\"Ifyouhadbeenstayinganywhereelse，monsieur，mybrotherwouldhavegonetopayhisrespectstoyouyesterday。\"
Orsomadeendlessapologies，vowinghehadnothingtodowithhissister’sabsurdstratagem，bywhichheappeareddeeplymortified。TheprefectandtheelderBarriciniappearedtobelieveinthesincerityofhisregret，andindeedthisbeliefwasjustifiedbyhisevidentconfusionandthereproachesheaddressedtohissister。Butthemayor’stwosonsdidnotseemsatisfied。
\"Wearebeingmadetolooklikefools，\"saidOrlanduccioaudibly。
\"Ifmysisterweretoplaymesuchtricks，\"saidVincentello，\"I’dsooncureherfancyforbeginningthemagain。\"
Thewords，andthetoneinwhichtheywereuttered，offendedOrso，anddiminishedhisgood-will。Glancesthatwereanythingbutfriendlywereexchangedbetweenhimandthetwoyoungmen。
Meanwhile，everybodybeingseatedsaveColomba，whoremainedstandingclosetothekitchendoor，theprefecttookuphisparable，andafterafewcommon-placesastolocalprejudices，herecalledthefactthatthemostinveterateenmitiesgenerallyhavetheirrootinsomemeremisunderstanding。Next，turningtothemayor，hetoldhimthatSignordellaRebbiahadneverbelievedtheBarricinifamilyhadplayedanypart，directorindirect，inthedeplorableeventwhichhadberefthimofhisfather；thathehad，indeed，nursedsomedoubtsastoonedetailinthelawsuitbetweenthetwofamilies；thatSignorOrso’slongabsence，andthenatureoftheinformationsenthim，excusedthedoubtinquestion；thatinthelightofrecentrevelationshefeltcompletelysatisfied，anddesiredtore-openfriendlyandneighbourlyrelationswithSignorBarriciniandhissons。
Orsobowedstiffly。SignorBarricinistammeredafewwordsthatnobodycouldhear，andhissonsstaredsteadilyattheceilingrafters。Theprefectwasabouttocontinuehisspeech，andaddressthecounterpartoftheremarkshehadmadetoSignorBarricini，toOrso，whenColombasteppedgravelyforwardbetweenthecontractingparties，atthesametimedrawingsomepapersfrombeneathherneckerchief。
\"Ishouldbehappyindeed，\"shesaid，\"toseethequarrelbetweenourtwofamiliesbroughttoanend。Butifthereconciliationistobesincere，theremustbeafullexplanation，andnothingmustbeleftindoubt。SignorPrefetto，TomasoBianchi’sdeclaration，comingfromamanofsuchvilereport，seemedtomejustlyopentodoubt。IsaidyoursonshadpossiblyseenthismanintheprisonatBastia。\"
\"It’sfalse！\"interruptedOrlanduccio；\"Ididn’tseehim！\"
Colombacastascornfulglanceathim，andproceededwithgreatapparentcomposure。
\"YouexplainedTomaso’sprobableinterestinthreateningSignorBarricini，inthenameofadreadedbandit，byhisdesiretokeephisbrotherTeodoroinpossessionofthemillwhichmyfatherallowedhimtohireataverylowrent。\"
\"That’squiteclear，\"assentedtheprefect。
\"WherewasTomasoBianchi’sinterest？\"exclaimedColombatriumphantly。
\"Hisbrother’sleasehadrunout。Myfatherhadgivenhimnoticeonthe1stofJuly。Hereismyfather’saccount-book；hereishisnoteofwarninggiventoTeodoro，andtheletterfromabusinessmanatAjacciosuggestinganewtenant。\"
Asshespokeshegavetheprefectthepapersshehadbeenholdinginherhand。
Therewasanastonishedpause。Themayorturnedvisiblypale。Orso，knittinghisbrows，leanedforwardtolookatthepapers，whichtheprefectwasperusingmostattentively。
\"Wearebeingmadetolooklikefools！\"criedOrlanduccioagain，springingangrilytohisfeet。\"Letusbeoff，father！Weoughtnevertohavecomehere！\"
Oneinstant’sdelaygaveSignorBarricinitimetorecoverhiscomposure。Heaskedleavetoseethepapers。Withoutawordtheprefecthandedthemovertohim。Pushinghisgreenspectaclesuptohisforehead，helookedthroughthemwithasomewhatindifferentair，whileColombawatchedhimwiththeeyesofatigresswhoseesabuckdrawingneartothelairwhereshehadhiddenhercubs。
\"Well，\"saidSignorBarricini，ashepulleddownhisspectaclesandreturnedthedocuments，\"knowingthelatecolonel’skindheart，Tomasothought——mostlikelyhethought——thatthecolonelwouldchangehismindaboutthenotice。Asamatteroffact，Bianchiisstillatthemill，so——\"
\"ItwasI，\"saidColomba，andtherewasscorninhervoice，\"wholefthimthere。Myfatherwasdead，andsituatedasIwas，Iwasobligedtotreatmybrother’sdependentswithconsideration。\"
\"Yet，\"quoththeprefect，\"thismanTomasoacknowledgesthathewrotetheletter。Thatmuchisclear。\"
\"Thethingthatiscleartome，\"brokeinOrso，\"isthatthereissomevileinfamyunderneaththiswholebusiness。\"
\"Ihavetocontradictanotherassertionmadebythesegentlemen，\"saidColomba。
ShethrewopenthedoorintothekitchenandinstantlyBrandolaccio，thelicentiateintheology，andBrusco，thedog，marchedintotheroom。Thetwobanditswereunarmed——apparently，atallevents；theyworetheircartridgebelts，butthepistols，whicharetheirnecessarycomplement，wereabsent。Astheyenteredtheroomtheydoffedtheircapsrespectfully。
Theeffectproducedbytheirsuddenappearancemaybeconceived。Themayoralmostfellbackward。Hissonsthrewthemselvesboldlyinfrontofhim，eachonefeelingforhisdaggerinhiscoatpocket。Theprefectmadeasteptowardthedoor，andOrso，seizingBrandolacciobythecollar，shouted：
\"Whathaveyoucomeherefor，youvillain？\"
\"Thisisatrap！\"criedthemayor，tryingtogetthedooropen。But，bythebandits’orders，aswasafterwarddiscovered，Saveriahadlockeditontheoutside。
\"Goodpeople，\"saidBrandolaccio，\"don’tbeafraidofme。I’mnotsuchadevilasIlook。Wemeannoharmatall。SignorPrefetto，I’myourveryhumbleservant。Gently，lieutenant！You’restranglingme！We’rehereaswitnesses！Nowthen，Padre，speakup！Yourtongue’sglibenough！\"
\"SignorPrefetto，\"quoththelicentiate，\"Ihavenotthehonourofbeingknowntoyou。MynameisGiocantoCastriconi，betterknownasthePadre。Aha，it’scomingbacktoyou！Thesignorinahere，whomI
havenotthepleasureofknowingeither，hassenttoaskmetosupplysomeinformationaboutafellowofthenameofTomasoBianchi，withwhomIchancedtobeshutup，aboutthreeweeksago，intheprisonatBastia。ThisiswhatIhavetotellyou。\"
\"Spareyourselfthetrouble，\"saidtheprefect。\"Icannotlistentoanythingfromsuchamanasyou。SignordellaRebbia，Iamwillingtobelieveyouhavehadnothingtodowiththisdetestableplot。Butareyoumasterinyourownhouse？Willyouhavethedooropened？Yoursistermayhavetogiveanaccountofthestrangerelationsinwhichsheliveswithasetofbandits。\"
