TranslatedByTheLadyMaryLoyd
　　CHAPTERI
　　"Pefarlatovendetta，Stasigur’，vastaancheella。"
　　——VoceroduNiolo。
　　EarlyinthemonthofOctober，181-，ColonelSirThomasNevil，adistinguishedIrishofficeroftheEnglisharmy，alightedwithhisdaughterattheHotelBeauveau，Marseilles，ontheirreturnfromatourinItaly。Theperpetualanduniversaladmirationofenthusiastictravellershasproducedasortofreaction，andmanytourists，intheirdesiretoappearsingular，nowtakethe/niladmirari/ofHoracefortheirmotto。Tothisdissatisfiedclassthecolonel’sonlydaughter，MissLydia，belonged。"TheTransfiguration"hasseemedtohermediocre，andVesuviusineruptionaneffectnotgreatlysuperiortothatproducedbytheBirminghamfactorychimneys。HergreatobjectiontoItaly，onthewhole，wasitslackoflocalcolourandcharacter。Myreadersmustdiscoverthesenseoftheseexpressionsasbesttheymay。AfewyearsagoIunderstoodthemverywellmyself，butatthepresenttimeIcanmakenothingofthem。Atfirst，MissLydiahadflatteredherselfshehadfoundthingsontheothersideoftheAlpswhichnobodyhadeverbeforeseen，aboutwhichshecouldconverse/avecleshonnetesgens/，asM。Jourdaincallsthem。Butsoon，anticipatedineverydirectionbyhercountrymen，shedespairedofmakinganyfreshdiscoveries，andwentovertothepartyoftheopposition。ItisreallyverytiresomenottobeabletotalkabutthewondersofItalywithouthearingsomebodysay"OfcourseyouknowtheRaphaelinthePalazzo————at————？ItisthefinestthinginItaly！"
　　andjustthething/you/happentohaveoverlooked！Asitwouldtaketoolongtoseeeverything，thesimplestcourseistoresorttodeliberateanduniversalcensure。
　　AttheHotelBeauveauMissLydiametwithabitterdisappointment。ShehadbroughtbackaprettysketchofthePelasgicorCyclopeanGateatSegni，which，asshebelieved，allotherartistshadcompletelyoverlooked。Now，atMarseilles，shemetLadyFrancesFenwick，whoshowedherheralbum，inwhichappeared，betweenasonnetandadriedflower，theverygateinquestion，brilliantlytouchedinwithsienna。
　　MissLydiagaveherdrawingtohermaid——andlostalladmirationforPelasgicstructures。
　　ThisunhappyframeofmindwassharedbyColonelNevil，who，sincethedeathofhiswife，lookedateverythingthroughhisdaughter’seyes。
　　Inhisestimation，Italyhadcommittedtheunpardonablesinofboringhischild，andwas，inconsequence，themostwearisomecountryonthefaceoftheearth。Hehadnofaulttofind，indeed，withthepicturesandstatues，buthewasinapositiontoassertthatItaliansportwasutterlywretched，andthathehadbeenobligedtotramptenleaguesovertheRomanCampagna，underaburningsun，tokillafewworthlessred-leggedpartridges。
　　ThemorningafterhisarrivalatMarseillesheinvitedCaptainEllis——
　　hisformeradjutant，whohadjustbeenspendingsixweeksinCorsica——
　　todinewithhim。ThecaptaintoldMissLydiaastoryaboutbandits，whichhadtheadvantageofbearingnoresemblancetotherobbertaleswithwhichshehadbeensofrequentlyregaled，ontheroadbetweenNaplesandRome，andhetolditwell。Atdessert，thetwomen，leftaloneovertheirclaret，talkedofhunting——andthecolonellearnedthatnowhereistheremoreexcellentsport，orgamemorevariedandabundant，thaninCorsica。"Thereareplentyofwildboars，"saidCaptainEllis。"Andyouhavetolearntodistinguishthemfromthedomesticpigs，whichareastonishinglylikethem。Forifyoukillapig，youfindyourselfindifficultieswiththeswine-herds。Theyrushoutofthethickets（whichtheycall/maquis/）armedtotheteeth，makeyoupayfortheirbeasts，andlaughatyoubesides。Thenthereisthemouflon，astrangeanimal，whichyouwillnotfindanywhereelse——
　　splendidgame，buthardtoget——andstags，deer，pheasants，andpartridges——itwouldbeimpossibletoenumerateallthekindswithwhichCorsicaswarms。Ifyouwantshooting，colonel，gotoCorsica！
　　There，asoneofmyentertainerssaidtome，youcangetashotateveryimaginablekindofgame，fromathrushtoaman！"
　　Attea，thecaptainoncemoredelightedLydiawiththetaleofa/vendettatransversale/（Avendettainwhichvengeancefallsonamoreorlessdistantrelationoftheauthoroftheoriginaloffence。），evenmorestrangethanhisfirststory，andhethoroughlystirredherenthusiasmbyhisdescriptionsofthestrangewildbeautyofthecountry，thepeculiaritiesofitsinhabitants，andtheirprimitivehospitalityandcustoms。Finally，heofferedheraprettylittlestiletto，lessremarkableforitsshapeandcoppermountingthanforitsorigin。AfamousbandithadgivenittoCaptainEllis，andhadassuredhimithadbeenburiedinfourhumanbodies。MissLydiathrustitthroughhergirdle，laiditonthetablebesideherbed，andunsheathedittwiceoverbeforeshefellasleep。Herfathermeanwhilewasdreaminghehadslainamouflon，andthatitsownerinsistedonhispayingforit，ademandtowhichhegladlyacceded，seeingitwasamostcuriouscreature，likeaboar，withstag’shornsandapheasant’stail。
　　"Ellistellsmethere’ssplendidshootinginCorsica，"saidthecolonel，ashesatatbreakfast，alonewithhisdaughter。"Ifithadn’tbeenforthedistance，Ishouldliketospendafortnightthere。"
　　"Well，"repliedMissLydia，"whyshouldn’twegotoCorsica？WhileyouarehuntingIcansketch——IshouldlovetohavethatgrottoCaptainEllistalkedabout，whereNapoleonusedtogoandstudywhenhewasachild，inmyalbum。"
　　Itwasthefirsttime，probably，thatanywishexpressedbythecolonelhadwonhisdaughter’sapprobation。Delightedashewasbytheunexpectedharmonyontheiropinions，hewasneverthelesswiseenoughtoputforwardvariousobjections，calculatedtosharpenMissLydia’swelcomewhim。Invaindidhedwellonthewildnessofthecountry，andthedifficultiesoftravelthereforalady。Nothingfrightenedher；
　　shelikedtravellingonhorsebackofallthings；shedelightedintheideaofbivouackingintheopen；sheeventhreatenedtogoasfarasAsiaMinor——inshort，shefoundananswertoeverything。NoEnglishwomanhadeverbeentoCorsica；thereforeshemustgo。Whatapleasureitwouldbe，whenshegotbacktoSt。James’sPlace，toexhibitheralbum！"But，mydearcreature，whydoyoupassoverthatdelightfuldrawing？""That’sonlyatrifle——justasketchImadeofafamousCorsicanbanditwhowasourguide。""What！youdon’tmeantosayyouhavebeentoCorsica？"
　　AstherewerenosteamboatsbetweenFranceandCorsica，inthosedays，inquiriesweremadeforsomeshipabouttosailfortheislandMissLydiaproposedtodiscover。ThatverydaythecolonelwrotetoParis，tocountermandhisorderforthesuiteofapartmentsinwhichhewastohavemadesomestay，andbargainedwiththeskipperofaCorsicanschooner，justabouttosetsailforAjaccio，fortwopoorcabins，butthebestthatcouldbehad。Provisionsweresentonboard，theskippersworethatoneofhissailorswasanexcellentcook，andhadnothisequalfor/bouilleabaisse/；hepromisedmademoiselleshouldbecomfortable，andhaveafairwindandacalmsea。
