\"Isitthecustomhere,\"inquiredMissNevil,withasmile,\"foryoungladiestowearsuchlittleinstrumentsastheseintheirbodices?\"
\"Itis,\"answeredColomba,withasigh。\"Therearesomanywickedpeopleabout!\"
\"Andwouldyoureallyhavethecouragetostrikewithit,likethis?\"
AndMissNevil,daggerinhand,madeagestureofstabbingfromabove,asactorsdoonthestage。
Yes,\"saidColomba,inhersoft,musicalvoice,\"ifIhadtodoittoprotectmyselformyfriends。Butyoumustnotholditlikethat,youmightwoundyourselfifthepersonyouweregoingtostabweretodrawback。\"Then,sittingupinbed,\"See,\"sheadded,\"youmuststrikelikethis——upward!Ifyoudoso,thethrustissuretokill,theysay。
Happyaretheywhoneverneedsuchweapons。\"
Shesighed,droppedherheadbackonthepillow,andclosedhereyes。
Amorenoble,beautiful,virginalheaditwouldbeimpossibletoimagine。PhidiaswouldhaveaskednoothermodelforMinerva。
CHAPTERVI
ItisinobediencetothepreceptofHoracethatIhavebegunbyplunging/inmediares/。Nowthateveryoneisasleep——thebeautifulColomba,thecolonel,andhisdaughter——Iwillseizetheopportunitytoacquaintmyreaderwithcertaindetailsofwhichhemustnotbeignorant,ifhedesirestofollowthefurthercourseofthisveracioushistory。HeisalreadyawarethatColoneldellaRebbia,Orso’sfather,hadbeenassassinated。Now,inCorsica,peoplearenotmurdered,astheyareinFrance,bythefirstescapedconvictwhocandevisenobettermeansofrelievingamanofhissilver-plate。InCorsicaamanismurderedbyhisenemies——butthereasonhehasenemiesisoftenverydifficulttodiscover。Manyfamilieshateeachotherbecauseithasbeenanold-standinghabitoftheirstohateeachother;butthetraditionoftheoriginalcauseoftheirhatredmayhavecompletelydisappeared。
ThefamilytowhichColoneldellaRebbiabelongedhatedseveralotherfamilies,butthatoftheBarriciniparticularly。SomepeopleassertedthatinthesixteenthcenturyadellaRebbiahadseducedaladyoftheBarricinifamily,andhadafterwardbeenponiardedbyarelativeoftheoutrageddamsel。Others,indeed,toldthestoryinadifferentfashion,declaringthatitwasadellaRebbiawhohadbeenseduced,andaBarriciniwhohadbeenponiarded。Howeverthatmaybe,therewas,tousethetime-honouredexpression,\"bloodbetweenthetwohouses。\"Nevertheless,andcontrarytocustom,thismurderhadnotresultedinothers;forthedellaRebbiaandtheBarricinihadbeenequallypersecutedbytheGenoeseGovernment,andastheyoungmenhadallleftthecountry,thetwofamiliesweredeprived,duringseveralgenerations,oftheirmoreenergeticrepresentatives。Atthecloseofthelastcentury,oneofthedellaRebbias,anofficerintheNeapolitanservice,quarrelled,inagamblinghell,withsomesoldiers,whocalledhimaCorsicangoatherd,andotherinsultingnames。Hedrewhissword,butbeingonlyoneagainstthree,hewouldhavefaredveryillifastranger,whowasplayinginthesameroom,hadnotexclaimed,\"I,too,amaCorsican,\"andcometohisrescue。
ThisstrangerwasoneoftheBarricini,who,forthatmatter,wasnotacquaintedwithhiscountryman。Aftermutualexplanations,theyinterchangedcourtesiesandvowedeternalfriendship。ForontheContinent,quitecontrarytotheirpracticeintheirownisland,Corsicansquicklybecomefriends。Thisfactwasclearlyexemplifiedonthepresentoccasion。AslongasdellaRebbiaandBarriciniremainedinItalytheywereclosefriends。OncetheywerebackinCorsica,theysaweachotherbutveryseldom,althoughtheybothlivedinthesamevillage;andwhentheydied,itwasreportedthattheyhadnotspokentoeachotherforfiveorsixyears。Theirsonslivedinthesamefashion——\"onceremony,\"astheysayintheisland;oneofthemGhilfuccio,Orso’sfather,wasasoldier;theotherGiudiceBarricini,wasalawyer。Havingbothbecomeheadsoffamilies,andbeingseparatedbytheirprofessions,theyscarcelyeverhadanopportunityofseeingorhearingofeachother。
Oneday,however,abouttheyear1809,GiudicereadinanewspaperatBastiathatCaptainGhilfucciohadjustbeendecorated,andremarked,beforewitnesses,thathewasnotatallsurprised,consideringthatthefamilyenjoyedtheprotectionofGeneral————。ThisremarkwasreportedatViennatoGhilfuccio,whotoldoneofhiscountrymenthat,whenhegotbacktoCorsica,hewouldfindGiudiceaveryrichman,becausehemademoremoneyoutofthesuitshelostthanoutofthosehewon。Itwasneverknownwhetherhemeantthisasaninsinuationthatthelawyercheatedhisclients,orasamereallusiontothecommonplacetruththatabadcauseoftenbringsalawyermoreprofitthanagoodone。Howeverthatmayhavebeen,thelawyerBarriciniheardoftheepigram,andneverforgotit。In1812heappliedforthepostofmayorofhiscommune,andhadeveryhopeofbeingappointed,whenGeneral————-wrotetotheprefect,torecommendoneofGhilfuccio’swife’srelations。Theprefectlostnotimeincarryingoutthegeneral’swish,andBarricinifeltnodoubtthatheowedhisfailuretotheintriguesofGhilfuccio。In1814,aftertheemperor’sfall,thegeneral’sprotégéwasdenouncedasaBonapartist,andhisplacewastakenbyBarricini。He,inhisturn,wasdismissedduringtheHundredDays,butwhenthestormhadblownover,heagaintookpossession,withgreatpomp,ofthemayoralsealandthemunicipalregisters。
Fromthismomenthisstarshonebrighterthanever。ColoneldellaRebbia,nowlivingonhalf-payatPietranera,hadtodefendhimselfagainstcovertandrepeatedattacksduetothepettifoggingmalignityofhisenemy。Atonetimehewassummonedtopayforthedamagehishorsehaddonetothemayor’sfences,atanother,thelatter,underpretenceofrepairingthefloorofthechurch,orderedtheremovalofabrokenflagstonebearingthedellaRebbiaarms,whichcoveredthegraveofsomememberofthefamily。Ifthevillagegoatsatethecolonel’syoungplants,themayoralwaysprotectedtheirowners。Thegrocerwhokeptthepost-officeatPietranera,andtheoldmaimedsoldierwhohadbeenthevillagepoliceman——bothofthemattachedtothedellaRebbiafamily——wereturnedadrift,andtheirplacesfilledbyBarricini’screatures。
