"Isitthecustomhere，"inquiredMissNevil，withasmile，"foryoungladiestowearsuchlittleinstrumentsastheseintheirbodices？"

"Itis，"answeredColomba，withasigh。"Therearesomanywickedpeopleabout！"

"Andwouldyoureallyhavethecouragetostrikewithit，likethis？"

AndMissNevil，daggerinhand，madeagestureofstabbingfromabove，asactorsdoonthestage。

Yes，"saidColomba，inhersoft，musicalvoice，"ifIhadtodoittoprotectmyselformyfriends。Butyoumustnotholditlikethat，youmightwoundyourselfifthepersonyouweregoingtostabweretodrawback。"Then，sittingupinbed，"See，"sheadded，"youmuststrikelikethis——upward！Ifyoudoso，thethrustissuretokill，theysay。

Happyaretheywhoneverneedsuchweapons。"

Shesighed，droppedherheadbackonthepillow，andclosedhereyes。

Amorenoble，beautiful，virginalheaditwouldbeimpossibletoimagine。PhidiaswouldhaveaskednoothermodelforMinerva。

CHAPTERVI

ItisinobediencetothepreceptofHoracethatIhavebegunbyplunging/inmediares/。Nowthateveryoneisasleep——thebeautifulColomba，thecolonel，andhisdaughter——Iwillseizetheopportunitytoacquaintmyreaderwithcertaindetailsofwhichhemustnotbeignorant，ifhedesirestofollowthefurthercourseofthisveracioushistory。HeisalreadyawarethatColoneldellaRebbia，Orso’sfather，hadbeenassassinated。Now，inCorsica，peoplearenotmurdered，astheyareinFrance，bythefirstescapedconvictwhocandevisenobettermeansofrelievingamanofhissilver-plate。InCorsicaamanismurderedbyhisenemies——butthereasonhehasenemiesisoftenverydifficulttodiscover。Manyfamilieshateeachotherbecauseithasbeenanold-standinghabitoftheirstohateeachother；butthetraditionoftheoriginalcauseoftheirhatredmayhavecompletelydisappeared。

ThefamilytowhichColoneldellaRebbiabelongedhatedseveralotherfamilies，butthatoftheBarriciniparticularly。SomepeopleassertedthatinthesixteenthcenturyadellaRebbiahadseducedaladyoftheBarricinifamily，andhadafterwardbeenponiardedbyarelativeoftheoutrageddamsel。Others，indeed，toldthestoryinadifferentfashion，declaringthatitwasadellaRebbiawhohadbeenseduced，andaBarriciniwhohadbeenponiarded。Howeverthatmaybe，therewas，tousethetime-honouredexpression，"bloodbetweenthetwohouses。"Nevertheless，andcontrarytocustom，thismurderhadnotresultedinothers；forthedellaRebbiaandtheBarricinihadbeenequallypersecutedbytheGenoeseGovernment，andastheyoungmenhadallleftthecountry，thetwofamiliesweredeprived，duringseveralgenerations，oftheirmoreenergeticrepresentatives。Atthecloseofthelastcentury，oneofthedellaRebbias，anofficerintheNeapolitanservice，quarrelled，inagamblinghell，withsomesoldiers，whocalledhimaCorsicangoatherd，andotherinsultingnames。Hedrewhissword，butbeingonlyoneagainstthree，hewouldhavefaredveryillifastranger，whowasplayinginthesameroom，hadnotexclaimed，"I，too，amaCorsican，"andcometohisrescue。

ThisstrangerwasoneoftheBarricini，who，forthatmatter，wasnotacquaintedwithhiscountryman。Aftermutualexplanations，theyinterchangedcourtesiesandvowedeternalfriendship。ForontheContinent，quitecontrarytotheirpracticeintheirownisland，Corsicansquicklybecomefriends。Thisfactwasclearlyexemplifiedonthepresentoccasion。AslongasdellaRebbiaandBarriciniremainedinItalytheywereclosefriends。OncetheywerebackinCorsica，theysaweachotherbutveryseldom，althoughtheybothlivedinthesamevillage；andwhentheydied，itwasreportedthattheyhadnotspokentoeachotherforfiveorsixyears。Theirsonslivedinthesamefashion——"onceremony，"astheysayintheisland；oneofthemGhilfuccio，Orso’sfather，wasasoldier；theotherGiudiceBarricini，wasalawyer。Havingbothbecomeheadsoffamilies，andbeingseparatedbytheirprofessions，theyscarcelyeverhadanopportunityofseeingorhearingofeachother。

Oneday，however，abouttheyear1809，GiudicereadinanewspaperatBastiathatCaptainGhilfucciohadjustbeendecorated，andremarked，beforewitnesses，thathewasnotatallsurprised，consideringthatthefamilyenjoyedtheprotectionofGeneral————。ThisremarkwasreportedatViennatoGhilfuccio，whotoldoneofhiscountrymenthat，whenhegotbacktoCorsica，hewouldfindGiudiceaveryrichman，becausehemademoremoneyoutofthesuitshelostthanoutofthosehewon。Itwasneverknownwhetherhemeantthisasaninsinuationthatthelawyercheatedhisclients，orasamereallusiontothecommonplacetruththatabadcauseoftenbringsalawyermoreprofitthanagoodone。Howeverthatmayhavebeen，thelawyerBarriciniheardoftheepigram，andneverforgotit。In1812heappliedforthepostofmayorofhiscommune，andhadeveryhopeofbeingappointed，whenGeneral————-wrotetotheprefect，torecommendoneofGhilfuccio’swife’srelations。Theprefectlostnotimeincarryingoutthegeneral’swish，andBarricinifeltnodoubtthatheowedhisfailuretotheintriguesofGhilfuccio。In1814，aftertheemperor’sfall，thegeneral’sprotégéwasdenouncedasaBonapartist，andhisplacewastakenbyBarricini。He，inhisturn，wasdismissedduringtheHundredDays，butwhenthestormhadblownover，heagaintookpossession，withgreatpomp，ofthemayoralsealandthemunicipalregisters。

Fromthismomenthisstarshonebrighterthanever。ColoneldellaRebbia，nowlivingonhalf-payatPietranera，hadtodefendhimselfagainstcovertandrepeatedattacksduetothepettifoggingmalignityofhisenemy。Atonetimehewassummonedtopayforthedamagehishorsehaddonetothemayor’sfences，atanother，thelatter，underpretenceofrepairingthefloorofthechurch，orderedtheremovalofabrokenflagstonebearingthedellaRebbiaarms，whichcoveredthegraveofsomememberofthefamily。Ifthevillagegoatsatethecolonel’syoungplants，themayoralwaysprotectedtheirowners。Thegrocerwhokeptthepost-officeatPietranera，andtheoldmaimedsoldierwhohadbeenthevillagepoliceman——bothofthemattachedtothedellaRebbiafamily——wereturnedadrift，andtheirplacesfilledbyBarricini’screatures。