　　Thecolonelfurtherstipulated，inobediencetohisdaughter’swishes，thatnootherpassengershouldbetakenonboard，andthatthecaptainshouldskirtthecoastoftheisland，sothatMissLydiamightenjoytheviewofthemountains。
　　CHAPTERII
　　Onthedayoftheirdepartureeverythingwaspackedandsentonboardearlyinthemorning。Theschoonerwastosailwiththeeveningbreeze。Meanwhile，asthecolonelandhisdaughterwerewalkingontheCanebiere，theskipperaddressedthem，andcravedpermissiontotakeonboardoneofhisrelations，hiseldestson’sgodfather’ssecondcousin，whowasgoingbacktoCorsica，hisnativecountry，onimportantbusiness，andcouldnotfindanyshiptotakehimover。
　　"He’sacharmingfellow，"addedCaptainMattei，"asoldier，anofficerintheInfantryoftheGuard，andwouldhavebeenacolonelalreadyif/theother/（meaningNapoleon）hadstillbeenemperor！"
　　"Asheisasoldier，"beganthecolonel——hewasabouttoadd，"Ishallbeverygladheshouldcomewithus，"whenMissLydiaexclaimedinEnglish：
　　"Aninfantryofficer！"（Herfatherhadbeeninthecavalry，andsheconsequentlylookeddownoneveryotherbranchoftheservice。）"Anuneducatedman，verylikely，whowouldbesea-sick，andspoilallthepleasureofourtrip！"
　　ThecaptaindidnotunderstandawordofEnglish，butheseemedtocatchwhatMissLydiawassayingbythepursingupofherprettymouth，andimmediatelyentereduponanelaboratepanegyricofhisrelative，whichhewoundupbydeclaringhimtobeagentleman，belongingtoafamilyof/corporals/，andthathewouldnotbeintheveryleastinthecolonel’sway，forthathe，theskipper，wouldundertaketostowhiminsomecorner，wheretheyshouldnotbeawareofhispresence。
　　ThecolonelandMissNevilthoughtitpeculiarthatthereshouldbeCorsicanfamiliesinwhichthedignityofcorporalwashandeddownfromfathertoson。But，astheyreallybelievedtheindividualinquestiontobesomeinfantrycorporal，theyconcludedhewassomepoordevilwhomtheskipperdesiredtotakeoutofpurecharity。Ifhehadbeenanofficer，theywouldhavebeenobligedtospeaktohimandlivewithhim；buttherewasnoreasonwhytheyshouldputthemselvesoutforacorporal——whoisapersonofnoconsequenceunlesshisdetachmentisalsoathand，withbayonetsfixed，readytoconveyapersontoaplacetowhichhewouldrathernotbetaken。
　　"Isyourkinsmaneversea-sick？"demandedMissNevilsharply。
　　"Never，mademoiselle，heisassteadyasarock，eitheronseaorland！"
　　"Verygoodthen，youcantakehim，"saidshe。
　　"Youcantakehim！"echoedthecolonel，andtheypassedontheirway。
　　Towardfiveo’clockintheeveningCaptainMatteicametoescortthemonboardtheschooner。Onthejetty，nearthecaptain’sgig，theymetatallyoungmanwearingabluefrock-coat，buttoneduptohischin；
　　hisfacewastanned，hiseyeswereblack，brilliant，wideopen，hiswholeappearanceintelligentandfrank。Hisshoulders，wellthrownback，andhislittletwistedmustacheclearlyrevealedthesoldier——
　　foratthatperiodmustacheswerebynomeanscommon，andtheNationalGuardhadnotcarriedthehabitsandappearanceoftheguard-roomintothebosomofeveryfamily。
　　Whentheyoungmansawthecolonelhedoffedhiscap，andthankedhiminexcellentlanguage，andwithouttheslightestshyness，fortheservicehewasrenderinghim。
　　"Delightedtobeofusetoyou，mygoodfellow！"saidthecolonel，withafriendlynod，andhesteppedintothegig。
　　"He’snotveryceremonious，thisEnglishmanofyours，"saidtheyoungmaninItalian，andinanundertone，tothecaptain。
　　Theskipperlaidhisforefingerunderhislefteye，andpulleddownthecornersofhismouth。Toamanacquaintedwiththelanguageofsigns，thismeantthattheEnglishmanunderstoodItalian，andwasanoddityintothebargain。Theyoungmansmiledslightlyandtouchedhisforehead，inanswertoMattei’ssign，asthoughtoindicatethateveryEnglishmanhadabeeinhisbonnet。Thenhesatdownbesidethem，andbegantolookveryattentively，thoughnotimpertinently，athisprettyfellow-traveller。
　　"TheseFrenchsoldiersallhaveagoodappearance，"remarkedthecolonelinEnglishtohisdaughter，"andsoitiseasytoturnthemintoofficers。"ThenaddressingtheyoungmaninFrench，hesaid，"Tellme，mygoodman，whatregimenthaveyouservedin？"Theyoungmannudgedhissecondcousin’sgodson’sfathergentlywithhiselbow，andsuppressinganironicsmile，repliedthathehadservedintheInfantryoftheGuard，andthathehadjustquittedtheSeventhRegimentofLightInfantry。
　　"WereyouatWaterloo？Youareveryyoung！"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，colonel，thatwasmyonlycampaign。"
　　"Itcountsastwo，"saidthecolonel。
　　TheyoungCorsicanbithislips。
　　"Papa，"saidMissLydiainEnglish，"doaskhimiftheCorsicansareveryfondoftheirBuonaparte。"
　　BeforethecolonelcouldtranslateherquestionintoFrench，theyoungmanansweredinfairlygoodEnglish，thoughwithamarkedaccent：
　　"Youknow，mademoiselle，thatnomaniseveraprophetinhisowncountry。We，whoareNapoleon’sfellow-countrymen，areperhapslessattachedtohimthantheFrench。Asformyself，thoughmyfamilywasformerlyatenmitywithhis，Ibothloveandadmirehim。"
　　"YouspeakEnglish！"exclaimedthecolonel。
　　"Veryill，asyoumayperceive！"
　　MissLydia，thoughsomewhatshockedbytheyoungman’seasytone，couldnothelplaughingattheideaofapersonalenmitybetweenacorporalandanemperor。ShetookthisasaforetasteofCorsicanpeculiarities，andmadeuphermindtonoteitdowninherjournal。
　　"PerhapsyouwereaprisonerinEngland？"askedthecolonel。
　　"No，colonel，IlearnedEnglishinFrance，whenIwasveryyoung，fromaprisonerofyournation。"
　　Then，addressingMissNevil：
　　"MatteitellsmeyouhavejustcomebackfromItaly。Nodoubt，mademoiselle，youspeakthepurestTuscan——Ifearyou’llfinditsomewhatdifficulttounderstandourdialect。"
　　"MydaughterunderstandseveryItaliandialect，"saidthecolonel。
　　"Shehasthegiftoflanguages。Shedoesn’tgetitfromme。"
　　"Wouldmademoiselleunderstand，forinstance，theselinesfromoneofourCorsicansongsinwhichashepherdsaystohisshepherdess：
　　"S’entrassi’ndruparadisusantu，santu，Enuntruvassiatia，min’escriria。"
　　（"IfIenteredtheholylandofparadiseandfoundtheenot，Iwoulddepart！"）
　　——/SerenatadiZicavo/。
　　MissLydiadidunderstand。Shethoughtthequotationbold，andthelookwhichaccompanieditstillbolder，andreplied，withablush，"Capisco。"
　　"Andareyougoingbacktoyourowncountryonfurlough？"inquiredthecolonel。
　　"No，colonel，theyhaveputmeonhalf-pay，becauseIwasatWaterloo，probably，andbecauseIamNapoleon’sfellow-countryman。Iamgoinghome，asthesongsays，lowinhopeandlowinpurse，"andhelookeduptotheskyandsighed。
