"Carneades! Who was he?" Don Abbondio ruminated to himself sitting on his chair in a room upstairs, with an open front libricciolo when Perpetua came to bring the embassy. "Carneades! This name seems good to me have read or heard of it was to be a man of learning, a letteratone of old: it is a name of those, but who the hell was he? "So far the poor man was to be expected that the storm hung over the head! We know that Don
Abbondio delighted to read a little every day, and a nice neighbor, who had a little 'library, lent him a book after another, the first that came to blows. What to ponder Don Abbondio at that time, recovering from the fever of fear, rather than cured (as fever) did not want to believe, was a panegyric in honor of St. Charles, said with great emphasis, and heard with great admiration in the cathedral of Milan, two years earlier. The saint There was likened to the love of study, to Archimedes, and so far Don Abbondio not stumble, because Archimedes has done so curious, he did say so himself, that, to know something, there ' is in need of vast erudition. But after Archimedes, the speaker called Carneades also compared: the reader was left there and Arren. At that moment came to announce the visit of Perpetua Tonio.
- At this hour? - Don also said Abbondio, as was natural.
- What do you want? They have no discretion, but if you do not seize on the fly ...
- Yes: if you do not look now, who knows when I'll catch you! Do come ... Hey! hey! well then you're sure it's him?
- Devil! - Perpetua said, and went down, opened the door, and said - where are you? - Tonio showed up, and at the same time, also came forward Agnes Perpetua and greeted by name.
- Good evening, Agnes, - said Perpetua: - where you are, at this hour?
- I come from ... - And appointed a village nearby. - And if you knew ... - Continued: - I stopped more precisely in your favor.
- Oh why? - Asked Perpetua, and turning to 'two brothers - revenue - said, - that I'm coming too.
- Why, - said Agnes, - a woman of those who do not know things, and They want to talk ... believe it? s'ostinava to tell you that you are not married to Suolavecchia Beppe, nor Lunghignano Anselmo, why not v'hanno desired. I argued that it was you that you have refused, and the other one ...
- Sure. Oh the liar! the bugiardona! Who is she?
- Do not ask me, I do not like putting bad.
- say it to me, I have you to say, oh liar!
- Just ... but you can not believe how much I regretted not knowing the whole story, to confound her.
- See if you can invent in this way! - Perpetua cried again, and began at once: - as Beppe, we all know, and could see ... Hey, Toni! approached the door, and climb as well, which I am -. Tonio, the inside, he said yes, and continued Perpetua his impassioned narrative. Opposite the door of Don
Abbondio, opened out between two hovels, a narrow street, which finished them, turned into a field. Agnes walked there, as if to pull himself somewhat aloof, to speak more freely, and Perpetua behind. When they turned, and were in place, whence they could no longer see what is happening in front of the house of Don Abbondio, Agnes coughed loudly. It was the signal: Renzo heard him, his courage to Lucy, with a strong arm, and both of us, on tiptoe, came forth, grazing the wall, quietly, came to the door, pushed him adagino adagino; stealthily bowed down, went in in the passage, where were the two brothers waiting for them. Renzo again approached the door slowly, and four of them up the stairs, not even for making a noise. On reaching the landing, the two brothers came near the door of the room, which was next to the scale shook the couple to the wall.
- Deo gratias - Tonio said, his voice clear.
- Tonio, eh? Revenue, - said the voice within. The call opened the door, just enough to pass him and his brother, at a time. The strip of light that suddenly came out for the opening, and drew on the dark floor of the landing, he riscoter Lucia, as if it were discovered. Entered the brothers, Tonio pulled behind the door: the bride and groom stood still in darkness, with the ears, holding the breath, the loudest noise was the hammer that was the heart of poor Lucia.
Abbondio Don was, as we have said, upon a former chair, wrapped in an old coat, in the head with an old skull cap, which was framed around the face, the lack of light a small lamp. Two thick locks of hair that ran out of the skull cap, two eyebrows, two bushy mustache, a thick goatee, all hoary, and scattered on the brown face and rough, they could look like bushes covered with snow, hanging off a cliff, in the moonlight.
