"Brother，"saidColombacaressingly，"Ihavesomethingtogiveyou，too。Theclothesyouarewearingaremuchtoograndforthiscountry。
Yourfineclothfrock-coatwouldbeintattersintwodays，ifyouworeitinthe/maquis/。YoumustkeepitforthetimewhenMissNevilcomes。"
Then，openingacupboard，shetookoutacompletehuntingdress。
"I’vemadeyouavelvetjacket，andhere’sacap，suchasoursmartyoungmenwear。Iembroidereditforyou，eversolongago。Willyoutrythemon？"Andshemadehimputonaloosegreenvelvetjacket，withahugepocketattheback。Onhisheadshesetapointedblackvelvetcap，embroideredwithjetandsilkofthesamecolour，andfinishedwithasortoftassel"Hereisourfather’s/carchera/"[*]shesaid。"Hisstilettoisinthepocketofthejacket。I’llfetchyouhispistol。"
[*]Carchera，abeltforcartridges。Apistoliswornfastenedtotheleftsideofit。
"IlooklikeabrigandattheAmbigu-Comique，"saidOrso，ashelookedathimselfinthelittleglassSaveriawasholdingupforhim。
"Indeed，youlookfirst-rate，dressedlikethat，Ors’Anton’，"saidtheoldservant，"andthesmartest/pinsuto/[*]inBocognanoorBastelicaisnotbraver。"
[*]Pinsuto，thenamegiventomenwhowearthepointedcap，/barretapinsuta/。
Orsoworehisnewclothesatbreakfast，andduringthatmealhetoldhissisterthathistrunkcontainedacertainnumberofbooks，thathewasgoingtosendtoFranceandItalyforothers，andintendedsheshouldstudyagreatdeal。
"Foritreallyisdisgraceful，Colomba，"headded，"thatagrown-upgirllikeyoushouldstillbeignorantofthingsthatchildrenonthemainlandknowassoonastheyareweaned。"
"Youareright，brother，"saidColomba。"Iknowmyownshortcomingsquitewell，andIshallbetoogladtolearn——especiallyifyouarekindenoughtoteachme。"
Somedayswentby，andColombanevermentionedthenameofBarricini。
Shelavishedcareandattentiononherbrother，andoftentalkedtohimaboutMissNevil。OrsomadeherreadFrenchandItalianbooks，andwasconstantlybeingsurprisedeitherbythecorrectnessandgoodsenseofhercomments，orbyherutterignoranceonthemostordinarysubjects。
Onemorning，afterbreakfast，Colombalefttheroomforamoment，andinsteadofreturningasusual，withabookandsomesheetsofpaper，reappearedwithher/mezzaro/onherhead。Theexpressionofhercountenancewasevenmoreseriousthanitgenerallywas。
"Brother，"shesaid，"Iwantyoutocomeoutwithme。"
"Wheredoyouwantmetogowithyou？"saidOrso，holdingouthisarm。
"Idon’twantyourarm，brother，buttakeyourgunandyourcartridge-
pouch。Amanshouldnevergoabroadwithouthisarms。"
"Sobeit。Imustfollowthefashion。Wherearewegoing？"
Colomba，withoutanswering，drewher/mezzaro/closeraboutherhead，calledthewatch-dog，andwentoutfollowedbyherbrother。Stridingswiftlyoutofthevillage，sheturnedintoasunkenroadthatwoundamongthevineyards，sendingonthedog，towhomshemadesomegesture，whichheseemedtounderstand，infrontofher。Heinstantlybegantorunzigzagfashion，throughthevines，firstononesideandthenontheother，alwayskeepingwithinaboutfiftypacesofhismistress，andoccasionallystoppinginthemiddleoftheroadandwagginghistail。Heseemedtoperformhisdutiesasascoutinthemostperfectfashionimaginable。
"IfMuschettobeginstobark，brother，"saidColomba，"cockyourgun，andstandstill。"
Halfamilebeyondthevillage，aftermakingmanydetours，Colombastoppedshort，justwheretherewasabendintheroad。Onthatspotthererosealittlepyramidofbranches，someofthemgreen，somewithered，heapedaboutthreefeethigh。Abovethemrosethetopofawoodencross，paintedblack。InseveraloftheCorsicancantons，especiallythoseamongthemountains，averyancientcustom，connected，itmaybewithsomepagansuperstition，constrainseverypasser-bytocasteitherastoneorabranchonthespotwhereonamanhasdiedaviolentdeath。Foryearsandyears——aslongasthememoryofhistragicfateendures——thisstrangeofferinggoesonaccumulatingfromdaytoday。
Thisiscalledthedeadman’s/pile/——his"/mucchio/。"
Colombastoppedbeforetheheapoffoliage，brokeoffanarbutusbranch，andcastitonthepile。
"Orso，"shesaid，"thisiswhereyourfatherdied。Letusprayforhissoul！"
Andshekneltdown。Orsoinstantlyfollowedherexample。Atthatmomentthevillagechurch-belltolledslowlyforamanwhohaddiedduringtheprecedingnight。Orsoburstintotears。
AfterafewminutesColombarose。Hereyesweredry，butherfacewaseager。Shehastilycrossedherselfwithherthumb，afterthefashiongenerallyadoptedbyhercompanions，tosealanysolemnoath，then，hurryingherbrotherwithher，shetookherwaybacktothevillage。
Theyre-enteredtheirhouseinsilence。Orsowentuptohisroom。A
momentafterwardColombafollowedhim，carryingasmallcasketwhichshesetuponthetable。Openingit，shedrewoutashirt，coveredwithgreatstainsofblood。
"Hereisyourfather’sshirt，Orso！"
Andshethrewitacrosshisknees。"Hereistheleadthatkilledhim！"
Andshelaidtwoblackenedbulletsontheshirt。
"Orso！Brother！"shecried，throwingherselfintohisarmsandclaspinghimdesperatelytoher。"Orso，youwillavengehim！"
Inasortoffrenzyshekissedhim，thenkissedtheshirtandthebullets，andwentoutoftheroom，leavingherbrothersittingonhischair，asifhehadbeenturnedtostone。ForsometimeOrsosatmotionless，notdaringtoputtheterriblerelicsaway。Atlast，withaneffort，helaidthembackintheirbox，rushedtotheoppositeendofhisroom，andthrewhimselfonhisbed，withhisfaceturnedtothewall，andhisheadburiedinhispillow，asthoughheweretryingtoshutoutthesightofsomeghost。Hissister’slastwordsrangunceasinglyinhisears，likethewordsofanoracle，fatal，inevitable，callingouttohimforblood，andforinnocentblood！I