　　Thecolonelslippedhishandintohispocket，andtriedtothinkofsomecivilphrasewithwhichhemightslipthegoldcoinhewasfingeringintothepalmofhisunfortunateenemy。
　　"AndItoo，"hesaidgood-humouredly，"havebeenputonhalf-pay，butyourhalf-paycanhardlygiveyouenoughtobuytobacco！Here，corporal！"andhetriedtoforcethegoldcoinintotheyoungman’sclosedhand，whichrestedonthegunwaleofthegig。
　　TheyoungCorsicanreddened，drewhimselfup，bithislips，andseemed，foramoment，onthebrinkofsomeangryreply。Thensuddenlyhisexpressionchangedandheburstoutlaughing。Thecolonel，graspinghisgoldpiecestillinhishand，satstaringathim。
　　"Colonel，"saidtheyoungman，whenhehadrecoveredhisgravity，"allowmetoofferyoutwopiecesofadvice——thefirstisnevertooffermoneytoaCorsican，forsomeofmyfellow-countrymenwouldberudeenoughtothrowitbackinyourface；thesecondisnottogivepeopletitlestheydonotclaim。Youcallme’corporal，’andIamalieutenant——thedifferenceisnotverygreat，nodoubt，still————"
　　"Lieutenant！Lieutenant！"exclaimedSirThomas。"Buttheskippertoldmeyouwereacorporal，andthatyourfatherandallyourfamilyhadbeencorporalsbeforeyou！"
　　Atthesewordstheyoungmanthrewhimselfbackandlaughedlouderthanever，somerrilythattheskipperandhistwosailorsjoinedthechorus。
　　"Forgiveme，colonel！"hecriedatlast。"Themistakeissocomical，andIhaveonlyjustrealizedit。Itisquitetruethatmyfamilygloriesinthefactthatitcanreckonmanycorporalsamongitsancestors——butourCorsicancorporalsneverworestripesupontheirsleeves！Towardtheyearofgrace1100certainvillagesrevoltedagainstthetyrannyofthegreatmountainnobles，andchoseleadersoftheirown，whomtheycalled/corporals/。Inourislandwethinkagreatdealofbeingdescendedfromthesetribunes。"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，sir，"exclaimedthecolonel，"Ibegyourpardonathousandtimes！Asyouunderstandthecauseofmymistake，Ihopeyouwilldomethekindnessofforgivingit！"andheheldouthishand。
　　"Itisthejustpunishmentofmypettypride，"saidtheyoungman，stilllaughing，andcordiallyshakingtheEnglishman’shand。"Iamnotatalloffended。AsmyfriendMatteihasintroducedmesounsuccessfully，allowmetointroducemyself。MynameisOrsodellaRebbia；Iamalieutenantonhalf-pay；andif，asthesightofthosetwofinedogsofyoursleadsmetobelieve，youarecomingtoCorsicatohunt，Ishallbeveryproudtodoyouthehonoursofourmountainsandour/maquis/——if，indeed，Ihavenotforgottenthemaltogether！"
　　headded，withasigh。
　　Atthismomentthegigcamealongsidetheschooner，thelieutenantofferedhishandtoMissLydia，andthenhelpedthecoloneltoswinghimselfupondeck。Oncethere，SirThomas，whowasstillverymuchashamedofhisblunder，andatalosstoknowwhathehadbetterdotomakethemanwhoseancestrydatedfromtheyear1100forgetit，invitedhimtosupper，withoutwaitingforhisdaughter’sconsent，andwithmanyfreshapologiesandhandshakes。MissLydiafrownedalittle，but，afterall，shewasnotsorrytoknowwhatacorporalreallywas。
　　Sheratherlikedthereguest，andwasevenbeginningtofancytherewassomethingaristocraticabouthim——onlyshethoughthimtoofrankandmerryforaheroofromance。
　　"LieutenantdellaRebbia，"saidthecolonel，bowingtohim，Englishfashion，overaglassofMadeira，"ImetagreatmanyofyourcountrymeninSpain——theyweresplendidsharp-shooters。"
　　"Yes，andagreatmanyofthemhavestayedinSpain，"repliedtheyounglieutenantgravely。
　　"IshallneverforgetthebehaviourofaCorsicanbattalionattheBattleofVittoria，"saidthecolonel；"Ihavegoodreasontorememberit，indeed，"headded，rubbinghischest。"Alldaylongtheyhadbeenskirmishinginthegardens，behindthehedges，andhadkilledIdon’tknowhowmanyofourhorsesandmen。Whentheretreatwassounded，theyralliedandmadeoffatagreatpace。Wehadhopedtotakeourrevengeonthemintheopenplain，butthescoundrels——Ibegyourpardon，lieutenant；thebravefellows，Ishouldhavesaid——hadformedasquare，andtherewasnobreakingit。Inthemiddleofthesquare——I
　　fancyIcanseehimstill——rodeanofficeronalittleblackhorse。Hekeptclosebesidethestandard，smokinghiscigarascoollyasifhehadbeeninacafé。Everynowandthentheirbuglesplayedaflourish，asiftodefyus。Isentmytwoleadingsquadronsatthem。Whew！
　　Insteadofbreakingthefrontofthesquare，mydragoonspassedalongthesides，wheeled，andcamebackingreatdisorder，andwithseveralriderlesshorses——andallthetimethosecursedbugleswentonplaying。Whenthesmokewhichhadhungoverthebattalionclearedaway，Isawtheofficerstillpuffingathiscigarbesidehiseagle。I
　　wasfurious，andledafinalchargemyself。Theirmuskets，foulwithcontinualfiring，wouldnotgooff，butthemenhaddrawnup，sixdeep，withtheirbayonetspointedatthenosesofourhorses；youmighthavetakenthemforawall。Iwasshouting，urgingonmydragoons，andspurringmyhorseforward，whentheofficerIhavementioned，atlengththrowingawayhiscigar，pointedmeouttooneofhismen，andIheardhimsaysomethinglike/"Alcapellobianco！"/——I
　　woreawhiteplume。ThenIdidnothearanymore，forabulletpassedthroughmychest。Thatwasasplendidbattalion，M。dellaRebbia，thatfirstbattalionoftheEighteenth——allofthemCorsicans，asIwasafterwardtold！"
　　"Yes，"saidOrso，whoseeyeshadshoneashelistenedtothestory。
　　"Theycoveredtheretreat，andbroughtbacktheireagle。TwothirdsofthosebravefellowsaresleepingnowontheplainsofVittoria！"
　　"And，perhaps，youcantellmethenameoftheofficerincommand？"
　　"Itwasmyfather——hewasthenamajorintheEighteenth，andwaspromotedcolonelforhisconductonthatterribleday。"
　　"Yourfather！Uponmyword，hewasabraveman！Ishouldbegladtoseehimagain，andIamcertainIshouldrecognisehim。Ishestillalive？"
　　"No，colonel，"saidtheyoungman，turningslightlypale。
　　"WasheatWaterloo？"
　　"Yes，colonel；buthehadnotthehappinessofdyingonthefieldofbattle。HediedinCorsicatwoyearsago。Howbeautifultheseais！ItistenyearssinceIhaveseentheMediterranean！Don’tyouthinktheMediterraneanmuchmorebeautifulthantheocean，mademoiselle？"
　　"Ithinkittooblue，anditswaveslackgrandeur。"
　　"Youlikewildbeautythen，mademoiselle！Inthatcase，IamsureyouwillbedelightedwithCorsica。"
　　"Mydaughter，"saidthecolonel，"delightsineverythingthatisoutofthecommon，andforthatreasonshedidnotcaremuchforItaly。"
　　"TheonlyplaceinItalythatIknow，"saidOrso，"isPisa，whereI
　　wasatschoolforsometime。ButIcannotthink，withoutadmiration，oftheCampo-Santo，theDuomo，andtheLeaningTower——especiallyoftheCampo-Santo。DoyourememberOrcagna’s’Death’？IthinkIcoulddraweverylineofit——itissogravenonmymemory。"
　　MissLydiawasafraidthelieutenantwasgoingtodeliveranenthusiastictirade。