- Ah! ah! - Was his greeting as he lifted his glasses and puts them away in libricciolo.
- will say the curate, who I came late - Tonio said, bowing, as well as he did, but more clumsily, Gervase.
- Sure is late: late in every way. You know, I'm sick?
- Oh! I'm sorry.
- am sure you heard, I am sick, I do not know when I can and let me see ... But because you have conducted behind that ... that son?
- As per company, curate.
- Enough, let's see.
- Son twenty-five berlingo new, with those of St. Ambrose on horseback - Tonio said, taking a roll from his pocket.
- Let's see, - said Don Abbondio: and, taking the roll, remittances are the glasses, opened it, took the Berlingo, the accounts, turned, The riots, he found no fault.
- Now, curate, will give me the necklace of my Tecla.
- That's right, - said Don Abbondio, then went to a cupboard, took off a key from his pocket, and, looking around as to take away the audience, opened one side of the door, filled the opening with the person, put inside my head, to look, and an arm to take the series, took it, and closed the closet, handed it to Tony, saying: - okay?
- Now, - said Tonio, - is happy to put a little 'black on white.
- That! - Said Don Abbondio to: - know all. Ih! became suspicious of how the world! Do not you trust me?
- Come, senor curate! If I do I trust? She makes me wrong. But since my name is on her LIBRACCIO, from the debt ... So, since he already had the trouble to write once, so ... from life to death ...
- Well well, - don Abbondio interrupted, and muttering, threw him a tape of the table, rose up out of paper, pen and ink, and began to write, repeating the words aloud, many hands that came forth from pen. Meanwhile, Tonio and at a sign from him, Gervase, piantaron is standing before the table, so as to prevent writing to the output view, and, as for leisure, were rubbing, co 'feet, the floor for any sign those who were outside, enter, and at the same time to confuse the sound of their footsteps. Don Abbondio, immersed in his writing, did not care about anything else. The shuffling of the 'four foot, Renzo took the arm of Lucia, pressed it to her courage, and he moved on, and pulled back trembling, saying that there might have come. Went in slowly, on tiptoe, restrain the breath, and hid behind the two brothers. Meanwhile Don Abbondio finished writing, reread it carefully, without raising his eyes from the paper, folded it in four, saying: - Now, you happy? - And stood up with one hand, his glasses from his nose, handed the other a Tony, raising her face. Tony, extending his hand to take the paper, retired from part, Gervasi, a sign from him, on the other, and, in the middle of a scene as divided, appeared Renzo and Lucia. Don Abbondio, he saw a confused, then saw clearly, was frightened, he was astonished, furious, he thought, made a resolution: this time that Renzo began to utter the words: - curate in the presence of these witnesses, this' My wife is -. Her lips had not yet returned to the place that Don Abbondio, letting fall the paper, had already grasped and lifted, with the left-handed, the lamp, grappled with the straight, the carpet of the table, and tiratolo him with fury , threw down the book, paper, ink and powder, and, leaping from his chair and coffee table, going up to Lucy. The poor girl, with her sweet voice, and then trembling, had just been able to utter: - and this ... - Don Abbondio had rudely threw the rug on his head and face, to prevent her from uttering the whole formula. And now, let fall the lantern he held in his other hand, even with that help themselves wrapped up with a rug that almost soffogava, and while shouting that had none in the chamber: - Perpetua! Perpetua! treason! help! - The wick, dying on the floor, sent a languid light and springy on Lucia, who, quite lost, not even attempt to take place, and could view a statue sketched in clay, on which the author has thrown a damp cloth. Stopped all light, don Abbondio left the poor thing, and went groping the door, which put an inner room, found him, he went into that, he shut himself in, however, shouting: - Perpetua! treason! help! out of this house! out of this house! - In the other room, everything was confusion: Renzo, trying to stop the priest, and paddling with their hands, as if he were a blind man's buff, had arrived at the door, and beat her, shouting: - Open, open, does not make noise -. Lucia called Renzo, feeble voice, saying, praying: - come on, come on, for God's sake -. Tonio, fours, was sweeping the floor with your hands, find their way to see your receipt. Gervase, spirited, screaming and jumping, trying to scale the door to exit to safety.
