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