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