpleasureinhearingtheirnames；nothingismoretiresomethanananonymouslandscape。Fromtimetotimethecolonel’stelescoperevealedtohertheformofsomeislandercladinbrowncloth，armedwithalonggun，bestridingasmallhorse，andgallopingdownsteepslopes。IneachoftheseMissLydiabelievedshebeheldeitherabrigandorasongoingforthtoavengehisfather’sdeath。ButOrsoalwaysdeclareditwassomepeacefuldenizenofaneighbouringvillagetravellingonbusiness，andthathecarriedagunlessfromnecessitythanbecauseitwasthefashion，justasnodandyevertakesawalkwithoutanelegantcane。Thoughagunisalessnobleandpoeticweaponthanastiletto，MissLydiathoughtitmuchmorestylishforamanthananycane，andsherememberedthatallLordByron’sheroesdiedbyabullet，andnotbytheclassicponiard。
Afterthreedays’sailing，theshipreachedLesSanguinaires（TheBloodyIslands），andthemagnificentpanoramaoftheGulfofAjacciowasunrolledbeforeourtravellers’eyes。Itiscompared，withjustice，totheBayofNaples，andjustastheschoonerwasenteringtheharbouraburning/maquis/，whichcoveredthePuntadiGirato，broughtbackmemoriesofVesuviusandheightenedtheresemblance。Tomakeitquitecomplete，NaplesshouldbeseenafteroneofAttila’sarmieshaddevastateditssuburbs——forroundAjaccioeverythinglooksdeadanddeserted。InsteadofthehandsomebuildingsobservableoneverysidefromCastellamaretoCapeMisena，nothingistobeseenintheneighbourhoodoftheGulfofAjacciobutgloomy/maquis/withbaremountainsrisingbehindthem。Notavilla，notadwellingofanykind——onlyhereandthere，ontheheightsaboutthetown，afewisolatedwhitestructuresstandoutagainstabackgroundofgreen。Thesearemortuarychapelsorfamilytombs。Everythinginthislandscapeisgravelyandsadlybeautiful。
Theappearanceofthetown，atthatperiodespecially，deepenedtheimpressioncausedbythelonelinessofitssurroundings。Therewasnostirinthestreets，whereonlyafewlistlessidlers——alwaysthesame——weretobeseen；nowomenatall，exceptanoddpeasantcomeintosellherproduce；noloudtalk，laughter，andsinging，asintheItaliantowns。Sometimes，undertheshadeofatreeonthepublicpromenade，adozenarmedpeasantswillplayatcardsorwatcheachotherplay；theynevershoutorwrangle；iftheygethotoverthegame，pistolshotsringout，andthisalwaysbeforetheutteranceofanythreat。TheCorsicanisgraveandsilentbynature。Intheevening，afewpersonscomeouttoenjoythecoolair，butthepromenadersontheCorsoarenearlyallofthemforeigners；theislandersstayinfrontoftheirowndoors；eachoneseemsonthewatch，likeafalconoveritsnest。
CHAPTERIV
WhenMissLydiahadvisitedthehouseinwhichNapoleonwasborn，andhadprocured，bymeansmoreorlessmoral，afragmentofthewall-
paperbelongingtoit，she，withintwodaysofherlandinginCorsica，begantofeelthatprofoundmelancholywhichmustovercomeeveryforeignerinacountrywhoseunsociableinhabitantsappeartocondemnhimorhertoaconditionofutterisolation。Shewasalreadyregrettingherheadstrongcaprice；buttogobackatoncewouldhavebeentoriskherreputationasanintrepidtraveller，soshemadeuphermindtobepatient，andkilltimeasbestshecould。Withthisnobleresolution，shebroughtouthercrayonsandcolours，sketchedviewsofthegulf，anddidtheportraitofasunburntpeasant，whosoldmelons，likeanymarket-gardenerontheContinent，butwhoworealongwhitebeard，andlookedthefiercestrascalthathadeverbeenseen。Asallthatwasnotenoughtoamuseher，shedeterminedtoturntheheadofthedescendantofthecorporals，andthiswasnodifficultmatter，since，farfrombeinginahurrytogetbacktohisvillage，OrsoseemedveryhappyatAjaccio，althoughheknewnobodythere。
Furthermore，MissLydiahadaloftypurposeinhermind；itwasnothinglessthantocivilizethismountainbear，andinducehimtorelinquishthesinisterdesignwhichhadrecalledhimtohisisland。