shallnotattempttodepicttheunhappyyoungman’ssensations，whichwereasconfusedasthosethatoverwhelmamadman’sbrain。Foralongtimehelayinthesameposition，withoutdaringtoturnhishead。Atlasthegotup，closedthelidofthecasket，andrushedheadlongoutofthehouse，intotheopencountry，movingaimlesslyforward，whitherheknewnot。
Bydegrees，thefreshairdidhimgood。Hegrewcalmer，andbegantoconsiderhisposition，andhismeansofescapefromit，withsomecomposure。Hedidnot，asmyreadersalreadyknow，suspecttheBarriciniofthemurder，buthedidaccusethemofhavingforgedAgostini’sletter，andthisletter，hebelieved，atanyrate，hadbroughtabouthisfather’sdeath。Hefeltitwasimpossibletoprosecutethemfortheforgery。Nowandthen，whentheprejudicesortheinstinctsofhisraceassailedhim，andsuggestedaneasyvengeance——ashotfiredatthecornerofsomepath——thethoughtofhisbrother-officers，ofParisiandrawing-rooms，andaboveall，ofMissNevil，madehimshrinkfromtheminhorror。Thenhisminddweltonhissister’sreproaches，andalltheCorsicanwithinhimjustifiedherappeal，andevenintensifieditsbitterness。Onehopealoneremainedtohim，inthisbattlebetweenhisconscienceandhisprejudices——thehopethat，onsomepretextorother，hemightpickaquarrelwithoneofthelawyer’ssons，andfightaduelwithhim。Theideaofkillingtheyoungman，eitherbyabulletorasword-thrustreconciledhisFrenchandCorsicanideas。Thisexpedientadopted，hebegantomeditatemeansforitsexecution，andwasfeelingrelievedalreadyofaheavyburden，whenotherandgentlerthoughtscontributedstillfurthertocalmhisfeverishagitation。Cicero，inhisdespairatthedeathofhisdaughterTullia，forgothissorrowwhenhemusedoverallthefinethingshemightsayaboutit。Mr。Shandyconsoledhimselfbydiscoursesofthesamenatureforthelossofhisson。OrsocooledhisbloodbythinkingthathewoulddepicthisstateofmindtoMissNevil，andthatsuchapicturecouldnotfailtointerestthatfairladydeeply。
Hewasdrawingnearthevillage，fromwhichhehadunconsciouslytravelledaconsiderabledistance，whenheheardthevoiceofalittlegirl，whoprobablybelievedherselftobequitealone，singinginapaththatranalongtheedgeofthe/maquis/。Itwasoneofthoseslow，monotonousairsconsecratedtofuneraldirges，andthechildwassingingthewords：
"Andwhenmysonshallseeagainthedwellingofhisfather，Givehimthatmurderedfather’scross；showhimmyshirtblood-
spattered。"
"What’sthatyou’resinging，child？"saidOrso，inanangryvoice，ashesuddenlyappearedbeforeher。
"Isthatyou，Ors’Anton’？"exclaimedthechild，ratherstartled。"ItisSignorinaColomba’ssong。"
"Iforbidyoutosingit！"saidOrso，inathreateningvoice。
Thechildkeptturningherheadthiswayandthat，asthoughlookingaboutforawayofescape，andshewouldcertainlyhaverunoffhadshenotbeenheldbackbythenecessityoftakingcareofalargebundlewhichlayonthegrass，atherfeet。
Orsofeltashamedofhisownvehemence。"Whatareyoucarryingthere，littleone？"saidhe，withallthegentlenesshecouldmuster。AndasChilinahesitated，heliftedupthelinenthatwaswrappedroundthebundle，andsawitcontainedaloafofbreadandotherfood。
"Towhomareyoubringingtheloaf，mydear？"heaskedagain。
"Youknowquitewell，Ors’Anton’：tomyuncle。"
"Andisn’tyouruncleabandit？"
"Atyourservice，Ors’Anton’。"
"Ifyoumetthegendarmes，theywouldaskyouwhereyouweregoing……"
"Ishouldtellthem，"thechildreplied，atonce，"thatIwastakingfoodtothemenfromLuccawhowerecuttingdownthe/maquis/。"
"Andifyoucameacrosssomehungryhunterwhoinsistedondiningatyourexpense，andtookyourprovisionsawayfromyou？"
"Nobodywoulddare！Iwouldsaytheyareformyuncle！"
"Well！he’snotthesortofmantolethimselfbecheatedofhisdinner！……Isyouruncleveryfondofyou？"
"Oh，yes，Ors’Anton’。Eversincemyfatherdied，hehastakencareofmywholefamily——mymotherandmylittlesister，andme。Beforemotherwasill，heusedtorecommendhertorichpeople，whogaveheremployment。Themayorgivesmeafrockeveryyear，andthepriesthastaughtmemycatechism，andhowtoread，eversincemyunclespoketothemaboutus。Butyoursisteriskindestofalltous！"
Justatthismomentadogranoutonthepathway。Thelittlegirlputtwoofherfingersintohermouthandgaveashrillwhistle，thedogcametoheratonce，fawneduponher，andthenplungedswiftlyintothethicket。Soontwomen，ill-dressed，butverywellarmed，roseupoutofaclumpofyoungwoodafewpacesfromwhereOrsostood。Itwasasthoughtheyhadcrawleduplikesnakesthroughthetangleofcytisusandmyrtlethatcoveredtheground。
"Oh，Ors’Anton’，you’rewelcome！"saidtheelderofthetwomen。
"Why，don’tyourememberme？"
"No！"saidOrso，lookinghardathim。
"Queerhowabeardandapeakedcapalteraman！Come，monsieur，lookatmewell！HaveyouforgottenyouroldWaterloomen？Don’tyourememberBrandoSavelli，whobitopenmorethanonecartridgealongsideofyouonthatunluckyday？"
"What！Isityou？"saidOrso。"Andyoudesertedin1816！"
"Evenso，sir。Faith！soldieringgrowstiresome，andbesides，Ihadajobtosettleoverinthiscountry。Aha，Chili！You’reagoodgirl！
Giveusourdinneratonce，we’rehungry。You’venonotionwhatanappetiteonegetsinthe/maquis/。Whosentusthis——wasitSignorinaColombaorthemayor？"
"No，uncle，itwasthemiller’swife。Shegavemethisforyou，andablanketformymother。"
"Whatdoesshewantofme？"
"ShesaystheLucchesishehiredtoclearthe/maquis/areaskingherfive-and-thirtysous，andchestnutsaswell——becauseofthefeverinthelowerpartsofPietranera。"
"Thelazyscamps！……I’llseetothem！……Willyoushareourdinner，monsieur，withoutanyceremony？We’veeatenworsemealstogether，inthedaysofthatpoorcompatriotofours，whomtheyhavedischargedfromthearmy。"
"No，Ithankyouheartily。Theyhavedischargedme，too！"