\"SignorPrefetto！\"criedColomba，\"Ibeseechyoutolistentowhatthismanhastosay！Youareheretodojusticetoeverybody，anditisyourdutytosearchoutthetruth。Speak，GiocantoCastriconi！\"
\"Don’tlistentohim，\"chorusedthethreeBarricini。
\"Ifeverybodytalksatonce，\"remarkedthebandit，withasmile，\"nobodycancontrivetohearwhatanybodysays。Well，intheprisonatBastiaIhadasmycompanion——notasmyfriend——thisveryman，Tomaso。
HereceivedfrequentvisitsfromSignorOrlanduccio。\"
\"Youlie！\"shoutedthetwobrotherstogether。
\"Twonegativesmakeanaffirmative，\"pursuedCastriconicoolly。
\"Tomasohadmoney，heateanddrankofthebest。Ihavealwaysbeenfondofgoodcheer（that’stheleastofmyfailings），andinspiteofmyrepugnancetorubbingshoulderswithsuchawretch，Iletmyselfbetempted，severaltimesover，intodiningwithhim。Outofgratitude，I
proposedheshouldescapewithme。Ayoungperson——towhomIhadshownsomekindness——hadprovidedmewiththenecessarymeans。Idon’tintendtocompromiseanybody。Tomasorefusedmyoffer，tellingmehewascertaintobeallright，aslawyerBarricinihadspokentoallthejudgesforhim，andhewassuretogetoutofprisonwithacharacteraswhiteassnow，andwithmoneyinhispocket，too。Asforme，I
thoughtitbettertogetintothefreshair。/Dixi/。\"
\"Everythingthatfellowhassaidisaheapoflies，\"reiteratedOrlanducciostoutly。\"Ifwewereintheopencountry，andeachofushadhisgun，hewouldn’ttalkinthatway。\"
\"Here’saprettyfolly！\"criedBrandolaccio。\"Don’tyouquarrelwiththePadre，Orlanduccio！\"
\"Willyoubegoodenoughtoallowmetoleavethisroom，SignordellaRebbia，\"saidtheprefect，andhestampedhisfootinhisimpatience。
\"Saveria！Saveria！\"shoutedOrso，\"openthedoor，inthedevil’sname！\"
\"Onemoment，\"saidBrandolaccio。\"Wehavetoslipawayfirst，onourside。SignorPrefetto，thecustom，whenpeoplemeetinthehouseofamutualfriend，istoalloweachotherhalfanhour’slaw，afterdeparture。\"
Theprefectcastascornfulglanceathim。
\"Yourservant，signorina，andgentlemenall！\"saidBrandolaccio。Thenstretchingouthisarm，\"Hi，Brusco，\"hecriedtohisdog，\"jumpfortheSignorPrefetto！\"
Thedogjumped；thebanditsswiftlysnatcheduptheirarmsinthekitchen，fledacrossthegarden，andatashrillwhistlethedooroftheroomflewopenasthoughbymagic。
\"SignorBarricini，\"saidOrso，andsuppressedfuryvibratedinhisvoice，\"Iholdyoutobeaforger！ThisverydayIshallchargeyoubeforethepublicprosecutorwithforgeryandcomplicitywithBianchi。
Imayperhapshaveastillmoreterribleaccusationtobringagainstyou！\"
\"AndI，SignordellaRebbia，\"repliedthemayor，\"shalllaymychargeagainstyouforconspiracyandcomplicitywithbandits。Meanwhiletheprefectwilldesirethegendarmestokeepaneyeuponyou。\"
\"Theprefectwilldohisduty，\"saidthatgentlemansternly。\"HewillseethepublicorderisnotdisturbedatPietranera；hewilltakecarejusticeisdone。Isaythistoyouall，gentlemen！\"
ThemayorandVincentellowereoutsidetheroomalready，andOrlanducciowasfollowingthem，steppingbackward，whenOrsosaidtohiminanundertone：
\"Yourfatherisanoldman。Onecufffrommewouldkillhim。ItiswithyouandwithyourbrotherthatIintendtodeal。\"
Orlanduccio’sonlyresponsewastodrawhisdaggerandflylikeamadmanatOrso。ButbeforehecouldusehisweaponColombacaughtholdofhisarmandtwisteditviolently，whileOrsogavehimablowinthefacewithhisfist，whichmadehimstaggerseveralpacesback，andcomeintoviolentcollisionwiththedoorframe。Orlanduccio’sdaggerdroppedfromhishand。ButVincentellohadhisready，andwasrushingbackintotheroom，whenColomba，snatchingupagunconvincedhimthatthestrugglemustbeunequal。Atthesametimetheprefectthrewhimselfbetweenthecombatants。
\"Weshallsoonmeet，Ors’Anton’！\"shoutedOrlanduccio，andslammingthedooroftheroomviolently，heturnedthekeyinthelock，soastoinsurehimselftimetoretreat。
ForafullquarterofanhourOrsoandtheprefectkepttheirplacesindeadsilence，atoppositeendsoftheroom。Colomba，theprideoftriumphshiningonherbrow，gazedfirstatoneandthenattheother，assheleanedonthegunthathadturnedthescaleofvictory。
\"Whatacountry！Oh，whatacountry！\"criedtheprefectatlast，risinghastilyfromhischair。\"SignordellaRebbia，youdidwrong！
Youmustgivemeyourwordofhonourtoabstainfromallviolence，andtowaittillthelawsettlesthiscursedbusiness。\"
\"Yes，SignorPrefetto，Iwaswrongtostrikethatvillain。ButIdidstrikehim，afterall，andIcan’trefusehimthesatisfactionhehasdemandedofme。\"
\"Pooh！no！Hedoesn’twanttofightyou！Butsupposinghemurdersyou？
You’vedoneeverythingyoucouldtoinsureit。\"
\"We’llprotectourselves，\"saidColomba。
\"Orlanduccio，\"saidOrso，\"strikesmeasbeingapluckyfellow，andI
thinkbetterofhimthanthat，monsieur。Hewasveryquickaboutdrawinghisdagger。ButperhapsIshouldhavedonethesamethinginhisplace，andI’mgladmysisterhasnotanordinaryfinelady’swrist。\"
\"Youarenottofight，\"exclaimedtheprefect。\"Iforbidit！\"
\"Allowmetosay，monsieur，thatinmattersthataffectmyhonourtheonlyauthorityIacknowledgeisthatofmyownconscience。\"
\"Yousha’n’tfight，Itellyou！\"
\"Youcanputmeunderarrest，monsieur——thatis，ifIletyoucatchme。Butifyouweretodothat，youwouldonlydelayathingthathasnowbecomeinevitable。Youareamanofhonouryourself，monsieur；youknowtherecanbenoothercourse。\"
\"Ifyouweretohavemybrotherarrested，\"addedColomba，\"halfthevillagewouldtakehispart，andweshouldhaveafinefusillade。\"
\"Igiveyoufairnotice，monsieur，andIentreatyounottothinkIamtalkingmerebravado。IwarnyouthatifSignorBarriciniabuseshisauthorityasmayor，tohavemearrested，Ishalldefendmyself。\"
\"Fromthisveryday，\"saidtheprefect，\"SignorBarriciniissuspended。Itrusthewillexculpatehimself。Listentome，myyounggentleman，Ihavealikingforyou。WhatIaskofyouisnothingtospeakof。JusttostayquietlyathometillIgetbackfromCorte。I
shallonlybethreedaysaway。I’llbringbackthepublicprosecutorwithme，andthenwe’llsiftthiswretchedbusinesstothebottom。
Willyoupromisemeyouwillabstainfromallhostilitiestillthen？\"
\"Icannotpromisethat，monsieur，if，asIexpect，Orlanduccioasksmetomeethim。\"
\"What，SignordellaRebbia！Wouldyou——aFrenchofficer——thinkofgoingoutwithamanyoususpectofbeingaforger？\"
\"Istruckhim，monsieur！\"
\"Butsupposingyoustruckaconvict，andhedemandedsatisfactionofyou，wouldyoufighthim？Come，come，SignorOrso！ButI’llaskyoutodoevenless，donothingtoseekoutOrlanduccio。I’llconsenttoyourfightinghimifheasksyouforameeting。\"