Thecolonel’swifedied，andherlastwishwasthatshemightbeburiedinthemiddleofthelittlewoodinwhichshehadbeenfondofwalking。Forthwiththemayordeclaredsheshouldbeburiedinthevillagecemetery，becausehehadnoauthoritytopermitburialinanyotherspot。Thecolonel，inafury，declaredthatuntilthepermitcame，hiswifewouldbeinterredinthespotshehadchosen。Hehadhergravedugthere。Themayor，onhisside，hadanothergraveduginthecemetery，andsentforthepolice，thatthelaw，sohedeclared，mightbedulyenforced。Onthedayofthefuneral，thetwopartiescamefacetoface，and，foramoment，therewasreasontofearastrugglemightensueforthepossessionofSignoradellaRebbia’scorpse。Somefortywell-armedpeasants，musteredbythedeadwoman’srelatives，forcedthepriest，whenheissuedfromthechurch，totaketheroadtothewood。Ontheotherhand，themayor，attheheadofhistwosons，hisdependents，andthegendarmes，advancedtoopposetheirmarch。Whenheappeared，andcalledontheprocessiontoturnback，hewasgreetedwithhowlsandthreats。Theadvantageofnumberswaswithhisopponents，andtheyseemedthoroughlydetermined。Atsightofhimseveralgunswereloaded，andoneshepherdisevensaidtohavelevelledhismusketathim，butthecolonelknockedupthebarrel，andsaid，"Letnomanfirewithoutmyorders！"Themayor，who，likePanurge，had"anaturalfearofblows，"refusedtogivebattle，andretired，withhisescort。Thenthefuneralprocessionstarted，carefullychoosingthelongestway，soastopassinfrontofthemayor’shouse。Asitwasfilingby，anidiot，whohadjoineditsranks，tookitintohisheadtoshout，"Vivel’Empereur！"Twoorthreevoicesansweredhim，andtheRebbianites，growinghotter，proposedkillingoneofthemayor’soxen，whichchancedtobartheirway。

Fortunatelythecolonelstoppedthisactofviolence。

Itishardlynecessarytomentionthatanofficialstatementwasatoncedrawnup，orthatthemayorsenttheprefectareport，inhissublimeststyle，describingthemannerinwhichalllaws，humananddivine，hadbeentroddenunderfoot——howthemajestyofhimself，themayor，andofthepriesthadbeenfloutedandinsulted，andhowColoneldellaRebbiahadputhimselfattheheadofaBonapartistplot，tochangetheorderofsuccessiontothethrone，andtoexcitepeacefulcitizenstotakearmsagainstoneanother——crimesprovidedagainstbyArticles86and91ofthePenalCode。

Theexaggeratedtoneofthiscomplaintdiminisheditseffect。Thecolonelwrotetotheprefectandtothepublicprosecutor。Oneofhiswife’skinsmenwasrelatedtooneofthedeputiesoftheisland，anotherwascousintothepresidentoftheRoyalCourt。Thankstothisinterest，theplotfadedoutofsight，SignoradellaRebbiawasleftquietinthewood，andtheidiotalonewassentencedtoafortnight’simprisonment。

LawyerBarricini，dissatisfiedwiththeresultofthisaffair，turnedhisbatteriesinadifferentdirection。Hedugoutsomeoldclaim，wherebyheundertooktocontestthecolonel’sownershipofacertainwater-coursewhichturnedamill-wheel。Alawsuitbegananddraggedslowlyalong。Attheendoftwelvemonths，thecourtwasabouttogiveitsdecision，andaccordingtoallappearancesinfavourofthecolonel，whenBarriciniplacedinthehandsofthepublicprosecutoraletter，signedbyacertainAgostini，awell-knownbandit，threateninghim，themayor，withfireandswordifhedidnotrelinquishhispretensions。ItiswellknownthatinCorsicatheprotectionofthesebrigandsismuchsoughtafter，andthat，toobligetheirfriends，theyfrequentlyinterveneinprivatequarrels。Themayorwasderivingconsiderableadvantagefromthisletter，whenthebusinesswasfurthercomplicatedbyafreshincident。Agostini，thebandit，wrotetothepublicprosecutor，tocomplainthathishandwritinghadbeencounterfeited，andhischaracteraspersed，bysomeonewhodesiredtorepresenthimasamanwhomadeatrafficofhisinfluence。"IfIcandiscovertheforger，"hesaidattheendofhisletter，"Iwillmakeastrikingexampleofhim。"

ItwasquiteclearthatAgostinididnotwritethethreateninglettertothemayor。ThedellaRebbiaaccusedtheBarriciniofitand/viceversa/。Bothpartiesbrokeintoopenthreats，andtheauthoritiesdidnotknowwheretofindtheculprit。

InthemidstofallthisColonelGhilfucciowasmurdered。Herearethefacts，astheywereelicitedattheofficialinquiry。Onthe2dofAugust，18——，towardnightfall，awomannamedMaddalenaPietri，whowascarryingcorntoPietranera，heardtwoshotsfired，veryclosetogether，thereports，asitseemedtoher，comingfromthedeeplaneleadingtothevillage，aboutahundredandfiftypacesfromthespotonwhichshestood。Almostimmediatelyafterwardshesawamanrunning，crouchingalongafootpathamongthevines，andmakingforthevillage。Themanstoppedforaminute，andturnedround，butthedistancepreventedthewomanPietrifromseeinghisfeatures，andbesides，hehadavine-leafinhismouth，whichhidalmostthewholeofhisface。Hemadeasignalwithhisheadtosomecomrade，whomthewitnesscouldnotsee，andthendisappearedamongthevines。

ThewomanPietridroppedherburden，ranupthepath，andfoundColoneldellaRebbia，bathedinhisownbloodfromtwobulletwounds，butstillbreathing。Closebesidehimlayhisgun，loadedandcocked，asifhehadbeendefendinghimselfagainstapersonwhohadattackedhiminfront，justwhenanotherhadstruckhimfrombehind。Althoughtherattlewasinhisthroat，hestruggledagainstthegripofdeath，buthecouldnotutteraword——thisthedoctorsexplainedbythenatureofthewounds，whichhadcutthroughhislungs：thebloodwaschokinghim，itflowedslowly，likeredfroth。Invaindidthewomanlifthimup，andaskhimseveralquestions。Shesawplainlyenoughthathedesiredtospeak，buthecouldnotmakehimselfunderstood。

Noticingthathewastryingtogethishandtohispocket，shequicklydrewoutofitalittlenote-book，whichsheopenedandgavetohim。

Thewoundedmantookthepenciloutofthenote-bookandtriedtowrite。Infact，thewitnesssawhimformseveralletters，butwithgreatdifficulty。Asshecouldnotread，however，shewasunabletounderstandtheirmeaning。Exhaustedbytheeffort，thecolonelleftthenote-bookinthewoman’shand，whichhesqueezedtightly，lookingatherstrangely，asifhewantedtosay（thesearethewitness’sownwords）："Itisimportant——itismymurderer’sname！"

MaddalenaPietriwasgoinguptothevillage，whenshemetBarricini，themayor，withhissonVincentello。Itwasthenalmostdark。Shetoldthemwhatshehadseen。Themayortookthenote-book，hurrieduptohishouse，putonhissash，andfetchedhissecretaryandthegendarmes。LeftalonewithyoungVincentello，MaddalenaPietrisuggestedthatheshouldgotothecolonel’sassistance，incasehewasstillalive，butVincentellorepliedthatifheweretogonearamanwhohadbeenthebitterenemyofhisfamily，hewouldcertainlybeaccusedofhavingkilledhim。Averyshorttimeafterwardthemayorarrived，foundthecoloneldead，hadthecorpsecarriedaway，anddrewuphisreport。

Inspiteoftheagitationsonaturalonsuchanoccasion，MonsieurBarricinihadhastenedtoplacethecolonel’snote-bookunderseal，andtomakealltheinquiriesinhispower，butnoneofthemresultedinanydiscoveryofimportance。

Whentheexaminingmagistratearrivedthenote-bookwasopened，andonablood-stainedpagewereseenletterswritteninatremblinghand，butstillquitelegible；thesheetboretheword/Agosti/——andthejudgedidnotdoubtthatthecolonelhadintendedtopointoutAgostiniashismurderer。Nevertheless，ColombadellaRebbia，whohadbeensummonedbythemagistrate，askedleavetoexaminethenote-book。

