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