Sinceshehadtakenthetroubletostudytheyoungman，shehadtoldherselfitwouldbeapitytolethimrushuponhisruin，andthatitwouldbeagloriousthingtoconvertaCorsican。
Ourtravellersspentthedayinthefollowingmanner：EverymorningthecolonelandOrsowentoutshooting。MissLydiasketchedorwroteletterstoherfriends，chieflyforthesakeofdatingthemfromAjaccio。Towardsixo’clockthegentlemencamein，ladenwithgame。
Thenfolloweddinner。MissLydiasang，thecolonelwenttosleep，andtheyoungpeoplesattalkingtillverylate。
Someformalityorother，connectedwithhispassports，hadmadeitnecessaryforColonelNeviltocallontheprefect。Thisgentleman，who，likemostofhiscolleagues，foundhislifeverydull，hadbeendelightedtohearofthearrivalofanEnglishmanwhowasrich，amanoftheworld，andthefatherofaprettydaughter。Hehad，therefore，givenhimthemostfriendlyreception，andoverwhelmedhimwithoffersofservice；further，withinaveryfewdays，hecametoreturnhisvisit。Thecolonel，whohadjustdined，wascomfortablystretchedoutuponhissofa，andverynearlyasleep。Hisdaughterwassingingatabroken-downpiano；Orsowasturningovertheleavesofhermusic，andgazingatthefairsinger’sshouldersandgoldenhair。Theprefectwasannounced，thepianostopped，thecolonelgotup，rubbedhiseyes，andintroducedtheprefecttohisdaughter。
"IdonotintroduceM。dellaRebbiatoyou，"saidhe，"fornodoubtyouknowhimalready。"
"IsthisgentlemanColoneldellaRebbia’sson？"saidtheprefect，lookingatrifleembarrassed。
"Yes，monsieur，"repliedOrso。
"Ihadthehonourofknowingyourfather。"
Theordinarycommonplacesofconversationweresoonexhausted。Thecolonel，inspiteofhimself，yawnedprettyfrequently。Orso，asaliberal，didnotcaretoconversewithasatelliteoftheGovernment。
TheburdenoftheconversationfellonMissLydia。Theprefect，onhisside，didnotletitdrop，anditwasclearthathefoundthegreatestpleasureintalkingofParis，andofthegreatworld，toawomanwhowasacquaintedwithalltheforemostpeopleinEuropeansociety。Ashetalked，henowandthenglancedatOrso，withanexpressionofsingularcuriosity。
"WasitontheContinentthatyoumadeM。dellaRebbia’sacquaintance？"heinquired。
Somewhatembarrassed，MissLydiarepliedthatshehadmadehisacquaintanceontheshipwhichhadcarriedthemtoCorsica。
"Heisaverygentlemanlyyoungfellow，"saidtheprefect，inanundertone；"andhashetoldyou，"headded，droppinghisvoicestilllower，"whyhehasreturnedtoCorsica？"
MissLydiaputonhermostmajesticairandanswered：
"Ihavenotaskedhim，"shesaid。"Youmaydoso。"
Theprefectkeptsilence，but，aninstantlater，hearingOrsospeakafewwordsofEnglishtothecolonel，hesaid：
"Youseemtohavetravelledagreatdeal，monsieur。YoumusthaveforgottenCorsicaandCorsicanhabits。"
"ItisquitetruethatIwasveryyoungwhenIwentaway。"
"Youstillbelongtothearmy？"
"Iamonhalf-pay，monsieur。"
"YouhavebeentoolongintheFrencharmynottohavebecomeathoroughFrenchman，Ihavenodoubt？"
Thelastwordsofthesentencewerespokenwithmarkedemphasis。
TheCorsicansarenotparticularlyflatteredatbeingremindedthattheybelongtothe"GreatNations。"Theyclaimtobeapeopleapart，andsowelldotheyjustifytheirclaimthatitmayverywellbegrantedthem。
Somewhatnettled，Orsoreplied："Doyouthink，M。lePrefet，thataCorsicanmustnecessarilyserveintheFrencharmytobecomeanhonourableman？"
"No，indeed，"saidtheprefect，"thatisnotmyideaatall；Iamonlyspeakingofcertain/customs/belongingtothiscountry，someofwhicharenotsuchasaGovernmentofficialwouldliketosee。"
Heemphasizedtheword/customs/，andputonasgraveanexpressionashisfeaturescouldassume。Soonafterhegotupandtookhisleave，bearingwithhimMissLydia’spromisethatshewouldgoandcallonhiswifeattheprefecture。