Thecolonel’swifedied,andherlastwishwasthatshemightbeburiedinthemiddleofthelittlewoodinwhichshehadbeenfondofwalking。Forthwiththemayordeclaredsheshouldbeburiedinthevillagecemetery,becausehehadnoauthoritytopermitburialinanyotherspot。Thecolonel,inafury,declaredthatuntilthepermitcame,hiswifewouldbeinterredinthespotshehadchosen。Hehadhergravedugthere。Themayor,onhisside,hadanothergraveduginthecemetery,andsentforthepolice,thatthelaw,sohedeclared,mightbedulyenforced。Onthedayofthefuneral,thetwopartiescamefacetoface,and,foramoment,therewasreasontofearastrugglemightensueforthepossessionofSignoradellaRebbia’scorpse。Somefortywell-armedpeasants,musteredbythedeadwoman’srelatives,forcedthepriest,whenheissuedfromthechurch,totaketheroadtothewood。Ontheotherhand,themayor,attheheadofhistwosons,hisdependents,andthegendarmes,advancedtoopposetheirmarch。Whenheappeared,andcalledontheprocessiontoturnback,hewasgreetedwithhowlsandthreats。Theadvantageofnumberswaswithhisopponents,andtheyseemedthoroughlydetermined。Atsightofhimseveralgunswereloaded,andoneshepherdisevensaidtohavelevelledhismusketathim,butthecolonelknockedupthebarrel,andsaid,\"Letnomanfirewithoutmyorders!\"Themayor,who,likePanurge,had\"anaturalfearofblows,\"refusedtogivebattle,andretired,withhisescort。Thenthefuneralprocessionstarted,carefullychoosingthelongestway,soastopassinfrontofthemayor’shouse。Asitwasfilingby,anidiot,whohadjoineditsranks,tookitintohisheadtoshout,\"Vivel’Empereur!\"Twoorthreevoicesansweredhim,andtheRebbianites,growinghotter,proposedkillingoneofthemayor’soxen,whichchancedtobartheirway。
Fortunatelythecolonelstoppedthisactofviolence。
Itishardlynecessarytomentionthatanofficialstatementwasatoncedrawnup,orthatthemayorsenttheprefectareport,inhissublimeststyle,describingthemannerinwhichalllaws,humananddivine,hadbeentroddenunderfoot——howthemajestyofhimself,themayor,andofthepriesthadbeenfloutedandinsulted,andhowColoneldellaRebbiahadputhimselfattheheadofaBonapartistplot,tochangetheorderofsuccessiontothethrone,andtoexcitepeacefulcitizenstotakearmsagainstoneanother——crimesprovidedagainstbyArticles86and91ofthePenalCode。
Theexaggeratedtoneofthiscomplaintdiminisheditseffect。Thecolonelwrotetotheprefectandtothepublicprosecutor。Oneofhiswife’skinsmenwasrelatedtooneofthedeputiesoftheisland,anotherwascousintothepresidentoftheRoyalCourt。Thankstothisinterest,theplotfadedoutofsight,SignoradellaRebbiawasleftquietinthewood,andtheidiotalonewassentencedtoafortnight’simprisonment。
LawyerBarricini,dissatisfiedwiththeresultofthisaffair,turnedhisbatteriesinadifferentdirection。Hedugoutsomeoldclaim,wherebyheundertooktocontestthecolonel’sownershipofacertainwater-coursewhichturnedamill-wheel。Alawsuitbegananddraggedslowlyalong。Attheendoftwelvemonths,thecourtwasabouttogiveitsdecision,andaccordingtoallappearancesinfavourofthecolonel,whenBarriciniplacedinthehandsofthepublicprosecutoraletter,signedbyacertainAgostini,awell-knownbandit,threateninghim,themayor,withfireandswordifhedidnotrelinquishhispretensions。ItiswellknownthatinCorsicatheprotectionofthesebrigandsismuchsoughtafter,andthat,toobligetheirfriends,theyfrequentlyinterveneinprivatequarrels。Themayorwasderivingconsiderableadvantagefromthisletter,whenthebusinesswasfurthercomplicatedbyafreshincident。Agostini,thebandit,wrotetothepublicprosecutor,tocomplainthathishandwritinghadbeencounterfeited,andhischaracteraspersed,bysomeonewhodesiredtorepresenthimasamanwhomadeatrafficofhisinfluence。\"IfIcandiscovertheforger,\"hesaidattheendofhisletter,\"Iwillmakeastrikingexampleofhim。\"
ItwasquiteclearthatAgostinididnotwritethethreateninglettertothemayor。ThedellaRebbiaaccusedtheBarriciniofitand/viceversa/。Bothpartiesbrokeintoopenthreats,andtheauthoritiesdidnotknowwheretofindtheculprit。
InthemidstofallthisColonelGhilfucciowasmurdered。Herearethefacts,astheywereelicitedattheofficialinquiry。Onthe2dofAugust,18——,towardnightfall,awomannamedMaddalenaPietri,whowascarryingcorntoPietranera,heardtwoshotsfired,veryclosetogether,thereports,asitseemedtoher,comingfromthedeeplaneleadingtothevillage,aboutahundredandfiftypacesfromthespotonwhichshestood。Almostimmediatelyafterwardshesawamanrunning,crouchingalongafootpathamongthevines,andmakingforthevillage。Themanstoppedforaminute,andturnedround,butthedistancepreventedthewomanPietrifromseeinghisfeatures,andbesides,hehadavine-leafinhismouth,whichhidalmostthewholeofhisface。Hemadeasignalwithhisheadtosomecomrade,whomthewitnesscouldnotsee,andthendisappearedamongthevines。
ThewomanPietridroppedherburden,ranupthepath,andfoundColoneldellaRebbia,bathedinhisownbloodfromtwobulletwounds,butstillbreathing。Closebesidehimlayhisgun,loadedandcocked,asifhehadbeendefendinghimselfagainstapersonwhohadattackedhiminfront,justwhenanotherhadstruckhimfrombehind。Althoughtherattlewasinhisthroat,hestruggledagainstthegripofdeath,buthecouldnotutteraword——thisthedoctorsexplainedbythenatureofthewounds,whichhadcutthroughhislungs:thebloodwaschokinghim,itflowedslowly,likeredfroth。Invaindidthewomanlifthimup,andaskhimseveralquestions。Shesawplainlyenoughthathedesiredtospeak,buthecouldnotmakehimselfunderstood。
Noticingthathewastryingtogethishandtohispocket,shequicklydrewoutofitalittlenote-book,whichsheopenedandgavetohim。
Thewoundedmantookthepenciloutofthenote-bookandtriedtowrite。Infact,thewitnesssawhimformseveralletters,butwithgreatdifficulty。Asshecouldnotread,however,shewasunabletounderstandtheirmeaning。Exhaustedbytheeffort,thecolonelleftthenote-bookinthewoman’shand,whichhesqueezedtightly,lookingatherstrangely,asifhewantedtosay(thesearethewitness’sownwords):\"Itisimportant——itismymurderer’sname!\"
MaddalenaPietriwasgoinguptothevillage,whenshemetBarricini,themayor,withhissonVincentello。Itwasthenalmostdark。Shetoldthemwhatshehadseen。Themayortookthenote-book,hurrieduptohishouse,putonhissash,andfetchedhissecretaryandthegendarmes。LeftalonewithyoungVincentello,MaddalenaPietrisuggestedthatheshouldgotothecolonel’sassistance,incasehewasstillalive,butVincentellorepliedthatifheweretogonearamanwhohadbeenthebitterenemyofhisfamily,hewouldcertainlybeaccusedofhavingkilledhim。Averyshorttimeafterwardthemayorarrived,foundthecoloneldead,hadthecorpsecarriedaway,anddrewuphisreport。
Inspiteoftheagitationsonaturalonsuchanoccasion,MonsieurBarricinihadhastenedtoplacethecolonel’snote-bookunderseal,andtomakealltheinquiriesinhispower,butnoneofthemresultedinanydiscoveryofimportance。
Whentheexaminingmagistratearrivedthenote-bookwasopened,andonablood-stainedpagewereseenletterswritteninatremblinghand,butstillquitelegible;thesheetboretheword/Agosti/——andthejudgedidnotdoubtthatthecolonelhadintendedtopointoutAgostiniashismurderer。Nevertheless,ColombadellaRebbia,whohadbeensummonedbythemagistrate,askedleavetoexaminethenote-book。
