AndColombareplied，withherusualcomposure，thatOrsowasinthe/maquis/；thathewasbeingtakencareofbyabandit；thatitwouldbeagreatriskforhimtoshowhimselfuntilhewassureofthelinetheprefectandthejudgeswerelikelytotake；and，finally，thatshewouldmanagetohavehimsecretlyattendedbyaskilfulsurgeon。
\"Aboveallthings，colonel，\"sheadded，\"rememberthatyouheardthefourshots，andthatyoutoldmeOrsofiredlast。\"
Thecolonelcouldmakeneitherheadnortailofthebusiness，andhisdaughterdidnothingbutheavesighsanddryhereyes。
Thedaywasfaradvanced，whenagloomyprocessionwendeditswayintothevillage。ThebodiesofhistwosonswerebroughthometoLawyerBarricini，eachcorpsethrownacrossamule，whichwasledbyapeasant。Acrowdofdependentsandidlersfollowedthedreary/cortege/。Withitappearedthegendarmes，whoalwayscameintoolate，andthedeputy-mayor，throwinguphishands，andincessantlyrepeating，\"WhatwillSignorPrefettosay！\"Someofthewomen，amongthemOrlanduccio’sfoster-mother，weretearingtheirhairandshriekingwildly。Buttheirclamorousgriefwaslessimpressivethanthedumbdespairofoneman，onwhomalleyeswerefixed。Thiswasthewretchedfather，whopassedfromonecorpsetotheother，liftinguptheearth-soiledheads，kissingtheblackenedlips，supportingthelimbsthatwerestiffalready，asifhewouldsavethemfromthejoltingoftheroad。Nowandthenheopenedhismouthasthoughabouttospeak，butnotacrycame，notaword。Hiseyesneverleftthedeadbodies，andashewalked，heknockedhimselfagainstthestones，againstthetrees，againsteveryobstaclethatchancedtolieinhispath。
Thewomen’slamentationsgrewlouder，andthemen’scursesdeeper，whenOrso’shouseappearedinsight。WhensomeshepherdsofthedellaRebbiapartyventuredonatriumphantshout，theirenemy’sindignationbecameungovernable。\"Vengeance！Vengeance！\"exclaimedseveralvoices。
Stoneswerethrown，andtwoshots，firedatthewindowsoftheroominwhichColombaandherguestsweresitting，piercedtheoutsideshutters，andcarriedsplintersofwoodontothetableatwhichthetwoladieswereworking。MissLydiascreamedviolently，thecolonelsnatchedupagun，andColomba，beforehecouldstopher，rushedtothedoorofthehouseandthrewitviolentlyopen。There，standinghighonthethreshold，withhertwohandsoutstretchedtocurseherenemies：
\"Cowards！\"shecried。\"Youfireonwomenandonforeigners！AreyouCorsicans？Areyoumen？Wretches，whocanonlymurderamanfrombehind。Comeon！Idefyyou！Iamalone！Mybrotherisfaraway！Come！
killme，killmyguests！Itwouldbeworthyofyou！……Butyoudarenot，cowardsthatyouare！Youknowweavengeourwrongs！Awaywithyou！Go，weeplikewomen，andbethankfulwedonotaskyouformoreblood！\"
TherewassomethingterribleandimposinginColomba’svoiceandmien。
Atthesightofherthecrowdrecoiledasthoughitbeheldoneofthoseevilfairiesofwhichsomanytalesaretoldonlongwinterevenings，inCorsica。Thedeputy-mayor，thegendarmes，andafewwomenseizedtheopportunity，andthrewthemselvesbetweenthetwofactions；
forthedellaRebbiaherdsmenwerealreadyloadingtheirguns，andforamomentageneralfightinthemiddleofthesquarehadappearedimminent。Butthetwopartieswerebothleaderless，andCorsicans，whoserageisalwayssubjecttodiscipline，seldomcometoblowsunlessthechiefauthorsoftheirinternecinequarrelsarepresent。
Besides，Colomba，whohadlearnedprudencefromvictory，restrainedherlittlegarrison。
\"Letthepoorfolksweepinpeace，\"shesaid。\"Lettheoldmancarryhisownfleshhome。Whatisthegoodofkillinganoldfoxwhohasnoteethlefttobitewith，……GiudiceBarricini！Rememberthe2dofAugust！Remembertheblood-stainedpocket-bookinwhichyouwrotewithyourforger’shand！Myfatherhadwrittendownyourdebt！Yoursonshavepaidit。Youmaygofree，oldBarricini！\"
Withfoldedarmsandascornfulsmileuponherlips，Colombawatchedthebearerscarrythecorpsesofherenemiesintotheirhome，andthecrowdwithoutitmeltgraduallyaway。Thensheclosedherowndoor，and，goingbackintothedining-room，shesaidtothecolonel：
\"Ibeg，sir，youwillforgivemyfellow-countrymen！InevercouldhavebelievedthatanyCorsicanwouldhavefiredonahousethatshelteredstrangers，andIamashamedofmycountry。\"
Thatnight，whenMissLydiahadgoneuptoherroom，thecolonelfollowedher，andinquiredwhethertheyhadnotbettergetoutofavillagewheretheyranincessantriskofhavingabulletthroughtheirheads，theverynextmorning，andleavethiscountry，seethingwithtreacheryandmurder，assoonaspossible。
MissNevildidnotanswerforsometime，andherfather’ssuggestionevidentlycausedherconsiderableperplexity。Atlastshesaid：
\"Howcanweleavethispooryoungcreature，justwhensheissomuchinneedofconsolation？Don’tyouthinkthatwouldbecruel，father？\"
\"Ionlyspokeonyouraccount，child，\"saidthecolonel。\"AndIassureyouthatifIoncefeltyouweresafeinthehotelatAjaccio，I
shouldbeverysorrytoleavethiscursedislandmyself，withoutshakingthatpluckyfellowdellaRebbia’shandagain。\"
\"Wellthen，father，letuswaitawhile，andbeforewestartletusmakequitesurewecannotbeofanyusetothem。\"
\"Kindsoul！\"saidthecolonel，ashekissedhisdaughter’sforehead。
\"Itisapleasuretoseeyousacrificeyourselfforthesakeofsofteningotherpeople’ssuffering。Letusstayon。Weshallneverhavetorepenthavingdoneright。\"
MissLydiatossedsleeplesslytoandfroinherbed。Sometimesshetookthevaguenightsoundsforpreparationsforanattackonthehouse。Sometimes，lessalarmedonherownaccount，shethoughtofpoorwoundedOrso，whowasprobablylyingonthecoldearth，withnohelpbeyondwhatshemightexpectfromabandit’scharity。Shefanciedhimcoveredwithblood，andwrithinginhideoussuffering；andtheextraordinarythingwasthatwheneverOrso’simageroseupbeforehermind’seye，shealwaysbeheldhimasshehadseenhimwhenherodeaway，pressingthetalismanshehadbestoweduponhimtohislips。
Thenshemusedoverhiscourage。Shetoldherselfhehadexposedhimselftothefrightfuldangerhehadjustescapedonheraccount，justforthesakeofseeingheralittlesooner。Averylittlemore，andshewouldhavepersuadedherselfthatOrsohadearnedhisbrokenarminherdefence！Shereproachedherselfwithbeingthecauseofhiswound。Butsheadmiredhimforitallthemore，andifthatcelebratedrightandleftwasnotsosplendidafeatinhersightasinBrandolaccio’sorColomba’s，stillshewasconvincedfewheroesofromancecouldeverhadbehavedwithsuchintrepidityandcoolness，insodangerousapinch。