"Yes，soIheard。ButI’llwageryouweren’tsorryforit。Youhaveyourownaccounttosettletoo……Comealong，cure，"saidthebandittohiscomrade。"Let’sdine！SignorOrso，letmeintroducethecure。I’mnotquitesureheisacure。Butheknowsasmuchasanypriest，atallevents！"
"Apoorstudentoftheology，monsieur，"quoththesecondbandit，"whohasbeenpreventedfromfollowinghisvocation。Whoknows，Brandolaccio，ImighthavebeenPope！"
"WhatwasitthatdeprivedtheChurchofyourlearning？"inquiredOrso。
"Amerenothing——abillthathadtobesettled，asmyfriendBrandolaccioputsit。Oneofmysistershadbeenmakingafoolofherself，whileIwasdevouringbook-loreatPisaUniversity。Ihadtocomehome，togethermarried。Butherfuturehusbandwasintoogreatahurry；hediedoffeverthreedaysbeforeIarrived。ThenIcalled，asyouwouldhavedoneinmyplace，onthedeadman’sbrother。Iwastoldhewasmarried。WhatwasItodo？"
"Itreallywaspuzzling！Whatdidyoudo？"
"Itwasoneofthosecasesinwhichonehastoresorttothegunflint。"
"Inotherwords？"
"Iputabulletinhishead，"saidthebanditcoolly。
Orsomadeahorrifiedgesture。Nevertheless，curiosity，and，itmaybe，hisdesiretoputoffthemomentwhenhemustreturnhome，inducedhimtoremainwherehewas，andcontinuehisconversationwiththetwomen，eachofwhomhadatleastonemurderonhisconscience。
Whilehiscomradewastalking，Brandolacciowaslayingbreadandmeatinfrontofhim。Hehelpedhimself——thenhegavesomefoodtothisdog，whomheintroducedtoOrsounderthenameofBrusco，asananimalpossessingawonderfulinstinctforrecognisingasoldier，whatevermightbethedisguisehehadassumed。Lastly，hecutoffahunchofbreadandasliceofrawham，andgavethemtohisniece。"Oh，themerrylifeabanditlives！"criedthestudentoftheology，afterhehadswallowedafewmouthfuls。"You’lltryitsomeday，perhaps，SignordellaRebbia，andyou’llfindouthowdelightfulitistoacknowledgenomastersaveone’sownfancy！"
HithertothebandithadtalkedItalian。HenowproceededinFrench。
"Corsicaisnotaveryamusingcountryforayoungmantolivein——butforabandit，there’sthedifference！Thewomenareallwildaboutus。
I，asyouseemenow，havethreemistressesinthreedifferentvillages。Iamathomeineveryoneofthem，andoneoftheladiesismarriedtoagendarme！"
"Youknowmanylanguages，monsieur！"saidOrsogravely。
"IfItalkFrench，’tisbecause，lookyou，/maximadebeturpuerisreverentia/！Wehavemadeupourminds，BrandolaccioandI，thatthelittlegirlshallturnoutwell，andgostraight。"
"Whensheisturnedfifteen，"remarkedChilina’suncle，"I’llfindagoodhusbandforher。Ihaveoneinmyeyealready。"
"Shallyoumaketheproposalyourself？"saidOrso。
"Ofcourse！Doyousupposethatanywell-to-domaninthisneighbourhood，towhomIsaid，’IshouldbegladtoseeamarriagebetweenyoursonandMichilinaSavelli，’wouldrequireanypressing？"
"Iwouldn’tadvisehimto！"quoththeotherbandit。"FriendBrandolacciohasratheraheavyhand！"
"IfIwerearogue，"continuedBrandolaccio，"ablackguard，aforger，Ishouldonlyhavetoholdmywalletopen，andthefive-francpieceswouldrainintoit。"
"Thenistheresomethinginsideyourwalletthatattractsthem？"saidOrso。
"Nothing。ButifIweretowritetoarichman，assomepeoplehavewritten，’Iwantahundredfrancs，’hewouldlosenotimeaboutsendingthemtome。ButI’mamanofhonour，monsieur。"
"Doyouknow，SignordellaRebbia，"saidthebanditwhomhiscomradecalledthecure，"doyouknowthatinthiscountry，withallitssimplehabits，therearesomewretcheswhomakeuseoftheesteemourpassports"（andhetouchedhisgun）"insureus，todrawforgedbillsinourhandwriting？"
"Iknowit，"saidOrso，inagrufftone；"butwhatbills？"
"Sixmonthsago，"saidthebandit，"IwastakingmywalksabroadnearOrezza，whenasortoflunaticcameuptome，pullingoffhiscaptomeeveninthedistance，andsaid：’Oh，M。leCure’（theyalwayscallmethat），’pleaseexcuseme——givemetime。Ihaveonlybeenabletogetfifty-fivefrancstogether！Honourbright，that’sallI’vebeenabletoscrapeup。’I，inmyastonishment，said，’Fifty-fivefrancs！
Whatdoyoumean，yourascal！’’Imeansixty-five，’hereplied；’butasforthehundredfrancsyouaskedmetogiveyou，it’snotpossible。’’What！youvillain！Iaskyouforahundredfrancs？Idon’tknowwhoyouare。’Thenheshowedmealetter，orratheradirtyragofpaper，wherebyhewassummonedtodepositahundredfrancsonacertainspot，onpainofhavinghishouseburnedandhiscowskilledbyGiocantoCastriconi——that’smyname。Andtheyhadbeenvileenoughtoforgemysignature！Whatannoyedmemostwasthattheletterwaswrittenin/patois/，andwasfullofmistakesinspelling——Iwhowoneveryprizeattheuniversity！Ibeganbygivingmyrascalacuffthatmadehimtwistroundandround。’Aha！Youtakemeforathief，blackguardthatyouare！’Isaid，andIgavehimaheartykick，youknowwhere。Thenfeelingratherbetter，Iwenton，’Whenareyoutotakethemoneytothespotmentionedintheletter？’’Thisveryday。’
’Verygood，thentakeitthere！’Itwasatthefootofapine-tree，andtheplacehadbeenexactlydescribed。Hebroughtthemoney，burieditatthefootofthetree，andcameandjoinedme。Ihadhiddenmyselfcloseby。ThereIstayed，withmyman，forsixmortalhours，M。
dellaRebbia。I’dhavestaidthreedays，ifithadbeennecessary。Attheendofsixhoursa/Bastiaccio/，avilemoney-lender，madehisappearance。Ashebentdowntotakeupthemoney，Ifired，andIhadaimedsowellthat，ashefell，hisheaddroppeduponthecoinshewasunearthing。’Now，rascal，’saidItothepeasant，’takeyourmoney，andneverdaretosuspectGiocantoCastriconiofameantrickagain！’
"Thepoordevil，allofatremble，pickeduphissixty-fivefrancswithouttakingthetroubletowipethem。Hethankedme，Igavehimagoodpartingkick，andhemayberunningawaystill，forallIknow。"
"Ah，cure！"saidBrandolaccio，"Ienvyyouthatshot！Howyoumusthavelaughed！"