　　"Itisverypretty，"shesaid，withayawn。"Excuseme，papa，myheadachesalittle；Iamgoingdowntomycabin。"
　　Shekissedherfatherontheforehead，inclinedherheadmajesticallytoOrso，anddisappeared。Thenthetwomentalkedabouthuntingandwar。TheydiscoveredthatatWaterlootheyhadbeenpostedoppositeeachother，andhadnodoubtexchangedmanyabullet。Thisknowledgestrengthenedtheirgoodunderstanding。Turningabout，theycriticisedNapoleon，Wellington，andBlucher，andthentheyhuntedbuck，boar，andmountainsheepincompany。Atlast，whennightwasfaradvanced，andthelastbottleofclarethadbeenemptied，thecolonelwrungthelieutenant’shandoncemoreandwishedhimgood-night，expressinghishopethatanacquaintance，whichhadbeguninsuchridiculousfashion，mightbecontinued。Theyparted，andeachwenttobed。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Itwasalovelynight。Themoonlightwasdancingonthewaves，theshipglidedsmoothlyonbeforeagentlebreeze。MissLydiawasnotsleepy，andnothingbutthepresenceofanunpoeticalpersonhadpreventedherfromenjoyingthoseemotionswhicheveryhumanbeingpossessingatouchofpoetrymustexperienceatseabymoonlight。Whenshefeltsuretheyounglieutenantmustbesoundasleep，liketheprosaiccreaturehewas，shegotup，tookhercloak，wokehermaid，andwentondeck。Nobodywastobeseenexceptthesailoratthehelm，whowassingingasortofdirgeintheCorsicandialect，tosomewildandmonotonoustune。Inthesilenceofthenightthisstrangemusichaditscharm。UnluckilyMissLydiadidnotunderstandperfectlywhatthesailorwassinging。Amidagooddealthatwascommonplace，apassionatelinewouldoccasionallyexciteherliveliestcuriosity。Butjustatthemostimportantmomentsomewordsof/patois/wouldoccur，thesenseofwhichutterlyescapedher。Yetshedidmakeoutthatthesubjectwasconnectedwithamurder。Cursesagainsttheassassin，threatsofvengeance，praiseofthedeadwereallmingledconfusedly。
　　Sherememberedsomeofthelines。Iwillendeavourtotranslatethemhere……"Neithercannonnorbayonets……
　　Broughtpallortohisbrow……
　　Assereneonthebattlefield……asasummersky。
　　Hewasthefalcon——theeagle’sfriend……
　　Honeyofthesandtohisfriends……
　　Tohisenemies，atempestuoussea……Prouderthanthesun……gentlerthanthemoon……HeforwhomtheenemiesofFrance……
　　neverwaited……Murderersinhisownland……struckhimfrombehind……
　　AsVittoloslewSampieroCorso……
　　NeverwouldtheyhavedaredtolookhiminTheface……SetuponthewallBeforemybed……mywell-earnedcrossofhonour……redisitsribbon……redderismyshirt！……Formyson，mysoninafarcountry……keepmycrossandmyblood-stainedshirt！……Hewillseetwoholesinit……Foreachholeaholeinanothershirt！……Butwillthataccomplishthevengeance？……Imusthavethehandthatfired，theeyethataimed……theheartthatplanned！"……
　　Suddenlythesailorstoppedshort。
　　"Whydon’tyougoon，mygoodman？"inquiredMissNevil。
　　Thesailor，withajerkofhishead，pointedtoafigureappearingthroughthemainhatchwayoftheschooner：itwasOrso，cominguptoenjoythemoonlight。"Prayfinishyoursong，"saidMissLydia。"Itinterestsmegreatly！"
　　Thesailorleanedtowardher，andsaid，inaverylowtone，"Idon’tgivethe/rimbecco/toanybody！"
　　"Thewhat？"
　　Thesailor，withoutreplying，begantowhistle。
　　"IhavecaughtyouadmiringourMediterranean，MissNevil，"saidOrso，comingtowardher。"Youmustallowyouneverseeamoonlikethisanywhereelse！"
　　"Iwasnotlookingatit，IwasaltogetheroccupiedinstudyingCorsican。Thatsailor，whohasbeensingingamosttragicdirge，stoppedshortatthemostinterestingpoint。"
　　Thesailorbentdown，asiftoseethecompassmoreclearly，andtuggedsharplyatMissNevil’sfurcloak。ItwasquiteevidenthislamentcouldnotbesungbeforeLieutenantOrso。
　　"Whatwereyousinging，PaoloFrance？"saidOrso。"Wasita/ballata/
　　ora/vocero/？Mademoiselleunderstandsyou，andwouldliketoheartheend。"
　　"Ihaveforgottenit，Ors’Anton’，"saidthesailor。
　　AndinstantlyhebeganahymntotheVirgin，atthetopofhisvoice。
　　MissLydialistenedabsent-mindedlytothehymn，anddidnotpressthesingeranyfurther——thoughshewasquiteresolved，inherownmind，tofindoutthemeaningoftheriddlelater。Buthermaid，who，beingaFlorentine，couldnotunderstandtheCorsicandialectanybetterthanhermistress，wasaseagerasMissLydiaforinformation，and，turningtoOrso，beforetheEnglishladycouldwarnherbyanudge，shesaid：
　　"Captainwhatdoes/givingtherimbecco/mean？"
　　"Therimbecco！"saidOrso。"Why，it’sthemostdeadlyinsultthatcanbeofferedtoaCorsican。Itmeansreproachinghimwithnothavingavengedhiswrong。Whomentionedtherimbeccotoyou？"
　　"Yesterday，atMarseilles，"repliedMissLydiahurriedly，"thecaptainoftheschoonerusedtheword。"
　　"Andwhomwashetalkingabout？"inquiredOrsoeagerly。
　　"Oh，hewastellingussomeoddstoryaboutthetime——yes，IthinkitwasaboutVanninad’Ornano。"
　　"Isuppose，mademoiselle，thatVannina’sdeathhasnotinspiredyouwithanygreatloveforournationalhero，thebraveSampiero？"
　　"Butdoyouthinkhisconductwassoveryheroic？"
　　"Theexcuseforhiscrimeliesinthesavagecustomsoftheperiod。
　　AndthenSampierowaswagingdeadlywaragainsttheGenoese。Whatconfidencecouldhisfellow-countrymenhavefeltinhimifhehadnotpunishedhiswife，whotriedtotreatwithGenoa？"
　　"Vannina，"saidthesailor，"hadstartedoffwithoutherhusband’sleave。Sampierodidquiterighttowringherneck！"
　　"But，"saidMissLydia，"itwastosaveherhusband，itwasoutofloveforhim，thatshewasgoingtoaskhispardonfromtheGenoese。"
　　"Toaskhispardonwastodegradehim！"exclaimedOrso。
　　"Andthentokillherhimself！"saidMissLydia。"Whatamonsterhemusthavebeen！"
　　"Youknowshebeggedasafavourthatshemightdiebyhishand。WhataboutOthello，mademoiselle，doyoulookonhim，too，asamonster？"
　　"Thereisadifference；hewasjealous。Sampierowasonlyvain！"
　　"Andafterallisnotjealousyakindofvanity？Itisthevanityoflove；willyounotexcuseitonaccountofitsmotive？"
　　MissLydialookedathimwithanairofgreatdignity，andturningtothesailor，inquiredwhentheschoonerwouldreachport。
　　"Thedayafterto-morrow，"saidhe，"ifthewindholds。"
　　"IwishAjacciowereinsightalready，forIamsickofthisship。"
　　Sherose，tookhermaid’sarm，andwalkedafewpacesonthedeck。
　　Orsostoodmotionlessbesidethehelm，notknowingwhetherhehadbetterwalkbesideher，orendaconversationwhichseemeddispleasingtoher。
　　"BloodoftheMadonna，whatahandsomegirl！"saidthesailor。"Ifeveryfleainmybedwerelikeher，Ishouldn’tcomplainoftheirbitingme！"
　　MissLydiamaypossiblyhaveoverheardthisartlesspraiseofherbeautyandbeenstartledbyit；forshewentbelowalmostimmediately。