HerroomwasthatusuallyoccupiedbyColomba。Aboveakindofoaken/prie-dieu/，andbesideasprigofblessedpalm，alittleminiatureofOrso，inhissub-lieutenant’suniform，hungonthewall。MissNeviltooktheportraitdown，lookedatitforalongtime，andlaiditatlastonthetablebyherbed，insteadofhangingitupagaininitsplace。Shedidnotfallasleeptilldaybreak，andwhenshewokethesunhadtravelledhighabovethehorizon。InfrontofherbedshebeheldColomba，waiting，motionless，tillsheshouldopenhereyes。
\"Well，dearlady，areyounotveryuncomfortableinthispoorhouseofours？\"saidColombatoher。\"Ifearyouhavehardlysleptatall。\"
\"Haveyouanynews，dearfriend？\"criedMissNevil，sittingupinbed。
HereyefellonOrso’spicture，andshehastilytossedherhandkerchiefuponit。
\"Yes，Ihavenews，\"saidColomba，withasmile。
Thenshetookupthepicture。
\"Doyouthinkitlikehim？Heisbetterlookingthanthat！\"
\"Really，\"stammeredMissNevil，quiteconfused，\"Itookdownthatpictureinafitofabsence！Ihaveahorridhabitoftouchingeverythingandneverputtinganythingback！Howisyourbrother？\"
\"Fairlywell。Giocantocameherebeforefouro’clockthismorning。Hebroughtmealetterforyou，MissLydia。Orsohasn’twrittenanythingtome！ItisaddressedtoColomba，indeed，butunderneaththathehaswritten’ForMissN。’Butsistersareneverjealous！Giocantosaysithurthimdreadfullytowrite。Giocanto，whowritesasplendidhand，offeredtodoitathisdictation。Buthewouldnotlethim。Hewroteitwithapencil，lyingonhisback。Brandolaccioheldthepaperforhim。Mybrotherkepttryingtoraisehimself，andthentheveryslightestmovementgavehimthemostdreadfulagonyinhisarm。
Giocantosaysitwaspitiful。Hereishisletter。\"
MissNevilreadtheletter，which，asanextraprecaution，nodoubt，waswritteninEnglish。Itscontentswereasfollows：
\"MADEMOISELLE：Anunhappyfatehasdrivenmeon。Iknownotwhatmyenemieswillsay，whatslanderstheywillinvent。Icarelittle，solongasyou，mademoiselle，givethemnocredence！EversinceI
firstsawyouIhavebeennursingwilddreams。Ineededthiscatastrophetoshowmemyownfolly。
\"Ihavecomebacktomysensesnow。Iknowthefuturethatliesbeforeme，andIshallfaceitwithresignation。Idarenotkeepthisringyougaveme，andwhichIbelievedtobealuckytalisman。Ifear，MissNevil，youmayregretyourgifthasbeensoill-bestowed。Orrather，Ifearitmayremindmeofthedaysofmyownmadness。Colombawillgiveittoyou。Farewell，mademoiselle！
YouareabouttoleaveCorsica，andIshallneverseeyouagain。
Buttellmysister，atleast，thatIstillpossessyouresteem——
andItellyou，confidently，thatIamstillworthyofit。
\"O。D。R。\"
MissLydiahadturnedawaywhileshereadtheletter，andColomba，whowaswatchingherclosely，gavehertheEgyptianring，withaninquiringglanceastowhatitallmeant。ButMissLydiadarednotraiseherhead，andlookeddejectedlyatthering，alternatelyputtingitonherfingerandpullingitoffagain。
\"DearMissNevil，\"saidColomba，\"mayInotknowwhatmybrothersaystoyou？Doeshesayanythingabouthishealth？\"
\"Indeed，\"saidMissLydia，colouring，\"hedoesn’tmentionit。HisletterisinEnglish。Hedesiresmetotellmyfather——Hehopestheprefectwillbeabletoarrange————\"
Withamischievoussmile，Colombasatdownonthebed，tookholdofbothMissNevil’shands，and，lookingatherwithherpiercingeyes——
\"Willyoubekind？\"shesaid。\"Won’tyouanswermybrother’sletter？
Youwoulddohimsomuchgood！ForamomentIthoughtofwakingyouwhenhislettercame，andthenIdidn’tdare！\"
\"Youdidverywrong，\"repliedMissNevil。\"Ifawordfrommecould——\"
\"Ican’tsendhimanyletternow。Theprefecthasarrived，andPietraneraisfullofhispolicemen。Lateron，we’llseewhatwecando。Oh，MissNevil，ifyouonlyknewmybrother，youwouldlovehimasdearlyasIdo。He’ssogood！He’ssobrave！Justthinkofwhathehasdone！Onemanagainsttwo，andwoundedaswell！\"
Theprefecthadreturned。Warnedbyanexpressmessengersentbythedeputy-mayor，hehadbroughtoverthepublicprosecutor，theregistrar，andalltheirmyrmidons，toinvestigatethefreshandterriblecatastrophewhichhadjustcomplicated，oritmaybeended，thewarfarebetweenthechieffamiliesofPietranera。Shortlyafterhisarrival，hesawthecolonelandhisdaughter，anddidnotconcealhisfearthatthebusinessmighttakeonanuglyaspect。
\"Youknow，\"hesaid，\"thatthefighttookplacewithoutwitnesses，andthereputationofthesetwounhappymenstoodsohigh，bothforbraveryandcunning，thatnobodywillbelieveSignordellaRebbiacanhavekilledthemwithoutthehelpofthebanditswithwhomheisnowsupposedtohavetakenrefuge。\"
\"It’snotpossible，\"saidthecolonel。\"OrsodellaRebbiaisamosthonourablefellow。I’llstakemylifeonthat。\"
\"Ibelieveyou，\"saidtheprefect。\"Butthepublicprosecutor（thosegentryalwaysaresuspicious）doesnotstrikemeasbeingparticularlywelldisposedtowardhim。Heholdsonebitofevidencewhichgoesratheragainstourfriend——athreateninglettertoOrlanduccio，inwhichhesuggestsameeting，andisinclinedtothinkthatmeetingwasatrap。\"
\"ThatfellowOrlanducciorefusedtofightitoutlikeagentleman。\"
\"Thatisnotthecustomhere。Inthiscountry，peoplelieinambush，andkilleachotherfrombehind。Thereisonedepositioninhisfavour——thatofachild，whodeclaressheheardfourreports，twoofwhichwerelouderthantheothers，andproducedbyaheavyweapon，suchasSignordellaRebbia’sgun。Unluckily，thechildisthenieceofoneofthebanditssuspectedofbeinghisaccomplices，andhasprobablybeentaughtherlesson。\"
\"Sir，\"brokeinMissLydia，reddeningtotherootsofherhair，\"wewereontheroadwhenthoseshotswerefired，andweheardthesamething。\"
\"Really？That’smostimportant！Andyou，colonel，nodoubtyouremarkedtheverysamething？\"
\"Yes，\"respondedMissLydiaquickly。\"Itwasmyfather，whoissoaccustomedtofirearms，whosaidtome，’There’sSignordellaRebbiashootingwithmygun！’\"
\"Andyouaresurethoseshotsyourecognisedwerethelast？\"
\"Thetwolast，weren’tthey，papa？\"