"Ihadhitthemoney-lenderinthetemple，"thebanditwenton，"andthatremindedmeofVirgil’slines：……"’LiquefactotemporaplumboDiffidit，acmultaporrectum，extenditarena。’
"/Liquefacto！/Doyouthink，SignorOrso，thattherapiditywithwhichabulletfliesthroughtheairwillmeltit？Youwhohavestudiedprojectiles，tellmewhetheryouthinkthatideaistruthorfiction？"
Orsoinfinitelypreferreddiscussingthisquestionofphysicstoarguingwiththelicentiateastothemoralityofhisaction。
Brandolaccio，whodidnotfindtheirscientificdisquisitionentertaining，interrupteditwiththeremarkthatthesunwasjustgoingtoset。
"Asyouwouldnotdinewithus，Ors’Anton’，"hesaid，"IadviseyounottokeepMademoiselleColombawaitinganylonger。Andthenitisnotalwayswisetobeoutontheroadsaftersunset。Whydoyoucomeoutwithoutagun？Therearebadfolkabouthere——bewareofthem！Youhavenothingtofearto-day。TheBarriciniarebringingtheprefecthomewiththem。Theyhavegonetomeethimontheroad，andheistostopadayatPietranera，beforehegoesontoCorte，tolaywhattheycallacorner-stone——suchstupidnonsense！Hewillsleepto-nightwiththeBarricini；butto-morrowthey’llbedisengaged。ThereisVincentello，whoisagood-for-nothingfellow，andOrlanduccio，whoisnotmuchbetter……Trytocomeonthemseparately，oneto-day，theotherto-morrow……Butbeonthelookout，that’sallIhavetosaytoyou！"
"Thanksforthewarning，"saidOrso。"Butthereisnoquarrelbetweenus。Untiltheycometolookforme，Ishallhavenothingtosaytothem。"
Thebanditstuckhistongueinhischeek，andsmackeditironically，buthemadenoreply。Orsogotuptogoaway。
"Bytheway，"saidBrandolaccio，"Ihaven’tthankedyouforyourpowder。ItcamejustwhenIneededit。NowIhaveeverythingIwant……atleastIdostillwantshoes……butI’llmakemyselfapairoutoftheskinofamoufflononeofthesedays。"
Orsoslippedtwofive-francpiecesintothebandit’shand。
"ItwasColombawhosentyouthepowder。Thisistobuytheshoes。"
"Nonsense，Lieutenant！"criedBrandolaccio，handinghimbackthetwocoins。"D’yetakemeforabeggar？Iacceptbreadandpowder，butI
won’thaveanythingelse！"
"Wearebotholdsoldiers，soIthoughtwemighthavegiveneachotheralift。Well，good-byetoyou！"
Butbeforehemovedawayhehadslippedthemoneyintohebandit’swallet，unperceivedbyhim。
"Good-bye，Ors’Anton’，"quoththetheologian。"Weshallmeetagaininthe/maquis/，someday，perhaps，andthenwe’llcontinueourstudyofVirgil。"
QuiteaquarterofanhourafterOrsohadpartedcompanywiththeseworthies，heheardamanrunningafterhim，asfastashecouldgo。ItwasBrandolaccio。
"Thisistoobad，lieutenant！"heshoutedbreathlessly，"reallyitistoobad！Iwouldn’toverlookthetrick，ifanyothermanhadplayeditonme。Hereareyourtenfrancs。AllmyrespectstoMademoiselleColomba。Youhavemademerunmyselfquiteoutofbreath。Good-night！"
CHAPTERXII
OrsofoundColombainastateofconsiderableanxietybecauseofhisprolongedabsence。Butassoonasshesawhimsherecoveredherusualserene，thoughsad，expression。Duringtheeveningmealtheconversationturnedontrivialsubjects，andOrso，emboldenedbyhissister’sapparentcalm，relatedhisencounterwiththebandits，andevenventuredonajokeortwoconcerningthemoralandreligiouseducationthatwasbeingimpartedtolittleChilina，thankstothecareofheruncleandofhisworthycolleagueSignorCastriconi。
"Brandolaccioisanuprightman，"saidColomba；"butastoCastriconi，Ihaveheardheisquiteunprincipled。"
"Ithink，"saidOrso，"thatheisasgoodasBrandolaccio，andBrandolaccioisasgoodashe。Bothofthemareatopenwarwithsociety。Theirfirstcrimeleadsthemontofreshones，everyday，andyettheyareverylikelynothalfsoguiltyasmanypeoplewhodon’tliveinthe/maquis/。"
Aflashofjoyshoneinhissister’seyes。"Yes，"hecontinued，"thesewretcheshaveacodeofhonouroftheirown。Itisacruelprejudice，notameaninstinctofgreed，thathasforcedthemintothelifetheyareleading。"
Therewasasilence。
"Brother，"saidColomba，asshepouredouthiscoffee，"perhapsyouhaveheardthatCarlo-BattistaPietridiedlastnight。Yes，hediedofthemarsh-fever。"
"WhoisPietri？"
"Amanbelongingtothisvillage，thehusbandofMaddalena，whotookthepocket-bookoutofourfather’shandashewasdying。Hiswidowhasbeenheretoaskmetojointhewatchers，andsingsomething。Yououghttocome，too。Theyareourneighbours，andinasmallplacelikethiswecannotdootherwisethanpaythemthiscivility。"
"Confoundthesewakes，Colomba！Idon’tatalllikemysistertoperforminpublicinthisway。"
"Orso，"repliedColomba，"everycountrypayshonourtoitsdeadafteritsownfashion。The/ballata/hascomedowntousfromourforefathers，andwemustrespectitasanancientcustom。Maddalenadoesnotpossessthe’gift，’andoldFiordispina，thebest/voceratrice/inthecountry，isill。Theymusthavesomebodyforthe/ballata/。"
"DoyoubelieveCarlo-Battistawon’tfindhiswaysafelyintothenextworldunlesssomebodysingsbadpoetryoverhisbier？Goifyouchoose，Colomba——I’llgowithyou，ifyouthinkIought。Butdon’timprovise！Itreallyisnotfittingatyourage，and——sister，Ibegyounottodoit！"
"Brother，Ihavepromised。Itisthecustomhere，asyouknow，and，I
tellyouagain，thereisnobodybutmetoimprovise。"
"Anidioticcustomitis！"
"Itcostsmeagreatdealtosinginthisway。Itbringsbackallourownsorrowstome。Ishallbeillafterit，to-morrow。ButImustdoit。Givemeleavetodoit。Brother，rememberthatwhenwewereatAjaccio，youtoldmetoimprovisetoamusethatyoungEnglishladywhomakesamockofouroldcustoms。SowhyshouldInotdoitto-dayforthesepoorpeople，whowillbegratefultome，andwhomitwillhelptobeartheirgrief？"
"Well，well，asyouwill。I’llgobailyou’vecomposedyour/ballata/
already，anddon’twanttowasteit。"
"No，brother，Icouldn’tcomposeitbeforehand。Istandbeforethedeadperson，andIthinkaboutthosehehasleftbehindhim。Thetearsspringintomyeyes，andthenIsingwhatevercomesintomyhead。"