\"Hewillaskforit，Ihaven’tadoubtofthat。ButI’llpromiseI
won’tgivehimfreshcuffstoinducehimtodoit。\"
\"Whatacountry！\"criedtheprefectoncemore，ashestrodetoandfro。\"ShallInevergetbacktoFrance？\"
\"SignorPrefetto，\"saidColombainhermostdulcettones，\"itisgrowingverylate。Wouldyoudousthehonourofbreakfastinghere？\"
Theprefectcouldnothelplaughing。
\"I’vebeenheretoolongalready——itmaylooklikepartiality。Andthereisthatcursedfoundation-stone。Imustbeoff。SignorinadellaRebbia！whatcalamitiesyoumayhavepreparedthisday！\"
\"Atallevents，SignorPrefetto，youwilldomysisterthejusticeofbelievingherconvictionsaredeeplyrooted——andIamsure，now，thatyouyourselfbelievethemtobewell-founded。\"
\"Farewell，sir！\"saidtheprefect，wavinghishand。\"Iwarnyouthatthesergeantofgendarmeswillhaveorderstowatcheverythingyoudo。\"
Whentheprefecthaddeparted——
\"Orso，saidColomba，\"thisisn’ttheContinent。Orlanduccioknowsnothingaboutyourduels，andbesides，thatwretchmustnotdiethedeathofabraveman。\"
\"Colomba，mydear，youareacleverwoman。Ioweyouagreatdealfromhavingsavedmefromaheartyknife-thrust。Givemeyourlittlehandtokiss！But，harkye，letmehavemyway。Therearecertainmattersthatyoudon’tunderstand。Givememybreakfast。AndassoonastheprefecthadstartedoffsendforlittleChilina，whoseemstoperformallthecommissionssheisgiveninthemostwonderfulfashion。I
shallwanthertotakealetterforme。\"
WhileColombawassuperintendingthepreparationofhisbreakfast，Orsowentuptohisownroomandwrotethefollowingnote：
\"Youmustbeinahurrytomeetme，andIamnolesseager。Wecanmeetatsixo’clockto-morrowmorninginthevalleyofAcquaviva。
Iamaskilfulpistol-shot，soIdonotsuggestthatweapontoyou。Ihearyouareagoodshotwithagun。Letuseachtakeadouble-barrelledgun。Ishallbeaccompaniedbyamanfromthisvillage。Ifyourbrotherwishestogowithyou，takeasecondwitness，andletmeknow。Inthatcaseonly，Ishouldbringtwowithme。
\"ORSOANTONIODELLAREBBIA。\"
Afterspendinganhourwiththedeputy-mayor，andgoingintotheBarricinihouseforafewminutes，theprefect，attendedbyasinglegendarme，startedforCorte。Aquarterofanhourlater，Chilinacarriedoverthelettermyreadershavejustperused，anddelivereditintoOrlanduccio’sownhands。
Theanswerwasnotprompt，anddidnotarrivetillevening。ItborethesignatureoftheelderBarricini，andinformedOrsothathewaslayingthethreateninglettersenttohissonbeforethepublicprosecutor。Hismissiveconcludedthus：\"Stronginthesenseofaclearconscience，Ipatientlywaittillthelawhaspronouncedonyourcalumnies。\"
Meanwhilefiveorsixherdsmen，summonedbyColomba，arrivedtogarrisonthedellaRebbiaTower。InspiteofOrso’sprotests，/archere/werearrangedinthewindowslookingontothesquare，andallthroughtheeveningoffersofservicekeptcominginfromvariouspersonsbelongingtothevillage。Therewasevenaletterfromthebandit-theologian，undertaking，forhimselfandBrandolaccio，thatintheeventofthemayor’scallingonthegendarmes，theythemselveswouldstraightwayintervene。Thefollowingpostscriptclosedtheletter：
\"DareIaskyouwhattheSignorPrefettothinksoftheexcellenteducationbestowedbymyfriendonBrusco，thedog？NexttoChilina，heisthemostdocileandpromisingpupilIhaveevercomeacross。\"
CHAPTERXVI
Thefollowingdaywentbywithoutanyhostiledemonstration。Bothsideskeptonthedefensive。Orsodidnotleavehishouse，andthedooroftheBarricinidwellingremainedcloselyshut。ThefivegendarmeswhohadbeenlefttogarrisonPietraneraweretobeseenwalkingaboutthesquareandtheoutskirtsofthevillage，incompanywiththevillageconstable，thesolerepresentativeoftheurbanpoliceforce。Thedeputy-mayorneverputoffhissash。Buttherewasnoactualsymptomofwar，excepttheloopholesinthetwoopponents’
houses。NobodybutaCorsicanwouldhavenoticedthatthegrouproundtheevergreenoakinthemiddleofthesquareconsistedsolelyofwomen。
Atsupper-timeColombagleefullyshowedherbrotheralettershehadjustreceivedfromMissNevil。
\"MydearSignorinaColomba，\"itran，\"Ilearnwithgreatpleasure，throughaletterfromyourbrother，thatyourenmitiesareallatanend。Icongratulateyouheartily。MyfathercannotendureAjaccionowyourbrotherisnottheretotalkaboutwarandgooutshootingwithhim。Wearestartingto-day，andshallsleepatthehouseofyourkinswoman，towhomwehavealetter。Thedayafterto-morrow，somewhereabouteleveno’clock，Ishallcomeandaskyoutoletmetastethatmountain/bruccio/ofyours，whichyousayissovastlysuperiortowhatwegetinthetown。
\"Farewell，dearSignorinaColomba。
\"Youraffectionate\"LYDIANEVIL。\"
\"Thenshehasn’treceivedmysecondletter！\"exclaimedOrso。
\"YouseebythedateofthisonethatMissLydiamusthavealreadystartedwhenyourletterreachedAjaccio。Butdidyoutellhernottocome？\"
\"Itoldherwewereinastateofsiege。Thatdoesnotseemtomeaconditionthatpermitsofourreceivingcompany。\"
\"Bah！TheseEnglishpeoplearesoodd。TheverylastnightIsleptinherroomshetoldmeshewouldbesorrytoleaveCorsicawithouthavingseenagood/vendetta/。Ifyouchoose，Orso，youmightletherseeanassaultonourenemies’house。\"
\"Doyouknow，Colomba，\"saidOrso，\"Natureblunderedwhenshemadeyouawoman。You’dhavemadeafirst-ratesoldier。\"
\"Maybe。Anyhow，I’mgoingtomakemy/bruccio/。\"
\"Don’twasteyourtime。Wemustsendsomebodydowntowarnthemandstopthembeforetheystart。\"
\"Doyoumeantosayyouwouldsendamessengeroutinsuchweather，tohavehimandyourletterbothsweptawaybyatorrent？HowIpitythosepoorbanditsinthisstorm！Luckilytheyhavegood/piloni/
（thickclothcloakswithhoods）。Doyouknowwhatyououghttodo，Orso。Ifthestormclearsyoushouldstartoffveryearlyto-morrowmorning，andgettoourkinswoman’shousebeforetheyleaveit。Thatwillbeeasyenough，forMissLydiaalwaysgetsupsolate。Youcantellthemeverythingthathashappenedhere，andiftheystillpersistincoming，why！weshallbeverygladtowelcomethem。\"
Orsolostnotimeinassentingtothisplan，andafterafewmoments’
silence，Colombacontinued：
\"Perhaps，Orso，youthinkIwasjokingwhenItalkedofanassaultontheBarricini’shouse。Doyouknowweareinforce——twotooneattheveryleast？Nowthattheprefecthassuspendedthemayor，everymanintheplaceisonourside。Wemightcutthemtopieces。Itwouldbequiteeasytobringitabout。Ifyouliked，Icouldgoovertothefountainandbegintojeerattheirwomenfolk。Theywouldcomeout。