Memorywasnotthecolonel’sstrongpoint，butasastandingrule，heknewbetterthantocontradicthisdaughter。
\"Imustmentionthistothepublicprosecutoratonce，colonel。Andbesides，weexpectasurgeonthisevening，whowillmakeanexaminationofthetwobodies，andfindoutwhetherthewoundswerecausedbythatparticularweapon。\"
\"IgaveittoOrso，\"saidthecolonel，\"andIwishIknewitwasatthebottomofthesea。Atleast————Pluckyboy！I’mheartilygladhehaditwithhim，forIdon’tquiteknowhowhewouldhavegotoffifithadn’tbeenformyManton。\"
CHAPTERXIX
Itwasratherlatewhenthesurgeonputinanappearance。Onhisroaduphehadmetwithanadventureofhisown。HehadbeenstoppedbyGiocantoCastriconi，who，withthemostscrupulouspoliteness，calledonhimtocomeandattendawoundedman。HehadbeenconductedtoOrso’sretreat，andhadappliedthefirstdressingstohiswound。Thebandithadthenaccompaniedthedoctorsomedistanceonhisway，andhadgreatlyedifiedhimbyhistalkconcerningthemostcelebratedprofessorsatPisa，whomhedescribedashisintimatefriends。
\"Doctor，\"saidthetheologian，astheyparted，\"youhaveinspiredmewithsuchafeelingofrespectthatIthinkithardlynecessarytoremindyouthataphysicianshouldbeasdiscreetasaconfessor。\"Andashesaidthewordsheclickedthetriggerofhisgun。\"Youhavequiteforgottenthespotatwhichwehavehadthehonourofmeeting。
Fareyouwell！I’mdelightedtohavemadeyouracquaintance。\"
Colombabesoughtthecoloneltobepresentatthepost-mortemexamination。
\"Youknowmybrother’sgunbetterthananybody，\"shesaid，\"andyourpresencewillbemostvaluable。Besidestherearesomanywickedpeopleherethatweshouldrunagreatriskiftherewerenobodypresenttoprotectourinterests。\"
WhenshewasleftalonewithMissLydia，shecomplainedthatherheadachedterribly，andproposedthattheyshouldtakeawalkjustoutsidethevillage。
\"Thefreshairwilldomegood，\"shesaid。\"ItissolongsinceI’vebeenoutofdoors。\"
Astheywalkedalongshetalkedaboutherbrother，andMissLydia，whofoundthesubjecttolerablyinteresting，didnotnoticethattheyhadtravelledalongwayfromPietranera。Thesunwassettingwhenshebecameawareofthisfact，andshebeggedColombatoreturn。Colombasaidsheknewacross-cutwhichwouldgreatlyshortenthewalkback，andturningoutofthepath，shetookanother，whichseemedmuchlessfrequented。Soonshebegantoclimbahill，sosteepthattokeepherbalanceshewascontinuallyobligedtocatchholdofbrancheswithonehand，whileshepulledhercompanionupafterherwiththeother。
Afterabouttwentyminutesofthistryingascent，theyfoundthemselvesonasmallplateau，clothedwitharbutusandmyrtle，growingroundgreatgranitebouldersthatjuttedabovethesoilineverydirection。MissLydiawasverytired，therewasnosignofthevillage，anditwasalmostquitedark。
\"Doyouknow，Colomba，mydear，\"shesaid，\"I’mafraidwe’velostourway！\"
\"Nofear！\"answeredColomba。\"Letusgeton。Youfollowme。\"
\"ButIassureyouwe’regoingwrong。Thevillagecan’tbeoverthere。
I’mcertainwe’returningourbacksonit。Why，lookatthoselights，faraway。Pietraneramustbeinthatdirection。\"
\"Mydearsoul，\"saidColomba，andshelookedverymuchagitated，\"you’reperfectlyright。Butinthe/maquis/——lessthanahundredyardsfromhere——\"
\"Well？\"
\"Mybrotherislying。Ifyouchoose，Imightseehim，andgivehimonekiss。\"
MissNevilmadeagestureofastonishment。
\"IgotoutofPietranerawithoutbeingnoticed，\"continuedColomba，\"becauseIwaswithyou，otherwiseIshouldhavebeenfollowed。Tobesoclosetohim，andnottoseehim！Whyshouldn’tyoucomewithmetoseemypoorbrother？Youwouldmakehimsohappy！\"
\"But，Colomba——Thatwouldn’tbeatallproperonmypart————\"
\"Isee。Withyouwomenwholiveintowns，yourgreatanxietyistobeproper。Wevillagewomenonlythinkofwhatiskind。\"
\"Butit’ssolate！Andthenwhatwillyourbrotherthinkofme？\"
\"He’llthinkhisfriendshavenotforsakenhim，andthatwillgivehimcouragetobearhissufferings。\"
\"Andmyfather？He’llbesoanxious！\"
\"Heknowsyouarewithme。Come！Makeupyourmind。Youwerelookingathispicturethismorning，\"sheadded，withaslysmile。
\"No！Reallyandtruly，Idon’tdare，Colomba！Thinkofthebanditswhoarethere。\"
\"Well，whatmatter？Thebanditsdon’tknowyou。Andyouwerelongingtoseesome。\"
\"Oh，dear！\"
\"Come，signorina，settlesomething。Ican’tleaveyoualonehere。I
don’tknowwhatmighthappentoyou。LetusgoontoseeOrso，orelseletusgobacktothevillagetogether。Ishallseemybrotheragain。
Godknowswhen——never，perhaps！\"
\"What’sthatyouaresaying，Colomba？Well，well，letusgo！Butonlyforaminute，andthenwe’llgethomeatonce。\"
Colombasqueezedherhand，andwithoutmakinganyreplywalkedonsoquicklythatMissLydiacouldhardlykeepupwithher。Shesoonhalted，luckily，andsaidtohercompanion：
\"Wewon’tgoanyfartherwithoutwarningthem。Wemighthaveabulletflyingatourheads。\"
Shebegantowhistlethroughherfingers。Soontheyheardadogbark，andthebandits’advancedsentryshortlycameinsight。ThiswasouroldacquaintanceBrusco，whorecognisedColombaatonceandundertooktobeherguide。Aftermanywindingsthroughthenarrowpathsinthe/maquis/theyweremetbytwomen，armedtotheteeth。
\"Isthatyou，Brandolaccio？\"inquiredColomba。\"Whereismybrother？\"
\"Justoverthere，\"repliedthebandit。\"Butgoquietly。He’sasleep，andforthefirsttimesincehisaccident。Zounds，it’sclearthatwherethedevilgetsthrough，awomanwillgetthroughtoo！\"
Thetwogirlsmovedforwardcautiously，andbesideafire，theblazeofwhichwascarefullyconcealedbyalittlewallofstonesbuiltroundit，theybeheldOrso，lyingonapileofheather，andcoveredwitha/pilone/。Hewasverypale，andtheycouldhearhislabouredbreathing。Colombasatdownnearhim，andgazedathimsilently，withherhandsclasped，asthoughshewereprayinginherheart。MissLydiahidherfaceinherhandkerchief，andnestledcloseagainstherfriend，buteverynowandthensheliftedherheadtotakealookatthewoundedmanoverColomba’sshoulder。Thusaquarterofanhourpassedbywithoutawordbeingsaidbyanybody。Atasignfromthetheologian，Brandolacciohadplungedwithhimintothe/maquis/，tothegreatreliefofMissLydia，whoforthefirsttimefanciedthelocalcolourofthebandits’wildbeardsandwarlikeequipmentwasatrifletoostrong。