Whenhehaddeparted："IhadtocometoCorsica，"saidMissLydia，"tofindoutwhataprefectislike。Thisonestrikesmeasratheramiable。"
"Formypart，"saidOrso，"Ican’tsayasmuch。Hestrikesmeasaveryqueerindividual，withhisairsofemphasisandmystery。"
Thecolonelwasextremelydrowsy。MissLydiacastaglanceinhisdirection，and，loweringhervoice：
"AndI，"shesaid，"donotthinkhimsomysteriousasyoupretend；forIbelieveIunderstoodhim！"
"Thenyouareclear-sightedindeed，MissNevil。Ifyouhaveseenanywitinwhathehasjustsaidyoumustcertainlyhaveputitthereyourself。"
"ItistheMarquisdeMascarille，Ithink，whosaysthat，M。dellaRebbia。Butwouldyoulikemetogiveyouaproofofmyclear-
sightedness？Iamsomethingofawitch，andIcanreadthethoughtsofpeopleIhaveseenonlytwice。"
"Goodheavens！youalarmme。IfyoureallycanreadmythoughtsI
don’tknowwhetherIshouldbegladorsorry。"
"M。dellaRebbia，"wentonMissLydia，withablush，"wehaveonlyknowneachotherforafewdays。Butatsea，andinsavagecountries（youwillexcuseme，Ihope）——insavagecountriesfriendshipsgrowmorequicklythantheydoinsociety……soyoumustnotbeastonishedifIspeaktoyou，asafriend，uponprivatematters，withwhich，perhaps，astrangeroughtnottointerfere。"
"Ah，donotsaythatword，MissNevil。Iliketheotherfarbetter。"
"Well，then，monsieur，Imusttellyouthatwithouthavingtriedtofindoutyoursecrets，Ihavelearnedsomeofthem，andtheygrieveme。Ihaveheard，monsieur，ofthemisfortunewhichhasovertakenyourfamily。Agreatdealhasbeensaidtomeaboutthevindictivenatureofyourfellow-countrymen，andthefashioninwhichtheytaketheirvengeance。Wasitnottothattheprefectwasalluding？"
"MissLydia！Canyoubelieveit！"andOrsoturneddeadlypale。
"No，M。dellaRebbia，"shesaid，interruptinghim，"Iknowyoutobeamosthonourablegentleman。Youhavetoldmeyourselfthatitwasonlythecommonpeopleinyourcountrywhostillpractisedthe/vendetta/——
whichyouarepleasedtodescribeasakindofduel。"
"Doyou，then，believemecapableofeverbecomingamurderer？"
"SinceIhavementionedthesubjectatall，MonsieurOrso，youmustclearlyseethatIdonotsuspectyou，andifIhavespokentoyouatall，"sheadded，droppinghereyes，"itisbecauseIhaverealizedthatsurrounded，itmaybe，bybarbarousprejudicesonyourreturnhome，youwillbegladtoknowthatthereissomebodywhoesteemsyouforhavingthecouragetoresistthem。Come！"saidshe，risingtoherfeet，"don’tletustalkagainofsuchhorridthings，theymakemyheadache，andbesidesit’sverylate。Youarenotangrywithme，areyou？Letussaygood-nightintheEnglishfashion，"andsheheldoutherhand。
Orsopressedit，lookinggraveanddeeplymoved。
"Mademoiselle，"hesaid，"doyouknowthattherearemomentswhentheinstinctsofmycountrywakeupwithinme。Sometimes，whenIthinkofmypoorfather，horriblethoughtsassailme。Thankstoyou，Iamridofthemforever。Thankyou！thankyou！"
Hewouldhavecontinued，butMissLydiadroppedateaspoon，andthenoisewokeupthecolonel。
"DellaRebbia，we’llstartatfiveo’clockto-morrowmorning。Bepunctual！"
"Yes，colonel。"
CHAPTERV
Thenextday，ashorttimebeforethesportsmencameback，MissNevil，returningwithhermaidfromawalkalongtheseashore，wasjustabouttoentertheinn，whenshenoticedayoungwoman，dressedinblack，ridingintothetownonasmallbutstronghorse。Shewasfollowedbyasortofpeasant，alsoonhorseback，whoworeabrownclothjacketcutattheelbows。Agourdwasslungoverhisshoulderandapistolwashangingathisbelt，hishandgraspedagun，thebuttofwhichrestedinaleathernpocketfastenedtohissaddle-bow——inshort，heworethecompletecostumeofabrigandinamelodrama，orofthemiddle-classCorsicanonhistravels。MissNevil’sattentionwasfirstattractedbythewoman’sremarkablebeauty。Sheseemedabouttwentyyearsofage；shewastallandpale，withdarkblueeyes，redlips，andteethlikeenamel。Inherexpressionpride，anxiety，andsadnesswerealllegible。Onherheadsheworeablacksilkveilcalleda/mezzaro/，whichtheGenoeseintroducedintoCorsica，andwhichissobecomingtowomen。Longbraidsofchestnuthairformedasortofturbanroundherhead。Herdresswasneat，butsimpleintheextreme。