Perhaps——theyaresuchcowards！——theywouldfireatmethroughtheirloopholes。Theywouldn’thitme。Thenthethingwouldbedone。Theywouldhavebeguntheattack，andthebeatenpartymusttakeitschance。Howisanybodytoknowwhichperson’saimhasbeentrue，inascuffle？Listentoyourownsister，Orso！Theselawyerswhoarecomingwillblackenlotsofpaper，andtalkagreatdealofuselessstuff。
Nothingwillcomeofitall。Thatoldfoxwillcontrivetomakethemthinktheyseestarsinbroadmidday。Ah！iftheprefecthadn’tthrownhimselfinfrontofVincentello，weshouldhavehadonelesstodealwith。\"
Allthiswassaidwiththesamecalmairasthatwithwhichshehadspoken，aninstantpreviously，ofherpreparationsformakingthe/bruccio/。
Orso，quitedumfounded，gazedathissisterwithanadmirationnotunmixedwithalarm。
\"MysweetColomba，\"hesaid，asherosefromthetable，\"Ireallyamafraidyouaretheverydevil。Butmakeyourmindeasy。IfIdon’tsucceedingettingtheBarricinihanged，I’llcontrivetogetthebetteroftheminsomeotherfashion。’Hotbulletorcoldsteel’——youseeIhaven’tforgottenmyCorsican。\"
\"Thesoonerthebetter，\"saidColomba，withasigh。\"Whathorsewillyourideto-morrow，Ors’Anton’？\"
\"Theblack。Whydoyouask？\"
\"Soastomakesurehehassomebarley。\"
WhenOrsowentuptohisroom，ColombasentSaveriaandtheherdsmentotheirbeds，andsatonaloneinthekitchen，wherethe/bruccio/
wassimmering。Nowandthensheseemedtolisten，andwasapparentlywaitingveryanxiouslyforherbrothertogotobed。Atlast，whenshethoughthewasasleep，shetookaknife，madesureitwassharp，slippedherlittlefeetintothickshoes，andpassednoiselesslyoutintothegarden。
Thisgarden，whichwasinclosedbywalls，laynexttoagood-sizedpieceofhedgedground，intowhichthehorseswereturned——forCorsicanhorsesdonotknowwhatastablemeans。Theyaregenerallyturnedlooseintoafield，andlefttothemselves，tofindpastureandshelterfromcoldwinds，asbesttheymay。
Colombaopenedthegardengatewiththesameprecaution，enteredtheinclosure，andwhistlinggently，soonattractedthehorses，towhomshehadoftenbroughtbreadandsalt。Assoonastheblackhorsecamewithinreach，shecaughthimfirmlybythemane，andsplithisearopenwithherknife。Thehorsegaveaviolentleap，andtoreoffwiththatshrillcrywhichsharppainoccasionallyextortsfromhiskind。
Quitesatisfied，Colombawasmakingherwaybackintothegarden，whenOrsothrewopenhiswindowandshouted，\"Whogoesthere？\"Atthesametimesheheardhimcockhisgun。Luckilyforherthegarden-doorlayintheblackestshadow，andwaspartlyscreenedbyalargefig-tree。
Sheverysoongathered，fromthelightshesawglancingupanddowninherbrother’sroom，thathewastryingtolighthislamp。Shelostnotimeaboutclosingthegarden-door，andslippingalongthewall，sothattheoutlineofherblackgarmentswaslostagainstthedarkfoliageofthefruit-trees，andsucceededingettingbackintothekitchenafewmomentsbeforeOrsoenteredit。
\"What’sthematter？\"sheinquired。
\"IfanciedIheardsomebodyopeningthegarden-door，\"saidOrso。
\"Impossible！Thedogwouldhavebarked。Butletusgoandsee！\"
Orsowentroundthegarden，andhavingmadesurethattheouterdoorwassafelysecured，hewasgoingbacktohisroom，ratherashamedofhisfalsealarm。
\"Iamglad，brother，\"remarkedColomba，\"thatyouarelearningtobeprudent，asamaninyourpositionoughttobe。\"
\"Youaretrainingmewell，\"saidOrso。\"Good-night！\"
BydawnthenextmorningOrsowasupandreadytostart。Hisstyleofdressbetrayedthedesireforsmartnessfeltbyeverymanboundforthepresenceoftheladyhewouldfainplease，combinedwiththecautionofaCorsican/invendetta/。Overabluecoat，thatsatcloselytohisfigure，heworeasmalltincasefullofcartridges，slungacrosshisshoulderbyagreensilkcord。Hisdaggerlayinhissidepocket，andinhishandhecarriedhishandsomeManton，readyloaded。WhilehewashastilyswallowingthecupofcoffeeColombahadpouredoutforhim，oneoftheherdsmenwentouttoputthebridleandsaddleontheblackhorse。Orsoandhissisterfollowedcloseonhisheelsandenteredthefield。Themanhadcaughtthehorse，buthehaddroppedbothsaddleandbridle，andseemedquiteparalyzedwithhorror，whilethehorse，rememberingthewoundithadreceivedduringthenight，andtremblingforitsotherear，wasrearing，kicking，andneighingliketwentyfiends。
\"Nowthen！Makehaste！\"shoutedOrso。
\"Ho，Ors’Anton’！Ho，Ors’Anton’！\"yelledtheherdsman。\"HolyMadonna！\"andhepouredoutastringofimprecations，numberless，endless，andmostofthemquiteuntranslatable。
\"Whatcanbethematter？\"inquiredColomba。Theyalldrewneartothehorse，andatthesightofthecreature’sbleedingheadandspliteartherewasageneraloutcryofsurpriseandindignation。MyreadersmustknowthatamongtheCorsicanstomutilateanenemy’shorseisatonceavengeance，achallenge，andamortalthreat。\"Nothingbutabullet-woundcanexpiatesuchacrime。\"
ThoughOrso，havinglivedsolongonthemainland，wasnotsosensitiveasotherCorsicanstotheenormityoftheinsult，still，ifanysupporteroftheBarricinihadappearedinhissightatthatmoment，hewouldprobablyhavetakenvengeanceonhimfortheoutrageheascribedtohisenemies。
\"Thecowardlywretches！\"hecried。\"Toavengethemselvesonapoorbrute，whentheydarenotmeetmefacetoface！\"
\"Whatarewewaitingfor？\"exclaimedColombavehemently。\"Theycomehereandbraveus！Theymutilateourhorses！andwearenottomakeanyresponse？Areyoumen？\"
\"Vengeance！\"shoutedtheherdsmen。\"Letusleadthehorsethroughthevillage，andattacktheirhouse！\"
\"There’sathatchedbarnthattouchestheirTower，\"saidoldPoloGriffo；\"I’dsetfiretoitinatrice。\"
Anothermanwantedtofetchtheladdersoutofthechurchsteeple。A
thirdproposedtheyshouldbreakinthedoorsofthehousewithaheavybeamintendedforsomehouseincourseofbuilding，whichhadbeenleftlyinginthesquare。AmidalltheangryvoicesColombawasheardtellinghersatellitesthatbeforetheywenttoworkshewouldgiveeachmanofthemalargeglassofanisette。
Unluckily，orratherluckily，theimpressionshehadexpectedtoproducebyherowncrueltreatmentofthepoorhorsewaslargelylostonOrso。Hefeltnodoubtthatthesavagemutilationwasduetooneofhisfoes，andhespeciallysuspectedOrlanduccio；buthedidnotbelievethattheyoungman，whomhehimselfhadprovokedandstruck，hadwipedouthisshamebyslittingahorse’sear。Onthecontrary，thismeanandridiculouspieceofvengeancehadincreasedOrso’sscornforhisopponents，andhenowfelt，withtheprefect，thatsuchpeoplewerenotworthytotryconclusionswithhimself。Assoonashewasabletomakehimselfheard，heinformedhisastonishedpartisansthattheywouldhavetorelinquishalltheirbellicoseintentions，andthatthepowerofthelaw，whichwouldshortlybeonthespot，wouldamplysufficetoavengethehurtdonetoahorse’sear。