Afterturningtheleavesforafewmoments，shestretchedoutherhandtowardthemayorandcried，"Therestandsthemurderer！"Thenwithaprecisionandaclearnesswhichwereastonishing，consideringthepassionofsorrowthatshookher，sherelatedthat，afewdayspreviously，herfatherhadreceivedaletterfromhisson，whichhehadburned，butthatbeforedoingsohehadwrittenOrso’saddress（hehadjustchangedhisgarrison）inthenote-bookwithhispencil。Now，hisaddresswasnolongerinthenote-book，andColombaconcludedthatthemayorhadtornouttheleafonwhichitwaswritten，whichprobablywasthatonwhichherfatherhadtracedthemurderer’sname，andforthatnamethemayor，accordingtoColomba，hadsubstitutedAgostini’s。Themagistrate，infact，noticedthatonesheetwasmissingfromthequireonwhichthenamewaswritten，butheremarkedalsothatleaveswerelikewisemissingfromotherquiresinthesamenote-book，andcertainwitnessestestifiedthatthecolonelhadahabitoftearingoutpageswhenhewantedtolightacigar——thereforenothingwasmoreprobablethanthat，byanoversight，hehadburnedtheaddresshehadcopied。Further，itwasshownthatthemayorcouldnothavereadthenote-bookonreceivingitfromMaddalenaPietri，onaccountofthedarkness，anditwasprovedthathehadnotstoppedaninstantbeforehewentintohishouse，thatthesergeantofthegendarmeshadgonetherewithhim，andhadseenhimlightalampandputthenote-bookintoanenvelopewhichhehadsealedbeforehiseyes。

Whenthisofficerhadconcludedhisdeposition，Colomba，half-

distracted，castherselfathisfeet，andbesoughthim，byallheheldmostsacred，tosaywhetherhehadnotleftthemayoraloneforasinglemoment。Afteracertainamountofhesitation，theman，whowasevidentlyaffectedbytheyounggirl’sexcitement，admittedthathehadgoneintothenextroomtofetchasheetoffoolscap，butthathehadnotbeenawayaminute，andthatthemayorhadtalkedtohimallthetimehewasgropingforthepaperinadrawer。Moreover，hedeposedthatwhenhecamebacktheblood-stainednote-bookwasstillonthetable，intheveryplacewherethemayorhadthrownitwhenhefirstcamein。

MonsieurBarricinigavehisevidencewiththeutmostcoolness。Hemadeallowances，hesaid，forMademoiselledellaRebbia’sexcitement，andwasreadytocondescendtojustifyhimself。Heprovedthathehadspenthiswholeeveninginthevillage，thathissonVincentellohadbeenwithhiminfrontofthehouseatthemomentwhenthecrimewascommitted，andthathissonOrlanduccio，whohadhadanattackoffeverthatveryday，hadneverlefthisbed。Heproducedeveryguninhishouse，andnotoneofthemhadbeenrecentlydischarged。Headded，that，asregardedthenote-book，hehadatoncerealizeditsimportance；thathehadsealeditup，andplaceditinthehandsofhisdeputy，foreseeingthathehimselfmightbesuspected，onaccountofhisquarrelwiththecolonel。Finally，heremindedthecourtthatAgostinihadthreatenedtokillthemanwhohadwrittenaletterinhisname，andheinsinuatedthatthisruffianhadprobablysuspectedthecolonel，andmurderedhim。Suchavengeance，forasimilarreason，isbynomeansunprecedentedinthehistoryofbrigandage。

FivedaysafterColoneldellaRebbia’sdeath，Agostiniwassurprisedbyadetachmentofriflemen，andkilled，fightingdesperatelytothelast。OnhispersonwasfoundaletterfromColomba，beseechinghimtodeclarewhetherhewasguiltyofthemurderimputedtohim，ornot。Asthebandithadsentnoanswer，itwasprettygenerallyconcludedthathehadnotthecouragetotelladaughterhehadmurderedherfather。

YetthosewhoclaimedtoknowAgostini’snaturethoroughly，whisperedthatifhehadkilledthecolonel，hewouldhaveboastedofthedeed。

Anotherbandit，knownbythenameofBrandolaccio，sentColombaadeclarationinwhichheborewitness"onhishonour"tohiscomrade’sinnocence——buttheonlyproofheputforwardwasthatAgostinihadnevertoldhimthathesuspectedthecolonel。

TheupshotwasthattheBarricinisufferednoinconvenience，theexaminingmagistratewasloudinhispraiseofthemayor，andthemayor，onhisside，crownedhishandsomebehaviourbyrelinquishingallhisclaimsoverthestream，concerningwhichhehadbroughtthelawsuitagainstColoneldellaRebbia。

Accordingtothecustomofhercountry，Colombaimproviseda/ballata/

inpresenceofherfather’scorpse，andbeforehisassembledfriends。

InitshepouredoutallherhatredagainsttheBarricini，formallychargedthemwiththemurder，andthreatenedthemwithherbrother’svengeance。Itwasthissame/ballata/，whichhadgrownverypopular，thatthesailorhadsungbeforeMissLydia。WhenOrso，whowasinthenorthofFrance，heardofhisfather’sdeath，heappliedforleave，butfailedtoobtainit。AletterfromhissisterledhimtobelieveatfirstintheguiltoftheBarricini，buthesoonreceivedcopiesofallthedocumentsconnectedwiththeinquiryandaprivateletterfromthejudge，whichalmostconvincedhimthatthebanditAgostiniwastheonlyculprit。EverythreemonthsColombahadwrittentohim，reiteratinghersuspicions，whichshecalledher"proofs。"Inspiteofhimself，theseaccusationsmadehisCorsicanbloodboil，andsometimeshewasverynearsharinghissister’sprejudices。Nevertheless，everytimehewrotetoherherepeatedhisconvictionthatherallegationspossessednosolidfoundation，andwerequiteunworthyofbelief。Heevenforbadeher，butalwaysvainly，tomentionthemtohimagain。

Thustwoyearswentby。AttheendofthattimeOrsowasplacedonhalf-pay，andthenitoccurredtohimtogobacktohisowncountry——

notatallforthepurposeoftakingvengeanceonpeoplewhomhebelievedinnocent，buttoarrangeamarriageforhissister，andthesaleofhisownsmallproperty——ifitsvalueshouldprovesufficienttoenablehimtoliveontheContinent。

CHAPTERVII

WhetheritwasthatthearrivalofhissisterhadremindedOrsoforciblyofhispaternalhome，orthatColomba’sunconventionaldressandmannersmadehimfeelshybeforehiscivilizedfriends，heannounced，theverynextday，hisdeterminationtoleaveAjaccio，andtoreturntoPietranera。ButhemadethecolonelpromisethatwhenhewenttoBastiahewouldcomeandstayinhismodestmanor-house，andundertook，inreturn，toprovidehimwithplentyofbuck，pheasant，boar，andothergame。

OnthedaybeforethatofhisdepartureOrsoproposedthat，insteadofgoingoutshooting，theyshouldalltakeawalkalongtheshoresofthegulf。WithMissLydiaonhisarmhewasabletotalkinperfectfreedom——forColombahadstayedinthetowntodohershopping，andthecolonelwasperpetuallyleavingtheyoungpeopletofireshotsatsea-gullsandgannets，greatlytotheastonishmentofthepassers-by，whocouldnotconceivewhyanymanshouldwastehispowderonsuchpaltrygame。

TheywerewalkingalongthepathleadingtotheGreekChapel，whichcommandsthefinestviewtobehadofthebay，buttheypaidnoattentiontoit。

"MissLydia，"saidOrso，afterasilencewhichhadlastedlongenoughtobecomeembarrassing，"tellmefrankly，whatdoyouthinkofmysister？"

"Ilikeherverymuch，"answeredMissNevil。"Betterthanyou，"sheadded，withasmile；"forsheisatrueCorsican，andyouarerathertoocivilizedasavage！"