MissNevilhadplentyoftimetoobserveher，fortheladyinthe/mezzaro/hadhaltedinthestreet，andwasquestioningsomebodyonasubjectwhich，tojudgefromtheexpressionofhereyes，musthaveinterestedherexceedingly。Then，assoonasshereceivedananswer，shetouchedhermountwithherriding-switch，and，breakingintoaquicktrot，neverhaltedtillshereachedthedoorofthehotelinwhichSirThomasNevilandOrsowerestaying。There，afterexchangingafewwordswiththehost，thegirlsprangnimblyfromhersaddleandseatedherselfonastonebenchbesidetheentrancedoor，whilehergroomledthehorsesawaytothestable。MissLydia，inherParisgown，passedclosebesidethestranger，whodidnotraisehereyes。A
quarterofanhourlatersheopenedherwindow，andsawtheladyinthe/mezzaro/stillsittinginthesameplaceandinthesameattitude。NotlongafterwardthecolonelandOrsoreturnedfromhunting。Thenthelandlordsaidafewwordstotheyoungladyinmourning，andpointedtodellaRebbiawithhisfinger。Shecoloureddeeply，roseeagerly，wentafewpacesforward，andthenstoppedshort，apparentlymuchconfused。Orsowasquiteclosetoher，andwaslookingathercuriously。
"AreyouOrsoAntoniodellaRebbia？"saidsheinatremulousvoice。"I
amColomba。"
"Colomba！"criedOrso。
Andtakingherinhisarmshekissedhertenderly，somewhattothesurpriseofthecolonelandhisdaughter——butinEnglandpeopledonotkisseachotherinthestreet。
"Brother，"saidColomba，"youmustforgivemeforhavingcomewithoutyourpermission。ButIheardfromourfriendsthatyouhadarrived，anditissuchagreatconsolationtometoseeyou。"
AgainOrsokissedher。Then，turningtothecolonel：
"Thisismysister，"saidhe，"whomInevershouldhaverecognisedifshehadnottoldmehername——Colomba——ColonelSirThomasNevil——
colonel，youwillkindlyexcuseme，butIcannothavethehonourofdiningwithyouto-day。Mysister——"
"But，mydearfellow，wherethedevildoyouexpecttodine？Youknowverywellthereisonlyonedinnerinthisinfernaltavern，andwehavebespokenit。Itwillaffordmydaughtergreatpleasureifthisyoungladywilljoinus。"
Colombalookedatherbrother，whodidnotneedmuchpressing，andtheyallpassedtogetherintothelargestroomintheinn，whichthecolonelusedashissittinganddiningroom。MademoiselledellaRebbia，onbeingintroducedtoMissNevil，madeheradeepcourtesy，butshedidnotutterasingleword。Itwaseasytoseethatshewasverymuchfrightenedatfindingherself，perhapsforthefirsttimeinherlife，inthecompanyofstrangersbelongingtothegreatworld。
Yettherewasnothingprovincialinhermanners。Thenoveltyofherpositionexcusedherawkwardness。MissNeviltookalikingtoheratonce，and，astherewasnoroomdisengagedinthehotel，thewholeofwhichwasoccupiedbythecolonelandhisattendants，sheoffered，eitheroutofcondescensionorcuriosity，tohaveabedpreparedinherownroomforMademoiselledellaRebbia。
Colombastammeredafewwordsofthanks，andhastenedafterMissNevil’smaid，tomakesuchchangesinhertoiletaswererenderednecessarybyajourneyonhorsebackinthedustandheat。
Whenshere-enteredthesitting-room，shepausedinfrontofthecolonel’sguns，whichthehuntershadleftinacorner。
"Whatfineweapons，"saidshe。"Aretheyyours，brother？"
"No，theyarethecolonel’sEnglishguns——andtheyareasgoodastheyarehandsome。"
"HowmuchIwishyouhadonelikethem！"saidColomba。
"OneofthosethreecertainlydoesbelongtodellaRebbia，"exclaimedthecolonel。"Hereallyshootsalmosttoowell！To-dayhefiredfourteenshots，andbroughtdownfourteenheadofgame。"