Afterturningtheleavesforafewmoments,shestretchedoutherhandtowardthemayorandcried,\"Therestandsthemurderer!\"Thenwithaprecisionandaclearnesswhichwereastonishing,consideringthepassionofsorrowthatshookher,sherelatedthat,afewdayspreviously,herfatherhadreceivedaletterfromhisson,whichhehadburned,butthatbeforedoingsohehadwrittenOrso’saddress(hehadjustchangedhisgarrison)inthenote-bookwithhispencil。Now,hisaddresswasnolongerinthenote-book,andColombaconcludedthatthemayorhadtornouttheleafonwhichitwaswritten,whichprobablywasthatonwhichherfatherhadtracedthemurderer’sname,andforthatnamethemayor,accordingtoColomba,hadsubstitutedAgostini’s。Themagistrate,infact,noticedthatonesheetwasmissingfromthequireonwhichthenamewaswritten,butheremarkedalsothatleaveswerelikewisemissingfromotherquiresinthesamenote-book,andcertainwitnessestestifiedthatthecolonelhadahabitoftearingoutpageswhenhewantedtolightacigar——thereforenothingwasmoreprobablethanthat,byanoversight,hehadburnedtheaddresshehadcopied。Further,itwasshownthatthemayorcouldnothavereadthenote-bookonreceivingitfromMaddalenaPietri,onaccountofthedarkness,anditwasprovedthathehadnotstoppedaninstantbeforehewentintohishouse,thatthesergeantofthegendarmeshadgonetherewithhim,andhadseenhimlightalampandputthenote-bookintoanenvelopewhichhehadsealedbeforehiseyes。
Whenthisofficerhadconcludedhisdeposition,Colomba,half-
distracted,castherselfathisfeet,andbesoughthim,byallheheldmostsacred,tosaywhetherhehadnotleftthemayoraloneforasinglemoment。Afteracertainamountofhesitation,theman,whowasevidentlyaffectedbytheyounggirl’sexcitement,admittedthathehadgoneintothenextroomtofetchasheetoffoolscap,butthathehadnotbeenawayaminute,andthatthemayorhadtalkedtohimallthetimehewasgropingforthepaperinadrawer。Moreover,hedeposedthatwhenhecamebacktheblood-stainednote-bookwasstillonthetable,intheveryplacewherethemayorhadthrownitwhenhefirstcamein。
MonsieurBarricinigavehisevidencewiththeutmostcoolness。Hemadeallowances,hesaid,forMademoiselledellaRebbia’sexcitement,andwasreadytocondescendtojustifyhimself。Heprovedthathehadspenthiswholeeveninginthevillage,thathissonVincentellohadbeenwithhiminfrontofthehouseatthemomentwhenthecrimewascommitted,andthathissonOrlanduccio,whohadhadanattackoffeverthatveryday,hadneverlefthisbed。Heproducedeveryguninhishouse,andnotoneofthemhadbeenrecentlydischarged。Headded,that,asregardedthenote-book,hehadatoncerealizeditsimportance;thathehadsealeditup,andplaceditinthehandsofhisdeputy,foreseeingthathehimselfmightbesuspected,onaccountofhisquarrelwiththecolonel。Finally,heremindedthecourtthatAgostinihadthreatenedtokillthemanwhohadwrittenaletterinhisname,andheinsinuatedthatthisruffianhadprobablysuspectedthecolonel,andmurderedhim。Suchavengeance,forasimilarreason,isbynomeansunprecedentedinthehistoryofbrigandage。
FivedaysafterColoneldellaRebbia’sdeath,Agostiniwassurprisedbyadetachmentofriflemen,andkilled,fightingdesperatelytothelast。OnhispersonwasfoundaletterfromColomba,beseechinghimtodeclarewhetherhewasguiltyofthemurderimputedtohim,ornot。Asthebandithadsentnoanswer,itwasprettygenerallyconcludedthathehadnotthecouragetotelladaughterhehadmurderedherfather。
YetthosewhoclaimedtoknowAgostini’snaturethoroughly,whisperedthatifhehadkilledthecolonel,hewouldhaveboastedofthedeed。
Anotherbandit,knownbythenameofBrandolaccio,sentColombaadeclarationinwhichheborewitness\"onhishonour\"tohiscomrade’sinnocence——buttheonlyproofheputforwardwasthatAgostinihadnevertoldhimthathesuspectedthecolonel。
TheupshotwasthattheBarricinisufferednoinconvenience,theexaminingmagistratewasloudinhispraiseofthemayor,andthemayor,onhisside,crownedhishandsomebehaviourbyrelinquishingallhisclaimsoverthestream,concerningwhichhehadbroughtthelawsuitagainstColoneldellaRebbia。
Accordingtothecustomofhercountry,Colombaimproviseda/ballata/
inpresenceofherfather’scorpse,andbeforehisassembledfriends。
InitshepouredoutallherhatredagainsttheBarricini,formallychargedthemwiththemurder,andthreatenedthemwithherbrother’svengeance。Itwasthissame/ballata/,whichhadgrownverypopular,thatthesailorhadsungbeforeMissLydia。WhenOrso,whowasinthenorthofFrance,heardofhisfather’sdeath,heappliedforleave,butfailedtoobtainit。AletterfromhissisterledhimtobelieveatfirstintheguiltoftheBarricini,buthesoonreceivedcopiesofallthedocumentsconnectedwiththeinquiryandaprivateletterfromthejudge,whichalmostconvincedhimthatthebanditAgostiniwastheonlyculprit。EverythreemonthsColombahadwrittentohim,reiteratinghersuspicions,whichshecalledher\"proofs。\"Inspiteofhimself,theseaccusationsmadehisCorsicanbloodboil,andsometimeshewasverynearsharinghissister’sprejudices。Nevertheless,everytimehewrotetoherherepeatedhisconvictionthatherallegationspossessednosolidfoundation,andwerequiteunworthyofbelief。Heevenforbadeher,butalwaysvainly,tomentionthemtohimagain。
Thustwoyearswentby。AttheendofthattimeOrsowasplacedonhalf-pay,andthenitoccurredtohimtogobacktohisowncountry——
notatallforthepurposeoftakingvengeanceonpeoplewhomhebelievedinnocent,buttoarrangeamarriageforhissister,andthesaleofhisownsmallproperty——ifitsvalueshouldprovesufficienttoenablehimtoliveontheContinent。
CHAPTERVII
WhetheritwasthatthearrivalofhissisterhadremindedOrsoforciblyofhispaternalhome,orthatColomba’sunconventionaldressandmannersmadehimfeelshybeforehiscivilizedfriends,heannounced,theverynextday,hisdeterminationtoleaveAjaccio,andtoreturntoPietranera。ButhemadethecolonelpromisethatwhenhewenttoBastiahewouldcomeandstayinhismodestmanor-house,andundertook,inreturn,toprovidehimwithplentyofbuck,pheasant,boar,andothergame。
OnthedaybeforethatofhisdepartureOrsoproposedthat,insteadofgoingoutshooting,theyshouldalltakeawalkalongtheshoresofthegulf。WithMissLydiaonhisarmhewasabletotalkinperfectfreedom——forColombahadstayedinthetowntodohershopping,andthecolonelwasperpetuallyleavingtheyoungpeopletofireshotsatsea-gullsandgannets,greatlytotheastonishmentofthepassers-by,whocouldnotconceivewhyanymanshouldwastehispowderonsuchpaltrygame。