\"I’mmasterhere！\"headdedsternly；\"andIinsistonbeingobeyed。
Thefirstmanwhodarestosayanythingmoreaboutkillingorburning，willquitepossiblygetascorchingatmyhands！Beoff！Saddlemethegrayhorse！\"
\"What’sthis，Orso？\"saidColomba，drawinghimapart。\"Youallowthesepeopletoinsultus？NoBarriciniwouldhavedaredtomutilateanybeastofoursinmyfather’stime。\"
\"Ipromiseyoutheyshallhavereasontorepentit。Butitisgendarme’sandjailer’sworktopunishwretcheswhoonlyventuretoraisetheirhandsagainstbrutebeasts。I’vetoldyoualready，thelawwillpunishthem；andifnot，youwillnotneedtoremindmewhosesonIam。\"
\"Patience！\"answeredColomba，withasigh。
\"Rememberthis，sister，\"continuedOrso；\"ifIfind，whenIcomeback，thatanydemonstrationwhateverhasbeenmadeagainsttheBarriciniI
shallneverforgiveyou。\"Then，inagentlertone，headded，\"Verypossibly——veryprobably——Ishallbringthecolonelandhisdaughterbackwithme。Seethattheirroomsarewellprepared，andthatthebreakfastisgood。Infact，letusmakeourguestsascomfortableaswecan。It’saverygoodthingtobebrave，Colomba，butawomanmustknowhowtomanageherhousehold，aswell。Come，kissme，andbegood！
Here’sthegray，readysaddled。\"
\"Orso，\"saidColomba，\"youmustn’tgoalone。\"
\"Idon’tneedanybody，\"repliedOrso；\"andI’llpromiseyounobodyshallslitmyear。\"
\"Oh，I’llneverconsenttoyourgoingalone，whilethereisafeud。
Here！PoloGriffo！Gian’Franco！Memmo！Takeyourguns；youmustgowithmybrother。\"
Afterasomewhatlivelyargument，Orsohadtogivein，andacceptanescort。Fromthemostexcitedoftheherdsmenhechoseoutthosewhohadbeenloudestintheirdesiretocommencehostilities；then，afterlayingfreshinjunctionsonhissisterandthemenhewasleavingbehind，hestarted，makingadetour，thistime，soastoavoidtheBarricinis’dwelling。
TheywerealongwayfromPietranera，andweretravellingalongatagreatpace，when，astheycrossedastreamletthatranintoamarsh，PoloGriffonoticedseveralporkerswallowingcomfortablyinthemud，infullenjoymentatonceofthewarmthofthesunandthecoolnessofthewater。Instantlyhetookaimatthebiggest，firedatitshead，andshotitdead。Thedeadcreature’scomradesroseandfledwithastonishingswiftness，andthoughanotherherdsmanfiredatthemtheyreachedathicketanddisappearedintoit，safeandsound。
\"Idiots！\"criedOrso。\"You’vebeentakingpigsforwildboars！\"
\"Notabit，Ors’Anton’，\"repliedPoloGriffo。\"Butthatherdbelongstothelawyer，andI’vetaughthim，now，tomutilateourhorses。\"
\"What！yourascal！\"shoutedOrso，inaperfectfury。\"Youapethevilebehaviourofourenemies！Beoff，villains！Idon’twantyou！You’reonlyfittofightwithpigs。IsweartoGodthatifyoudarefollowmeI’llblowyourbrainsout！\"
Theherdsmenstaredateachother，struckquitedumb。Orsospurredhishorse，gallopedoff，andwassoonoutofsight。
\"Well，well！\"saidPoloGriffo。\"Here’saprettything。Youdevoteyourselftopeople，andthenthisishowtheytreatyou。Hisfather，thecolonel，wasangrywithyoulongago，becauseyoulevelledyourgunatthelawyer。Greatidiotyouwere，nottoshoot。Andnowhereishisson。YousawwhatIdidforhim。Andhetalksaboutcrackingmyskull，justashewouldcrackagourdthatletsthewineleakout。
That’swhatpeoplelearnonthemainland，Memmo！\"
\"Yes，andifanyonefindsoutitwasyouwhokilledthatpigthere’llbeasuitagainstyou，andOrs’Anton’won’tspeaktothejudges，norbuyoffthelawyerforyou。Luckilynobodysaw，andyouhaveSaintNegatohelpyouout。\"
Afterahastyconclave，thetwoherdsmenconcludedtheirwisestplanwastothrowthedeadpigintoabog，andthisprojecttheycarefullyexecuted，aftereachhaddulycarvedhimselfseveralslicesoutofthebodyofthisinnocentvictimofthefeudbetweentheBarriciniandthedellaRebbia。
CHAPTERXVII
Onceridofhisunrulyescort，Orsoproceededcalmlyonhisway，farmoreabsorbedbytheprospectivepleasureofseeingMissNevilthanstirredbyanyfearofcomingacrosshisenemies。
\"ThelawsuitImustbringagainsttheseBarricinivillains，\"hemused，\"willnecessitatemygoingdowntoBastia。WhyshouldInotgotherewithMissNevil？AndonceatBastia，whyshouldn’tweallgotogethertothespringsofOrezza？\"
Suddenlyhischildishrecollectionsofthatpicturesquespotroseupbeforehim。Hefanciedhimselfontheverdantlawnthatspreadsbeneaththeancientchestnut-trees。Onthelustrousgreensward，studdedwithblueflowerslikeeyesthatsmileduponhim，hesawMissLydiaseatedathisside。Shehadtakenoffherhat，andherfairhair，softerandfinerthananysilk，shonelikegoldinthesunlightthatglintedthroughthefoliage。Herclearblueeyeslookedtohimbluerthantheskyitself。Withhercheekrestingononehand，shewaslisteningthoughtfullytothewordsoflovehepouredtremblinglyintoherear。SheworethemuslingowninwhichshehadbeendressedthatlastdayatAjaccio。Frombeneathitsfoldspeepedoutatinyfoot，shodwithblacksatin。Orsotoldhimselfthathewouldbehappyindeedifhemightdaretokissthatlittlefoot——butoneofMissLydia’shandswasbareandheldadaisy。Hetookthedaisyfromher，andLydia’shandpressedhis，andthenhekissedthedaisy，andthenhekissedherhand，andyetshedidnotchidehim……andallthesethoughtspreventedhimfrompayinganyattentiontotheroadhewastravelling，andmeanwhilehetrottedsteadilyonward。Forthesecondtime，inhisfancy，hewasabouttokissMissNevil’ssnow-whitehand，when，ashishorsestoppedshort，heverynearlykisseditshead，insternreality。LittleChilinahadbarredhisway，andseizedhisbridle。
\"Whereareyougoingto，Ors’Anton’？\"shesaid。\"Don’tyouknowyourenemyiscloseby？\"
\"Myenemy！\"criedOrso，furiousatbeinginterruptedatsuchadelightfulmoment。\"Whereishe？\"
\"Orlanduccioiscloseby，he’swaitingforyou！Goback，goback！\"
\"Ho！Ho！Sohe’swaitingforme！Didyouseehim？\"
\"Yes，Ors’Anton’！Iwaslyingdownintheheatherwhenhepassedby。
Hewaslookingroundeverywherethroughhisglass。\"
\"Andwhichwaydidhego？\"
\"Hewentdownthere。Justwhereyouweregoing！\"
\"Thankyou！\"
\"Ors’Anton’，hadn’tyoubetterwaitformyuncle？Hemustbeheresoon——andwithhimyouwouldbesafe。\"
\"Don’tbefrightened，Chili。Idon’tneedyouruncle。\"
\"Ifyouwouldletme，Iwouldgoinfrontofyou。\"
\"No，thanks！No，thanks！\"