Afriendlydisputeatonceensued，inwhichOrsowasvanquished，tohissister’sgreatsatisfaction，asitwaseasytoperceivefromthechildishexpressionofdelightwhichilluminedherface，soseriousamomentbefore。
"Choose，mydearfellow，"saidthecolonel；butOrsorefused。
"Verywell，then。Yoursistershallchooseforyou。"
Colombadidnotwaitforasecondinvitation。Shetookuptheplainestoftheguns，butitwasafirst-rateMantonoflargecalibre。
"Thisone，"shesaid，"mustcarryaballalongdistance。"
Herbrotherwasgrowingquiteconfusedinhisexpressionsofgratitude，whendinnerappeared，veryopportunely，tohelphimoutofhisembarrassment。
MissLydiawasdelightedtonoticethatColomba，whohadshownconsiderablereluctancetositdownwiththem，andhadyieldedonlyataglancefromherbrother，crossedherself，likeagoodCatholic，beforeshebegantoeat。
"Good！"saidshetoherself，"thatisprimitive！"andsheanticipatedacquiringmanyinterestingfactsbyobservingthisyouthfulrepresentativeofancientCorsicanmanners。AsforOrso，hewasevidentlyatrifleuneasy，fearing，doubtless，thathissistermightsayordosomethingwhichsavouredtoomuchofhernativevillage。ButColombawatchedhimconstantly，andregulatedallherownmovementsbyhis。Sometimesshelookedathimfixedly，withastrangeexpressionofsadness，andthen，ifOrso’seyesmethers，hewasthefirsttoturnthemaway，asthoughhewouldevadesomequestionwhichhissisterwasmentallyaddressingtohim，thesenseofwhichheunderstoodonlytoowell。EverybodytalkedFrench，forthecolonelcouldonlyexpresshimselfverybadlyinItalian。ColombaunderstoodFrench，andevenpronouncedthefewwordsshewasobligedtoexchangewithherentertainerstolerablywell。
Afterdinner，thecolonel，whohadnoticedthesortofconstraintwhichexistedbetweenthebrotherandsister，inquiredofOrso，withhiscustomaryfrankness，whetherhedidnotwishtobealonewithMademoiselleColomba，offering，inthatcase，togointothenextroomwithhisdaughter。ButOrsohastenedtothankhim，andtoassurehimtheywouldhaveplentyoftimetotalkatPietranera——thiswasthenameofthevillagewherehewastotakeuphisabode。
Thecolonelthenresumedhiscustomarypositiononthesofa，andMissNevil，afterattemptingseveralsubjectsofconversation，gaveupallhopeofinducingthefairColombatotalk，andbeggedOrsotoreadheracantooutofDante，herfavouritepoet。OrsochosethecantooftheInferno，containingtheepisodeofFrancescadaRimini，andbegantoread，asimpressivelyashewasable，theglorioustiercetswhichsoadmirablyexpresstheriskrunbytwoyoungpersonswhoventuretoreadalove-storytogether。AshereadonColombadrewnearertothetable，andraisedherhead，whichshehadkeptlowered。Herwide-openeyes，shonewithextraordinaryfire，shegrewredandpalebyturns，andstirredconvulsivelyinherchair。HowadmirableistheItalianorganization，whichcanunderstandpoetrywithoutneedingapedanttoexplainitsbeauties！
Whenthecantowasfinished：
"Howbeautifulthatis！"sheexclaimed。"Whowroteit，brother？"
Orsowasalittledisconcerted，andMissLydiaansweredwithasmilethatitwaswrittenbyaFlorentinepoet，whohadbeendeadforcenturies。
"YoushallreadDante，"saidOrso，"whenyouareatPietranera。"
"Goodheavens，howbeautifulitis！"saidColombaagain，andsherepeatedthreeorfourtiercetswhichshehadremembered，speakingatfirstinanundertone；then，growingexcited，shedeclaimedthemaloud，withfarmoreexpressionthanherbrotherhadputintohisreading。
MissLydiawasverymuchastonished。
"Youseemveryfondofpoetry，"shesaid。"HowIenvyyouthedelightyouwillfindinreadingDanteforthefirsttime！"