TheywerewalkingalongthepathleadingtotheGreekChapel,whichcommandsthefinestviewtobehadofthebay,buttheypaidnoattentiontoit。
\"MissLydia,\"saidOrso,afterasilencewhichhadlastedlongenoughtobecomeembarrassing,\"tellmefrankly,whatdoyouthinkofmysister?\"
\"Ilikeherverymuch,\"answeredMissNevil。\"Betterthanyou,\"sheadded,withasmile;\"forsheisatrueCorsican,andyouarerathertoocivilizedasavage!\"
\"Toocivilized!Well,inspiteofmyself,IfeelthatIamgrowingasavageagain,sinceIhavesetmyfootontheisland!Athousandhorridthoughtsdisturbandtormentme,andIwantedtotalkwithyoualittlebeforeIplungeintomydesert!\"
\"Youmustbebrave,monsieur!Lookatyoursister’sresignation;shesetsyouanexample!\"
\"Ah!donotbedeceived!Donotbelieveinherresignation。Shehasnotsaidawordtomeasyet,buteverylookofherstellsmewhatsheexpectsofme。\"
\"Whatdoessheexpectofyou,then?\"
\"Oh,nothing!ExceptthatIshouldtrywhetheryourfather’sgunwillkillamanassurelyasitkillsapartridge。\"
\"Whatanidea!Youcanactuallybelievethat,whenyouhavejustacknowledgedthatshehassaidnothingtoyouyet?Itreallyistoodreadfulofyou!\"
\"Ifherthoughtswerenotfixedonvengeance,shewouldhavespokentomeatonceaboutourfather;shehasneverdoneit。Shewouldhavementionedthenamesofthosesheconsiders——wrongly,Iknow——tobehismurderers。Butno;notaword!ThatisbecauseweCorsicans,yousee,areacunningrace。Mysisterrealizesthatshedoesnotholdmecompletelyinherpower,andshedoesnotchoosetostartlemewhileI
maystillescapeher。Onceshehasledmetotheedgeoftheprecipice,andonceIturngiddythere,shewillthrustmeintotheabyss。\"
ThenOrsogaveMissNevilsomedetailsofhisfather’sdeath,andrecountedtheprincipalproofswhichhadculminatedinhisbeliefthatAgostiniwastheassassin。
\"Nothing,\"headded,\"hasbeenabletoconvinceColomba。Isawthatbyherlastletter。ShehassworntheBarricinishalldie,and——yousee,MissNevil,whatconfidenceIhaveinyou!——theywouldnotbealivenow,perhaps,ifoneoftheprejudicesforwhichheruncivilizededucationmustbetheexcusehadnotconvincedherthattheexecutionofthisvengeancebelongstome,asheadofherfamily,andthatmyhonourdependsuponit!\"
\"Reallyandtruly,MonsieurdellaRebbia!\"saidMissNevil,\"youslanderyoursister!\"
\"No。Asyouhavesaidityourself,sheisaCorsican;shethinksastheyallthink。DoyouknowwhyIwassosadyesterday?\"
\"No。Butforsometimepastyouhavebeensubjecttothesefitsofsadness。Youweremuchpleasanterintheearlierdaysofouracquaintance。\"
\"Yesterday,onthecontrary,IwasmorecheeryandhappythanI
generallyam。Ihadseenhowkind,howindulgent,youweretomysister。ThecolonelandIwerecominghomeinaboat。Doyouknowwhatoneoftheboatmensaidtomeinhisinfernal/patois/?’You’vekilledadealofgame,Ors’Anton’,butyou’llfindOrlanduccioBarriciniabettershotthanyou!’\"
\"Well,whatwastheresoverydreadfulinthatremark?Areyousoverymuchsetuponbeingconsideredaskilfulsportsman?\"
\"Butdon’tyouseetheruffianwastellingmeIshouldn’thavecouragetokillOrlanduccio!\"
\"Doyouknow,M。dellaRebbia,youfrightenme!Theairofthisislandofyoursseemsnotonlytogivepeoplefevers,buttodrivethemmad。
Luckilyweshallbeleavingitsoon!\"
\"NotwithoutcomingtoPietranera——youhavepromisedmysisterthat。\"
\"Andifweweretofailinthatpromise,weshouldbringdownsometerriblevengeanceonourheads,nodoubt!\"
\"Doyourememberthatstoryyourfatherwastellingus,theotherday,abouttheIndianswhothreatenedthecompany’sagentsthat,iftheywouldnotgranttheirprayer,theywouldstarvethemselvestodeath?\"
\"Thatmeansthatyouwouldstarveyourselftodeath!Idoubtitverymuch!YouwouldgohungryforonedayandthenMademoiselleColombawouldbringyousuchatempting/bruccio/[*]thatyouwouldquiterelinquishyourplan。\"
[*]Asortofbakedcreamcheese,anationaldishinCorsica。
\"Yourjestsarecruel,MissNevil。Youmightspareme。Listen,Iamalonehere;Ihavenoonebutyoutopreventmefromgoingmad,asyoucallit。Youhavebeenmyguardianangel,andnow————!\"
\"Now,\"saidMissLydiagravely,\"tosteadythisreasonofyours,whichissoeasilyshaken,youhavethehonourofasoldierandaman,and,\"
sheadded,turningawaytopluckaflower,\"ifthatwillbeanyhelptoyou,youhavethememoryofyourguardianangel,too!\"
\"Ah,MissNevil,ifIcouldonlythinkyoureallytakesomeinterest!\"
\"Listen,M。dellaRebbia,\"saidMissNevil,withsomeemotion。\"Asyouareachild,IwilltreatyouasIwouldtreatachild。WhenIwasalittlegirlmymothergavemeabeautifulnecklace,whichIhadlongedforgreatly;butshesaidtome,’Everytimeyouputonthisnecklace,rememberyoudonotknowFrenchyet。’Thenecklacelostsomeofitsvalueinmyeyes,itwasasourceofconstantself-reproach。ButI
woreit,andintheendIknewFrench。Doyouseethisring?ItisanEgyptianscarabaeus,found,ifyouplease,inapyramid。Thatstrangefigure,whichyoumayperhapstakeforabottle,standsfor’/humanlife/。’Therearecertainpeopleinmycountrytowhomthishieroglyphicshouldappearexceedinglyappropriate。This,whichcomesafterit,isashielduponanarm,holdingalance;thatmeans’/struggle/,/battle/。’Thusthetwocharacters,together,formthismotto,whichstrikesmeasafineone,’/Lifeisabattle/。’PraydonotfancyIcantranslatehieroglyphicsatsight!Itwasamanlearnedinsuchmatterswhoexplainedthesetome。Here,Iwillgiveyoumyscarabaeus。WheneveryoufeelsomewickedCorsicanthoughtstirinyou,lookatmytalisman,andtellyourselfyoumustwinthebattleourevilpassionswageagainstus。Why,really,Idon’tpreachatallbadly!\"
\"Ishallthinkofyou,MissNevil,andIshallsaytomyself————\"
\"Saytoyourselfyouhaveafriendwhowouldbeindespairattheideaofyourbeinghanged——andbesidesitwouldbetoodistressingforyourancestorsthecorporals!\"
WiththesewordsshedroppedOrso’sarm,laughingandrunningtoherfather。
\"Papa,\"shesaid,\"doleavethosepoorbirdsalone,andcomeandmakeuppoetrywithus,inNapoleon’sgrotto!\"
CHAPTERVIII
Thereisalwaysacertainsolemnityaboutadeparture,evenwhentheseparationisonlytobeashortone。Orsoandhissisterweretostartveryearlyinthemorning,andhehadtakenhisleaveofMissLydiathenightbefore——forhehadnohopethatshewoulddisturbherindolenthabitsonhisaccount。Theirfarewellshadbeencoldandgrave。Sincethatconversationonthesea-shore,MissLydiahadbeenafraidshehadperhapsshowntoostronganinterestinOrso,andontheotherhand,herjests,andmoreespeciallyhercarelesstone,layheavyonOrso’sheart。AtonemomenthehadthoughttheyoungEnglishwoman’smannerbetrayedabuddingfeelingofaffection,butnow,putoutofcountenancebyherjests,hetoldhimselfsheonlylookedonhimasamereacquaintance,whowouldbesoonforgotten。