AllthiswassaidsosimplythatitwasquiteimpossibletosuspectSignorinaColombaofthesmallestpoeticvanity。Orsolethimselfbepersuaded，andwentwithhissistertoPietri’shouse。Thedeadmanlayonatableinthelargestroom，withhisfaceuncovered。Allthedoorsandwindowsstoodopen，andseveraltaperswereburningroundthetable。Attheheadstoodthewidow，andbehindheragreatmanywomen，whofilledallonesideoftheroom。Ontheothersidewerethemen，inrows，bareheaded，withtheireyesfixedonthecorpse，allinthedeepestsilence。Eachnewarrivalwentuptothetable，kissedthedeadface，bowedhisorherheadtothewidowandherson，andjoinedthecircle，withoututteringaword。Nevertheless，fromtimetotimeoneofthepersonspresentwouldbreakthesolemnsilencewithafewwords，addressedtothedeadman。
"Whyhasthouleftthygoodwife？"saidoneoldcrone。"Didshenottakegoodcareofthee？Whatdidstthoulack？Whynothavewaitedanothermonth？Thydaughter-in-lawwouldhavebornetheeagrandson！"
Atallyoungfellow，Pietri’sson，pressedhisfather’scoldhandandcried："Oh！whyhastthounotdiedofthe/malamorte/？[*]Thenwecouldhaveavengedthee！"
[*]/Lamalamorte/，aviolentdeath。
ThesewerethefirstwordstofallonOrso’searasheenteredtheroom。Atthesightofhimthecircleparted，andalowmurmurofcuriositybetrayedtheexpectationrousedinthegatheringbythe/voceratrice’s/presence。Colombaembracedthewidow，tookoneofherhands，andstoodforsomemomentswrappedinmeditation，withhereyelidsdropped。Thenshethrewbackher/mezzaro/，gazedfixedlyatthecorpse，andbendingoverit，herfacealmostaswaxenasthatofthedeadman，shebeganthus：
"Carlo-Battista！MayChristreceivethysoul！……Toliveistosuffer！Thougoesttoaplace……wherethereisneithersunnorcold……Nolongerdostthouneedthypruning-hook……northyheavypick……Thereisnomoreworkforthee！……HenceforwardallthydaysareSundays！……Carlo-Battista！MayChristreceivethysoul！……Thysonrulesinthyhouse……Ihaveseentheoakfall，……driedupbythe/libeccio/……Ithoughtitwasdeadindeed，……butwhenIpasseditagain，itsroot……hadthrownupasapling……Thesaplinggrewintoanoak……ofmightyshade……Underitsgreatbranches，Maddele，resttheewell！……Andthinkoftheoakthatisnomore！"
HereMaddalenabegantosobaloud，andtwoorthreemenwho，onoccasion，wouldhaveshotataChristianascoollyasatapartridge，brushedbigtearsofftheirsunburntfaces。
ForsomeminutesColombacontinuedinthisstrain，addressingherselfsometimestothecorpse，sometimestothefamily，andsometimes，byapersonificationfrequentlyemployedinthe/ballata/，makingthedeadmanhimselfspeakwordsofconsolationorcounseltohiskinsfolk。Assheproceeded，herfaceassumedasublimeexpression，adelicatepinktingecreptoverherfeatures，heighteningthebrilliancyofherwhiteteethandthelustreofherflashingeyes。ShewaslikeaPythonessonhertripod。Saveforasighhereandthere，orastrangledsob，nottheslightestnoiserosefromtheassemblythatcrowdedabouther。
Orso，thoughlesseasilyaffectedthanmostpeoplebythiswildkindofpoetry，wassoonovercomebythegeneralemotion。Hiddeninadarkcorneroftheroom，heweptasheartilyasPietri’sownson。
Suddenlyaslightstirwasperceptibleamongtheaudience。Thecircleopened，andseveralstrangersentered。Therespectshownthem，andtheeagernesswithwhichroomwasmadeforthem，provedthemtobepeopleofimportance，whoseadventwasagreathonourtothehousehold。
Nevertheless，outofrespectforthe/ballata/，nobodysaidawordtothem。Themanwhohadenteredfirstseemedaboutfortyyearsofage。
Fromhisblackcoat，hisredrosette，hisconfidentair，andlookofauthority，hewasatonceguessedtobetheprefect。Behindhimcameabentoldmanwithabilious-lookingcomplexion，whosefurtiveandanxiousglancewasonlypartiallyconcealedbyhisgreenspectacles。
Heworeablackcoat，toolargeforhim，andwhich，thoughstillquitenew，hadevidentlybeenmadeseveralyearspreviously。Healwayskeptclosebesidetheprefectandlookedasthoughhewouldfainhidehimselfunderhisshadow。Lastofall，behindhim，cametwotallyoungmen，withsunburntfaces，theircheekshiddenbyheavywhiskers，proudandarrogant-looking，andshowingsymptomsofanimpertinentcuriosity。Orsohadhadtimetoforgetthefacesofhisvillageneighbours；butthesightoftheoldmaningreenspectaclesinstantlycalledupoldmemoriesinhismind。Hispresenceinattendanceontheprefectsufficedtoinsurehisrecognition。ThiswasBarricini，thelawyer，mayorofPietranera，whohadcome，withhistwosons，toshowtheprefectwhata/ballata/was。ItwouldbedifficultexactlytodescribewhathappenedwithinOrso’ssoulatthatmoment，butthepresenceofhisfather’sfoefilledhimwithasortofhorror，andmorethaneverhefeltinclinedtoyieldtothesuspicionswithwhichhehadbeenbattlingforsolong。
AstoColomba，whenshesawthemanagainstwhomshehadswornadeadlyhatred，hermobilecountenanceassumedamostthreateningaspect。Sheturnedpale，hervoicegrewhoarse，thelineshehadbeguntodeclaimdiedonherlips。Butsoon，takingupher/ballata/afresh，sheproceededwithstillgreatervehemence。
"Whenthehawkbemoanshimself……besidehisharriednest，……
thestarlingsflutterroundhim……insultinghisdistress。"
Asmotheredlaughwasheard。Thetwoyoungmenwhohadjustcomeindoubtlessconsideredthemetaphortoobold。
"Thefalconwillrousehimself……Hewillspreadhiswings……