"Yousee，MissNevil，"saidOrso，"whatapowerDante’slinesmusthave，whentheysomoveawildyoungsavagewhoknowsnothingbuther/Pater/。ButIammistaken！IrecollectnowthatColombabelongstotheguild。Evenwhenshewasquitealittlechildsheusedtotryherhandatverse-making，andmyfatherusedtowritemewordthatshewasthebest/voceratrice/inPietranera，andfortwoleaguesroundabout。"
Colombacastanimploringglanceatherbrother。MissNevilhadheardoftheCorsican/improvisatrici/，andwasdyingtohearone。ShebeggedColomba，then，togiveheraspecimenofherpowers。Verymuchvexednowathavingmadeanymentionofhissister’spoeticgifts，Orsointerposed。InvaindidheprotestthatnothingwassoinsipidasaCorsican/ballata/，andthattorecitetheCorsicanversesafterthoseofDantewaslikebetrayinghiscountry。AllhedidwastostimulateMissNevil’scuriosity，andatlasthewasobligedtosaytohissister：
"Well！well！improvisesomething——butletitbeshort！"
Colombaheavedasigh，lookedfixedlyforamoment，firstatthetable-cloth，andthenattheraftersoftheceiling；atlast，coveringhereyeswithherhandlikethosebirdsthatgathercourage，andfancytheyarenotseenwhentheynolongerseethemselves，shesang，orratherdeclaimed，inanunsteadyvoice，thefollowing/serenata/：
"THEMAIDENANDTHETURTLE-DOVE
"Inthevalley，farawayamongthemountains，thesunonlyshinesforanhoureveryday。Inthevalleytherestandsagloomyhouse，andgrassgrowsonitsthreshold。Doorsandwindowsarealwaysshut。Nosmokerisesfromtheroof。Butatnoon，whenthesunshinefalls，awindowopens，andtheorphangirlsitsspinningatherwheel。Shespins，andassheworks，shesings——asongofsadness。Butnoothersongcomestoanswerhers！Oneday——adayinspring-time——aturtle-
dovesettledonatreehardby，andheardthemaiden’ssong。’Maiden，’
itsaid，’thouartnottheonlymourner！Acruelhawkhassnatchedmymatefromme！’’Turtle-dove，showmethatcruelhawk；wereittosoarhigherthanthecloudsIwouldsoonbringitdowntoearth！Butwhowillrestoretome，unhappythatIam，mybrother，nowinafarcountry？’’Maiden，tellme，wherethybrotheris，andmywingsshallbearmetohim。’"
"Awell-bredturtle-dove，indeed！"exclaimedOrso，andtheemotionwithwhichhekissedhissistercontrastedstronglywiththejestingtoneinwhichhespoke。
"Yoursongisdelightful，"saidMissLydia。"Youmustwriteitinmyalbum；I’lltranslateitintoEnglish，andhaveitsettomusic。"
Theworthycolonel，whohadnotunderstoodasingleword，addedhiscomplimentstohisdaughter’sandadded："Isthisdoveyouspeakofthebirdweatebroiledatdinnerto-day？"
MissNevilfetchedheralbum，andwasnotalittlesurprisedtoseethe/improvisatrice/writedownhersong，withsomuchcareinthematterofeconomizingspace。
Thelines，insteadofbeingseparate，wereallruntogether，asfarasthebreadthofthepaperwouldpermit，sothattheydidnotagreewiththeaccepteddefinitionofpoeticcomposition——"shortlinesofunequallength，withamarginoneachsideofthem。"MademoiselleColomba’ssomewhatfancifulspellingmightalsohaveexcitedcomment。MorethanonceMissNevilwasseentosmile，andOrso’sfraternalvanitysufferedtortures。
Bedtimecame，andthetwoyounggirlsretiredtotheirroom。There，whileMissLydiaunclaspedhernecklace，ear-rings，andbracelets，shewatchedhercompaniondrawsomethingoutofhergown——somethingaslongasastay-busk，butverydifferentinshape。Carefully，almoststealthily，Colombaslippedthisobjectunderher/mezzaro/，whichshelaidonthetable。Thenshekneltdown，andsaidherprayersdevoutly。
Twominutesafterwardshewasinherbed。MissLydia，naturallyveryinquisitive，andasslowaseveryEnglishwomanisaboutundressingherself，movedovertothetable，pretendedshewaslookingforapin，liftedupthe/mezzaro/，andsawalongstiletto——curiouslymountedinsilverandmother-of-pearl。Theworkmanshipwasremarkablyfine。Itwasanancientweapon，andjustthesortofoneanamateurwouldhaveprizedveryhighly。
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