"Toocivilized！Well，inspiteofmyself，IfeelthatIamgrowingasavageagain，sinceIhavesetmyfootontheisland！Athousandhorridthoughtsdisturbandtormentme，andIwantedtotalkwithyoualittlebeforeIplungeintomydesert！"

"Youmustbebrave，monsieur！Lookatyoursister’sresignation；shesetsyouanexample！"

"Ah！donotbedeceived！Donotbelieveinherresignation。Shehasnotsaidawordtomeasyet，buteverylookofherstellsmewhatsheexpectsofme。"

"Whatdoessheexpectofyou，then？"

"Oh，nothing！ExceptthatIshouldtrywhetheryourfather’sgunwillkillamanassurelyasitkillsapartridge。"

"Whatanidea！Youcanactuallybelievethat，whenyouhavejustacknowledgedthatshehassaidnothingtoyouyet？Itreallyistoodreadfulofyou！"

"Ifherthoughtswerenotfixedonvengeance，shewouldhavespokentomeatonceaboutourfather；shehasneverdoneit。Shewouldhavementionedthenamesofthosesheconsiders——wrongly，Iknow——tobehismurderers。Butno；notaword！ThatisbecauseweCorsicans，yousee，areacunningrace。Mysisterrealizesthatshedoesnotholdmecompletelyinherpower，andshedoesnotchoosetostartlemewhileI

maystillescapeher。Onceshehasledmetotheedgeoftheprecipice，andonceIturngiddythere，shewillthrustmeintotheabyss。"

ThenOrsogaveMissNevilsomedetailsofhisfather’sdeath，andrecountedtheprincipalproofswhichhadculminatedinhisbeliefthatAgostiniwastheassassin。

"Nothing，"headded，"hasbeenabletoconvinceColomba。Isawthatbyherlastletter。ShehassworntheBarricinishalldie，and——yousee，MissNevil，whatconfidenceIhaveinyou！——theywouldnotbealivenow，perhaps，ifoneoftheprejudicesforwhichheruncivilizededucationmustbetheexcusehadnotconvincedherthattheexecutionofthisvengeancebelongstome，asheadofherfamily，andthatmyhonourdependsuponit！"

"Reallyandtruly，MonsieurdellaRebbia！"saidMissNevil，"youslanderyoursister！"

"No。Asyouhavesaidityourself，sheisaCorsican；shethinksastheyallthink。DoyouknowwhyIwassosadyesterday？"

"No。Butforsometimepastyouhavebeensubjecttothesefitsofsadness。Youweremuchpleasanterintheearlierdaysofouracquaintance。"

"Yesterday，onthecontrary，IwasmorecheeryandhappythanI

generallyam。Ihadseenhowkind，howindulgent，youweretomysister。ThecolonelandIwerecominghomeinaboat。Doyouknowwhatoneoftheboatmensaidtomeinhisinfernal/patois/？’You’vekilledadealofgame，Ors’Anton’，butyou’llfindOrlanduccioBarriciniabettershotthanyou！’"

"Well，whatwastheresoverydreadfulinthatremark？Areyousoverymuchsetuponbeingconsideredaskilfulsportsman？"

"Butdon’tyouseetheruffianwastellingmeIshouldn’thavecouragetokillOrlanduccio！"

"Doyouknow，M。dellaRebbia，youfrightenme！Theairofthisislandofyoursseemsnotonlytogivepeoplefevers，buttodrivethemmad。

Luckilyweshallbeleavingitsoon！"

"NotwithoutcomingtoPietranera——youhavepromisedmysisterthat。"

"Andifweweretofailinthatpromise，weshouldbringdownsometerriblevengeanceonourheads，nodoubt！"

"Doyourememberthatstoryyourfatherwastellingus，theotherday，abouttheIndianswhothreatenedthecompany’sagentsthat，iftheywouldnotgranttheirprayer，theywouldstarvethemselvestodeath？"

"Thatmeansthatyouwouldstarveyourselftodeath！Idoubtitverymuch！YouwouldgohungryforonedayandthenMademoiselleColombawouldbringyousuchatempting/bruccio/[*]thatyouwouldquiterelinquishyourplan。"

[*]Asortofbakedcreamcheese，anationaldishinCorsica。

"Yourjestsarecruel，MissNevil。Youmightspareme。Listen，Iamalonehere；Ihavenoonebutyoutopreventmefromgoingmad，asyoucallit。Youhavebeenmyguardianangel，andnow————！"

"Now，"saidMissLydiagravely，"tosteadythisreasonofyours，whichissoeasilyshaken，youhavethehonourofasoldierandaman，and，"

sheadded，turningawaytopluckaflower，"ifthatwillbeanyhelptoyou，youhavethememoryofyourguardianangel，too！"

"Ah，MissNevil，ifIcouldonlythinkyoureallytakesomeinterest！"

"Listen，M。dellaRebbia，"saidMissNevil，withsomeemotion。"Asyouareachild，IwilltreatyouasIwouldtreatachild。WhenIwasalittlegirlmymothergavemeabeautifulnecklace，whichIhadlongedforgreatly；butshesaidtome，’Everytimeyouputonthisnecklace，rememberyoudonotknowFrenchyet。’Thenecklacelostsomeofitsvalueinmyeyes，itwasasourceofconstantself-reproach。ButI

woreit，andintheendIknewFrench。Doyouseethisring？ItisanEgyptianscarabaeus，found，ifyouplease，inapyramid。Thatstrangefigure，whichyoumayperhapstakeforabottle，standsfor’/humanlife/。’Therearecertainpeopleinmycountrytowhomthishieroglyphicshouldappearexceedinglyappropriate。This，whichcomesafterit，isashielduponanarm，holdingalance；thatmeans’/struggle/，/battle/。’Thusthetwocharacters，together，formthismotto，whichstrikesmeasafineone，’/Lifeisabattle/。’PraydonotfancyIcantranslatehieroglyphicsatsight！Itwasamanlearnedinsuchmatterswhoexplainedthesetome。Here，Iwillgiveyoumyscarabaeus。WheneveryoufeelsomewickedCorsicanthoughtstirinyou，lookatmytalisman，andtellyourselfyoumustwinthebattleourevilpassionswageagainstus。Why，really，Idon’tpreachatallbadly！"

"Ishallthinkofyou，MissNevil，andIshallsaytomyself————"

"Saytoyourselfyouhaveafriendwhowouldbeindespairattheideaofyourbeinghanged——andbesidesitwouldbetoodistressingforyourancestorsthecorporals！"

WiththesewordsshedroppedOrso’sarm，laughingandrunningtoherfather。

"Papa，"shesaid，"doleavethosepoorbirdsalone，andcomeandmakeuppoetrywithus，inNapoleon’sgrotto！"

CHAPTERVIII

Thereisalwaysacertainsolemnityaboutadeparture，evenwhentheseparationisonlytobeashortone。Orsoandhissisterweretostartveryearlyinthemorning，andhehadtakenhisleaveofMissLydiathenightbefore——forhehadnohopethatshewoulddisturbherindolenthabitsonhisaccount。Theirfarewellshadbeencoldandgrave。Sincethatconversationonthesea-shore，MissLydiahadbeenafraidshehadperhapsshowntoostronganinterestinOrso，andontheotherhand，herjests，andmoreespeciallyhercarelesstone，layheavyonOrso’sheart。AtonemomenthehadthoughttheyoungEnglishwoman’smannerbetrayedabuddingfeelingofaffection，butnow，putoutofcountenancebyherjests，hetoldhimselfsheonlylookedonhimasamereacquaintance，whowouldbesoonforgotten。