AtlastOrsostirred。Instantly，Colombabentoverhim，andkissedhimagainandagain，pouringoutquestionsanenthiswound，hissuffering，andhisneeds。Afterhavingansweredthathewasdoingaswellaspossible，Orsoinquired，inhisturn，whetherMissNevilwasstillatPietranera，andwhethershehadwrittentohim。Colomba，bendingoverherbrother，completelyhidhercompanionfromhissight，andindeedthedarknesswouldhavemadeanyrecognitiondifficult。ShewasholdingoneofMissNevil’shands。Withtheothersheslightlyraisedherwoundedbrother’shead。
\"No，brother，\"shereplied。\"Shedidnotgivemeanyletterforyou。
ButareyoustillthinkingaboutMissNevil？Youmustloveherverymuch！\"
\"Loveher，Colomba！——But——butnowshemaydespiseme！\"
AtthispointMissNevilmadeastruggletowithdrawherfingers。ButitwasnoeasymattertogetColombatoslackenhergrasp。Smallandwell-shapedthoughherhandwas，itpossessedastrengthofwhichwehavealreadynoticedcertainproofs。
\"Despiseyou！\"criedColomba。\"Afterwhatyou’vedone？No，indeed！Shepraisesyou！Oh，Orso，Icouldtellyousomanythingsabouther！\"
Lydia’shandwasstillstrugglingforitsfreedom，butColombakeptdrawingitclosertoOrso。
\"Butafterall，\"saidthewoundedman，\"whydidn’tsheanswerme？Ifshehadsentmeasingleline，Ishouldhavebeenhappy。\"
BydintofpullingatMissNevil’shand，Colombacontrivedatlasttoputitintoherbrother’s。Then，movingsuddenlyaside，sheburstoutlaughing。
\"Orso，\"shecried，\"mindyoudon’tspeakevilofMissLydia——sheunderstandsCorsicanquitewell。\"
MissLydiatookbackherhandatonceandstammeredsomeunintelligiblewords。Orsothoughthemustbedreaming。
\"Youhere，MissNevil？Goodheavens！howdidyoudare？Oh，howhappyyouhavemademe！\"
Andraisinghimselfpainfully，hestrovetogetclosertoher。
\"Icamewithyoursister，\"saidMissLydia，\"sothatnobodymightsuspectwhereshewasgoing。AndthenI——Iwantedtomakesureformyself。Alas！howuncomfortableyouarehere！\"
ColombahadseatedherselfbehindOrso。Sheraisedhimcarefullysothathisheadmightrestonherlap。SheputherarmsroundhisneckandsignedtoMissLydiatocomenearhim。
\"Closer！closer！\"shesaid。\"Asickmanmustn’ttalktooloud。\"AndwhenMissLydiahesitated，shecaughtherhandandforcedhertositdownsoclosetoOrsothatherdresstouchedhim，andherhand，stillinColomba’sgrasp，layonthewoundedman’sshoulder。
\"Nowhe’sverycomfortable！\"saidColombacheerily。\"Isn’titgoodtolieoutinthe/maquis/onsuchalovelynight？Eh，Orso？\"
\"Howyoumustbesuffering！\"exclaimedMissLydia。
\"Mysufferingisallgonenow，\"saidOrso，\"andIshouldliketodiehere！\"AndhisrighthandcreptuptowardMissLydia’s，whichColombastillheldcaptive。
\"Youreallymustbetakentosomeplacewhereyoucanbeproperlycaredfor，SignordellaRebbia，\"saidMissNevil。\"Ishallneverbeabletosleepinmybed，nowthatIhaveseenyoulyinghere，souncomfortable，intheopenair。\"
\"IfIhadnotbeenafraidofmeetingyou，MissNevil，IshouldhavetriedtogetbacktoPietranera，andIshouldhavegivenmyselfuptotheauthorities。\"
\"Andwhywereyouafraidofmeetingher，Orso？\"inquiredColomba。
\"Ihaddisobeyedyou，MissNevil，andIshouldnothavedaredtolookatyoujustthen。\"
\"Doyouknowyoumakemybrotherdoeverythingyouchoose，MissLydia？\"saidColomba，laughing。\"Iwon’tletyouseehimanymore。\"
\"Ihopethisunluckybusinesswillsoonbeclearedup，andthatyouwillhavenothingmoretofear，\"saidMissNevil。\"Ishallbesohappy，whenwegoaway，toknowjusticehasbeendoneyou，andthatbothyourloyaltyandyourbraveryhavebeenacknowledged。\"
\"Goingaway，MissNevil！Don’tsaythatwordyet！\"
\"Whatarewetodo？Myfathercannotspendhiswholelifeshooting。
Hewantstogo。\"
Orso’shand，whichhadbeentouchingMissLydia’s，droppedaway，andtherewassilenceforamoment。
\"Nonsense！\"saidColomba。\"Wewon’tletyougoyet。WehaveplentyofthingstoshowyoustillatPietranera。Besides，youhavepromisedtopaintmypicture，andyouhaven’tevenbegunitsofar。AndthenI’vepromisedtocomposeyoua/serenata/，withseventy-fiveverses。Andthen——butwhatcanBruscobegrowlingabout？Andhere’sBrandolacciorunningafterhim。Imustgoandseewhat’samiss。\"
Sheroseatonce，andlayingOrso’shead，withoutfurtherceremony，onMissLydia’slap，sheranafterthebandits。
MissNevil，somewhatstartledatfindingherselfthusleftinsolechargeofahandsomeyoungCorsicangentlemaninthemiddleofa/maquis/，wasratherpuzzledwhattodonext。
Forshewasafraidthatanysuddenmovementonherpartmighthurtthewoundedman。ButOrsohimselfresignedtheexquisitepillowonwhichhissisterhadjustlaidhishead，andraisinghimselfonhisrightarm，hesaid：
\"Soyouwillsoonbegone，MissLydia？Ineverexpectedyourstayinthisunhappycountrywouldhavebeenalongone。Andyetsinceyouhavecometomehere，thethoughtthatImustbidyoufarewellhasgrownahundredtimesmorebittertome。Iamonlyapoorlieutenant。
Ihadnofuture——andnowIamanoutlaw。WhatamomentinwhichtotellyouthatIloveyou，MissLydia！Butnodoubtthisismyonlychanceofsayingit。AndIthinkIfeellesswretchednowIhaveunburdenedmyhearttoyou。\"
MissLydiaturnedawayherhead，asifthedarknesswerenotdarkenoughtohideherblushes。
\"SignordellaRebbia，\"shesaid，andhervoiceshook，\"shouldIhavecomehereatallif————\"andasshespokeshelaidtheEgyptiantalismaninOrso’shand。Then，withamightyefforttorecoverherusualbanteringtone——\"It’sverywrongofyou，SignorOrso，tosaysuchthings！Youknowverywellthathere，inthemiddleofthe/maquis/，andwithyourbanditsallaboutme，Ishouldneverdaretobeangrywithyou。\"
Orsomadeanattempttokissthehandthatheldoutthetalisman。MissLydiadrewitquicklyback；helosthisbalance，andfellonhiswoundedarm。Hecouldnotstifleamoanofpain。
\"Oh，dear，you’vehurtyourself，anditwasmyfault！\"shecried，assheraisedhimup。\"Forgiveme！\"Theytalkedforsometimelonger，verylow，andveryclosetogether。
Colomba，runninghastilyup，foundthemintheverysamepositioninwhichshehadleftthem。
\"Thesoldiers！\"shecried。\"Orso！trytogetupandwalk！I’llhelpyou！\"
\"Leaveme！\"saidOrso。\"Tellthebanditstoescape。WhatdoIcareifIamtaken？ButtakeawayMissLydia。ForGod’ssake，don’tletanybodyseeherhere！\"