Hewillwashhisbeakinblood！……Now，tothee，Carlo-Battista，letthyfriends……bidaneternalfarewell！……Longenoughhavetheirtearsflowed！……Onlythepoororphangirlwillnotweepforthee！……Whereforeshouldshemoan？……Thouhasfallenasleep，fullofyears，……inthemidstofthineownkin……readytoappear……inthepresenceoftheAlmighty……Theorphanweepsforherfather……overtakenbyvilemurderers，……struckfrombehind……Forherfather，whosebloodliesred……beneaththeheaped-upgreenleaves……Butshehasgatheredupthisblood，……thisinnocentandnobleblood！……ShehaspoureditoutoverPietranera……thatitmaybecomeadeadlypoison……AndthemarkshallbeonPietranera……untilthebloodoftheguilty……
shallhavewipedoutthebloodoftheinnocentman！"
AsColombapronouncedthelastwords，shedroppedintoachair，drewher/mezzaro/overherface，andwasheardsobbingbeneathit。Theweepingwomencrowdedroundthe/improvisatrice/；severalofthemenwerecastingsavageglancesatthemayorandhissons；someoftheeldersbegantoprotestagainstthescandaltowhichtheirpresencehadgivenrise。Thedeadman’ssonpushedhiswaythroughthethrong，andwasabouttobegthemayortoclearoutwithallpossiblespeed。
Butthisfunctionaryhadnotwaitedforthesuggestion。Hewasonhiswaytothedoor，andhistwosonswerealreadyinthestreet。TheprefectsaidafewwordsofcondolencetoyoungPietri，andfollowedthemout，almostimmediately。Orsowenttohissister’sside，tookherarm，anddrewheroutoftheroom。
"Gowiththem，"saidyoungPietritosomeofhisfriends。"Takecarenoharmcomestothem！"
HastilytwoorthreeyoungmenslippedtheirstilettosuptheleftsleevesoftheirjacketsandescortedOrsoandhissistertotheirowndoor。
CHAPTERXIII
Panting，exhausted，Colombawasutterlyincapableofutteringasingleword。Herheadrestedonherbrother’sshoulder，andsheclaspedoneofhishandstightlybetweenherown。Orso，thoughsecretlysomewhatannoyedbyherperoration，wastoomuchalarmedtoreproveher，eveninthemildestfashion。Hewassilentlywaitingtillthenervousattackfromwhichsheseemedtobesufferingshouldhavepassed，whentherewasaknockatthedoor，andSaveria，verymuchflustered，announcedtheprefect。Atthewords，Colombarose，asthoughashamedofherweakness，andstoodleaningonachair，whichshookvisiblybeneathherhand。
Theprefectbeganwithsomecommonplaceapologyfortheunseasonablehourofhisvisit，condoledwithMademoiselleColomba，touchedonthedangerconnectedwithstrongemotions，blamedthecustomofcomposingfuneraldirges，whichtheverytalentofthe/voceratrice/renderedthemoreharrowingtoherauditors，skilfullyslippedinamildreproofconcerningthetendencyoftheimprovisationjustconcluded，andthen，changinghistone——
"M。dellaRebbia，"hesaid，"IhavemanymessagesforyoufromyourEnglishfriends。MissNevilsendsheraffectionateregardstoyoursister。Ihavealetterforyoufromher。"
"AletterfromMissNevil！"criedOrso。
"UnluckilyIhavenotgotitwithme。Butyoushallhaveitwithinfiveminutes。Herfatherhasnotbeenwell。Foralittlewhilewewereafraidhehadcaughtoneofourterriblefevers。Luckilyheisallrightagain，asyouwillobserveforyourself，forIfancyyouwillseehimverysoon。"
"MissNevilmusthavebeenverymuchalarmed！"
"Fortunatelyshedidnotbecomeawareofthedangertillitwasquitegoneby。M。dellaRebbia，MissNevilhastalkedtomeagreatdealaboutyouandaboutyoursister。"
Orsobowed。
"Shehasagreataffectionforyouboth。Underhercharmingappearance，andherapparentfrivolity，afundofgoodsenselieshidden。"
"Sheisaveryfascinatingperson，"saidOrso。
"Ihavecomehere，monsieur，almostatherprayer。NobodyisbetteracquaintedthanIwithafatalstorywhichIwouldfainnothavetorecalltoyou。AsM。BarriciniisstillthemayorofPietranera，andasIamprefectofthedepartment，IneedhardlytellyouwhatweightIattachtocertainsuspicionswhich，ifIamrightlyinformed，someincautiousindividualshavecommunicatedtoyou，andwhichyou，I
know，havespurnedwiththeindignationyourpositionandyourcharacterwouldhaveledmetoexpect。"
"Colomba，"saidOrso，movinguneasilytohischair。"Youareverytired。Youhadbettergotobed。"
Colombashookherhead。Shehadrecoveredallherusualcomposure，andherburningeyeswerefixedontheprefect。
"M。Barricini，"theprefectcontinued，"isexceedinglyanxioustoputanendtothesortofenmity……orrather，theconditionofuncertainty，existingbetweenyourselfandhim……Onmypart，I
shouldbedelightedtoseeyoubothinthoserelationsoffriendlyintercourseappropriatetopeoplewhocertainlyoughttoesteemeachother。"
"Monsieur，"repliedOrsoinashakingvoice，"IhaveneverchargedBarriciniwithmyfather’smurder。Buthecommittedanactwhichmustalwayspreventmefromhavinganythingtodowithhim。Heforgedathreateningletter，inthenameofacertainbandit，oratleasthehintedinanunderhandsortofwaythatitwasforgedbymyfather。
Thatletter，monsieur，wasprobablytheindirectcauseofmyfather’sdeath。"
Theprefectsatthinkingforamoment。
"Thatyourfathershouldhavebelievedthat，whenhisownhastynatureledhimintoalawsuitwithSignorBarricini，isexcusable。Butsuchblindnessonyourpartreallycannotbeadmitted。PrayconsiderthatBarricinicouldhaveservednointerestofhisownbyforgingtheletter。Iwillnottalktoyouabouthischaracter，foryouarenotacquaintedwithit，andareprejudicedagainstit；butyoucannotsupposethatamanconversantwiththelaw————"
"But，monsieur，"saidOrso，risingtohisfeet，"begoodenoughtorecollectthatwhenyoutellmetheletterwasnotBarricini’swork，youascribeittomyfather。Andmyfather’shonour，monsieur，ismine！"
"Nomanonearth，sir，ismoreconvincedofColoneldellaRebbia’shonourthanmyself！Butthewriteroftheletterisnowknown。"
"Whowroteit？"exclaimedColomba，makingasteptowardtheprefect。
"Avillain，guiltyofseveralcrimes——suchcrimesasyouCorsicansneverpardon——athief，oneTomasoBianchi，atpresentconfinedintheprisonatBastia，hasacknowledgedthathewrotethefatalletter。"
"Iknownothingoftheman，"saidOrso。"Whatcanhavebeenhisobject？"
