"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。