\"Iwon’tleaveyou，\"saidBrandolaccio，whohadcomeuponColomba’sheels。
\"Thesergeantinchargeisthelawyer’sgodson。He’llshootyouinsteadofarrestingyou，andthenhe’llsayhedidn’tdoitonpurpose。\"
Orsotriedtorise；heeventookafewsteps。Buthesoonhalted。\"I
can’twalk，\"hesaid。\"Fly，allofyou！Good-bye，MissNevil！Givemeyourhand！Farewell！\"
\"Wewon’tleaveyou！\"criedthetwogirls。
\"Ifyoucan’twalk，\"saidBrandolaccio，\"Imustcarryyou。Come，sir，alittlecourage！Weshallhavetimetoslipawaybytheravine。TheSignorPadrewillkeepthembusy。\"
\"No，leaveme！\"saidOrso，lyingdownontheground。\"Colomba，takeMissNevilaway！——forGod’ssake！\"
\"You’restrong，SignorinaColomba，\"saidBrandolaccio。\"Catchholdofhisshoulders；I’lltakehisfeet。That’sit！Now，thenmarch！\"
Inspiteofhisprotests，theybegantocarryhimrapidlyalong。MissLydiawasfollowingthem，inaterriblefright，whenagunwasfired，andfiveorsixotherreportsinstantlyresponded。MissLydiascreamedandBrandolacciosworeanoath，buthedoubledhispace，andColomba，imitatinghim，torethroughthethicketwithoutpayingtheslightestheedtothebranchesthatslashedherfaceandtoreherdress。
\"Benddown，benddown，dear！\"shecalledouttohercompanion。\"Youmaybehitbysomestraybullet！\"
Theyhadwalked，orratherrun，somefivehundredpacesinthisfashionwhenBrandolacciovowedhecouldgonofurther，anddroppedontheground，regardlessofallColomba’sexhortationsandreproaches。
\"WhereisMissNevil？\"wasOrso’soneinquiry。
Terrifiedbythefiring，checkedateverystepbythethickgrowthofthe/maquis/，MissNevilhadsoonlostsightofthefugitives，andbeenleftallaloneinastateofthemostcruelalarm。
\"Shehasbeenleftbehind，\"saidBrandolaccio，\"butshe’llnotbelost——womenalwaysturnupagain。DolistentotherowthePadreismakingwithyourgun，Ors’Anton’！Unluckily，it’sasblackaspitch，andnobodytakesmuchharmfrombeingshotatinthedark。\"
\"Hush！\"criedColomba。\"Ihearahorse。We’resaved！\"
Startledbythefiring，ahorsewhichhadbeenwanderingthroughthe/maquis/，wasreallycomingcloseuptothem。
\"Saved，indeed！\"repeatedBrandolaccio。Itdidnottakethebanditmorethananinstanttorushuptothecreature，catchholdofhismane，andwithColomba’sassistance，bridlehimwithabitofknottedrope。
\"NowwemustwarnthePadre，\"hesaid。Hewhistledtwice；anotherdistantwhistleansweredthesignal，andtheloudvoiceoftheMantongunwashushed。ThenBrandolacciosprangonthehorse’sback。Colombaliftedherbrotherupinfrontofthebandit，whoheldhimclosewithonehandandmanagedhisbridlewiththeother。
Inspiteofthedoubleload，theanimal，urgedbyabraceofheartykicks，startedoffnimbly，andgallopedheadlongdownasteepdeclivityonwhichanythingbutaCorsicansteedwouldhavebrokenitsneckadozentimes。
ThenColombaretracedhersteps，callingMissNevilatthetopofhervoice；butnoansweringcrywasheard。
Afterwalkinghitherandthitherforsometime，tryingtorecoverthepath，shestumbledontworiflemen，whoshouted，\"Whogoesthere？\"
\"Well，gentlemen，\"criedColombajeeringly，\"here’saprettyracket！
Howmanyofyouarekilled？\"
\"Youwerewiththebandits！\"saidoneofthesoldiers。\"Youmustcomewithus。\"
\"Withpleasure！\"shereplied。\"Butthere’safriendofminesomewherecloseby，andwemustfindherfirst。\"
\"Youfriendiscaughtalready，andbothofyouwillsleepinjailto-night！\"
\"Injail，yousay？Well，thatremainstobeseen。Buttakemetoher，meanwhile。\"
Thesoldiersledhertothebandits’camp，wheretheyhadcollectedthetrophiesoftheirraid——towit，thecloakwhichhadcoveredOrso，anoldcooking-pot，andapitcherofcoldwater。OnthesamespotshefoundMissNevil，whohadfallenamongthesoldiers，and，beinghalfdeadwithterror，didnothingbutsobinanswertotheirquestionsastothenumberofthebandits，andthedirectioninwhichtheyhadgone。
Colombathrewherselfintoherarmsandwhisperedinherear，\"Theyaresafe！\"Then，turningtothesergeant，shesaid：\"Sir，youcanseethisyoungladyknowsnoneofthethingsyouaretryingtofindoutfromher。Giveusleavetogobacktothevillage，whereweareanxiouslyexpected。\"
\"You’llbetakenthere，andfasterthanyoulike，mybeauty，\"rejoinedthesergeant。\"Andyou’llhavetoexplainwhatyouwereafteratthistimeofnightwiththeruffianswhohavejustgotaway。Idon’tknowwhatwitchcraftthosevillainspractise，buttheycertainlydobewitchthewomen——forwherevertherearebanditsabout，youaredeadcertaintofindprettygirls。\"
\"You’reveryflattering，sergeant！\"saidColomba，\"butyou’lldowelltobecarefulwhatyousay。Thisyoungladyisrelatedtotheprefect，andyou’dbetterbecarefulofyourlanguagebeforeher。\"
\"Arelationoftheprefect’s，\"whisperedoneofthesoldierstohischief。\"Why，shedoeswearahat！\"
\"Hatshavenothingtodowithit，\"saidthesergeant。\"TheywerebothofthemwiththePadre——thegreatestwoman-wheedlerinthewholecountry，soit’smybusinesstomarchthemoff。And，indeed，there’snothingmoreforustodohere。Butforthatd————dCorporalTaupin——
thedrunkenFrenchmanshowedhimselfbeforeI’dsurroundedthe/maquis/——weshouldhavehadthemalllikefishinanet。\"
\"Arethereonlysevenofyouhere？\"inquiredColomba。\"Itstrikesme，gentlemen，thatifthethreePolibrothers——Gambini，Sarocchi，andTeodoro——shouldhappentobeattheCrossofSantaChristina，withBrandolaccioandthePadre，theymightgiveyouagooddealofcorntogrind。IfyoumeantohaveatalkwiththeCommandantedellaCampagna，I’djustassoonnotbethere。Inthedark，bulletsdon’tshowanyrespectforpersons。\"
TheideaofcomingfacetofacewiththedreadedbanditsmentionedbyColombamadeanevidentimpressiononthesoldiers。Thesergeant，stillcursingCorporalTaupin——\"thatdogofaFrenchman\"——gavetheordertoretire，andhislittlepartymovedtowardPietranera，carryingthe/pilone/andthecooking-pot；asforthepitcher，itsfatewassettledwithakick。
OneofthemenwouldhavelaidholdofMissLydia’sarm，butColombainstantlypushedhimaway。
\"Letnoneofyoudaretolayafingeronher！\"shesaid。\"Doyoufancywewanttorunaway？Come，Lydia，mydear，leanonme，anddon’tcrylikeababy。We’vehadanadventure，butitwillendallright。Inhalfanhourweshallbeatoursupper，andformypartI’mdyingtogettoit。\"