In the midst of this greenhouse emissions, we may not allow pause for a moment to reflect. Renzo, shouting in people's houses at night, there had been introduced by stealth, and held the master himself besieged in a room, has all the appearance of an oppressor, yet at the fin de 'facts, it was the' oppressed. Don Abbondio, surprised, scared away, scared, and waited quietly to 'his business, it appears the victim, yet in reality, it was he who was an injustice. That's often the world ... I mean, it was in the seventeenth century.
The besieged, seeing that the enemy gave no sign of retiring, he opened a window that looked on the church square, and began to cry - help! help! - Was the most beautiful moonlight, the shadow of the church, and in acute and long out of the shadow of the steeple, lay dark and strong on the grassy plain and shining of the square: each one could distinguish, almost as day. But, as far as the eye can see, there appeared evidence of a living person. However, adjacent to the side wall of the church, and just the side that replied to the parsonage, it was a small residence of a closet, where the clerk was sleeping. This was received from that messy cry, jumped, got a bed in a fury, opened the small window covered with cloth of his own, he put out his head, eyes between 'hair, and said - what is it?
- Run, Ambrose! help! people in the house, - he shouted to Don Abbondio. - I'll be right, - said he, pulled her head back, closed her covered with cloth, and though half 'twixt sleep and more than half stunned, he found about two feet a ploy to give more help than what was asked, without putting him in the scuffle, which was. It gives the pants of me, holding onto the bed, and if the fighters under his arm, like a hat gala, and bounding down a wooden ladder; runs the tower, grab the rope of the biggest of which there were two campanette , and plays a hammer.
Ton, ton, ton, ton, the peasants leap Seated on the bed, the young men lying on the phenyl, tendon ear, stands up. - What? What is this? Tocsin! fire? thieves? banned? - Many women advice, please their husbands, not to move, let go of the others: some rise, and go to the window: the lazy, as if surrendered to the prayers, ritornan below the more curious and more down to good take the forks and guns, to race to noise others are seeing.
But before those were the order, the first fact that they were well intended, the sound had reached the ears of other people watched, not far away, standing up and dressed: the good in one place, Agnese and Perpetua in another . We say first briefly that were caused by those, from the moment we have left, partly in the farmhouse and part of the inn. These three, when they saw all the doors closed and the streets deserted, they went out quickly, as if they had made sights a late, saying he wanted to go home at once, gave a turnaround for the country to come to light if all were withdrawn, and in fact, not met a living soul, nor felt the slightest noise. Also passed, slowly, in front of our poor little house: the most peaceful of all, since there was no one. Diviato then went to the cottage, and made their report to Mr. Griso. Now, this will put a hat on his head, shoulders sanrocchino a canvas waxed, scattered shells, took a drone as a pilgrim, he said - let's be good: quiet, and attentive to orders -, walked the first, the others behind, and, at a time, they reached the house, a road opposite to that for which he had removed our brigatella, also going to his expedition. The Griso kept the troops, some distance away, she went on alone to explore, and seeing all the desert and had come out calm ahead of those two sad, he told them, scalar adagino the wall that enclosed the yard, and fell into , hide in a corner behind a large fig tree on which he had his eye in the morning. This done, he knocked softly, with the intention to be called a lost pilgrim, who asked for shelter, up to day. No replies, a bit of spite 'stronger, not even a silent. Then, he went to call third villain, he does get in the courtyard, like the other two, with orders to break through the bolt slowly, to have free entry and withdrawal. All s'eseguisce with great caution, and with prosperous success. Go and fetch the others, causes them to enter with them, sends them to hide alongside the first, slowly approached the street door, I placed two guards inside, and go straight to the door of the ground. Beats even there, and wait, and 'could very well wait. Pianissimo also gradually break through that output: none inside says: Who goes there?; Nobody