"Hebelongstothisneighbourhood，"saidColomba。"Heisbrothertoamanwhowasourmiller——ascampandaliar，unworthyofbelief。"
"Youwillsoonseewhathisinterestinthematterwas，"continuedtheprefect。"Themillerofwhomyoursisterspeaks——IthinkhisnamewasTeodoro——wasthetenantofamillbelongingtothecolonel，standingontheverystreamtheownershipofwhichM。Barriciniwasdisputingwithyourfather。Thecolonel，alwaysagenerousman，madeverylittleprofitoutofthemill。NowTomasothoughtthatifBarricinigotpossessionofthestreamtherewouldbeaheavyrenttopay，foritiswellknownthatBarriciniisratherfondofmoney。Inshort，toobligehisbrother，Tomasoforgedtheletterfromthebandit——andthere’sthewholestory。YouknowthatinCorsicathestrengthofthefamilytieissogreatthatitdoessometimesleadtocrime。Pleasereadoverthislettertomefromtheattorney-general。ItconfirmswhatIhavejusttoldyou。"
Orsolookedthroughtheletter，whichgaveadetailedrelationofTomaso’sconfession，andColombareaditoverhisshoulder。
Whenshehadcometotheendofitsheexclaimed：
"OrlanduccioBarriciniwentdowntoBastiaamonthago，whenitbecameknownthatmybrotherwascominghome。HemusthaveseenTomaso，andboughtthislieofhim！"
"Signorina，"saidtheprefect，outofpatience，"youexplaineverythingbyodiousimputations！Isthatthewaytofindoutthetruth？You，sir，canjudgemorecoolly。Tellmewhatyouthinkofthebusinessnow？Doyoubelieve，likethisyounglady，thatamanwhohasonlyaslightsentencetofearwoulddeliberatelychargehimselfwithforgery，justtoobligeapersonhedoesn’tknow？"
Orsoreadtheattorney-general’sletteragain，weighingeverywordwiththegreatestcare——fornowthathehadseentheoldlawyer，hefeltitmoredifficulttoconvincehimselfthanitwouldhavebeenafewdayspreviously。Atlasthefoundhimselfobligedtoadmitthattheexplanationseemedtohimtobesatisfactory。ButColombacriedoutvehemently：
"TomasoBianchiisaknave！He’llnotbeconvicted，orhe’llescapefromprison！Iamcertainofit！"
Theprefectshruggedhisshoulders。
"IhavelaidtheinformationIhavereceivedbeforeyou，monsieur。I
willnowdepart，andleaveyoutoyourownreflections。Ishallwaittillyourownreasonhasenlightenedyou，andItrustitmayprovestrongerthanyoursister’ssuppositions。"
Orso，aftersayingafewwordsofexcuseforColomba，repeatedthathenowbelievedTomasotobethesoleculprit。
Theprefecthadrisentotakehisleave。
"Ifitwerenotsolate，"saidhe，"IwouldsuggestyourcomingoverwithmetofetchMissNevil’sletter。AtthesametimeyoumightrepeattoM。Barriciniwhatyouhavejustsaidtome，andthewholethingwouldbesettled。"
"OrsodellaRebbiawillneversethisfootinsidethehouseofaBarricini！"exclaimedColombaimpetuously。
"Thisyoungladyappearstobethe/tintinajo/[*]ofthefamily！"
remarkedtheprefect，withatouchofirony。
[*]Thisisthenamegiventotheramorhe-goatwhichwearsabellandleadstheflock，anditisapplied，metaphorically，toanymemberofafamilywhoguidesitinallimportantmatters。
"Monsieur，"repliedColombaresolutely，"youaredeceived。Youdonotknowthelawyer。Heisthemostcunningandknavishofmen。IbeseechyounottomakeOrsodoathingthatwouldoverwhelmhimwithdishonour！"
"Colomba！"exclaimedOrso，"yourpassionhasdrivenyououtofyoursenses！"
"Orso！Orso！BythecasketIgaveyou，Ibeseechyoutolistentome！
ThereisbloodbetweenyouandtheBarricini。Youshallnotgointotheirhouse！"
"Sister！"
"No，brother，youshallnotgo！OrIwillleavethishouse，andyouwillneverseemeagain！Havepityonme，Orso！"andshefellonherknees。
"Iamgrieved，"saidtheprefect，"tofindMademoiselleColombasounreasonable。Youwillconvinceher，Iamsure。"
Heopenedthedoorandpaused，seemingtoexpectOrsotofollowhim。
"Icannotleavehernow，"saidOrso。"To-morrow，if————"
"Ishallbestartingveryearly，"saidtheprefect。
"Brother，"criedColomba，claspingherhands，"waittillto-morrowmorning，inanycase。Letmelookovermyfather’spapers。Youcannotrefusemethat！"
"Well，youshalllookthemoverto-night。Butatalleventsyoushallnottormentmeafterwardwithyourviolenthatreds。Athousandpardons，monsieur！Iamsoupsetmyselfto-night——ithadbetterbeto-morrow。"
"Thenightbringscounsel，"saidtheprefect，ashewentout。"Ihopeallyouruncertaintywillhavedisappearedbyto-morrow。"
"Saveria，"Colombacalled，"takethelanternandattendtheSignorPrefetto。Hewillgiveyoualettertobringbacktomybrother。"
SheaddedafewwordswhichreachedSaveria’searalone。
"Colomba，"saidOrso，whentheprefectwasgone，"youhavedistressedmeverymuch。Willnoevidenceconvinceyou？"
"Youhavegivenmetillto-morrow，"shereplied。"Ihaveverylittletime；butIstillhavesomehope。"
Thenshetookabunchofkeysandranuptoaroomontheupperstory。
Therehecouldhearherpullingopendrawers，andrummaginginthewriting-deskinwhichColoneldellaRebbiahadkepthisbusinesspapers。
CHAPTERXIV
Saveriawasalongtimeaway，andwhensheatlastreappeared，carryingaletter，andfollowedbylittleChilina，rubbinghereyes，andevidentlyjustwakedoutofherbeautysleep，Orsowaswounduptothehighestpossiblepitchofimpatience。
"Chili，"saidOrso，"whatareyoudoinghereatthishour？"
"Thesignorinasentforme，"repliedChilina。
"Whatthedevildoesshewantwithher？"thoughtOrsotohimself。ButhewasinahurrytoopenMissLydia’sletter，andwhilehewasreadingitChilinawentupstairstohissister’sroom。
"Myfather，dearsir，hasnotbeenwell，"MissNevilwrote，"andheissoindolent，besides，thatIamobligedtoactashissecretary。Yourememberthat，insteadofadmiringthelandscapewithyouandmetheotherday，hegothisfeetwetonthesea-shore——andinyourdelightfulisland，thatisquiteenoughtogiveoneafever！Icanseethefaceyouaremaking！Nodoubtyouarefeelingforyourdagger。ButIwillhopeyouhavenonenow。Well，myfatherhadalittlefever，andIhadagreatfright。Theprefect，whomI