\"Whatwilltheythinkofme！\"MissNevilwhispered。
\"They’llthinkyoulostyourwayinthe/maquis/，that’sall。\"
\"Whatwilltheprefectsay？Aboveall，whatwillmyfathersay？\"
\"Theprefect？Youcantellhimtomindhisownbusiness！Yourfather？
Ishouldhavethought，fromthewayyouandOrsoweretalking，thatyouhadsomethingtosaytoyourfather。\"
MissNevilsqueezedherarm，andanswerednothing。
\"Doesn’tmybrotherdeservetobeloved？\"whisperedColombainherear。\"Don’tyoulovehimalittle？\"
\"Oh，Colomba！\"answeredMissNevil，smilinginspiteofherblushes，\"you’vebetrayedme！AndItrustedyouso！\"
Colombaslippedherarmroundher，andkissedherforehead。
\"Littlesister，\"shewhisperedverylow，\"willyouforgiveme？\"
\"Why，IsupposeImust，mymasterfulsister，\"answeredLydia，asshekissedherback。
Theprefectandthepublicprosecutorwerestayingwiththedeputy-
mayor，andthecolonel，whowasveryuneasyabouthisdaughter，waspayingthemhistwentiethcall，toaskiftheyhadheardofher，whenarifleman，whomthesergeanthadsentoninadvance，arrivedwiththefullstoryofthegreatfightwiththebrigands——afightinwhichnobodyhadbeeneitherkilledorwounded，butwhichhadresultedinthecaptureofacooking-pot，a/pilone/，andtwogirls，whomthemandescribedasthemistresses，orthespies，ofthetwobandits。
Thusheralded，thetwoprisonersappeared，surroundedbytheirarmedescort。
MyreaderswillimagineColomba’sradiantface，hercompanion’sconfusion，theprefect’ssurprise，thecolonel’sastonishmentandjoy。
ThepublicprosecutorpermittedhimselfthemischievousentertainmentofobligingpoorLydiatoundergoakindofcross-examination，whichdidnotconcludeuntilhehadquiteputheroutofcountenance。
\"Itseemstome，\"saidtheprefect，\"thatwemayreleaseeverybody。
Theseyoungladieswentoutforawalk——nothingismorenaturalinfineweather。Theyhappenedtomeetacharmingyoungman，whohasbeenlatelywounded——nothingcouldbemorenatural，again。\"Then，takingColombaaside——
\"Signorina，\"hesaid，\"youcansendwordtoyourbrotherthatthisbusinesspromisestoturnoutbetterthanIhadexpected。Thepost-
mortemexaminationandthecolonel’sdepositionbothprovethatheonlydefendedhimself，andthathewasalonewhenthefighttookplace。Everythingwillbesettled——onlyhemustleavethe/maquis/andgivehimselfuptotheauthorities。\"
Itwasalmosteleveno’clockwhenthecolonel，hisdaughter，andColombasatdownatlasttotheirsupper，whichhadgrowncold。
Colombaateheartily，andmadegreatfunoftheprefect，thepublicprosecutor，andthesoldiers。Thecolonelatetoo，butneversaidaword，andgazedsteadilyathisdaughter，whowouldnotlifthereyesfromherplate。Atlast，gentlybutseriously，hesaidinEnglish：
\"Lydia，IsupposeyouareengagedtodellaRebbia？\"
\"Yes，father，to-day，\"sheanswered，steadily，thoughsheblushed。
Thensheraisedhereyes，andreadingnosignofangerinherfather’sface，shethrewherselfintohisarmsandkissedhim，asallwell-
brought-upyoungladiesdoonsuchoccasions。
\"Withallmyheart！\"saidthecolonel。\"He’safinefellow。But，byG——d，wewon’tliveinthisd——-dcountryofhis，orI’llrefusemyconsent。\"
\"Idon’tknowEnglish，\"saidColomba，whowaswatchingthemwithanairofthegreatestcuriosity，\"butI’llwagerI’veguessedwhatyouaresaying！\"
\"Wearesaying，\"quoththecolonel，\"thatwearegoingtotakeyouforatriptoIreland。\"
\"Yes，withpleasure；andI’llbetheSurellaColomba。Isitsettled，colonel？Shallweshakehandsonit？\"
\"Insuchacase，\"remarkedthecolonel，\"peopleexchangeskisses！\"
CHAPTERXX
Oneafternoon，afewmonthsafterthedoubleshotwhich，asthenewspaperssaid，\"plungedthevillageofPietraneraintoastateofconsternation，\"ayoungmanwithhisleftarminasling，rodeoutofBastia，towardthevillageofCardo，celebratedforitsspring，whichinsummersuppliesthemorefastidiousinhabitantsofthetownwithdeliciouswater。Hewasaccompaniedbyayounglady，tallandremarkablyhandsome，mountedonasmallblackhorse，thestrengthandshapeofwhichwouldhaveattractedtheadmirationofaconnoisseur，although，bysomestrangeaccident，oneofitsearshadbeenlacerated。Onreachingthevillage，thegirlsprangnimblytotheground，and，havinghelpedhercomradetodismount，sheunfastenedthesomewhatheavywalletsstrappedtohissaddle-bow。Thehorseswereleftinchargeofapeasant。Thegirl，ladenwiththewallets，whichshehadconcealedunderher/mezzaro/，andtheyoungman，carryingadouble-barrelledgun，tooktheirwaytowardthemountain，alongaverysteeppaththatdidnotappeartoleadtoanydwelling。WhentheyhadclimbedtooneofthelowerridgesoftheMonteQuerico，theyhalted，andsatdownonthegrass。Theywereevidentlyexpectingsomebody，fortheykeptperpetuallylookingtowardthemountain，andtheyoungladyoftenconsultedaprettygoldwatch——asmuch，itmaybe，forthepleasureofadmiringwhatappearedasomewhatnewlyacquiredtrinket，asinordertoknowwhetherthehourappointedforsomemeetingorotherhadcome。Theyhadnotlongtowait。Adogranoutofthe/maquis/，andwhenthegirlcalledout\"Brusco！\"itapproachedatonce，andfawneduponthem。Presentlytwobeardedmenappeared，withgunsundertheirarms，cartridge-beltsroundtheirwaists，andpistolshangingattheirsides。Theirtornandpatchedgarmentscontrastedoddlywiththeirweapons，whichwerebrilliantlypolished，andcamefromafamousContinentalfactory。Inspiteoftheapparentinequalityoftheirpositions，thefouractorsinthisscenegreetedoneanotherintermsofoldandfamiliarfriendship。
\"Well，Ors’Anton’，\"saidtheelderbandittotheyoungman，\"soyourbusinessissettled——theindictmentagainstyouhasfallenthrough？I
congratulateyou。I’msorrythelawyerhaslefttheisland。I’dliketoseehisrage。Andhow’syourarm？\"
\"TheytellmeIshallgetridofmyslinginafortnight，\"saidtheyoungman。\"Brando，mygoodfriend，I’mgoingtoItalyto-morrow——I
wantedtosaygood-byetoyouandtothecure。That’swhyIaskedyoutocomehere。\"
\"You’reinafinehurry，\"saidBrandolaccio。\"Onlyacquittedyesterday，andyou’reoffto-morrow。\"
\"Businessmustbeattendedto，\"saidtheyoungladymerrily。
