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