Great，therefore，washissurprise，nextmorning，when，ashesatatcoffeewiththecolonel，hesawMissLydiacomeintotheroom，followedbyhissister。Shehadrisenatfiveo’clock，andforanEnglishwoman，andespeciallyforMissNevil，theeffortwassogreatthatitcouldnotbutgivehimsomecauseforvanity。

"Iamsosorryyoushouldhavedisturbedyourselfsoearly，"saidOrso。"Nodoubtmysisterwokeyouupinspiteofmyinjunctions，andyoumusthateusheartily！PerhapsyouwishIwashangedalready！"

"No，"saidMissLydia，verylowandinItalian，evidentlysothatherfathermightnothearher，"butyouweresomewhatsulkywithmeyesterday，becauseofmyinnocentjokes，andIwouldnothaveyoucarryawayanunpleasantrecollectionofyourhumbleservant。Whatterriblepeopleyouare，youCorsicans！Well，good-bye！Weshallmeetsoon，Ihope。"

Andsheheldoutherhand。

AsighwastheonlyanswerOrsocouldfind。Colombacametohisside，ledhimintoawindow，andspoketohimforamomentinanundertone，showinghimsomethingsheheldunderher/mezzaro/。

"Mademoiselle，"saidOrsotoMissNevil，"mysisterisanxioustogiveyouaveryoddpresent，butweCorsicanshavenotmuchtooffer——

exceptouraffection——whichtimeneverwipesout。Mysistertellsmeyouhavelookedwithsomecuriosityatthisdagger。Itisanancientpossessioninourfamily。Itprobablyhung，onceuponatime，atthebeltofoneofthosecorporals，towhomIowethehonourofyouracquaintance。Colombathinksitsopreciousthatshehasaskedmyleavetogiveittoyou，andIhardlyknowifIoughttograntit，forIamafraidyou’lllaughatus！"

"Thedaggerisbeautiful，"saidMissLydia。"Butitisafamilyweapon，Icannotacceptit！"

"It’snotmyfather’sdagger，"exclaimedColombaeagerly；"itwasgiventooneofmother’sancestorsbyKingTheodore。Ifthesignorinawillacceptit，shewillgiveusgreatpleasure。"

"Come，MissLydia，"saidOrso，"don’tscornaking’sdagger！"

Toacollector，relicsofKingTheodoreareinfinitelymorepreciousthanthoseofthemostpowerfulofmonarchs。Thetemptationwasastrongone，andalreadyMissLydiacouldseetheeffecttheweaponwouldproducelaidoutonalacqueredtableinherroomatSt。James’sPlace。

"But，"saidshe，takingthedaggerwiththehesitatingairofonewholongstoaccept，andcastingoneofhermostdelightfulsmilesonColomba，"dearSignorinaColomba……Icannot……Ishouldnotdaretoletyoudepartthus，unarmed。"

"Mybrotheriswithme，"saidColombaproudly，"andwehavethegoodgunyourfatherhasgivenus。Orso，haveyouputabulletinit？"

MissNevilkeptthedagger，andtoavertthedangerconsequenton/giving/instrumentsthatcutorpiercetoafriend，Colombainsistedonreceivingasoldoinpayment。

Astarthadtobemadeatlast。YetonceagainOrsopressedMissNevil’shand，Colombakissedher，andthenheldupherrosylipstothecolonel，whowasenchantedwiththisCorsicanpoliteness。Fromthewindowofthedrawing-roomMissLydiawatchedthebrotherandsistermounttheirhorses。Colomba’seyesshonewithamalignantjoywhichshehadneverremarkedinthembefore。Thesightofthistallstrongcreature，withherfanaticalideasofsavagehonour，pridewrittenonherforehead，andcurledinasardonicsmileuponherlips，carryingofftheyoungmanwithhisweapons，asthoughonsomedeath-dealingerrand，recalledOrso’sfearstoher，andshefanciedshebeheldhisevilgeniusdragginghimtohisruin。Orso，whowasalreadyinthesaddle，raisedhisheadandcaughtsightofher。Eitherbecausehehadguessedherthought，ordesiredtosendheralastfarewell，hetooktheEgyptianring，whichhehadhunguponaribbon，andcarriedittohislips。Blushing，MissLydiasteppedbackfromthewindow，thenreturningtoitalmostatonce，shesawthetwoCorsicanscanteringtheirlittleponiesrapidlytowardthemountains。Halfanhourlaterthecolonelshowedthemtoher，throughhisglasses，ridingalongtheendofthebay，andshenoticedthatOrsoconstantlyturnedhisheadtowardthetown。Atlasthedisappearedbehindthemarshes，thesiteofwhichisnowfilledbyaflourishingnurserygarden。

MissLydiaglancedatherselfintheglass，andthoughtshelookedpale。

"Whatmustthatyoungmanthinkofme，"saidshe，"andwhatdidI

thinkofhim？AndwhydidIthinkabouthim？……Atravellingacquaintance！……WhathaveIcometoCorsicafor？……Oh！Idon’tcareforhim！……No！no！andbesidesthethingisimpossible……

AndColomba……Fancymesister-in-lawtoa/voceratrice/，whowearsabigdagger！"

AndshenoticedshewasstillholdingKingTheodore’sdaggerinherhand。Shetosseditontohertoilettetable。"Colomba，inLondon，dancingatAlmacks！……Goodheavens！whatalion[*]thatwouldbe，toshowoff！……Perhapsshe’dmakeagreatsensation！……Helovesme，I’mcertainofit！Heistheheroofanovel，andIhaveinterruptedhisadventurouscareer……ButdidhereallylongtoavengehisfatherintrueCorsicanfashion？……HewassomethingbetweenaConradandadandy……I’veturnedhimintonothingbutadandy！……AndadandywithaCorsicantailor！……"

[*]AtthisperiodthisnamewasusedinEnglandforpeoplewhowerethefashionbecausetheyhadsomethingextraordinaryaboutthem。

Shethrewherselfonherbed，andtriedtosleep——butthatprovedanimpossibility，andIwillnotundertaketocontinuehersoliloquy，duringwhichshedeclared，morethanahundredtimesover，thatSignordellaRebbiahadnotbeen，wasnot，andnevershouldbe，anythingtoher。

CHAPTERIX

MeanwhileOrsowasridingalongbesidehissister。Atfirstthespeedatwhichtheirhorsesmovedpreventedallconversation，butwhenthehillsgrewsosteepthattheywereobligedtogoatafoot’space，theybegantoexchangeafewwordsaboutthefriendsfromwhomtheyhadjustparted。ColombaspokewithadmirationofMissNevil’sbeauty，ofhergoldenhair，andcharmingways。Thensheaskedwhetherthecolonelwasreallyasrichasheappeared，andwhetherMissLydiawashisonlychild。

"Shewouldbeagoodmatch，"saidshe。"Herfatherseemstohaveagreatlikingforyou————"

AndasOrsomadenoresponse，sheadded："Ourfamilywasrich，indaysgoneby。Itisstilloneofthemostrespectedintheisland。Allthese/signori/aboutusarebastards。Theonlynoblebloodleftisinthefamiliesofthecorporals，andasyouknow，Orso，yourancestorswerethechiefcorporalsintheisland。Youknowourfamilycamefrombeyondthehills，anditwasthecivilwarsthatforcedusovertothisside。IfIwereyou，Orso，Ishouldn’thesitate——IshouldaskColonelNevilforhisdaughter’shand。"Orsoshruggedhisshoulders。

"Withherfortune，youmightbuytheFalsettawoods，andthevineyardsbelowours。Iwouldbuildafinestonehouse，andaddastorytotheoldtowerinwhichSambucucciokilledsomanyMoorsinthedaysofCountHenry，/ilbelMissere/。"