Great,therefore,washissurprise,nextmorning,when,ashesatatcoffeewiththecolonel,hesawMissLydiacomeintotheroom,followedbyhissister。Shehadrisenatfiveo’clock,andforanEnglishwoman,andespeciallyforMissNevil,theeffortwassogreatthatitcouldnotbutgivehimsomecauseforvanity。
\"Iamsosorryyoushouldhavedisturbedyourselfsoearly,\"saidOrso。\"Nodoubtmysisterwokeyouupinspiteofmyinjunctions,andyoumusthateusheartily!PerhapsyouwishIwashangedalready!\"
\"No,\"saidMissLydia,verylowandinItalian,evidentlysothatherfathermightnothearher,\"butyouweresomewhatsulkywithmeyesterday,becauseofmyinnocentjokes,andIwouldnothaveyoucarryawayanunpleasantrecollectionofyourhumbleservant。Whatterriblepeopleyouare,youCorsicans!Well,good-bye!Weshallmeetsoon,Ihope。\"
Andsheheldoutherhand。
AsighwastheonlyanswerOrsocouldfind。Colombacametohisside,ledhimintoawindow,andspoketohimforamomentinanundertone,showinghimsomethingsheheldunderher/mezzaro/。
\"Mademoiselle,\"saidOrsotoMissNevil,\"mysisterisanxioustogiveyouaveryoddpresent,butweCorsicanshavenotmuchtooffer——
exceptouraffection——whichtimeneverwipesout。Mysistertellsmeyouhavelookedwithsomecuriosityatthisdagger。Itisanancientpossessioninourfamily。Itprobablyhung,onceuponatime,atthebeltofoneofthosecorporals,towhomIowethehonourofyouracquaintance。Colombathinksitsopreciousthatshehasaskedmyleavetogiveittoyou,andIhardlyknowifIoughttograntit,forIamafraidyou’lllaughatus!\"
\"Thedaggerisbeautiful,\"saidMissLydia。\"Butitisafamilyweapon,Icannotacceptit!\"
\"It’snotmyfather’sdagger,\"exclaimedColombaeagerly;\"itwasgiventooneofmother’sancestorsbyKingTheodore。Ifthesignorinawillacceptit,shewillgiveusgreatpleasure。\"
\"Come,MissLydia,\"saidOrso,\"don’tscornaking’sdagger!\"
Toacollector,relicsofKingTheodoreareinfinitelymorepreciousthanthoseofthemostpowerfulofmonarchs。Thetemptationwasastrongone,andalreadyMissLydiacouldseetheeffecttheweaponwouldproducelaidoutonalacqueredtableinherroomatSt。James’sPlace。
\"But,\"saidshe,takingthedaggerwiththehesitatingairofonewholongstoaccept,andcastingoneofhermostdelightfulsmilesonColomba,\"dearSignorinaColomba……Icannot……Ishouldnotdaretoletyoudepartthus,unarmed。\"
\"Mybrotheriswithme,\"saidColombaproudly,\"andwehavethegoodgunyourfatherhasgivenus。Orso,haveyouputabulletinit?\"
MissNevilkeptthedagger,andtoavertthedangerconsequenton/giving/instrumentsthatcutorpiercetoafriend,Colombainsistedonreceivingasoldoinpayment。
Astarthadtobemadeatlast。YetonceagainOrsopressedMissNevil’shand,Colombakissedher,andthenheldupherrosylipstothecolonel,whowasenchantedwiththisCorsicanpoliteness。Fromthewindowofthedrawing-roomMissLydiawatchedthebrotherandsistermounttheirhorses。Colomba’seyesshonewithamalignantjoywhichshehadneverremarkedinthembefore。Thesightofthistallstrongcreature,withherfanaticalideasofsavagehonour,pridewrittenonherforehead,andcurledinasardonicsmileuponherlips,carryingofftheyoungmanwithhisweapons,asthoughonsomedeath-dealingerrand,recalledOrso’sfearstoher,andshefanciedshebeheldhisevilgeniusdragginghimtohisruin。Orso,whowasalreadyinthesaddle,raisedhisheadandcaughtsightofher。Eitherbecausehehadguessedherthought,ordesiredtosendheralastfarewell,hetooktheEgyptianring,whichhehadhunguponaribbon,andcarriedittohislips。Blushing,MissLydiasteppedbackfromthewindow,thenreturningtoitalmostatonce,shesawthetwoCorsicanscanteringtheirlittleponiesrapidlytowardthemountains。Halfanhourlaterthecolonelshowedthemtoher,throughhisglasses,ridingalongtheendofthebay,andshenoticedthatOrsoconstantlyturnedhisheadtowardthetown。Atlasthedisappearedbehindthemarshes,thesiteofwhichisnowfilledbyaflourishingnurserygarden。
MissLydiaglancedatherselfintheglass,andthoughtshelookedpale。
\"Whatmustthatyoungmanthinkofme,\"saidshe,\"andwhatdidI
thinkofhim?AndwhydidIthinkabouthim?……Atravellingacquaintance!……WhathaveIcometoCorsicafor?……Oh!Idon’tcareforhim!……No!no!andbesidesthethingisimpossible……
AndColomba……Fancymesister-in-lawtoa/voceratrice/,whowearsabigdagger!\"
AndshenoticedshewasstillholdingKingTheodore’sdaggerinherhand。Shetosseditontohertoilettetable。\"Colomba,inLondon,dancingatAlmacks!……Goodheavens!whatalion[*]thatwouldbe,toshowoff!……Perhapsshe’dmakeagreatsensation!……Helovesme,I’mcertainofit!Heistheheroofanovel,andIhaveinterruptedhisadventurouscareer……ButdidhereallylongtoavengehisfatherintrueCorsicanfashion?……HewassomethingbetweenaConradandadandy……I’veturnedhimintonothingbutadandy!……AndadandywithaCorsicantailor!……\"
[*]AtthisperiodthisnamewasusedinEnglandforpeoplewhowerethefashionbecausetheyhadsomethingextraordinaryaboutthem。
Shethrewherselfonherbed,andtriedtosleep——butthatprovedanimpossibility,andIwillnotundertaketocontinuehersoliloquy,duringwhichshedeclared,morethanahundredtimesover,thatSignordellaRebbiahadnotbeen,wasnot,andnevershouldbe,anythingtoher。
CHAPTERIX
MeanwhileOrsowasridingalongbesidehissister。Atfirstthespeedatwhichtheirhorsesmovedpreventedallconversation,butwhenthehillsgrewsosteepthattheywereobligedtogoatafoot’space,theybegantoexchangeafewwordsaboutthefriendsfromwhomtheyhadjustparted。ColombaspokewithadmirationofMissNevil’sbeauty,ofhergoldenhair,andcharmingways。Thensheaskedwhetherthecolonelwasreallyasrichasheappeared,andwhetherMissLydiawashisonlychild。
\"Shewouldbeagoodmatch,\"saidshe。\"Herfatherseemstohaveagreatlikingforyou————\"
AndasOrsomadenoresponse,sheadded:\"Ourfamilywasrich,indaysgoneby。Itisstilloneofthemostrespectedintheisland。Allthese/signori/aboutusarebastards。Theonlynoblebloodleftisinthefamiliesofthecorporals,andasyouknow,Orso,yourancestorswerethechiefcorporalsintheisland。Youknowourfamilycamefrombeyondthehills,anditwasthecivilwarsthatforcedusovertothisside。IfIwereyou,Orso,Ishouldn’thesitate——IshouldaskColonelNevilforhisdaughter’shand。\"Orsoshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Withherfortune,youmightbuytheFalsettawoods,andthevineyardsbelowours。Iwouldbuildafinestonehouse,andaddastorytotheoldtowerinwhichSambucucciokilledsomanyMoorsinthedaysofCountHenry,/ilbelMissere/。\"