　　ShortlyafterOrsoalsoretired。Assoonashehadleftthedeckthemaidreappeared，and，havingcross-questionedthesailor，carriedbackthefollowinginformationtohermistress。The/ballata/whichhadbeenbrokenoffonOrso’sappearancehadbeencomposedontheoccasionofthedeathofhisfather，ColoneldellaRebbia，whohadbeenmurderedtwoyearspreviously。ThesailorhadnodoubtatallthatOrsowascomingbacktoCorsica/perfarelavendetta/，suchwashisexpression，andheaffirmedthatbeforelongtherewouldbe/freshmeat/tobeseeninthevillageofPietranera。Thisnationalexpression，beinginterpreted，meantthatSignorOrsoproposedtomurdertwoorthreeindividualssuspectedofhavingassassinatedhisfather——individualswhohad，indeed，beenprosecutedonthataccount，buthadcomeoutofthetrialaswhiteassnow，fortheywerehandandglovewiththejudges，lawyers，prefect，andgendarmes。
　　"ThereisnojusticeinCorsica，"addedthesailor，"andIputmuchmorefaithinagoodgunthaninajudgeoftheRoyalCourt。IfamanhasanenemyhemustchooseoneofthethreeS’s。"（Anationalexpressionmeaning/schioppetto/，/stiletto/，/strada/——thatis，/gun/，/dagger/，or/flight/。
　　TheseinterestingpiecesofinformationwroughtanotablechangeinMissLydia’smannerandfeelingwithregardtoLieutenantdellaRebbia。FromthatmomenthebecameapersonofimportanceintheromanticEnglishwoman’seyes。
　　Hiscarelessair，hisfrankandgoodhumour，whichhadatfirstimpressedhersounfavourably，nowseemedtoheranadditionalmerit，asbeingproofsofthedeepdissimulationofastrongnature，whichwillnotallowanyinnerfeelingtoappearuponthesurface。OrsoseemedtoherasortofFieschi，whohidmightydesignsunderanappearanceoffrivolity，and，thoughitislessnobletokillafewrascalsthantofreeone’scountry，stillafinedeedofvengeanceisafinething，andbesides，womenarerathergladtofindtheirheroisnotapolitician。ThenMissNevilremarkedforthefirsttimethattheyounglieutenanthadlargeeyes，whiteteeth，anelegantfigure，thathewaswell-educated，andpossessedthehabitsofgoodsociety。Duringthefollowingdayshetalkedtohimfrequently，andfoundhisconversationinteresting。Hewasaskedmanyquestionsabouthisowncountry，anddescribeditwell。Corsica，whichhehadleftwhenyoung，togofirsttocollege，andthentotheEcolemilitaire，hadremainedinhisimaginationsurroundedwithpoeticassociations。Whenhetalkedofitsmountains，itsforests，andthequaintcustomsofitsinhabitantshegreweagerandanimated。Asmaybeimagined，theword/vengeance/occurredmorethanonceinthestorieshetold——foritisimpossibletospeakoftheCorsicanswithouteitherattackingorjustifyingtheirproverbialpassion。OrsosomewhatsurprisedMissNevilbyhisgeneralcondemnationoftheundyinghatredsnursedbyhisfellow-countrymen。Asregardedthepeasants，however，heendeavouredtoexcusethem，andclaimedthatthe/vendetta/isthepoorman’sduel。"Sotrueisthis，"hesaid，"thatnoassassinationtakesplacetillaformalchallengehasbeendelivered。’Beonyourguardyourself，Iamonmine！’arethesacramentalwordsexchanged，fromtimeimmemorial，betweentwoenemies，beforetheybegintolieinwaitforeachother。Therearemoreassassinationsamongus，"headded，"thananywhereelse。Butyouwillneverdiscoveranignoblecauseforanyofthesecrimes。Wehavemanymurderers，itistrue，butnotasinglethief。"
　　WhenhespokeaboutvengeanceandmurderMissLydialookedathimclosely，butshecouldnotdetecttheslightesttraceofemotiononhisfeatures。Asshehadmadeuphermind，however，thathepossessedsufficientstrengthofmindtobeabletohidehisthoughtsfromeveryeye（herown，ofcourse，excepted），shecontinuedinherfirmbeliefthatColoneldellaRebbia’sshadewouldnothavetowaitlongfortheatonementitclaimed。
　　TheschoonerwasalreadywithinsightofCorsica。Thecaptainpointedouttheprincipalfeaturesofthecoast，and，thoughallofthesewereabsolutelyunknowntoMissLydia，shefoundacertainpleasureinhearingtheirnames；nothingismoretiresomethanananonymouslandscape。Fromtimetotimethecolonel’stelescoperevealedtohertheformofsomeislandercladinbrowncloth，armedwithalonggun，bestridingasmallhorse，andgallopingdownsteepslopes。IneachoftheseMissLydiabelievedshebeheldeitherabrigandorasongoingforthtoavengehisfather’sdeath。ButOrsoalwaysdeclareditwassomepeacefuldenizenofaneighbouringvillagetravellingonbusiness，andthathecarriedagunlessfromnecessitythanbecauseitwasthefashion，justasnodandyevertakesawalkwithoutanelegantcane。Thoughagunisalessnobleandpoeticweaponthanastiletto，MissLydiathoughtitmuchmorestylishforamanthananycane，andsherememberedthatallLordByron’sheroesdiedbyabullet，andnotbytheclassicponiard。
　　Afterthreedays’sailing，theshipreachedLesSanguinaires（TheBloodyIslands），andthemagnificentpanoramaoftheGulfofAjacciowasunrolledbeforeourtravellers’eyes。Itiscompared，withjustice，totheBayofNaples，andjustastheschoonerwasenteringtheharbouraburning/maquis/，whichcoveredthePuntadiGirato，broughtbackmemoriesofVesuviusandheightenedtheresemblance。Tomakeitquitecomplete，NaplesshouldbeseenafteroneofAttila’sarmieshaddevastateditssuburbs——forroundAjaccioeverythinglooksdeadanddeserted。InsteadofthehandsomebuildingsobservableoneverysidefromCastellamaretoCapeMisena，nothingistobeseenintheneighbourhoodoftheGulfofAjacciobutgloomy/maquis/withbaremountainsrisingbehindthem。Notavilla，notadwellingofanykind——onlyhereandthere，ontheheightsaboutthetown，afewisolatedwhitestructuresstandoutagainstabackgroundofgreen。Thesearemortuarychapelsorfamilytombs。Everythinginthislandscapeisgravelyandsadlybeautiful。
　　Theappearanceofthetown，atthatperiodespecially，deepenedtheimpressioncausedbythelonelinessofitssurroundings。Therewasnostirinthestreets，whereonlyafewlistlessidlers——alwaysthesame——weretobeseen；nowomenatall，exceptanoddpeasantcomeintosellherproduce；noloudtalk，laughter，andsinging，asintheItaliantowns。Sometimes，undertheshadeofatreeonthepublicpromenade，adozenarmedpeasantswillplayatcardsorwatcheachotherplay；theynevershoutorwrangle；iftheygethotoverthegame，pistolshotsringout，andthisalwaysbeforetheutteranceofanythreat。TheCorsicanisgraveandsilentbynature。Intheevening，afewpersonscomeouttoenjoythecoolair，butthepromenadersontheCorsoarenearlyallofthemforeigners；theislandersstayinfrontoftheirowndoors；eachoneseemsonthewatch，likeafalconoveritsnest。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　WhenMissLydiahadvisitedthehouseinwhichNapoleonwasborn，andhadprocured，bymeansmoreorlessmoral，afragmentofthewall-