"Colomba，you’retalkingnonsense，"saidOrso，canteringforward。

"Youareaman，Ors’Anton’，andofcourseyouknowwhatyououghttodobetterthananywoman。ButIshouldverymuchliketoknowwhatobjectionthatEnglishmancouldhavetothemarriage。ArethereanycorporalsinEngland？"

Afterasomewhatlengthyride，spentintalkinginthisfashion，thebrotherandsisterreachedalittlevillage，notfarfromBocognano，wheretheyhaltedtodineandsleepatafriend’shouse。Theywerewelcomedwithahospitalitywhichmustbeexperiencedbeforeitcanbeappreciated。Thenextmorning，theirhost，whohadstoodgodfathertoachildtowhomMadamedellaRebbiahadbeengodmother，accompaniedthemaleaguebeyondhishouse。

"Doyouseethosewoodsandthickets？"saidhetoOrso，justastheywereparting。"Amanwhohadmetwithamisfortunemightlivetherepeacefullyfortenyears，andnogendarmeorsoldierwouldevercometolookforhim。ThewoodsrunintotheVizzavonaforest，andanybodywhohadfriendsatBocognanoorintheneighbourhoodwouldwantfornothing。That’sagoodgunyouhavethere。Itmustcarryalongway。

BloodoftheMadonna！Whatcalibre！Youmightkillbettergamethanboarswithit！"

Orsoanswered，coldly，thathisgunwasofEnglishmake，andcarried"thelead"alongdistance。Thefriendsembraced，andtooktheirdifferentways。

OurtravellersweredrawingquiteclosetoPietranera，when，attheentranceofalittlegorge，throughwhichtheyhadtopass，theybeheldsevenoreightmen，armedwithguns，somesittingonstones，otherslyingonthegrass，othersstandingup，andseeminglyonthelookout。Theirhorsesweregrazingalittlewayoff。Colombalookedatthemforamoment，throughaspy-glasswhichshetookoutofoneofthelargeleathernpocketsallCorsicanswearwhenonajourney。

"Thoseareourmen！"shecried，withawell-pleasedair。"Pierucciohaddonehiserrandwell！"

"Whatmen？"inquiredOrso。

"Ourherdsmen，"shereplied。"IsentPierucciooffyesterdayeveningtocallthegoodfellowstogether，sothattheymayattendyouhome。

ItwouldnotdoforyoutoenterPietranerawithoutanescort，andbesides，youmustknowtheBarriciniarecapableofanything！"

"Colomba，"saidOrso，andhistonewassevere，"Ihaveaskedyou，overandoveragain，nottomentiontheBarriciniandyourgroundlesssuspicionstome。Ishallcertainlynotmakemyselfridiculousbyridinghomewithalltheseloafersbehindme，andIamveryangrywithyouforhavingsentforthemwithouttellingme。"

"Brother，youhaveforgottenthewaysofyourowncountry。Itismybusinesstoprotectyou，whenyourownimprudenceexposesyoutodanger。ItwasmydutytodowhatIhavedone。"

Justatthatmomenttheherdsmen，whohadcaughtsightofthem，hastenedtotheirhorses，andgallopeddownthehilltomeetthem。

"EvvvivaOrs’Anton’！"shoutedabrawny，white-beardedoldfellow，wrapped，despitetheheat，inahoodedcloakofCorsicancloth，thickerthantheskinsofhisowngoats。"Theimageofhisfather，onlytallerandstronger！Whatasplendidgun！There’llbetalkaboutthatgun，Ors’Anton’！"

"EvvvivaOrs’Anton’！"chorusedtheherdsmen。"Weweresureyou’dcomeback，atlast！"

"Ah！Ors’Anton’！"criedatallfellow，withaskintannedbrickred。

"Howhappyyourfatherwouldbe，ifhewereheretowelcomeyou！Thedear，goodman！Youwouldhaveseenhimnow，ifhewouldhavelistenedtome——ifhewouldhaveletmesettleGuidice’sbusiness！……Buthewouldn’tlistentome，poorfellow！HeknowsIwasright，now！"

"Well，well！"saidtheoldman。"Guidicewilllosenothingbywaiting。"

"EvvvivaOrs’Anton’！"Andthereportsofadozengunscappedtheplaudit。

Verymuchputout，Orsosatinthemidstofthegroupofmountedmen，alltalkingatonce，andcrowdingroundtoshakehandswithhim。Forsometimehecouldnotmakehimselfheard。Atlast，withtheairheputonwhenheusedtoreprimandthemenofhiscompany，orsendoneofthemtotheguard-room，hesaid：

"Ithankyou，friends，fortheaffectionyoushowforme，andforthatwhichyoufeltformyfather！ButIdonotwantadvicefromanyofyou，andyoumustnotofferit。Iknowmyownduty。"

"He’sright！He’sright！"criedtheherdsmen。"Youknowyoumayreckononus！"

"Yes，Idoreckononyou。ButatthismomentIneednohelp，andnopersonaldangerthreatensme。Nowfaceroundatonce，andbeoffwithyoutoyourgoats。IknowmywaytoPietranera，andIwantnoguides。"

"Fearnothing，Ors’Anton’，"saidtheoldman。"Theywouldneverdaretoshowtheirnosesto-day。Themouserunsbacktoitsholewhenthetom-catcomesout！"

"Tom-catyourself，oldgray-beard！"saidOrso。"What’syourname？"

"What！don’tyourememberme，Ors’Anton’？Iwhohavesooftentakenyouupbehindmeonthatbitingmuleofmine！Youdon’trememberPoloGriffo？I’manhonestfellow，though，andwiththedellaRebbia，bodyandsoul。Saybuttheword，andwhenthatbiggunofyoursspeaks，thisoldmusketofmine，asoldasitsmaster，shallnotbedumb。Besureofthat，Ors’Anton’！"

"Well，well！Butbeoffwithyounow，inthedevil’sname，andletusgoonourway！"

Atlasttheherdsmendeparted，trottingrapidlyofftowardthevillage，buttheystoppedeveryhereandthere，atallthehighestspotsontheroad，asthoughtheywerelookingoutforsomehiddenambuscade，alwayskeepingnearenoughtoOrsoandhissistertobeabletocometotheirassistanceifnecessary。AndoldPoloGriffosaidtohiscomrades：

"Iunderstandhim！Iunderstandhim！He’llnotsaywhathemeanstodo，buthe’lldoit！He’sthebornimageofhisfather。Ah！youmaysayyouhavenospiteagainstanyone，myboy！Butyou’vemadeyourvowtoSaintNega。[*]Bravo！Iwouldn’tgiveafigforthemayor’shide——therewon’tbethemakingsofawineskininitbeforethemonthisout！"

[*]Thissaintisnotmentionedinthecalendar。TomakeavowtoSaintNegameanstodenyeverythingdeliberately。

Precededbythistroopofskirmishers，thelastdescendantofthedellaRebbiaenteredthevillage，andproceededtotheoldmansionofhisforefathers，thecorporals。TheRebbianites，whohadlongbeenleaderless，hadgatheredtowelcomehim，andthosedwellersinthevillagewhoobservedaneutrallineofconductallcametotheirdoorstepstoseehimpassby。TheadherentsoftheBarriciniremainedinsidetheirhouses，andpeepedoutoftheslitsintheirshutters。

ThevillageofPietraneraisveryirregularlybuilt，likemostCorsicanvillages——forindeed，toseeastreet，thetravellermustbetakehimselftoCargese，whichwasbuiltbyMonsieurdeMarboeuf。

Thehouses，scatteredirregularlyabout，withouttheleastattemptatorderlyarrangement，coverthetopofasmallplateau，orratherofaridgeofthemountain。Towardthecentreofthevillagestandsagreatevergreenoak，andclosebesideitmaybeseenagranitetrough，intowhichthewaterofaneighbouringspringisconveyedbyawoodenpipe。