feel: better not go. Next point: - st - called those of the fig tree, enters the room with them on earth, where, in the morning, had criminally begged that piece of bread. Cava out bait, stone, flint and matches, lit his lantern, enters into the inner room, to ensure that there is no: there is none. Go back, go to the door of scale, consider, and incline your ear: solitude and silence. Leaves two other guards to the ground, it makes me behind the Grignapoco, who was a good of the countryside of Bergamo, who had only threaten, pacified, commanding, in short, be the speaker, so that its language could make people believe that to Agnes the shipment came from that part. With him on the side, and the others behind, the Griso rises slowly, cursing in his heart that creaks every step, every step of this' rogue that made noise. Is finally on top. Here lies the hare. Gently pushes the door that puts the first room, the door gives way, you crack: you put the eye is dark, you put your ear to hear if someone Russian, winds, swarming in there, nothing. So forward, you put the lantern before his face, to see without being seen, opened the door, he sees a bed on him: the bed is made and cleared, with the turning-thrown back, and made the bed. He shrugs, turns to the company, telling them that go to see the other room, and that Let them come back slowly, comes in, does the same ceremonies, is the same thing. - What the hell is this? - Then said: - that a dog has made the traitor spy? - It Metton all, with less caution, to look at, feel for each song, bitch upside the house. While they are in such matters, the two fans that the guard at the street, they hear a trampling of strainers in a hurry, is as close quickly, imagine that, whoever he is, will go right; standard quiet, and, event, you put on the alert. In fact, the trampling stops precisely at the door. Menico was coming on the run, sent by his father Christopher to advise the two women who, for the love the sky, immediately run away from home and took refuge at the convent, because ... you know why. It takes the handle of the pole, to beat, and if you feel waver in his hand, taken down and break through. "What is this?" thought, and pushes the door with fear: that opens. Menico put your foot inside, very suspicious, and feels at one point to grab his arms, and two low voices, right and left, they say, in a threatening tone: - Shut up! or you're dead -. He screamed in place: one of those 'crooks puts a hand to his mouth, the other pulls out a knife to frighten him. The lad trembled like a leaf, and not even try to scream, but all of a sudden, instead of him, and with well different tone, you hear that first sound of the bell did so, and after a storm of strokes in a row. Who is at fault is suspected, the saying goes Milanese one or the other villain seemed to feel this' touch his name and nickname: Let's arms Menico, retire in their fury, spalancan hand and mouth, look in the face, and run the house, where was the bulk of the company. Domenico, street-legged on the street, towards the tower, where there must be someone good account. To the other villains that frugavan the house from top to bottom, the terrible touch made the same impression: it mixed up, you mess up, s'urtano each other: the way everyone is looking for more short, to arrive at the door. Yet it was all tested and people accustomed to show their faces, but they could not stand against an unspecified threat, and that he had not shown a bit 'from a distance before coming upon them. It took all the superiority of the Griso to keep them together, so it was withdrawn and no escape. As a dog accompanying a herd of pigs, running here and there to those who scatter, it bites into one ear, and pulls in ischiera; pushes another with their muzzles, barking at another coming out in a row that time, so the pilgrim catch a of those who have already reached the threshold, and pulls back, back to hunting with a drone and another s'avviavan that way: shouting to others that corron here and there, not knowing where, so that raccozzò them all in the middle of the courtyard. - Hurry, hurry! guns in their hands, knives ready, all together, and then we will go: so it goes. Who could touch us, if we are well together, fool? But if we allow ourselves to grab one by one, even the peasants there will. Shame! Behind me, and united -. After this brief herring, put his forehead, and left the first. The house, as we have said, was the end of the village, the Griso took the road that put out, and all they went back in good order.