　　paperbelongingtoit，she，withintwodaysofherlandinginCorsica，begantofeelthatprofoundmelancholywhichmustovercomeeveryforeignerinacountrywhoseunsociableinhabitantsappeartocondemnhimorhertoaconditionofutterisolation。Shewasalreadyregrettingherheadstrongcaprice；buttogobackatoncewouldhavebeentoriskherreputationasanintrepidtraveller，soshemadeuphermindtobepatient，andkilltimeasbestshecould。Withthisnobleresolution，shebroughtouthercrayonsandcolours，sketchedviewsofthegulf，anddidtheportraitofasunburntpeasant，whosoldmelons，likeanymarket-gardenerontheContinent，butwhoworealongwhitebeard，andlookedthefiercestrascalthathadeverbeenseen。Asallthatwasnotenoughtoamuseher，shedeterminedtoturntheheadofthedescendantofthecorporals，andthiswasnodifficultmatter，since，farfrombeinginahurrytogetbacktohisvillage，OrsoseemedveryhappyatAjaccio，althoughheknewnobodythere。
　　Furthermore，MissLydiahadaloftypurposeinhermind；itwasnothinglessthantocivilizethismountainbear，andinducehimtorelinquishthesinisterdesignwhichhadrecalledhimtohisisland。
　　Sinceshehadtakenthetroubletostudytheyoungman，shehadtoldherselfitwouldbeapitytolethimrushuponhisruin，andthatitwouldbeagloriousthingtoconvertaCorsican。
　　Ourtravellersspentthedayinthefollowingmanner：EverymorningthecolonelandOrsowentoutshooting。MissLydiasketchedorwroteletterstoherfriends，chieflyforthesakeofdatingthemfromAjaccio。Towardsixo’clockthegentlemencamein，ladenwithgame。
　　Thenfolloweddinner。MissLydiasang，thecolonelwenttosleep，andtheyoungpeoplesattalkingtillverylate。
　　Someformalityorother，connectedwithhispassports，hadmadeitnecessaryforColonelNeviltocallontheprefect。Thisgentleman，who，likemostofhiscolleagues，foundhislifeverydull，hadbeendelightedtohearofthearrivalofanEnglishmanwhowasrich，amanoftheworld，andthefatherofaprettydaughter。Hehad，therefore，givenhimthemostfriendlyreception，andoverwhelmedhimwithoffersofservice；further，withinaveryfewdays，hecametoreturnhisvisit。Thecolonel，whohadjustdined，wascomfortablystretchedoutuponhissofa，andverynearlyasleep。Hisdaughterwassingingatabroken-downpiano；Orsowasturningovertheleavesofhermusic，andgazingatthefairsinger’sshouldersandgoldenhair。Theprefectwasannounced，thepianostopped，thecolonelgotup，rubbedhiseyes，andintroducedtheprefecttohisdaughter。
　　"IdonotintroduceM。dellaRebbiatoyou，"saidhe，"fornodoubtyouknowhimalready。"
　　"IsthisgentlemanColoneldellaRebbia’sson？"saidtheprefect，lookingatrifleembarrassed。
　　"Yes，monsieur，"repliedOrso。
　　"Ihadthehonourofknowingyourfather。"
　　Theordinarycommonplacesofconversationweresoonexhausted。Thecolonel，inspiteofhimself，yawnedprettyfrequently。Orso，asaliberal，didnotcaretoconversewithasatelliteoftheGovernment。
　　TheburdenoftheconversationfellonMissLydia。Theprefect，onhisside，didnotletitdrop，anditwasclearthathefoundthegreatestpleasureintalkingofParis，andofthegreatworld，toawomanwhowasacquaintedwithalltheforemostpeopleinEuropeansociety。Ashetalked，henowandthenglancedatOrso，withanexpressionofsingularcuriosity。
　　"WasitontheContinentthatyoumadeM。dellaRebbia’sacquaintance？"heinquired。
　　Somewhatembarrassed，MissLydiarepliedthatshehadmadehisacquaintanceontheshipwhichhadcarriedthemtoCorsica。
　　"Heisaverygentlemanlyyoungfellow，"saidtheprefect，inanundertone；"andhashetoldyou，"headded，droppinghisvoicestilllower，"whyhehasreturnedtoCorsica？"
　　MissLydiaputonhermostmajesticairandanswered：
　　"Ihavenotaskedhim，"shesaid。"Youmaydoso。"
　　Theprefectkeptsilence，but，aninstantlater，hearingOrsospeakafewwordsofEnglishtothecolonel，hesaid：
　　"Youseemtohavetravelledagreatdeal，monsieur。YoumusthaveforgottenCorsicaandCorsicanhabits。"
　　"ItisquitetruethatIwasveryyoungwhenIwentaway。"
　　"Youstillbelongtothearmy？"
　　"Iamonhalf-pay，monsieur。"
　　"YouhavebeentoolongintheFrencharmynottohavebecomeathoroughFrenchman，Ihavenodoubt？"
　　Thelastwordsofthesentencewerespokenwithmarkedemphasis。
　　TheCorsicansarenotparticularlyflatteredatbeingremindedthattheybelongtothe"GreatNations。"Theyclaimtobeapeopleapart，andsowelldotheyjustifytheirclaimthatitmayverywellbegrantedthem。
　　Somewhatnettled，Orsoreplied："Doyouthink，M。lePrefet，thataCorsicanmustnecessarilyserveintheFrencharmytobecomeanhonourableman？"
　　"No，indeed，"saidtheprefect，"thatisnotmyideaatall；Iamonlyspeakingofcertain/customs/belongingtothiscountry，someofwhicharenotsuchasaGovernmentofficialwouldliketosee。"
　　Heemphasizedtheword/customs/，andputonasgraveanexpressionashisfeaturescouldassume。Soonafterhegotupandtookhisleave，bearingwithhimMissLydia’spromisethatshewouldgoandcallonhiswifeattheprefecture。
　　Whenhehaddeparted："IhadtocometoCorsica，"saidMissLydia，"tofindoutwhataprefectislike。Thisonestrikesmeasratheramiable。"
　　"Formypart，"saidOrso，"Ican’tsayasmuch。Hestrikesmeasaveryqueerindividual，withhisairsofemphasisandmystery。"
　　Thecolonelwasextremelydrowsy。MissLydiacastaglanceinhisdirection，and，loweringhervoice：
　　"AndI，"shesaid，"donotthinkhimsomysteriousasyoupretend；forIbelieveIunderstoodhim！"
　　"Thenyouareclear-sightedindeed，MissNevil。Ifyouhaveseenanywitinwhathehasjustsaidyoumustcertainlyhaveputitthereyourself。"
　　"ItistheMarquisdeMascarille，Ithink，whosaysthat，M。dellaRebbia。Butwouldyoulikemetogiveyouaproofofmyclear-
　　sightedness？Iamsomethingofawitch，andIcanreadthethoughtsofpeopleIhaveseenonlytwice。"
　　"Goodheavens！youalarmme。IfyoureallycanreadmythoughtsI
　　don’tknowwhetherIshouldbegladorsorry。"
　　"M。dellaRebbia，"wentonMissLydia，withablush，"wehaveonlyknowneachotherforafewdays。Butatsea，andinsavagecountries（youwillexcuseme，Ihope）——insavagecountriesfriendshipsgrowmorequicklythantheydoinsociety……soyoumustnotbeastonishedifIspeaktoyou，asafriend，uponprivatematters，withwhich，perhaps，astrangeroughtnottointerfere。"
　　"Ah，donotsaythatword，MissNevil。Iliketheotherfarbetter。"
　　"Well，then，monsieur，Imusttellyouthatwithouthavingtriedtofindoutyoursecrets，Ihavelearnedsomeofthem，andtheygrieveme。Ihaveheard，monsieur，ofthemisfortunewhichhasovertakenyourfamily。Agreatdealhasbeensaidtomeaboutthevindictivenatureofyourfellow-countrymen，andthefashioninwhichtheytaketheirvengeance。Wasitnottothattheprefectwasalluding？"
　　"MissLydia！Canyoubelieveit！"andOrsoturneddeadlypale。
　　"No，M。dellaRebbia，"shesaid，interruptinghim，"Iknowyoutobeamosthonourablegentleman。Youhavetoldmeyourselfthatitwasonlythecommonpeopleinyourcountrywhostillpractisedthe/vendetta/——