persistinthinkingverypleasant，sentusadoctor，alsoaverypleasantman，whogotusoverourtroubleintwodays。Therehasbeennoreturnoftheattack，andmyfatherwouldliketobegintoshootagain。ButIhaveforbiddenthat。Howdidyoufindmattersinyourmountainhome？IsyourNorthTowerstillinitsoldplace？
Arethereanyghostsaboutit？Iaskallthesequestionsbecausemyfatherremembersyouhavepromisedhimbuckandboarandmoufflon——isthattherightnameforthosestrangecreatures？WeintendtocraveyourhospitalityonourwaytoBastia，wherewearetoembark，andItrustthedellaRebbiaCastle，whichyoudeclareissooldandtumble-down，willnotfallinuponourheads！Thoughtheprefectissopleasantthatsubjectsofconversationareneverlackingtous——Iflattermyself，bytheway，thatIhaveturnedhishead——wehavebeentalkingaboutyourworshipfulself。ThelegalpeopleatBastiahavesenthimcertainconfessions，madebyarascaltheyhaveunderlockandkey，whicharecalculatedtodestroyyourlastremainingsuspicions。Theenmitywhichsometimesalarmedmeforyoumustthereforeendatonce。Youhavenoideawhatapleasurethishasbeentome！Whenyoustartedhencewiththefair/voceratrice/，withyourguninhand，andyourbrowlowering，youstruckmeasbeingmoreCorsicanthanever——tooCorsicanindeed！/Basta！/IwriteyouthislongletterbecauseIamdull。Theprefect，alas！isgoingaway。Wewillsendyouamessagewhenwestartforyourmountains，andI
shalltakethelibertyofwritingtoSignorinaColombatoaskhertogivemea/bruccio，masolenne/！Meanwhile，givehermylove。I
useherdaggeragreatdealtocuttheleavesofanovelIbroughtwithme。Butthedoughtysteelrevoltsagainstsuchusage，andtearsmybookforme，afteramostpitifulfashion。Farewell，sir！
Myfathersendsyou’hisbestlove。’Listentowhattheprefectsays。Heisasensibleman，andisturningoutofhisway，I
believe，onyouraccount。Heisgoingtolayafoundation-stoneatCorte。Ishouldfancytheceremonywillbeveryimposing，andIamverysorrynottoseeit。Agentlemaninanembroideredcoatandsilkstockingsandawhitescarf，wieldingatrowel——andaspeech！
Andattheendoftheperformancemanifoldandreiteratedshoutsof’GodsavetheKing。’Isayagain，sir，itwillmakeyouveryvaintothinkIhavewrittenyoufourwholepages，andonthataccountIgiveyouleavetowritemeaverylongletter。Bytheway，IthinkitveryoddofyounottohaveletmehearofyoursafearrivalattheCastleofPietranera！
"LYDIA。
"P。S。——Ibegyouwilllistentotheprefect，anddoashebidsyou。
Wehaveagreedthatthisisthecourseyoushouldpursue，andI
shallbeverygladifyoudoit。"
Orsoreadtheletterthreeorfourtimesover，makingendlessmentalcommentseachtimeasheread。Thenhewrotealonganswer，whichhesentbySaveria’shandtoamaninthevillage，whowastogodowntoAjacciotheverynextday。Alreadyhehadalmostdismissedtheideaofdiscussinghisgrievance，trueorfalse，againsttheBarricini，withhissister。MissLydia’sletterhadcastarose-colouredtintovereverythingabouthim。Hefeltneitherhatrednorsuspicionnow。Hewaitedsometimeforhissistertocomedown，andfindingshedidnotreappear，hewenttobed，withalighterheartthanhehadcarriedformanyaday。Colomba，havingdismissedChilinawithsomesecretinstructions，spentthegreaterpartofthenightinreadingoldpapers。Alittlebeforedaybreakafewtinypebblesrattledagainstthewindow-pane。Atthesignal，shewentdowntothegarden，openedabackdoor，andconductedtwoveryroughmenintoherhouse。Herfirstcarewastobringthemintothekitchenandgivethemfood。Myreaderswillshortlylearnwhothesemenwere。
CHAPTERXV
Towardsixo’clocknextmorningoneoftheprefect’sservantscameandknockedatthedoorofOrso’shouse。HewasreceivedbyColomba，andinformedhertheprefectwasabouttostart，andwasexpectingherbrother。Withoutamoment’shesitationColombarepliedthatherbrotherhadjusthadafallonthestairs，andsprainedhisfoot；andhewasunabletowalkasinglestep，thathebeggedtheprefecttoexcusehim，andwouldbeverygratefulifhewouldcondescendtotakethetroubleofcomingovertohim。Afewminutesafterthismessagehadbeendespatched，Orsocamedownstairs，andaskedhissisterwhethertheprefecthadnotsentforhim。
Withthemostperfectassurancesherejoined：
"Hebegsyou’llwaitforhimhere。"
HalfanhourwentbywithouttheslightestperceptiblestirintheBarricinidwelling。MeanwhileOrsoaskedColombawhethershehaddiscoveredanything。Sherepliedthatsheproposedtomakeherstatementwhentheprefectcame。Sheaffectedanextremecomposure。
Buthercolourandhereyesbetrayedherstateoffeverishexcitement。
AtlastthedooroftheBarricinimansionwasseentoopen。Theprefectcameoutfirst，intravellinggarb；hewasfollowedbythemayorandhistwosons。WhatwasthestupefactionoftheinhabitantsofthevillageofPietranera，whohadbeenonthewatchsincesunriseforthedepartureofthechiefmagistrateoftheirdepartment，whentheysawhimgostraightacrossthesquareandenterthedellaRebbiadwelling，accompaniedbythethreeBarricini。"Theyaregoingtomakepeace！"exclaimedthevillagepoliticians。
"JustasItoldyou，"oneoldmanwenton。"Ors’Anton’haslivedtoomuchonthemainlandtocarrythingsthroughlikeamanofmettle。"
"Yet，"respondedaRebbianite，"youmaynoticeitistheBarriciniwhohavegoneacrosstohim。Theyaresuingformercy。"
"It’stheprefectwhohadwheedledthemallround，"answeredtheoldfellow。"Thereisnosuchthingascouragenowadays，andtheyoungchapsmakenomorefussabouttheirfather’sbloodthaniftheywereallbastards。"
TheprefectwasnotalittleastoundedtofindOrsoupandwalkingaboutwithperfectease。InthebriefestfashionColombaavowedherownlie，andbeggedhimtoforgiveit。
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