Let them go back and take a step back to Agnese and Perpetua, we left some little street. Agnes had caused the other to the expulsion home of Don abundance, the more it was possible, and, to a certain point, the thing had gone well. But suddenly, the servant had remembered output remained open, and wanted to go back. That there was no objection to Agnes, to prevent them from birth to some suspicion, he had time with her and follow her, and wanted to hold, every time I saw heated very well in this tale of 'such marriages went ahead. He showed a lot of her hearing, and, occasionally, to show that he was careful, or restart the cicadas, said: - secure: now I understand: that's fine: it is clear: what next? and he? and you? - But meanwhile, was another matter with herself. "They will come out at this hour? or even be in it? What fools we were all three, not to consult any signal to inform me, when it was successful! It was just great! But it is done now there is nothing but to take this woman at bay, much as I can: at worst, is a bit 'lost time. "Thus, corserelle fermatine and have gone back a short distance from the house of Don abounded, But what they saw, by reason of that corner: Perpetua and, being an important point of the story, had allowed herself to stop without resistance, without even realizing it, when, suddenly, he felt coming from booming in a vain motionless air, the wide silence of the night, that first Don Abbondio rickety cry: - help! help!
- Mercy! What was that? - Perpetua cried and wanted to run.
- What is it? What is it? - Agnes said, holding her skirt.
- Mercy! have not heard? - That said, freeing herself.
- What is it? What is it? - Agnes repeated, grabbing her by the arm.
- Devil of a woman! - Exclaimed Perpetua, Pull back, get in for free, and he ran against him. When, farther, sharper, more flash, feel the roar of Menico.
- Mercy! - Agnes cries too, and galloped after the other. They had raised almost as soon as his heels when it shoots the bell: a touch, and two, three, and followed: would the spurs, as if they needed it. Perpetua arrives, a time before the other, and wants to push the door, the door opens within, and Tonio will appear in the doorway, Gervase, Renzo, Lucia, who found the ladder, had come down saltelloni, and, feeling then that terrible peal, ran in haste to save themselves.
- What is it? What is it? - Asked Perpetua panting to the brothers, who responded with a Urton, and notched. - And you! how! that you do here? - Asked the other couple afterwards, when he had shown. They issued no answer, but those as well. Perpetua, where the need to rush was greatest, did not ask more, came quickly in the passage, and ran, as he could in the dark, toward the stairs. The couple remained promise is found in the face Agnes, who came tutt'affannata. - Ah you're here! - Said she, taking out the word out with difficulty: - how did it go? What is the bell? I seem to have heard ...
- At home, at home, - said Renzo - before people -. It's booting up, but comes Menico travel, recognize them, stop them, and, still trembling, his voice faint half, says - where are you going? Back, back! for here, at the convent!
- Are you that ...? - Agnes began.
- What else? - Asked Renzo. Lucia, all lost, silent and trembling.
- There's the devil in the house - shooting Menico panting. - I've seen, I wanted to kill me from: Christopher told his father: and you too, Renzo, said that immediately come: and then I saw I said that providence will find it all here! I'll tell you then, when we'll be out.
Renzo, who was in itself the most of all, I think, here or there, agreed to go now, before people accorresse, and that it was safer to do what you Menico counseled, commanded even, with the strength of a fright. Then the street, and out of danger, you might ask the guy a clearer explanation. - Walk forward, - he said. - Let us go with him - said to the women. They turned, started walking quickly toward the church, attraversaron the square, where the grace of eielo, there was no living soul, who had entered a narrow street between the church and the house of Don Abbondio on the first hole saw in a hedge, in , and off the fields. Not a
s'eran perhaps fifty yards away, when people began to flock on the square, and every moment swelled. They looked into her face with each other: everyone had a question to ask, no answer to give. The first arrived they ran to the door of the church was locked. They ran to the bell tower outside, and one of them, putting his mouth in a window, a sort of loophole, drove into a: - what the hell is it? - When Ambrose heard a familiar voice, let go of the rope, and secured by the buzz, which was very rushed people, said: - I come to open -. He put the thing in a hurry that he had brought under his arm, came in on the inside, the church door, and opened it.
- What's all this noise? - What? - Where? - Who is it?
- How, who? - Ambrose said, taking a hand with a swing of the door, and, with the other, the flap of what this tool, which had started so fast: - What! do not know? people in the house of the curate. Animo, sons help -. It Voltan all that house, you're coming in crowds, looking up, ears are in: everything quiet. Others run from the where there was the door: it is closed and does not seem to have been touched. They look up too: there's an open window: you hear a hush.
