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