\"Colomba,you’retalkingnonsense,\"saidOrso,canteringforward。
\"Youareaman,Ors’Anton’,andofcourseyouknowwhatyououghttodobetterthananywoman。ButIshouldverymuchliketoknowwhatobjectionthatEnglishmancouldhavetothemarriage。ArethereanycorporalsinEngland?\"
Afterasomewhatlengthyride,spentintalkinginthisfashion,thebrotherandsisterreachedalittlevillage,notfarfromBocognano,wheretheyhaltedtodineandsleepatafriend’shouse。Theywerewelcomedwithahospitalitywhichmustbeexperiencedbeforeitcanbeappreciated。Thenextmorning,theirhost,whohadstoodgodfathertoachildtowhomMadamedellaRebbiahadbeengodmother,accompaniedthemaleaguebeyondhishouse。
\"Doyouseethosewoodsandthickets?\"saidhetoOrso,justastheywereparting。\"Amanwhohadmetwithamisfortunemightlivetherepeacefullyfortenyears,andnogendarmeorsoldierwouldevercometolookforhim。ThewoodsrunintotheVizzavonaforest,andanybodywhohadfriendsatBocognanoorintheneighbourhoodwouldwantfornothing。That’sagoodgunyouhavethere。Itmustcarryalongway。
BloodoftheMadonna!Whatcalibre!Youmightkillbettergamethanboarswithit!\"
Orsoanswered,coldly,thathisgunwasofEnglishmake,andcarried\"thelead\"alongdistance。Thefriendsembraced,andtooktheirdifferentways。
OurtravellersweredrawingquiteclosetoPietranera,when,attheentranceofalittlegorge,throughwhichtheyhadtopass,theybeheldsevenoreightmen,armedwithguns,somesittingonstones,otherslyingonthegrass,othersstandingup,andseeminglyonthelookout。Theirhorsesweregrazingalittlewayoff。Colombalookedatthemforamoment,throughaspy-glasswhichshetookoutofoneofthelargeleathernpocketsallCorsicanswearwhenonajourney。
\"Thoseareourmen!\"shecried,withawell-pleasedair。\"Pierucciohaddonehiserrandwell!\"
\"Whatmen?\"inquiredOrso。
\"Ourherdsmen,\"shereplied。\"IsentPierucciooffyesterdayeveningtocallthegoodfellowstogether,sothattheymayattendyouhome。
ItwouldnotdoforyoutoenterPietranerawithoutanescort,andbesides,youmustknowtheBarriciniarecapableofanything!\"
\"Colomba,\"saidOrso,andhistonewassevere,\"Ihaveaskedyou,overandoveragain,nottomentiontheBarriciniandyourgroundlesssuspicionstome。Ishallcertainlynotmakemyselfridiculousbyridinghomewithalltheseloafersbehindme,andIamveryangrywithyouforhavingsentforthemwithouttellingme。\"
\"Brother,youhaveforgottenthewaysofyourowncountry。Itismybusinesstoprotectyou,whenyourownimprudenceexposesyoutodanger。ItwasmydutytodowhatIhavedone。\"
Justatthatmomenttheherdsmen,whohadcaughtsightofthem,hastenedtotheirhorses,andgallopeddownthehilltomeetthem。
\"EvvvivaOrs’Anton’!\"shoutedabrawny,white-beardedoldfellow,wrapped,despitetheheat,inahoodedcloakofCorsicancloth,thickerthantheskinsofhisowngoats。\"Theimageofhisfather,onlytallerandstronger!Whatasplendidgun!There’llbetalkaboutthatgun,Ors’Anton’!\"
\"EvvvivaOrs’Anton’!\"chorusedtheherdsmen。\"Weweresureyou’dcomeback,atlast!\"
\"Ah!Ors’Anton’!\"criedatallfellow,withaskintannedbrickred。
\"Howhappyyourfatherwouldbe,ifhewereheretowelcomeyou!Thedear,goodman!Youwouldhaveseenhimnow,ifhewouldhavelistenedtome——ifhewouldhaveletmesettleGuidice’sbusiness!……Buthewouldn’tlistentome,poorfellow!HeknowsIwasright,now!\"
\"Well,well!\"saidtheoldman。\"Guidicewilllosenothingbywaiting。\"
\"EvvvivaOrs’Anton’!\"Andthereportsofadozengunscappedtheplaudit。
Verymuchputout,Orsosatinthemidstofthegroupofmountedmen,alltalkingatonce,andcrowdingroundtoshakehandswithhim。Forsometimehecouldnotmakehimselfheard。Atlast,withtheairheputonwhenheusedtoreprimandthemenofhiscompany,orsendoneofthemtotheguard-room,hesaid:
\"Ithankyou,friends,fortheaffectionyoushowforme,andforthatwhichyoufeltformyfather!ButIdonotwantadvicefromanyofyou,andyoumustnotofferit。Iknowmyownduty。\"
\"He’sright!He’sright!\"criedtheherdsmen。\"Youknowyoumayreckononus!\"
\"Yes,Idoreckononyou。ButatthismomentIneednohelp,andnopersonaldangerthreatensme。Nowfaceroundatonce,andbeoffwithyoutoyourgoats。IknowmywaytoPietranera,andIwantnoguides。\"
\"Fearnothing,Ors’Anton’,\"saidtheoldman。\"Theywouldneverdaretoshowtheirnosesto-day。Themouserunsbacktoitsholewhenthetom-catcomesout!\"
\"Tom-catyourself,oldgray-beard!\"saidOrso。\"What’syourname?\"
\"What!don’tyourememberme,Ors’Anton’?Iwhohavesooftentakenyouupbehindmeonthatbitingmuleofmine!Youdon’trememberPoloGriffo?I’manhonestfellow,though,andwiththedellaRebbia,bodyandsoul。Saybuttheword,andwhenthatbiggunofyoursspeaks,thisoldmusketofmine,asoldasitsmaster,shallnotbedumb。Besureofthat,Ors’Anton’!\"
\"Well,well!Butbeoffwithyounow,inthedevil’sname,andletusgoonourway!\"
Atlasttheherdsmendeparted,trottingrapidlyofftowardthevillage,buttheystoppedeveryhereandthere,atallthehighestspotsontheroad,asthoughtheywerelookingoutforsomehiddenambuscade,alwayskeepingnearenoughtoOrsoandhissistertobeabletocometotheirassistanceifnecessary。AndoldPoloGriffosaidtohiscomrades:
\"Iunderstandhim!Iunderstandhim!He’llnotsaywhathemeanstodo,buthe’lldoit!He’sthebornimageofhisfather。Ah!youmaysayyouhavenospiteagainstanyone,myboy!Butyou’vemadeyourvowtoSaintNega。[*]Bravo!Iwouldn’tgiveafigforthemayor’shide——therewon’tbethemakingsofawineskininitbeforethemonthisout!\"
[*]Thissaintisnotmentionedinthecalendar。TomakeavowtoSaintNegameanstodenyeverythingdeliberately。
Precededbythistroopofskirmishers,thelastdescendantofthedellaRebbiaenteredthevillage,andproceededtotheoldmansionofhisforefathers,thecorporals。TheRebbianites,whohadlongbeenleaderless,hadgatheredtowelcomehim,andthosedwellersinthevillagewhoobservedaneutrallineofconductallcametotheirdoorstepstoseehimpassby。TheadherentsoftheBarriciniremainedinsidetheirhouses,andpeepedoutoftheslitsintheirshutters。
ThevillageofPietraneraisveryirregularlybuilt,likemostCorsicanvillages——forindeed,toseeastreet,thetravellermustbetakehimselftoCargese,whichwasbuiltbyMonsieurdeMarboeuf。
Thehouses,scatteredirregularlyabout,withouttheleastattemptatorderlyarrangement,coverthetopofasmallplateau,orratherofaridgeofthemountain。Towardthecentreofthevillagestandsagreatevergreenoak,andclosebesideitmaybeseenagranitetrough,intowhichthewaterofaneighbouringspringisconveyedbyawoodenpipe。