　　whichyouarepleasedtodescribeasakindofduel。"
　　"Doyou，then，believemecapableofeverbecomingamurderer？"
　　"SinceIhavementionedthesubjectatall，MonsieurOrso，youmustclearlyseethatIdonotsuspectyou，andifIhavespokentoyouatall，"sheadded，droppinghereyes，"itisbecauseIhaverealizedthatsurrounded，itmaybe，bybarbarousprejudicesonyourreturnhome，youwillbegladtoknowthatthereissomebodywhoesteemsyouforhavingthecouragetoresistthem。Come！"saidshe，risingtoherfeet，"don’tletustalkagainofsuchhorridthings，theymakemyheadache，andbesidesit’sverylate。Youarenotangrywithme，areyou？Letussaygood-nightintheEnglishfashion，"andsheheldoutherhand。
　　Orsopressedit，lookinggraveanddeeplymoved。
　　"Mademoiselle，"hesaid，"doyouknowthattherearemomentswhentheinstinctsofmycountrywakeupwithinme。Sometimes，whenIthinkofmypoorfather，horriblethoughtsassailme。Thankstoyou，Iamridofthemforever。Thankyou！thankyou！"
　　Hewouldhavecontinued，butMissLydiadroppedateaspoon，andthenoisewokeupthecolonel。
　　"DellaRebbia，we’llstartatfiveo’clockto-morrowmorning。Bepunctual！"
　　"Yes，colonel。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　Thenextday，ashorttimebeforethesportsmencameback，MissNevil，returningwithhermaidfromawalkalongtheseashore，wasjustabouttoentertheinn，whenshenoticedayoungwoman，dressedinblack，ridingintothetownonasmallbutstronghorse。Shewasfollowedbyasortofpeasant，alsoonhorseback，whoworeabrownclothjacketcutattheelbows。Agourdwasslungoverhisshoulderandapistolwashangingathisbelt，hishandgraspedagun，thebuttofwhichrestedinaleathernpocketfastenedtohissaddle-bow——inshort，heworethecompletecostumeofabrigandinamelodrama，orofthemiddle-classCorsicanonhistravels。MissNevil’sattentionwasfirstattractedbythewoman’sremarkablebeauty。Sheseemedabouttwentyyearsofage；shewastallandpale，withdarkblueeyes，redlips，andteethlikeenamel。Inherexpressionpride，anxiety，andsadnesswerealllegible。Onherheadsheworeablacksilkveilcalleda/mezzaro/，whichtheGenoeseintroducedintoCorsica，andwhichissobecomingtowomen。Longbraidsofchestnuthairformedasortofturbanroundherhead。Herdresswasneat，butsimpleintheextreme。
　　MissNevilhadplentyoftimetoobserveher，fortheladyinthe/mezzaro/hadhaltedinthestreet，andwasquestioningsomebodyonasubjectwhich，tojudgefromtheexpressionofhereyes，musthaveinterestedherexceedingly。Then，assoonasshereceivedananswer，shetouchedhermountwithherriding-switch，and，breakingintoaquicktrot，neverhaltedtillshereachedthedoorofthehotelinwhichSirThomasNevilandOrsowerestaying。There，afterexchangingafewwordswiththehost，thegirlsprangnimblyfromhersaddleandseatedherselfonastonebenchbesidetheentrancedoor，whilehergroomledthehorsesawaytothestable。MissLydia，inherParisgown，passedclosebesidethestranger，whodidnotraisehereyes。A
　　quarterofanhourlatersheopenedherwindow，andsawtheladyinthe/mezzaro/stillsittinginthesameplaceandinthesameattitude。NotlongafterwardthecolonelandOrsoreturnedfromhunting。Thenthelandlordsaidafewwordstotheyoungladyinmourning，andpointedtodellaRebbiawithhisfinger。Shecoloureddeeply，roseeagerly，wentafewpacesforward，andthenstoppedshort，apparentlymuchconfused。Orsowasquiteclosetoher，andwaslookingathercuriously。
　　"AreyouOrsoAntoniodellaRebbia？"saidsheinatremulousvoice。"I
　　amColomba。"
　　"Colomba！"criedOrso。
　　Andtakingherinhisarmshekissedhertenderly，somewhattothesurpriseofthecolonelandhisdaughter——butinEnglandpeopledonotkisseachotherinthestreet。
　　"Brother，"saidColomba，"youmustforgivemeforhavingcomewithoutyourpermission。ButIheardfromourfriendsthatyouhadarrived，anditissuchagreatconsolationtometoseeyou。"
　　AgainOrsokissedher。Then，turningtothecolonel：
　　"Thisismysister，"saidhe，"whomInevershouldhaverecognisedifshehadnottoldmehername——Colomba——ColonelSirThomasNevil——
　　colonel，youwillkindlyexcuseme，butIcannothavethehonourofdiningwithyouto-day。Mysister——"
　　"But，mydearfellow，wherethedevildoyouexpecttodine？Youknowverywellthereisonlyonedinnerinthisinfernaltavern，andwehavebespokenit。Itwillaffordmydaughtergreatpleasureifthisyoungladywilljoinus。"
　　Colombalookedatherbrother，whodidnotneedmuchpressing，andtheyallpassedtogetherintothelargestroomintheinn，whichthecolonelusedashissittinganddiningroom。MademoiselledellaRebbia，onbeingintroducedtoMissNevil，madeheradeepcourtesy，butshedidnotutterasingleword。Itwaseasytoseethatshewasverymuchfrightenedatfindingherself，perhapsforthefirsttimeinherlife，inthecompanyofstrangersbelongingtothegreatworld。
　　Yettherewasnothingprovincialinhermanners。Thenoveltyofherpositionexcusedherawkwardness。MissNeviltookalikingtoheratonce，and，astherewasnoroomdisengagedinthehotel，thewholeofwhichwasoccupiedbythecolonelandhisattendants，sheoffered，eitheroutofcondescensionorcuriosity，tohaveabedpreparedinherownroomforMademoiselledellaRebbia。
　　Colombastammeredafewwordsofthanks，andhastenedafterMissNevil’smaid，tomakesuchchangesinhertoiletaswererenderednecessarybyajourneyonhorsebackinthedustandheat。
　　Whenshere-enteredthesitting-room，shepausedinfrontofthecolonel’sguns，whichthehuntershadleftinacorner。
　　"Whatfineweapons，"saidshe。"Aretheyyours，brother？"
　　"No，theyarethecolonel’sEnglishguns——andtheyareasgoodastheyarehandsome。"
　　"HowmuchIwishyouhadonelikethem！"saidColomba。
　　"OneofthosethreecertainlydoesbelongtodellaRebbia，"exclaimedthecolonel。"Hereallyshootsalmosttoowell！To-dayhefiredfourteenshots，andbroughtdownfourteenheadofgame。"
　　Afriendlydisputeatonceensued，inwhichOrsowasvanquished，tohissister’sgreatsatisfaction，asitwaseasytoperceivefromthechildishexpressionofdelightwhichilluminedherface，soseriousamomentbefore。
　　"Choose，mydearfellow，"saidthecolonel；butOrsorefused。
　　"Verywell，then。Yoursistershallchooseforyou。"
　　Colombadidnotwaitforasecondinvitation。Shetookuptheplainestoftheguns，butitwasafirst-rateMantonoflargecalibre。
　　"Thisone，"shesaid，"mustcarryaballalongdistance。"
　　Herbrotherwasgrowingquiteconfusedinhisexpressionsofgratitude，whendinnerappeared，veryopportunely，tohelphimoutofhisembarrassment。
　　MissLydiawasdelightedtonoticethatColomba，whohadshownconsiderablereluctancetositdownwiththem，andhadyieldedonlyataglancefromherbrother，crossedherself，likeagoodCatholic，beforeshebegantoeat。