ThismonumentofpublicutilitywasconstructedatthecommonexpenseofthedellaRebbiaandBarricinifamilies。Butthemanwhoimaginedthistobeasignofformerfriendshipbetweenthetwofamilieswouldbesorelymistaken。Onthecontrary，itistheoutcomeoftheirmutualjealousy。Onceuponatime，ColoneldellaRebbiasentasmallsumofmoneytotheMunicipalCouncilofhiscommunetohelptoprovideafountain。ThelawyerBarricinihastenedtoforwardasimilargift，andtothisgenerousstrifePietraneraowesitswatersupply。Roundabouttheevergreenoakandthefountainthereisaclearspace，knownas"theSquare，"onwhichthelocalidlersgathereverynight。Sometimestheyplayatcards，andonceayear，inCarnival-time，theydance。Atthetwoendsofthesquarestandstwoedifices，ofgreaterheightthanbreadth，builtofamixtureofgraniteandschist。Thesearethe/Towers/ofthetwoopposingfamilies，theBarriciniandthedellaRebbia。Theirarchitectureisexactlyalike，theirheightissimilar，anditisquiteevidentthattherivalryofthetwofamilieshasneverbeenabsolutelydecidedbyanystrokeoffortuneinfavorofeither。

Itmayperhapsbewelltoexplainwhatshouldbeunderstoodbythisword，"Tower。"Itisasquarebuilding，somefortyfeetinheight，whichinanyothercountrywouldbesimplydescribedasapigeon-

house。Anarrowentrance-door，eightfeetabovetheleveloftheground，isreachedbyaverysteepflightofsteps。Abovethedoorisawindow，infrontofwhichrunsasortofbalcony，thefloorofwhichispiercedwithopenings，likeamachicolation，throughwhichtheinhabitantsmaydestroyanunwelcomevisitorwithoutanydangertothemselves。Betweenthewindowandthedooraretwoescutcheons，roughlycarved。OneofthesebearswhatwasoriginallyaGenoesecross，nowsobatteredthatnobodybutanantiquarycouldrecogniseit。OntheotherarechiselledthearmsofthefamilytowhomtheTowerbelongs。Ifthereaderwillcompletethisschemeofdecorationbyimaginingseveralbulletmarksontheescutcheonsandonthewindowframes，hewillhaveafairideaofaCorsicanmansion，datingfromthemiddleages。Ihadforgottentoaddthatthedwelling-houseadjoinsthetower，andisfrequentlyconnectedwithitbysomeinteriorpassage。

ThedellaRebbiahouseandtowerstandonthenorthernsideofthesquareatPietranera。TheBarricinihouseandtowerareonthesouthernside。Sincethecolonel’swifehadbeenburied，nomemberofeitherfamilyhadeverbeenseenonanysideofthesquare，savethatassignedbytacitagreementtoitsownparty。Orsowasabouttoridepastthemayor’shousewhenhissistercheckedhim，andsuggestedhisturningdownalanethatwouldtakethemtotheirowndwellingwithoutcrossingthesquareatall。

"Whyshouldwegooutofourway？"saidOrso。"Doesn’tthesquarebelongtoeverybody？"andherodeon。

"Braveheart"！murmuredColomba。"……Myfather！youwillbeavenged！"

Whentheyreachedthesquare，ColombaputherselfbetweenherbrotherandtheBarricinimansion，andhereyesneverleftherenemy’swindows。Shenoticedthattheyhadbeenlatelybarricadedandprovidedwith/archere/。/Archere/isthenamegiventonarrowopeningslikeloopholes，madebetweenthebiglogsofwoodusedtocloseupthelowerpartsofthewindows。Whenanonslaughtisexpected，thissortofbarricadeisused，andfrombehindthelogstheattackedpartycanfireatitsassailantswitheaseandsafety。

"Thecowards！"saidColomba。"Look，brother，theyhavebeguntoprotectthemselves！Theyhaveputupbarricades！Butsomedayorotherthey’llhavetocomeout。"

Orso’spresenceonthesouthernsideofthesquaremadeagreatsensationatPietranera，andwastakentobeaproofofboldnesssavouringoftemerity。Itwassubjectofendlesscommentonthepartoftheneutrals，whentheygatheredaroundtheevergreenoak，thatnight。

"Itisagoodthing，"theysaid，"thatBarricini’ssonsarenotbackyet，fortheyarenotsopatientasthelawyer，andverylikelytheywouldnothavelettheirenemysethisfootontheirgroundwithoutmakinghimpayforhisbravado。"

"RememberwhatIamtellingyou，neighbour，"saidanoldman，thevillageoracle。"IwatchedColomba’sfaceto-day。Shehadsomeideainherhead。Ismellpowderintheair。Beforelong，butcher’smeatwillbecheapinPietranera！"

CHAPTERX

Orsohadbeenpartedfromhisfatheratsoearlyanagethathehadscarcelyhadtimetoknowhim。HehadleftPietraneratopursuehisstudiesatPisawhenhewasonlyfifteen。Thencehehadpassedintothemilitaryschool，andGhilfuccio，meanwhile，wasbearingtheImperialEaglesalloverEurope。Onthemainland，Orsoonlysawhisfatheratrareintervals，anditwasnotuntil1815thathefoundhimselfintheregimenthecommanded。Butthecolonel，whowasaninflexibledisciplinarian，treatedhissonjustlikeanyothersub-

lieutenant——inotherwords，withgreatseverity。Orso’smemoriesofhimwereoftwokinds：Herecollectedhim，atPietranera，asthefatherwhowouldtrusthimwithhissword，andwouldlethimfireoffhisgunwhenhecameinfromashootingexpedition，orwhomadehimsitdown，forthefirsttime，tinyurchinashewas，atthefamilydinner-table。ThenherememberedtheColoneldellaRebbiawhowouldputhimunderarrestforsomeblunder，andwhonevercalledhimanythingbutLieutenantdellaRebbia。

"LieutenantdellaRebbia，youarenotinyourrightplaceonparade。

Youwillbeconfinedtobarracksthreedays。"

"Yourskirmishersarefiveyardstoofarfromyourmainbody——fivedaysinbarracks。"

"Itisfiveminutespastnoon，andyouarestillinyourforage-cap——aweekinbarracks。"

Onlyonce，atQuatre-Bras，hehadsaidtohim，"Welldone，Orso！Butbecautious！"

But，afterall，theselatermemorieswerenotconnectedinhismindwithPietranera。Thesightoftheplacessofamiliartohiminhischildishdays，ofthefurniturehehadseenusedbyhismother，towhomhehadbeenfondlyattached，filledhissoulwithahostoftenderandpainfulemotions。Thenthegloomyfuturethatlaybeforehim，thevagueanxietyhefeltabouthissister，and，aboveallotherthings，thethoughtthatMissNevilwascomingtohishouse，whichnowstruckhimasbeingsosmall，sopoor，sounsuitedtoapersonaccustomedtoluxury——theideathatshemightpossiblydespiseit——allthesefeelingsmadehisbrainachaos，andfilledhimwithasenseofdeepdiscouragement。

Atsupperhesatinthegreatoakenchair，blackenedwithage，inwhichhisfatherhadalwayspresidedattheheadofthefamilytable，andhesmiledwhenhesawthatColombahesitatedtositdownwithhim。