\"Gentlemen，I’vebroughtsomesupper。Fallto，ifyouplease，anddon’tyouforgetmyfriendBrusco。\"
\"YouspoilBrusco，MademoiselleColomba。Buthe’sagratefuldog。Youshallsee。Here，Brusco，\"andheheldouthisgunhorizontally，\"jumpfortheBarricini！\"
Thedogstoodmotionless，lickinghischops，andstaringathismaster。
\"JumpforthedellaRebbia！\"Andheleapedtwofeethigherthanheneedhavedone。
\"Lookhere，myfriends，\"saidOrso，\"you’replyingabadtrade；andevenifyoudon’tendyourcareeronthatsquarebelowus，[*]thebestyoucanlookforistodieinthe/maquis/bysomegendarme’sbullet。\"
[*]ThesquareatBastiaonwhichexecutionstakeplace。
\"Well，well，\"saidCastriconi，\"that’snomorethandeath，anyhow；andit’sbetterthanbeingkilledinyourbedbyafever，withyourheirssnivellingmoreorlesshonestlyallroundyou。Tomenwhoareaccustomedtotheopenairlikeus，there’snothingsogoodastodie’inyourshoes，’asthevillagefolksay。\"
\"Ishouldliketoseeyougetoutofthiscountry，\"saidOrso，\"andleadaquieterlife。Forinstance，whyshouldn’tyousettleinSardinia，asseveralofyourcomradeshavedone？Icouldmakethemattereasyforyou。\"
\"InSardinia！\"criedBrandolaccio。\"/IstosSardos！/Deviltakethemandtheirlingo！Wecouldn’tliveinsuchbadcompany。\"
\"Sardinia’sacountrywithoutresources，\"addedthetheologian。\"Formypart，IdespisetheSardinians。Theykeepmountedmentohunttheirbandits。That’sastigmaonboththebanditsandthecountry。[*]OutuponSardinia，sayI！Thethingthatastoundsme，SignordellaRebbia，isthatyou，whoareamanoftasteandunderstanding，shouldnothavetakentoourlifeinthe/maquis/，afterhavingoncetriedit，asyoudid。\"
[*]IowethiscriticismofSardiniatoanex-banditofmyacquaintance，andhealonemustbeartheresponsibilityofit。Hemeansthatbanditswholetthemselvesbecaughtbyhorsesoldiersareidiots，andthatsoldierswhotrytocatchbanditsonhorsebackhaveverylittlechanceofgettingatthem。
\"Well，\"saidOrso，withasmile，\"whenIwasluckyenoughtobeyourguest，Iwasn’tinverygoodcaseforenjoyingthecharmsofyourposition，andmyribsstillachewhenIthinkoftherideItookonelovelynight，thrownlikeabundleacrossanunsaddledhorsethatmygoodfriendBrandolaccioguided。\"
\"Andthedelightofescapingfromyourpursuers，\"rejoinedCastriconi；
\"isthatnothingtoyou？Howcanyoufailtorealizethecharmofabsolutefreedominsuchabeautifulclimateasours？Withthistoinsurerespect，\"andhehelduphisgun，\"wearekingsofeverythingwithinitsrange。Wecangiveorders，wecanredresswrongs。That’sahighlymoralentertainment，monsieur，andaverypleasantone，whichwedon’tdenyourselves。Whatcanbemorebeautifulthanaknight-
errant’slife，whenhehasgoodweapons，andmorecommonsensethanDonQuixotehad？Listen！TheotherdayIwastoldthatlittleLillaLuigi’suncle——oldmiserthatheis——wouldn’tgiveheradowry。SoI
wrotetohim。Ididn’tusethreats——that’snotmyway。Well，well，inonemomentthemanwasconvinced。Hemarriedhisniece，andImadetwopeoplehappy。Believeme，Orso，there’snolifelikethebandit’slife！Pshaw！You’dhavejoinedus，perhaps，ifithadn’tbeenforacertainyoungEnglishwomanwhomIhavescarcelyseenmyself，butaboutwhosebeautyeveryoneinBastiaistalking。\"
\"Myfuturesister-in-lawdoesn’tlikethe/maquis/，\"laughedColomba。
\"Shegottoogreatafrightinoneofthem。\"
\"Well，\"saidOrso，\"youareresolvedtostayhere？Sobeit！ButtellmewhetherthereisanythingIcandoforyou？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidBrandolaccio。\"You’veheapedkindnessesuponus。
Here’slittleChilinawithherdowryready，sothatthere’llbenonecessityformyfriendthecuretowriteoneofhispersuasiveletterstoinsurehermarryingwell。Weknowthemanonyourfarmwillgiveusbreadandpowderwheneverweneedthem。Sofareyouwell！I
hopeweshallseeyoubackinCorsicaoneofthesedays。\"
\"Incaseofpressingneed，\"saidOrso，\"afewgoldcoinsareveryuseful。Nowwearesucholdfriends，youwon’trefusethislittle/cartouche/。[*]Itwillhelpyoutoprovidecartridgesofanotherkind。\"
[*]/Cartouche/meansacollectionofgoldpiecesaswellasacartridge。
\"Nomoneybetweenyouandme，sir，\"saidBrandolaccioresolutely。
\"Intheworldmoneyiseverything，\"remarkedCastriconi，\"butinthe/maquis/，allamanneedcareforisabraveheart，andagunthatcarriestrue。\"
\"Idon’twanttoleaveyouwithoutgivingyousomethingtoremembermeby，\"persistedOrso。\"Come，Brandolaccio，whatcanIleavewithyou？\"
ThebanditscratchedhisheadandcastasidelongglanceatOrso’sgun。
\"Bymyfaith，ifIdared——butno！you’retoofondofit。\"
\"Whatwouldyoulike？\"
\"Nothing！’Tisn’tanythingatall。It’sknowinghowtouseitaswell。
Ikeepthinkingofthatdevilofadouble-shotofyours——andwithonlyonehand，too！Oh！thatnevercouldhappentwiceover！\"
\"Isitthegunyoufancy？Iboughtitforyou。Butseeyoudon’tuseitmorethanyouareobliged。\"
\"Oh，Iwon’tpromisetomakeasgooduseofitasyou。Butmakeyourmindeasy。Whenanyothermanhasit，youmaybecertainit’salloverwithBrandoSavelli。\"
\"Andyou，Castriconi——whatamItogiveyou？\"
\"Sinceyoureallyinsistongivingmesometangiblekeepsake，I’llsimplyaskyoutosendmethesmallestHoraceyoucanget。Itwillamuseme，andpreventmefromforgettingallmyLatin。There’salittlewomanwhosellscigarsonthejettyatBastia。Ifyougiveittoher，she’llseeIgetit。\"
\"YoushallhaveanElzevir，myeruditefriend。TherejusthappenstobeoneamongsomebooksIwasgoingtotakeawaywithme。Well，goodfriends，wemustpart！Givemeyourhands。IfyoushouldeverthinkofSardiniawritetome。SignorN。，thenotary，willgiveyoumyaddressonthemainland。\"
\"To-morrow，lieutenant，\"saidBrando，\"whenyougetoutintheharbour，lookuptothisspotonthemountain-side。Weshallbehere，andwe’llwaveourhandkerchiefstoyou。\"
Andsotheyparted。OrsoandhissistertooktheirwaybacktoCardo，andthebanditsdepartedupthemountain。
CHAPTERXXI
OnelovelyAprilmorning，SirThomasNevil，hisdaughter，anewlymadebride——Orso，andColomba，droveoutofPisatoseealatelydiscoveredEtruscanvaulttowhichallstrangerswhocametothatpartofthecountrypaidavisit。