- Who's there? - Hey, Ho! - Mr nice! - Mr nice!
Abbondio Don, who just became aware of the escape the invaders, had retired from the window, and had closed, and that at this time was to quarrel with sub Perpetua, who had left alone in quell'imbroglio , had, when he heard himself called a rumor, come back to the window and saw that great emergency, you repented of having asked for it.
- What was that? - What have they done? - Who are they? - Where are they? - He was called out of fifty items at once.
- There's no one: I thank you: well back home.
- Who was that? - Where did they go? - What happened?
- Poor people, people running at night, but fled: go home, there's nothing: again, my children, I thank you for your good heart -. And having said this, he retired and closed the window. Here, people began to grumble, some to mock, to other festivals, others stringevan shoulders, and went: a whole when it comes out of breath, which could hardly form words. He was man of the house almost opposite to our women, and having, noise, looking out the window, he saw the commotion in the courtyard de 'good, when the Griso busily picking them. When he had recovered his breath, cried out - you do here, children? this is not the devil is down in the bottom of the street, the house of Agnes Mondella: armed men, are in it, seems to want to kill a pilgrim who knows what the hell is!
- What? - What? - What? - It begins a tumultuous visit. - You have to go. - You have to see. - How many? - How many are we? - Who are they? - The console! the console!
- Here I am, - replied the consul, in the crowd: - I am here, but we must help, must obey. Presto: where's the sexton? At the bell, the bell. Presto: one that runs in Lecco in search of relief: here come all ...
Who runs, who sguizza between man and man, and if the beats, the tumult was great, when it comes another, who had seen them leave in a hurry, and shouting: - run, sons, thieves or bandits who escaped with a pilgrim : I am already out of the country on him! me! - In this advertisement, without waiting for the captain's orders, you movono mass, bulk and down the street, hand in hand that the army advances, someone in the vanguard of those slow pace, leaving surpass , and it sticks in the body of the battle: the last push before: confused swarm finally come to the place indicated. The tracks were fresh, obvious invasion: the opened door, the lock will break through, but the invaders had disappeared. One enters the courtyard, you go to the door of the ground: open and break through that too: it is called: - Agnes! Lucia! The pilgrim! Where is the pilgrim? He must have dreamed of Stephen, the pilgrim. - No, no: he also saw Carlandrea. Hey, pilgrim! - Agnes! Lucia! - No one answers. - They have taken away! They have taken away! - There was then of those who, raising his voice, suggested tracking the kidnappers that he was a disgrace, and it would be a shame for the country, if every rogue could a man be saved Take away the women, such as kites the barnyard chicks deserted. New Access and more tumultuous, but one (and no one ever knew exactly who he was) threw a voice in the brigade, which Agnese and Lucia s'eran made safe in a house. The rumor quickly gained belief, there was no talk of hunt the fugitives, and the brigade is dispersed, each going to his house. It was a whisper, a roar, a beat is an opening of doors, a look and a shot of oil lamps, a question of women from the windows, a reply from the road. Returning this deserted and quiet, the talk continuaron homes, and in moriron yawning, before recovering in the morning. Without, however, there was no other, except that, that same morning, the consul, standing in his field, his chin in one hand and the elbow resting on the handle of the spade stuck in the middle ground, and with one foot on Vangile , standing, I say to himself to speculate on the mysteries of the night before, and therefore composed of toccase what to do, and what do convenisse, he saw two men come meet very vigorous presence, her hair as two re de 'Franchi the first race, and resembled the rest in this 'two to five days earlier had addressed Don Abbondio, although these were not' them. They, even less to do with a ceremonious, demanded the console that looks good not to lay the incident to the Mayor, not the real answer, if it were to be questioned, not gossiping, not to stir up the gossip of 'rude, as he loved the hope of dying of disease.