Buthewasgratefultoherforhersilenceduringthemeal，andforherspeedyretirementafterward。Forhefelthewastoodeeplymovedtobeabletoresisttheattackshewasnodoubtpreparingtomakeuponhim。Colomba，however，wasdealingwarilywithhim，andmeanttogivehimtimetocollecthimself。Hesatforalongtimemotionless，withhisheadonhishand，thinkingoverthescenesofthelastfortnightofhislife。Hesaw，withalarm，howeveryoneseemedtobewatchingwhatwouldbehisbehaviourtotheBarricini。AlreadyhebegantoperceivethattheopinionofPietranerawasbeginningtobetheopinionofalltheworldtohim。Hewouldhavetoavengehimself，orbetakenforacoward！Butonwhomwashetotakevengeance？HecouldnotbelievetheBarricinitobeguiltyofmurder。Theywerehisfamilyenemies，certainly，butonlythevulgarprejudiceofhisfellow-countrymencouldaccusethemofbeingmurderers。SometimeshewouldlookatMissNevil’stalisman，andwhisperthemotto"Lifeisabattle！"overtohimself。Atlast，inaresolutevoice，hesaid，"I

willwinit！"Stronginthatthought，herosetohisfeet，tookupthelamp，andwasjustgoinguptohisroom，whenheheardaknockatthedoorofthehouse。Itwasaveryunusualhourforanyvisitortoappear。Colombainstantlymadeherappearance，followedbythewomanwhoactedastheirservant。

"It’snothing！"shesaid，hurryingtothedoor。

Yetbeforesheopeneditsheinquiredwhoknocked。Agentlevoiceanswered，"ItisI。"

Instantlythewoodenbaracrossthedoorwaswithdrawn，andColombareappearedinthedining-room，followedbyalittleragged，bare-

footedgirlofabouttenyearsold，herheadboundwithashabbykerchief，fromwhichescapedlonglocksofhair，asblackastheraven’swing。Thechildwasthinandpale，herskinwassunburnt，buthereyesshonewithintelligence。WhenshesawOrsoshestoppedshyly，andcourtesiedtohim，peasantfashion——thenshesaidsomethinginanundertonetoColomba，andgaveherafreshlykilledpheasant。

"Thanks，Chili，"saidColomba。"Thankyouruncleforme。Ishewell？"

"Verywell，signorina，atyourservice。Icouldn’tcomesoonerbecausehewaslate。Iwaitedforhiminthe/maquis/forthreehours。"

"Andyou’vehadnosupper？"

"Whyno，signorina！I’venothadtime。"

"Youshallhavesomesupperhere。Hasyouruncleanybreadleft？"

"Verylittle，signorina。Butwhatheismostshortofispowder。Nowthechestnutsarein，theonlyotherthinghewantsispowder。"

"Iwillgiveyoualoafforhim，andsomepowder，too。Tellhimtouseitsparingly——itisverydear。"

"Colomba，"saidOrsoinFrench，"onwhomareyoubestowingyourcharity？"

"Onapoorbanditbelongingtothisvillage，"repliedColombainthesamelanguage。"Thislittlegirlishisniece。"

"Itstrikesmeyoumightplaceyourgiftsbetter。Whyshouldyousendpowdertoaruffianwhowilluseittocommitcrimes？Butforthedeplorableweaknesseveryonehereseemstohaveforthebandits，theywouldhavedisappearedoutofCorsicalongago。"

"Theworstmeninourcountryarenotthosewhoare’inthecountry。’"

"Givethembread，ifitsopleaseyou。ButIwillnothaveyousupplythemwithammunition。"

"Brother，"saidColomba，inaseriousvoice，"youaremasterhere，andeverythinginthishousebelongstoyou。ButIwarnyouthatIwillgivethislittlegirlmy/mezzaro/，sothatshemaysellit；ratherthanrefusepowdertoabandit。Refusetogivehimpowder！Imightjustaswellmakehimovertothegendarmes！Whathashetoprotecthimagainstthem，excepthiscartridges？"

Allthiswhilethelittlegirlwasravenouslydevouringabitofbread，andcarefullywatchingColombaandherbrother，turnabout，tryingtoreadthemeaningofwhattheyweresayingintheireyes。

"Andwhathasthisbanditofyoursdone？Whatcrimehasdrivenhimintothe/maquis/？"

"Brandolacciohasnotcommittedanycrime，"exclaimedColomba。"HekilledGiovan’Oppizo，whomurderedhisfatherwhilehewasawayservinginthearmy！"

Orsoturnedawayhishead，tookupthelamp，and，withoutaword，departedtohisbedroom。ThenColombagavethechildfoodandgunpowder，andwentwithherasfarasthehouse-door，sayingoverandoveragain：

"MindyouruncletakesgoodcareofOrso！"

CHAPTERXI

ItwaslongbeforeOrsofellasleep，andasaconsequencehewokelate——lateforaCorsican，atallevents。Whenhelefthisbed，thefirstobjectthatstruckhisgazewasthehouseofhisenemies，andthe/archere/withwhichtheyhadfurnishedit。Hewentdownstairsandaskedforhissister。

"Sheisinthekitchen，meltingbullets，"answeredSaveria，thewoman-

servant。

Sohecouldnottakeastepwithoutbeingpursuedbytheimageofwar。

HefoundColombasittingonastool，surroundedbyfreshlycastbullets，andcuttingupstripsoflead。

"Whatthedevilareyoudoing？"inquiredherbrother。

"Youhadnobulletsforthecolonel’sgun，"sheanswered，inhersoftvoice。"IfoundIhadamouldforthatcalibre，andyoushallhavefour-and-twentycartridgesto-day，brother。"

"Idon’tneedthem，thankGod！"

"Youmustn’tbetakenatadisadvantage，Ors’Anton’。Youhaveforgottenyourcountry，andthepeoplewhoareaboutyou。"

"IfIhadforgotten，youwouldsoonhaveremindedme。Tellme，didnotabigtrunkarriveheresomedaysago？"

"Yes，brother。ShallItakeituptoyourroom？"

"Youtakeitup！Why，you’dneverbestrongenougheventoliftit！……Istherenomanaboutwhocandoit？"

"I’mnotsoweakasyouthink！"saidColomba，turninguphersleeves，anddisplayingapairofroundwhitearms，perfectinshape，butlookingmorethanordinarilystrong。"Here，Saveria，"saidshetotheservant；"comeandhelpme！"

Shewasalreadyliftingthetrunkalone，whenOrsocamehastilytoherassistance。

"Thereissomethingforyouinthistrunk，mydearColomba，"saidhe。

"Youmustexcusethemodestyofmygifts。Alieutenantonhalf-payhasn’taverywell-linedpurse！"

Ashespoke，heopenedthetrunk，andtookoutofitafewgowns，ashawl，andsomeotherthingslikelytobeusefultoayounggirl。

"Whatbeautifulthings！"criedColomba。"I’llputthemawayatonce，forfeartheyshouldbespoiled。I’llkeepthemformywedding，"sheadded，withasadsmile，"forIaminmourningnow！"

Andshekissedherbrother’shand。

"Itlooksaffected，mydearsister，towearyourmourningforsolong。"

"Ihaveswornanoath，"saidColombaresolutely，"I’llnottakeoffmymourning……"AndhereyeswererivetedontheBarricinimansion。

"Untilyourweddingday？"saidOrso，tryingtoavoidtheendofhersentence。

"Ishallnevermarryanyman，"saidColomba，"unlesshehasdonethreethings……"Andhereyesstillrestedgloomilyonthehouseoftheenemy。

"Youaresopretty，Colomba，thatIwonderyouarenotmarriedalready！Come，youmusttellmeaboutyoursuitors。Andbesides，I’msuretoheartheirserenades。Theymustbegoodonestopleaseagreat/voceratrice/likeyou。"

"Whowouldseekthehandofapoororphangirl？……Andthen，themanforwhomIwouldchangemymourning-dresswillhavetomakethewomenoverthereputonmourning！"

"Thisisbecomingaperfectmania，"saidOrsotohimself。Buttoavoiddiscussionhesaidnothingatall。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读