Orsoandhiswifewentdownintotheancientbuilding，pulledouttheirpencils，andbegantosketchthemuralpaintings。ButthecolonelandColomba，whoneitherofthemcaredmuchforarchaeology，leftthemtothemselves，andwalkedaboutintheneighbourhood。
\"MydearColomba，\"saidthecolonel，\"weshallnevergetbacktoPisaintimeforlunch。Aren’tyouhungry？ThereareOrsoandhiswifeburiedintheirantiquities；whenoncetheybeginsketchingtogether，itlastsforever！\"
\"Yes，\"remarkedColomba。\"Andyettheyneverbringthesmallestsketchhomewiththem。\"
\"Ithink，\"proceededthecolonel，\"ourbestplanwouldbetomakeourwaytothatlittlefarm-houseyonder。Weshouldfindbreadthere，andperhapssome/aleatico/。Whoknows，wemightevenfindstrawberriesandcream！Andthenweshouldbeabletowaitpatientlyforourartists。\"
\"Youarequiteright，colonel。YouandIarethereasonablemembersofthisfamily。Weshouldbeveryfoolishifweletourselvesbymartyrizedbythatpairoflovers，wholiveonpoetry！Givemeyourarm！Don’tyouthinkI’mimproving？Ileanonpeople’sarms，wearfashionablehatsandgownsandtrinkets——I’mlearningIdon’tknowhowmanyfinethings——I’mnotatallayoungsavageanymore。JustobservethegracewithwhichIwearthisshawl。Thatfair-hairedspark——thatofficerbelongingtoyourregimentwhocametothewedding——oh，dear！
Ican’trecollecthisname！——atall，curly-headedman，whomIcouldknockoverwithonehand————\"
\"Chatsworth？\"suggestedthecolonel。
\"That’sit！——butInevershallbeabletosayit！——Well，youknowhe’soverheadandearsinlovewithme！\"
\"OColomba，you’regrowingaterribleflirt！Weshallhaveanotherweddingbeforelong。\"
\"I！Marry！Andthenwhowilltherebetobringupmynephew——whenOrsoprovidesmewithanephew？Andwho’llteachhimtotalkCorsican？Yes，heshalltalkCorsican，andI’llmakehimapeakedcap，justtovexyou。\"
\"Well，well，waittillyouhaveyournephew，andthenyoushallteachhimtouseadagger，ifyouchoose。\"
\"Farewelltodaggers！\"saidColombamerrily。\"Ihaveafannow，torapyourfingerswithwhenyouspeakillofmycountry。\"
Chattingthus，theyreachedthefarm-house，wheretheyfoundwine，strawberries，andcream。Colombahelpedthefarmer’swifetogatherthestrawberries，whilethecoloneldrankhis/aleatico/。Attheturningofapathshecaughtsightofanoldman，sittinginthesun，onastrawchair。Heseemedill，hischeekswerefallenin，hiseyeswerehollow，hewasfrightfullythin；ashesatthere，motionless，pallid，staringfixedlyinfrontofhim，helookedmorelikeacorpsethanlikealivingcreature。Colombawatchedhimforsomeminutes，andwithacuriositysogreatthatitattractedthewoman’sattention。
\"Thatpooroldfellowisacountrymanofyours，\"shesaid。\"ForIknowyouarefromCorsicabythewayyoutalk，signorina！Hehashadgreattroubleinhisowncountry。Hischildrenmetwithsometerribledeath。
Theysay——you’llexcuseme，signorina——thatwhentheyquarrel，yourcompatriotsdon’tshoweachotherverymuchmercy。Thenthepooroldgentleman，beingleftallalone，cameovertoPisa，toadistantrelationofhis，whoownsthisfarm。Betweenhismisfortunesandhissorrow，thegoodmanisalittlecracked……Theladyfoundhimtroublesome——forsheseesagreatdealofcompany。Soshesenthimouthere。He’sverygentle——noworryatall。Hedoesn’tspeakthreewordsthewholedaylong。Infact，hisbrain’squitegone。Thedoctorcomestoseehimeveryweek。Hesayshewon’tlivelong。\"
\"There’snohopeforhim，then！\"saidColomba。\"Insuchacase，deathwillbeamercy。\"
\"YoumightsayawordtohiminCorsican，signorina。Perhapsitwouldcheerhimuptohearthespeechofhisowncountry。\"
\"I’llsee！\"saidColomba，andhersmilewasmysterious。
Shedrewnearertotheoldman，tillhershadowfellacrosshischair。
ThenthepooridiotliftedhisheadandstaredatColomba，whileshelookedathim，smilingstill。Afteramoment，theoldmanpassedhishandacrosshisforehead，andclosedhiseyes，asthoughhewouldhaveshutoutthesightofColomba。Heopenedthemagain，desperatelywidethistime。Hislipsbegantowork，hetriedtostretchouthishands，but，fascinatedbyColomba’sglance，hesat，nailed，asitwere，tohischair，unabletomoveorutteraword。Atlastgreattearsdroppedfromhiseyes，andafewsobsescapedfromhisheavingchest。
\"’TisthefirsttimeI’veseenhimlikethis，\"saidthegoodwoman。
\"Thissignorinabelongstoyourowncountry；shehascometoseeyou，\"
saidshetotheoldman。
\"Mercy！\"hecriedinahoarsevoice。\"Mercy！Areyounotcontent？TheleafIburned。Howdidyoureadit？Butwhydidyoutakethemboth？
Orlanduccio！Youcan’thavereadanythingagainsthim！Youshouldhaveleftmeone，onlyone！Orlanduccio——youdidn’tread/his/name！\"
\"Ihadtohavethemboth！\"answeredColomba，speakinglowandintheCorsicandialect。\"Thebranchesaretoppedoff！Ifthestemhadnotbeenrotten，Iwouldhavetornitup！Come！makenomoan。Youwillnotsufferlong！/I/sufferedfortwoyears！\"
Theoldmancriedout，andthenhisheaddroppedonhisbreast。
Colombaturnedherbackonhim，andwentslowlyintothehouse，hummingsomemeaninglesslinesoutofa/ballata/：
\"Imusthavethehandthatfired，theeyethataimed，theheartthatplanned。\"
Whilethefarmer’swiferantoattendontheoldman，Colomba，withblazingeyesandbrilliantcheeks，satdowntoluncheonoppositethecolonel。
\"What’sthematterwithyou？\"hesaid。\"YoulookjustasyoudidthatdayatPietranera，whentheyfiredatuswhilewewereatdinner。\"
\"OldCorsicanmemorieshadcomebacktome。Butallthat’sdonewith。
Ishallbegodmother，sha’n’tI？Oh！whatfinenamesI’llgivehim！
Ghilfuccio——Tomaso——Orso——Leone！\"
Thefarmer’swifecamebackintotheroom。
\"Well？\"inquiredColomba，withthemostperfectcomposure。\"Ishedead，orhadheonlyfainted？\"
\"Itwasnothing，signorina。Butit’scuriouswhataneffectthesightofyouhadonhim。\"
\"Andthedoctorsayshewon’tlastlong？\"
\"Nottwomonths，verylikely。\"
\"He’llbenogreatloss！\"remarkedColomba。
\"Whatthedevilareyoutalkingabout？\"inquiredthecolonel。
\"Aboutanidiotfrommyowncountry，whoisboardedouthere。I’llsendfromtimetotimetofindouthowheis。Why，ColonelNevil，aren’tyougoingtoleaveanystrawberriesforLydiaandmybrother？\"
WhenColombaleftthefarm-houseandgotintothecarriage，thefarmer’swifelookedafterherforawhile。Then，turningtoherdaughter：
\"Dostseethatprettyyoungladyyonder？\"shesaid。\"Well，I’mcertainshehastheevileye！\"