AndOrso，spurringhishorse，roderapidlyinthedirectiontowhichthelittlegirlhadpointed。
Hisfirstimpulsehadbeenoneofblindfury，andhehadtoldhimselfthatfortunewasofferinghimanexcellentopportunityofpunishingthecowardwhohadavengedtheblowhehadreceivedbymutilatingahorse。Butashemovedonwardthethoughtofhispromisetotheprefect，and，aboveall，hisfearofmissingMissNevil’svisit，alteredhisfeelings，andmadehimalmostwishhemightnotcomeuponOrlanduccio。Soon，however，thememoryofhisfather，theindignityofferedtohisownhorse，andthethreatsoftheBarricini，stirredhisrageafresh，andincitedhimtoseekhisfoe，andtoprovokeandforcehimtoafight。Thustossedbyconflictingfeelings，hecontinuedhisprogress，thoughnowhecarefullyscrutinizedeverythicketandhedge，andsometimesevenpulleduphishorsetolistentothevaguesoundstobeheardinanyopencountry。TenminutesafterhehadleftlittleChilina（itwasthenaboutnineo’clockinthemorning）hefoundhimselfontheedgeofanexceedinglysteepdeclivity。Theroad，orrathertheveryslightpath，whichhewasfollowing，ranthrougha/maquis/thathadbeenlatelyburned。Thegroundwascoveredwithwhitishashes，andhereandtheresomeshrubs，andafewbigtrees，blackenedbytheflames，andentirelystrippedoftheirleaves，stillstooderect——thoughlifehadlongsincedepartedoutofthem。Thesightofaburned/maquis/isenoughtomakeamanfancyhehasbeentransportedintomidwinterinsomenorthernclime，andthecontrastbetweenthebarrennessofthegroundoverwhichtheflameshavepassed，withtheluxuriantvegetationroundaboutit，heightensthisappearanceofsadnessanddesolation。ButatthatmomenttheonlythingthatstruckOrsointhisparticularlandscapewasonepoint——animportantone，itistrue，inhispresentcircumstances。Thebarenessofthegroundrenderedanykindofambushimpossible，andthemanwhohasreasontofearthatatanymomenthemayseeagun-barrelthrustoutofathicketstraightathisownchest，looksonastretchofsmoothground，withnothingonittointercepthisview，asakindofoasis。Afterthisburned/maquis/
cameanumberofcultivatedfields，inclosed，accordingtothefashionofthatcountry，withbreast-highwalls，builtofdrystones。Thepathranbetweenthesefields，producing，fromadistance，theeffectofathickwood。
ThesteepnessofthedeclivitymadeitnecessaryforOrsotodismount。
Hewaswalkingquicklydownthehill，whichwasslipperywithashes（hehadthrownthebridleonhishorse’sneck），andwashardlyfive-
and-twentypacesfromoneofthesestonefences，when，justinfrontofhim，ontheright-handsideoftheroad，heperceivedfirstofallthebarrelofagun，andthenahead，risingoverthetopofthewall。
Thegunwaslevelled，andherecognisedOrlanduccio，justreadytofire。Orsoswiftlypreparedforself-defence，andthetwomen，takingdeliberateaim，staredateachotherforseveralseconds，withthatthrillofemotionwhichthebravestmustfeelwhenheknowshemusteitherdealdeathorendureit。
\"Vilecoward！\"shoutedOrso。
ThewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthwhenhesawtheflashofOrlanduccio’sgun，andalmostatthesameinstantasecondshotrangoutonhisleftfromtheothersideofthepath，firedbyamanwhomhehadnotnoticed，andwhowasaimingathimfrombehindanotherwall。Bothbulletsstruckhim。Thefirst，Orlanduccio’s，passedthroughhisleftarm，whichOrsohadturnedtowardhimasheaimed。
Thesecondshotstruckhiminthechest，andtorehiscoat，butcomingincontactwiththebladeofhisdagger，itluckilyflattenedagainstit，andonlyinflictedatriflingbruise。Orso’sleftarmfellhelplessathisside，andthebarrelofhisgundroppedforamoment，butheraiseditatonce，andaiminghisweaponwithhisrighthandonly，hefiredatOrlanduccio。Hisenemy’shead，whichwasonlyexposedtotheleveloftheeyes，disappearedbehindthewall。ThenOrso，swingingroundtotheleft，firedthesecondbarrelatamaninacloudofsmokewhomhecouldhardlysee。Thisfacelikewisedisappeared。Thefourshotshadfollowedeachotherwithincredibleswiftness；notrainedsoldierseverfiredtheirvolleysinquickersuccession。AfterOrso’slastshotagreatsilencefell。Thesmokefromhisweaponroseslowlyupintothesky。Therewasnotamovement，nottheslightestsoundfrombehindthewall。Butforthepaininhisarm，hecouldhavefanciedthemenonwhomhehadjustfiredhadbeenphantomsofhisownimagination。
Fullyexpectingasecondvolley，Orsomovedafewsteps，toplacehimselfbehindoneoftheburnedtreesthatstillstooduprightinthe/maquis/。Thussheltered，heputhisgunbetweenhisknees，andhurriedlyreloadedit。Meanwhilehisleftarmbegantohurthimhorribly，andfeltasifitwerebeingdraggeddownbyahugeweight。
Whathadbecomeofhisadversaries？Hecouldnotunderstand。Iftheyhadtakentoflight，iftheyhadbeenwounded，hewouldcertainlyhaveheardsomenoise，somestiramongtheleaves。Weretheydead，then？
Or，whatwasfarmorelikely，weretheynotwaitingbehindtheirwallforachanceofshootingathimagain。Inhisuncertainty，andfeelinghisstrengthfastfailinghim，hekneltdownonhisrightknee，restedhiswoundedarmupontheother，andtookadvantageofabranchthatprotrudedfromthetrunkoftheburnedtreetosupporthisgun。Withhisfingeronthetrigger，hiseyefixedonthewall，andhisearstrainedtocatchtheslightestsound，hekneltthere，motionless，forseveralminutes，whichseemedtohimacentury。Atlast，behindhim，inthefardistance，heheardafaintshout，andverysoonadogflewlikeanarrowdowntheslope，andstoppedshort，closetohim，waggingitstail。ItwasBrusco，thecomradeandfollowerofthebandits——theherald，doubtless，ofhismaster’sapproach。Neverwasanyhonestmanmoreimpatientlyawaited。Withhismuzzleintheair，andturnedtowardthenearestfence，thedogsniffedanxiously。Suddenlyhegaveventtoalowgrowl，sprangataboundoverthewall，andalmostinstantlyreappeareduponitscrest，whencehegazedsteadilyatOrsowitheyesthatspokesurpriseasclearlyasadog’smaydoit。Thenhesniffedagain，thistimetowardtheotherinclosure，thewallofwhichhealsocrossed。Withinasecondhewasbackonthetopofthat，withthesameairofastonishmentandalarm，andstraightwayheboundedintothethicketwithhistailbetweenhislegs，stillgazingatOrso，andretiringfromhimslowly，andsideways，untilhehadputsomedistancebetweenthem。Thenoffhestartedagain，tearinguptheslopealmostasfastashehadcomedownit，tomeetaman，who，inspiteofitssteepness，wasrapidlydescending。
\"Help，Brando！\"shoutedOrso，assoonashethoughthewaswithinhearing。
\"Hallo！Ors’Anton’！areyouwounded？\"inquiredBrandolaccio，asheranuppanting。\"Isitinyourbodyoryourlimbs？\"