　　"Good！"saidshetoherself，"thatisprimitive！"andsheanticipatedacquiringmanyinterestingfactsbyobservingthisyouthfulrepresentativeofancientCorsicanmanners。AsforOrso，hewasevidentlyatrifleuneasy，fearing，doubtless，thathissistermightsayordosomethingwhichsavouredtoomuchofhernativevillage。ButColombawatchedhimconstantly，andregulatedallherownmovementsbyhis。Sometimesshelookedathimfixedly，withastrangeexpressionofsadness，andthen，ifOrso’seyesmethers，hewasthefirsttoturnthemaway，asthoughhewouldevadesomequestionwhichhissisterwasmentallyaddressingtohim，thesenseofwhichheunderstoodonlytoowell。EverybodytalkedFrench，forthecolonelcouldonlyexpresshimselfverybadlyinItalian。ColombaunderstoodFrench，andevenpronouncedthefewwordsshewasobligedtoexchangewithherentertainerstolerablywell。
　　Afterdinner，thecolonel，whohadnoticedthesortofconstraintwhichexistedbetweenthebrotherandsister，inquiredofOrso，withhiscustomaryfrankness，whetherhedidnotwishtobealonewithMademoiselleColomba，offering，inthatcase，togointothenextroomwithhisdaughter。ButOrsohastenedtothankhim，andtoassurehimtheywouldhaveplentyoftimetotalkatPietranera——thiswasthenameofthevillagewherehewastotakeuphisabode。
　　Thecolonelthenresumedhiscustomarypositiononthesofa，andMissNevil，afterattemptingseveralsubjectsofconversation，gaveupallhopeofinducingthefairColombatotalk，andbeggedOrsotoreadheracantooutofDante，herfavouritepoet。OrsochosethecantooftheInferno，containingtheepisodeofFrancescadaRimini，andbegantoread，asimpressivelyashewasable，theglorioustiercetswhichsoadmirablyexpresstheriskrunbytwoyoungpersonswhoventuretoreadalove-storytogether。AshereadonColombadrewnearertothetable，andraisedherhead，whichshehadkeptlowered。Herwide-openeyes，shonewithextraordinaryfire，shegrewredandpalebyturns，andstirredconvulsivelyinherchair。HowadmirableistheItalianorganization，whichcanunderstandpoetrywithoutneedingapedanttoexplainitsbeauties！
　　Whenthecantowasfinished：
　　"Howbeautifulthatis！"sheexclaimed。"Whowroteit，brother？"
　　Orsowasalittledisconcerted，andMissLydiaansweredwithasmilethatitwaswrittenbyaFlorentinepoet，whohadbeendeadforcenturies。
　　"YoushallreadDante，"saidOrso，"whenyouareatPietranera。"
　　"Goodheavens，howbeautifulitis！"saidColombaagain，andsherepeatedthreeorfourtiercetswhichshehadremembered，speakingatfirstinanundertone；then，growingexcited，shedeclaimedthemaloud，withfarmoreexpressionthanherbrotherhadputintohisreading。
　　MissLydiawasverymuchastonished。
　　"Youseemveryfondofpoetry，"shesaid。"HowIenvyyouthedelightyouwillfindinreadingDanteforthefirsttime！"
　　"Yousee，MissNevil，"saidOrso，"whatapowerDante’slinesmusthave，whentheysomoveawildyoungsavagewhoknowsnothingbuther/Pater/。ButIammistaken！IrecollectnowthatColombabelongstotheguild。Evenwhenshewasquitealittlechildsheusedtotryherhandatverse-making，andmyfatherusedtowritemewordthatshewasthebest/voceratrice/inPietranera，andfortwoleaguesroundabout。"
　　Colombacastanimploringglanceatherbrother。MissNevilhadheardoftheCorsican/improvisatrici/，andwasdyingtohearone。ShebeggedColomba，then，togiveheraspecimenofherpowers。Verymuchvexednowathavingmadeanymentionofhissister’spoeticgifts，Orsointerposed。InvaindidheprotestthatnothingwassoinsipidasaCorsican/ballata/，andthattorecitetheCorsicanversesafterthoseofDantewaslikebetrayinghiscountry。AllhedidwastostimulateMissNevil’scuriosity，andatlasthewasobligedtosaytohissister：
　　"Well！well！improvisesomething——butletitbeshort！"
　　Colombaheavedasigh，lookedfixedlyforamoment，firstatthetable-cloth，andthenattheraftersoftheceiling；atlast，coveringhereyeswithherhandlikethosebirdsthatgathercourage，andfancytheyarenotseenwhentheynolongerseethemselves，shesang，orratherdeclaimed，inanunsteadyvoice，thefollowing/serenata/：
　　"THEMAIDENANDTHETURTLE-DOVE
　　"Inthevalley，farawayamongthemountains，thesunonlyshinesforanhoureveryday。Inthevalleytherestandsagloomyhouse，andgrassgrowsonitsthreshold。Doorsandwindowsarealwaysshut。Nosmokerisesfromtheroof。Butatnoon，whenthesunshinefalls，awindowopens，andtheorphangirlsitsspinningatherwheel。Shespins，andassheworks，shesings——asongofsadness。Butnoothersongcomestoanswerhers！Oneday——adayinspring-time——aturtle-
　　dovesettledonatreehardby，andheardthemaiden’ssong。’Maiden，’
　　itsaid，’thouartnottheonlymourner！Acruelhawkhassnatchedmymatefromme！’’Turtle-dove，showmethatcruelhawk；wereittosoarhigherthanthecloudsIwouldsoonbringitdowntoearth！Butwhowillrestoretome，unhappythatIam，mybrother，nowinafarcountry？’’Maiden，tellme，wherethybrotheris，andmywingsshallbearmetohim。’"
　　"Awell-bredturtle-dove，indeed！"exclaimedOrso，andtheemotionwithwhichhekissedhissistercontrastedstronglywiththejestingtoneinwhichhespoke。
　　"Yoursongisdelightful，"saidMissLydia。"Youmustwriteitinmyalbum；I’lltranslateitintoEnglish，andhaveitsettomusic。"
　　Theworthycolonel，whohadnotunderstoodasingleword，addedhiscomplimentstohisdaughter’sandadded："Isthisdoveyouspeakofthebirdweatebroiledatdinnerto-day？"
　　MissNevilfetchedheralbum，andwasnotalittlesurprisedtoseethe/improvisatrice/writedownhersong，withsomuchcareinthematterofeconomizingspace。
　　Thelines，insteadofbeingseparate，wereallruntogether，asfarasthebreadthofthepaperwouldpermit，sothattheydidnotagreewiththeaccepteddefinitionofpoeticcomposition——"shortlinesofunequallength，withamarginoneachsideofthem。"MademoiselleColomba’ssomewhatfancifulspellingmightalsohaveexcitedcomment。MorethanonceMissNevilwasseentosmile，andOrso’sfraternalvanitysufferedtortures。
　　Bedtimecame，andthetwoyounggirlsretiredtotheirroom。There，whileMissLydiaunclaspedhernecklace，ear-rings，andbracelets，shewatchedhercompaniondrawsomethingoutofhergown——somethingaslongasastay-busk，butverydifferentinshape。Carefully，almoststealthily，Colombaslippedthisobjectunderher/mezzaro/，whichshelaidonthetable。Thenshekneltdown，andsaidherprayersdevoutly。
　　Twominutesafterwardshewasinherbed。MissLydia，naturallyveryinquisitive，andasslowaseveryEnglishwomanisaboutundressingherself，movedovertothetable，pretendedshewaslookingforapin，liftedupthe/mezzaro/，andsawalongstiletto——curiouslymountedinsilverandmother-of-pearl。Theworkmanshipwasremarkablyfine。Itwasanancientweapon，andjustthesortofoneanamateurwouldhaveprizedveryhighly。