ThismonumentofpublicutilitywasconstructedatthecommonexpenseofthedellaRebbiaandBarricinifamilies。Butthemanwhoimaginedthistobeasignofformerfriendshipbetweenthetwofamilieswouldbesorelymistaken。Onthecontrary,itistheoutcomeoftheirmutualjealousy。Onceuponatime,ColoneldellaRebbiasentasmallsumofmoneytotheMunicipalCouncilofhiscommunetohelptoprovideafountain。ThelawyerBarricinihastenedtoforwardasimilargift,andtothisgenerousstrifePietraneraowesitswatersupply。Roundabouttheevergreenoakandthefountainthereisaclearspace,knownas\"theSquare,\"onwhichthelocalidlersgathereverynight。Sometimestheyplayatcards,andonceayear,inCarnival-time,theydance。Atthetwoendsofthesquarestandstwoedifices,ofgreaterheightthanbreadth,builtofamixtureofgraniteandschist。Thesearethe/Towers/ofthetwoopposingfamilies,theBarriciniandthedellaRebbia。Theirarchitectureisexactlyalike,theirheightissimilar,anditisquiteevidentthattherivalryofthetwofamilieshasneverbeenabsolutelydecidedbyanystrokeoffortuneinfavorofeither。
Itmayperhapsbewelltoexplainwhatshouldbeunderstoodbythisword,\"Tower。\"Itisasquarebuilding,somefortyfeetinheight,whichinanyothercountrywouldbesimplydescribedasapigeon-
house。Anarrowentrance-door,eightfeetabovetheleveloftheground,isreachedbyaverysteepflightofsteps。Abovethedoorisawindow,infrontofwhichrunsasortofbalcony,thefloorofwhichispiercedwithopenings,likeamachicolation,throughwhichtheinhabitantsmaydestroyanunwelcomevisitorwithoutanydangertothemselves。Betweenthewindowandthedooraretwoescutcheons,roughlycarved。OneofthesebearswhatwasoriginallyaGenoesecross,nowsobatteredthatnobodybutanantiquarycouldrecogniseit。OntheotherarechiselledthearmsofthefamilytowhomtheTowerbelongs。Ifthereaderwillcompletethisschemeofdecorationbyimaginingseveralbulletmarksontheescutcheonsandonthewindowframes,hewillhaveafairideaofaCorsicanmansion,datingfromthemiddleages。Ihadforgottentoaddthatthedwelling-houseadjoinsthetower,andisfrequentlyconnectedwithitbysomeinteriorpassage。
ThedellaRebbiahouseandtowerstandonthenorthernsideofthesquareatPietranera。TheBarricinihouseandtowerareonthesouthernside。Sincethecolonel’swifehadbeenburied,nomemberofeitherfamilyhadeverbeenseenonanysideofthesquare,savethatassignedbytacitagreementtoitsownparty。Orsowasabouttoridepastthemayor’shousewhenhissistercheckedhim,andsuggestedhisturningdownalanethatwouldtakethemtotheirowndwellingwithoutcrossingthesquareatall。
\"Whyshouldwegooutofourway?\"saidOrso。\"Doesn’tthesquarebelongtoeverybody?\"andherodeon。
\"Braveheart\"!murmuredColomba。\"……Myfather!youwillbeavenged!\"
Whentheyreachedthesquare,ColombaputherselfbetweenherbrotherandtheBarricinimansion,andhereyesneverleftherenemy’swindows。Shenoticedthattheyhadbeenlatelybarricadedandprovidedwith/archere/。/Archere/isthenamegiventonarrowopeningslikeloopholes,madebetweenthebiglogsofwoodusedtocloseupthelowerpartsofthewindows。Whenanonslaughtisexpected,thissortofbarricadeisused,andfrombehindthelogstheattackedpartycanfireatitsassailantswitheaseandsafety。
\"Thecowards!\"saidColomba。\"Look,brother,theyhavebeguntoprotectthemselves!Theyhaveputupbarricades!Butsomedayorotherthey’llhavetocomeout。\"
Orso’spresenceonthesouthernsideofthesquaremadeagreatsensationatPietranera,andwastakentobeaproofofboldnesssavouringoftemerity。Itwassubjectofendlesscommentonthepartoftheneutrals,whentheygatheredaroundtheevergreenoak,thatnight。
\"Itisagoodthing,\"theysaid,\"thatBarricini’ssonsarenotbackyet,fortheyarenotsopatientasthelawyer,andverylikelytheywouldnothavelettheirenemysethisfootontheirgroundwithoutmakinghimpayforhisbravado。\"
\"RememberwhatIamtellingyou,neighbour,\"saidanoldman,thevillageoracle。\"IwatchedColomba’sfaceto-day。Shehadsomeideainherhead。Ismellpowderintheair。Beforelong,butcher’smeatwillbecheapinPietranera!\"
CHAPTERX
Orsohadbeenpartedfromhisfatheratsoearlyanagethathehadscarcelyhadtimetoknowhim。HehadleftPietraneratopursuehisstudiesatPisawhenhewasonlyfifteen。Thencehehadpassedintothemilitaryschool,andGhilfuccio,meanwhile,wasbearingtheImperialEaglesalloverEurope。Onthemainland,Orsoonlysawhisfatheratrareintervals,anditwasnotuntil1815thathefoundhimselfintheregimenthecommanded。Butthecolonel,whowasaninflexibledisciplinarian,treatedhissonjustlikeanyothersub-
lieutenant——inotherwords,withgreatseverity。Orso’smemoriesofhimwereoftwokinds:Herecollectedhim,atPietranera,asthefatherwhowouldtrusthimwithhissword,andwouldlethimfireoffhisgunwhenhecameinfromashootingexpedition,orwhomadehimsitdown,forthefirsttime,tinyurchinashewas,atthefamilydinner-table。ThenherememberedtheColoneldellaRebbiawhowouldputhimunderarrestforsomeblunder,andwhonevercalledhimanythingbutLieutenantdellaRebbia。
\"LieutenantdellaRebbia,youarenotinyourrightplaceonparade。
Youwillbeconfinedtobarracksthreedays。\"
\"Yourskirmishersarefiveyardstoofarfromyourmainbody——fivedaysinbarracks。\"
\"Itisfiveminutespastnoon,andyouarestillinyourforage-cap——aweekinbarracks。\"
Onlyonce,atQuatre-Bras,hehadsaidtohim,\"Welldone,Orso!Butbecautious!\"
But,afterall,theselatermemorieswerenotconnectedinhismindwithPietranera。Thesightoftheplacessofamiliartohiminhischildishdays,ofthefurniturehehadseenusedbyhismother,towhomhehadbeenfondlyattached,filledhissoulwithahostoftenderandpainfulemotions。Thenthegloomyfuturethatlaybeforehim,thevagueanxietyhefeltabouthissister,and,aboveallotherthings,thethoughtthatMissNevilwascomingtohishouse,whichnowstruckhimasbeingsosmall,sopoor,sounsuitedtoapersonaccustomedtoluxury——theideathatshemightpossiblydespiseit——allthesefeelingsmadehisbrainachaos,andfilledhimwithasenseofdeepdiscouragement。
Atsupperhesatinthegreatoakenchair,blackenedwithage,inwhichhisfatherhadalwayspresidedattheheadofthefamilytable,andhesmiledwhenhesawthatColombahesitatedtositdownwithhim。