\"Inthearm。\"
\"Thearm——oh，that’snothing！Andtheotherfellow？\"
\"IthinkIhithim。\"
Brandolaccioranafterthedogtothenearestfieldandleanedovertolookattheothersideofthewall，thenpullingoffhiscap——
\"SignorOrlanduccio，Isaluteyou！\"saidhe，thenturningtowardOrso，hebowedtohim，also，gravely。
\"That，\"heremarked，\"iswhatIcallamanwhohasbeenproperlydonefor。\"
\"Ishestillalive？\"askedOrso，whocouldhardlybreathe。
\"Oh！hewouldn’twishit！he’dbetoomuchvexedaboutthebulletyouputintohiseye！HolyMadonna！Whatahole！That’sagoodgun，uponmysoul！whataweight！Thatspattersaman’sbrainsforyou！Harkye，Ors’Anton’！whenIheardthefirst/piff，piff/，saysItomyself：
’Dashit，they’remurderingmylieutenant！’ThenIheard/boum，boum/。
’Ha，ha！’saysI，’that’stheEnglishgunbeginningtotalk——he’sfiringback。’Butwhatonearthdoyouwantwithme，Brusco？\"
Thedogguidedhimtotheotherfield。
\"Uponmyword，\"criedBrandolaccio，utterlyastonished，\"arightandleft，that’swhatitis！Deucetakeit！Clearenough，powdermustbedear，foryoudon’twasteit！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean，forGod’ssake？\"askedOrso。
\"Come，sir，don’ttrytohumbugme；youbringdownthedame，andthenyouwantsomebodytopickitupforyou。Well！there’sonemanwho’llhaveaqueerdessertto-day，andthat’sLawyerBarricini！——youwantbutcher’smeat，doyou？Well，hereyouhaveit。Now，whothedevilwillbetheheir？\"
\"What！isVincentellodeadtoo？\"
\"Deadasmutton。/Saluteanoi！/Thegoodpointaboutyouisthatyoudon’tletthemsuffer。JustcomeoverandlookatVincentello；he’skneelingherewithhisheadagainstthewall，asifhewereasleep。
Youmaysayhesleepslikelead，thistime，poordevil。\"
Orsoturnedhisheadinhorror。
\"Areyoucertainhe’sdead？\"
\"You’relikeSampieroCorso，whoneverhadtofiremorethanonce。
Lookatitthere，inhischest，ontheleft——justwhereVincileonewashitatWaterloo。I’llwagerthatbulletisn’tfarfromhisheart——arightandleft！Ah！I’llnevertalkaboutshootingagain。Twowithtwoshots，andbulletsatthat！Thetwobrothers！Ifhe’dhadathirdshothe’dhavekilledtheirpapa。Betterlucknexttime。Whatashot！Ors’
Anton’！Andtothinkthatanhonestpoorchaplikemewillnevergetthechanceofarightandalefttwogendarmes！\"
AshetalkedthebanditwasscanningOrso’sarm，andsplittinguphissleevewithhisdagger。
\"Thisisnothing，\"saidhe。\"ButthiscoatofyourswillgiveSignorinaColombaworktodo。Ha！what’sthisIsee？thisgashuponyourchest？Nothingwentinthere，surely？No！youwouldn’tbesobriskasyouare！Come，trytomoveyourfinger。DoyoufeelmyteethwhenIbiteyourlittlefinger？Notverywell？Nevermind！Itwon’tbemuch。Letmetakeyourhandkerchiefandyourneckcloth。Well，yourcoat’sspoilt，anyhow！Whatthedevildidyoumakeyourselfsosmartfor？Wereyougoingtoawedding？There！drinkadropofwine。Whyonearthdon’tyoucarryaflask？DoesanyCorsicanevergooutwithoutaflask？\"
Thenagainhebrokeoffthedressingofthewoundtoexclaim：
\"Arightandleft！Bothofthemstonedead！HowthePadrewilllaugh！
Arightandleft！Oh，here’sthatlittledawdleChilinaatlast！\"
Orsomadenoreply——hewasaspaleasdeathandshakingineverylimb。
\"Chili！\"shoutedBrandolaccio，\"goandlookbehindthatwall！\"
Thechild，usingbothhandsandfeet，scrambledontothewall，andthemomentshecaughtsightofOrlanduccio’scorpseshecrossedherself。
\"That’snothing，\"proceededthebandit；\"goandlookfartheron，overthere！\"
Thechildcrossedherselfagain。
\"Wasityou，uncle？\"sheaskedtimidly。
\"Me！Don’tyouknowI’veturnedintoauselessoldfellow！This，Chili，isthesignor’swork；offerhimyourcompliments。\"
\"Thesignorinawillbegreatlyrejoiced，\"saidChilina，\"andshewillbeverymuchgrievedtoknowyouarewounded，Ors’Anton’。\"
\"Nowthen，Ors’Anton’，\"saidthebandit，whenhehadfinishedbindingupthewound。\"Chilina，here，hascaughtyourhorse。Youmustgetonhisback，andcomewithmetotheStazzona/maquis/。Itwouldbeaslyfellowwho’dlayhishandonyouthere。WhenwegettotheCrossofSantaChristina，you’llhavetodismount。You’llgiveoveryourhorsetoChilina，who’llgooffandwarnthesignorina。Youcansayanythingtothechild，Ors’Anton’。Shewouldletherselfbecutinpiecesratherthanbetrayherfriends，\"andthen，fondly，heturnedtothelittlegirl，\"That’sit，youlittlehussy；abanonyou，acurseonyou——youjade！\"ForBrandolaccio，whowassuperstitious，likemostbandits，fearedhemightcastaspellonachildifheblesseditorpraisedit，seeingitisawell-knownfactthatthemysteriouspowersthatrulethe/Annocchiatura/[*]haveavilehabitoffulfillingourwishesintheveryoppositesensetothatwegivethem。
[*]/Annocchiatura/，aninvoluntaryspellcasteitherbytheeyeorbyspokenwords。
\"WhereamItogo，Brando？\"queriedOrsoinafaintvoice。
\"Faith！youmustchoose；eithertojailortothe/maquis/。ButnodellaRebbiaknowsthepaththatleadshimtothejail。Tothe/maquis/，Ors’Anton’。\"
\"Farewell，then，toallmyhopes！\"exclaimedthewoundedman，sadly。
\"Yourhopes？Deucetakeit！Didyouhopetodoanybetterwithadouble-barrelledgun？Howonearthdidthefellowscontrivetohityou？Therascalsmusthavebeenashardtokillascats。\"
\"Theyfiredfirst，\"saidOrso。
\"True，true；I’dforgottenthat！——/piff，piff——boum，boum/！Arightandleft，andonlyonehand！Ifanymancandobetter，I’llgohangmyself。Come！nowyou’resafelymounted！Beforewestart，justgiveaglanceatyourwork。Itisn’tciviltoleaveone’scompanywithoutsayinggood-bye。\"
Orsospurredhishorse。Hewouldnothavelookedatthetwopoorwretcheshehadjustdestroyed，foranythingonearth。
\"Harkye，Ors’Anton’，\"quoththebandit，ashecaughtholdofthehorse’sbridle，\"shallItellyouthetruth？Well，nooffencetoyou！
I’msorryforthosepooryoungfellows！You’llpardonme，Ihope；sogood-looking，sostrong，soyoung。Orlanduccio，I’veshotwithhimsooften！Onlyfourdaysagohegavemeabundleofcigars，andVincentello——hewasalwayssocheery。Ofcourseyou’veonlydonewhatyouhadtodo，andindeedtheshotwassuchasplendidone，nobodycouldregretit。ButI，yousee，hadnothingtodowithyourvengeance。Iknowyou’reperfectlyintheright。Whenonehasanenemyonemustgetridofhim。ButtheBarriciniwereanoldfamily。Here’sanotherofthemwipedout，andbyarightandlefttoo！It’sstriking。\"
AshethusspokehisfuneralorationovertheBarricini，BrandolacciohastilyguidedOrso，Chilina，andBrusco，thedog，towardtheStazzona/maquis/。
CHAPTERXVIII
