第5章

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！"