Buthewasgratefultoherforhersilenceduringthemeal,andforherspeedyretirementafterward。Forhefelthewastoodeeplymovedtobeabletoresisttheattackshewasnodoubtpreparingtomakeuponhim。Colomba,however,wasdealingwarilywithhim,andmeanttogivehimtimetocollecthimself。Hesatforalongtimemotionless,withhisheadonhishand,thinkingoverthescenesofthelastfortnightofhislife。Hesaw,withalarm,howeveryoneseemedtobewatchingwhatwouldbehisbehaviourtotheBarricini。AlreadyhebegantoperceivethattheopinionofPietranerawasbeginningtobetheopinionofalltheworldtohim。Hewouldhavetoavengehimself,orbetakenforacoward!Butonwhomwashetotakevengeance?HecouldnotbelievetheBarricinitobeguiltyofmurder。Theywerehisfamilyenemies,certainly,butonlythevulgarprejudiceofhisfellow-countrymencouldaccusethemofbeingmurderers。SometimeshewouldlookatMissNevil’stalisman,andwhisperthemotto\"Lifeisabattle!\"overtohimself。Atlast,inaresolutevoice,hesaid,\"I
willwinit!\"Stronginthatthought,herosetohisfeet,tookupthelamp,andwasjustgoinguptohisroom,whenheheardaknockatthedoorofthehouse。Itwasaveryunusualhourforanyvisitortoappear。Colombainstantlymadeherappearance,followedbythewomanwhoactedastheirservant。
\"It’snothing!\"shesaid,hurryingtothedoor。
Yetbeforesheopeneditsheinquiredwhoknocked。Agentlevoiceanswered,\"ItisI。\"
Instantlythewoodenbaracrossthedoorwaswithdrawn,andColombareappearedinthedining-room,followedbyalittleragged,bare-
footedgirlofabouttenyearsold,herheadboundwithashabbykerchief,fromwhichescapedlonglocksofhair,asblackastheraven’swing。Thechildwasthinandpale,herskinwassunburnt,buthereyesshonewithintelligence。WhenshesawOrsoshestoppedshyly,andcourtesiedtohim,peasantfashion——thenshesaidsomethinginanundertonetoColomba,andgaveherafreshlykilledpheasant。
\"Thanks,Chili,\"saidColomba。\"Thankyouruncleforme。Ishewell?\"
\"Verywell,signorina,atyourservice。Icouldn’tcomesoonerbecausehewaslate。Iwaitedforhiminthe/maquis/forthreehours。\"
\"Andyou’vehadnosupper?\"
\"Whyno,signorina!I’venothadtime。\"
\"Youshallhavesomesupperhere。Hasyouruncleanybreadleft?\"
\"Verylittle,signorina。Butwhatheismostshortofispowder。Nowthechestnutsarein,theonlyotherthinghewantsispowder。\"
\"Iwillgiveyoualoafforhim,andsomepowder,too。Tellhimtouseitsparingly——itisverydear。\"
\"Colomba,\"saidOrsoinFrench,\"onwhomareyoubestowingyourcharity?\"
\"Onapoorbanditbelongingtothisvillage,\"repliedColombainthesamelanguage。\"Thislittlegirlishisniece。\"
\"Itstrikesmeyoumightplaceyourgiftsbetter。Whyshouldyousendpowdertoaruffianwhowilluseittocommitcrimes?Butforthedeplorableweaknesseveryonehereseemstohaveforthebandits,theywouldhavedisappearedoutofCorsicalongago。\"
\"Theworstmeninourcountryarenotthosewhoare’inthecountry。’\"
\"Givethembread,ifitsopleaseyou。ButIwillnothaveyousupplythemwithammunition。\"
\"Brother,\"saidColomba,inaseriousvoice,\"youaremasterhere,andeverythinginthishousebelongstoyou。ButIwarnyouthatIwillgivethislittlegirlmy/mezzaro/,sothatshemaysellit;ratherthanrefusepowdertoabandit。Refusetogivehimpowder!Imightjustaswellmakehimovertothegendarmes!Whathashetoprotecthimagainstthem,excepthiscartridges?\"
Allthiswhilethelittlegirlwasravenouslydevouringabitofbread,andcarefullywatchingColombaandherbrother,turnabout,tryingtoreadthemeaningofwhattheyweresayingintheireyes。
\"Andwhathasthisbanditofyoursdone?Whatcrimehasdrivenhimintothe/maquis/?\"
\"Brandolacciohasnotcommittedanycrime,\"exclaimedColomba。\"HekilledGiovan’Oppizo,whomurderedhisfatherwhilehewasawayservinginthearmy!\"
Orsoturnedawayhishead,tookupthelamp,and,withoutaword,departedtohisbedroom。ThenColombagavethechildfoodandgunpowder,andwentwithherasfarasthehouse-door,sayingoverandoveragain:
\"MindyouruncletakesgoodcareofOrso!\"
CHAPTERXI
ItwaslongbeforeOrsofellasleep,andasaconsequencehewokelate——lateforaCorsican,atallevents。Whenhelefthisbed,thefirstobjectthatstruckhisgazewasthehouseofhisenemies,andthe/archere/withwhichtheyhadfurnishedit。Hewentdownstairsandaskedforhissister。
\"Sheisinthekitchen,meltingbullets,\"answeredSaveria,thewoman-
servant。
Sohecouldnottakeastepwithoutbeingpursuedbytheimageofwar。
HefoundColombasittingonastool,surroundedbyfreshlycastbullets,andcuttingupstripsoflead。
\"Whatthedevilareyoudoing?\"inquiredherbrother。
\"Youhadnobulletsforthecolonel’sgun,\"sheanswered,inhersoftvoice。\"IfoundIhadamouldforthatcalibre,andyoushallhavefour-and-twentycartridgesto-day,brother。\"
\"Idon’tneedthem,thankGod!\"
\"Youmustn’tbetakenatadisadvantage,Ors’Anton’。Youhaveforgottenyourcountry,andthepeoplewhoareaboutyou。\"
\"IfIhadforgotten,youwouldsoonhaveremindedme。Tellme,didnotabigtrunkarriveheresomedaysago?\"
\"Yes,brother。ShallItakeituptoyourroom?\"
\"Youtakeitup!Why,you’dneverbestrongenougheventoliftit!……Istherenomanaboutwhocandoit?\"
\"I’mnotsoweakasyouthink!\"saidColomba,turninguphersleeves,anddisplayingapairofroundwhitearms,perfectinshape,butlookingmorethanordinarilystrong。\"Here,Saveria,\"saidshetotheservant;\"comeandhelpme!\"
Shewasalreadyliftingthetrunkalone,whenOrsocamehastilytoherassistance。
\"Thereissomethingforyouinthistrunk,mydearColomba,\"saidhe。
\"Youmustexcusethemodestyofmygifts。Alieutenantonhalf-payhasn’taverywell-linedpurse!\"
Ashespoke,heopenedthetrunk,andtookoutofitafewgowns,ashawl,andsomeotherthingslikelytobeusefultoayounggirl。
\"Whatbeautifulthings!\"criedColomba。\"I’llputthemawayatonce,forfeartheyshouldbespoiled。I’llkeepthemformywedding,\"sheadded,withasadsmile,\"forIaminmourningnow!\"
Andshekissedherbrother’shand。
\"Itlooksaffected,mydearsister,towearyourmourningforsolong。\"
\"Ihaveswornanoath,\"saidColombaresolutely,\"I’llnottakeoffmymourning……\"AndhereyeswererivetedontheBarricinimansion。
\"Untilyourweddingday?\"saidOrso,tryingtoavoidtheendofhersentence。
\"Ishallnevermarryanyman,\"saidColomba,\"unlesshehasdonethreethings……\"Andhereyesstillrestedgloomilyonthehouseoftheenemy。
\"Youaresopretty,Colomba,thatIwonderyouarenotmarriedalready!Come,youmusttellmeaboutyoursuitors。Andbesides,I’msuretoheartheirserenades。Theymustbegoodonestopleaseagreat/voceratrice/likeyou。\"
\"Whowouldseekthehandofapoororphangirl?……Andthen,themanforwhomIwouldchangemymourning-dresswillhavetomakethewomenoverthereputonmourning!\"
\"Thisisbecomingaperfectmania,\"saidOrsotohimself。Buttoavoiddiscussionhesaidnothingatall。