Meanwhile，veryshortlyafterOrso’sdeparture，Colomba’sspieshadwarnedherthattheBarriciniwereoutonthewarpath，andfromthatmomentshewasrackedbythemostintenseanxiety。Shewastobeseenmovinghitherandthitheralloverthehouse，betweenthekitchenandtheroomsthatwerebeingmadereadyforherguests，doingnothing，yetalwaysbusy，andconstantlystoppingtolookoutofawindowforanyunusualstirinthevillage。Towardeleveno’clock，asomewhatnumerouscavalcaderodeintoPietranera。Thiswasthecolonel，withhisdaughter，theirservants，andtheirguide。Colomba’sfirstword，asshewelcomedthem，was\"Haveyouseenmybrother？\"Thenshequestionedtheguideastotheroadtheyhadtaken，andthehouroftheirdeparture，andhavingheardhisanswers，shecouldnotunderstandwhytheyhadnotmethim。
\"Perhaps，\"saidtheguide，\"yourbrothertookthehigherpath；wecamebythelowerone。\"
ButColombaonlyshookherheadandaskedmorequestions。Inspiteofhernaturalfirmnessofcharacter，increasedasitwasbyherprouddesiretoconcealanysignofweaknessbeforestrangers，shecouldnothideheranxiety，andassoonasshehadinformedthemoftheattemptedreconciliation，andofitsunfortunateissue，thiswassharedbythecolonelandMissLydia。MissNevilbecameveryuneasy，andwantedtohavemessengerssentoffineverydirection，andherfatherofferedtoremountatonceandsetoutwiththeguideinsearchofOrso。Herguests’alarmrecalledColombatoasenseofherdutiesasahostess。Shestrovetoforceasmileasshepressedthecoloneltocometotable，andsuggestedtwentyplausiblereasons，whichsheherselfdemolishedwithinaninstant，toaccountforherbrother’sdelay。Thecolonel，feelingittobehisduty，asaman，toreassuretheladies，putforwardhisownexplanation。
\"I’llwager，\"hesaid，\"thatdellaRebbiahascomeacrosssomegameorother。Hehasnotbeenabletostandoutagainstthattemptation，andweshallsoonseehimcomeinwithaheavybag。’Ponmysoul，\"hewenton，\"wedidhearfourshotsfiredontheroad。Twoofthemwerelouderthantheothers，andIsaidtomygirl，’I’llbetanythingthat’sdellaRebbiaoutshooting！Mygunistheonlyonethatwouldmakethatnoise。’\"
Colombaturnedpale，andLydia，whowaswatchingherclosely，hadnodifficultyinguessingthesuspicionswithwhichthecolonel’sconjecturehadinspiredher。Afterafewminutes’silence，Colombaeagerlyinquiredwhetherthetwolouderreportshadbeenheardbeforeoraftertheothers。Butneitherthecolonel，hisdaughter，northeguidehadpaidmuchattentiontothisall-importantdetail。
Towardoneo’clock，asnoneofColomba’smessengershadyetreturned，shegatheredallhercourage，andinsistedthatherguestsshouldsitdowntotablewithher。But，exceptthecolonel，noneofthemcouldeat。Attheslightestsoundinthesquare，Colombarantothewindow。
Thendrearilyshereturnedtoherplace，andstruggledyetmoredrearilytocarryonatrivialconversation，towhichnobodypaidtheslightestattention，andwhichwasbrokenbylongintervalsofsilence。Allatoncetheyheardahorse’sgallop。
\"Ah！Thatmustbemybrotheratlast！\"saidColomba，risingfromherchair。ButwhenshesawChilinaastrideonOrso’shorse——\"Mybrotherisdead！\"shecried，inaheart-rendingvoice。
Thecoloneldroppedhisglass。MissLydiascreamed。Theyallrushedtothedoorofthehouse。BeforeChilinacouldjumpoffhersteed，shewassnatcheduplikeafeatherbyColomba，whoheldhersotightthatshealmostchokedher。Thechildunderstoodheragonizedlook，andherfirstwordswerethoseofthechorusinOthello：\"Helives！\"Colomba’sgrasprelaxed，andnimblyasakittenChilinadroppedupontheground。
\"Theothers？\"queriedColombahoarsely。Chilinacrossedherselfwithherfirstandmiddlefinger。AdeepflushinstantlyreplacedthedeadlypallorofColomba’sface。ShecastonefiercelookattheBarricinidwelling，andthen，withasmile，sheturnedtoherguests。
\"Letusgoinanddrinkourcoffee，\"shesaid。
Thestorythebandit’sIrishadtotellwasalongone。Hernarrative，translatedliterallyintoItalianbyColomba，andthenintoEnglishbyMissNevil，wrungmorethanoneoathfromthecolonel，morethanonesighfromthefairLydia。ButColombahearditallunmoved。Onlyshetwistedherdamasknapkintillitseemedasifshemusttearitinpieces。Sheinterruptedthechild，fiveorsixtimesover，tomakeherrepeatagainthatBrandolacciohadsaidthewoundwasnotdangerous，andthathehadseenmanyworse。Whenshehadfinishedhertale，ChilinaannouncedthatOrsoearnestlybeggedhemightbesentwritingmaterials，andthathedesiredhissisterwouldbeseechaladywhomightbestayinginhishousenottodepartfromit，untilshehadreceivedaletterfromhim。
\"Thatiswhatwasworryinghimmost，\"thechildadded；\"andevenafterIhadstartedhecalledmeback，tobidmenotforgetthemessage。Itwasthethirdtimehehadgivenittome。\"WhenColombaheardofherbrother’sinjunctionshesmiledfaintly，andsqueezedthefairEnglishwoman’shand。Thatyoungladyburstintotears，anddidnotseemtothinkitadvisabletotranslatethatparticularpartofthestorytoherfather。
\"Yes，mydear，\"criedColomba，kissingMissNevil。\"Youshallstaywithme，andyoushallhelpus。\"
Then，takingapileofoldlinenoutofacupboard，shebegantocutitup，tomakelintandbandages。Anyonewhosawherflashingeyes，herheightenedcolour，heralternatefitsofanxietyandcomposure，wouldhavefoundithardtosaywhetherdistressatherbrother’swound，ordelightattheextinctionofherfoes，weremostaffectingher。Onemomentshewaspouringoutthecolonel’scoffee，andtellinghimhowwellshemadeit，thenextshewassettingMissLydiaandChilinatowork，exhortingthemtosewbandages，androllthemup。
Then，forthetwentiethtime，shewouldaskwhetherOrso’swoundwasverypainful。Sheconstantlybrokeoffherownworktoexclaimtothecolonel：
\"Twosuchcunningmen，suchdangerousfellows！Andhealone，wounded，withonlyonearm！Hekilledthetwoofthem！Whatcourage，colonel！
Isn’theahero？Ah，MissNevil！Howgooditistoliveinapeacefulcountrylikeyours！I’msureyoudidnotreallyknowmybrothertillnow！Isaidit——’Thefalconwillspreadhiswings！’Youweredeceivedbyhisgentlelook！That’sbecausewithyou，MissNevil——Ah！ifhecouldseeyouworkingforhimnow！MypoorOrso！\"
MissLydiawasdoinghardlyanywork，andcouldnotfindasinglewordtosay。Herfatherkeptaskingwhynobodywenttolayacomplaintbeforeamagistrate。Hetalkedaboutacoroner’sinquest，andallsortsofotherproceedingsquiteunknowntoCorsicaneconomy。AndthenhebeggedtobetoldwhetherthecountryhouseownedbythatworthySignorBrandolaccio，whohadbroughtsuccourtothewoundedman，wasveryfarawayfromPietranera，andwhetherhecouldnotgotherehimself，toseehisfriend。