Our fugitives walked a piece good trot in silence, turning, now one, now another, to see if anyone gl'inseguiva, all in trouble for the effort of escape, the heartbeat and the suspension in which they were, for the pain of ill success, for the apprehension of the new dark confused danger. And even more trouble keeping them in the pressure of this ongoing 'strokes, which, as for the leave, Came more dim and dull, so it seemed that something would take a more gloomy and sinister. Finally ceased. The fugitives then, being in a deserted field, and not feeling a breath around, slowed the pace, and Agnes, who was the first, take a breath, broke the silence, asking as it was Renzo gone, wondering what that Menico devil in the house. Renzo briefly recounted her sad story, and all three turned to the boy, who reported more specifically the advice of his father, and told himself what he had seen and threatened, and that unfortunately confirmed the warning. The listeners understood more than he had known Menico say to that discovery, sentiron shudder; fermaron are all three at once, looked at each other with each other, scared, and now, with a movement unanimous, all three placed a hand on his head who, on the shoulders of the boy who like to stroke him, to thank him silently for them to have been a guardian angel, to show compassion that they felt the anguish suffered by him, and of the danger to their salvation, and almost to apologize. - Now back at home, because your no longer have to feel sorry for you, - said Agnes, and remembering the two parpagliole promises, he raised four of his pocket and gave it to him, adding: - just, pray to the Lord to see you soon: and then ... - Renzo berlingo gave him a new and highly recommended to say nothing of the commission received by the friar Lucia caressed her again, greeted him with a mournful voice, the boy greeted them all, touched, and turned back. Those resumed their way, all thought, the women first, and Renzo behind, as to guard. Lucia was close to the arm of her mother, shunned and gently, and with skill, the young man the help that they offered the 'steps of that journey malagevoli astray; shameful in itself, even in such a disturbance, of being already time alone with him, and so familiarly, when he expected to become his wife, in a few moments. Now, that dream faded away so painfully, you repented of being gone too far, and in so many causes of awful, awful shame for that which comes not from the dismal science of evil, to that modesty that ignores itself, similar to the fear the child, trembling in the darkness, without knowing that.
- And the house? - Agnes said suddenly. But as far as the question was important, no one answered because no one could give a satisfactory answer. They continued their way in silence, and soon after, the final outlet on the square in front of the church. Renzo
appeared at the door, and drove pretty good. The door actually opens, and the moon, entering through the aperture, illuminated the pale face and beard of silver of his father Christopher, who was standing there in expectation. Since no one was missing, - God be praised! - And he did mention who enter them. Next to him was another Capuchin, and was a lay clerk, he, with prayers and with reasons, had persuaded him to watch with him, to leave the door ajar, and Sentinel to stay in it in order to welcome this' poor threat, and not be required unless the authority of his father, his fame as a saint, to get from a secular condescension uncomfortable, dangerous and illegal. That were entered, the father Christopher repositioning the door slowly. So the clerk could no longer hold, and called the father of a part, was whispered in his ear: - but Father, father! at night ... in church ... with women ... close ... the rule ... But father! - And he shook his head. As she said those words with difficulty, "you see a little!" Christopher's father thought, "if he chased a robber, a Friar Fazio would not harm the world, and a poor innocent man who runs from the claws of the wolf ... "- Omnia Munda mundis, - he said, turning suddenly to between Fazio, and forgetting that this did not mean Latin. But this omission was precisely that which made the effect. If his father was put to question with reasons, Friar Fazio would not have missed other reasons to oppose, and heaven knows when and how it would end. But to hear those pregnant words of a mysterious sense, and spoken so resolutely , it seemed that those that may contain the solution to all your doubts. acquiesce, and said - enough! you know more than me.
- Trust well, - said the father, Christopher, and the uncertain light the lamp that burned before the altar, approached the patients, who were suspended waiting, and said to them - children! thank the Lord, who hath escaped from a great danger. Perhaps at this moment ...! - And here he began to explain what he did mention the little messenger, because he did not suspect that they sapesser over him, and he's supposed to Menico find peace at home, before the arrival of the robbers. No one disappointment, even Lucia, who, however, felt a secret guilt of such a concealment, with such a man, but it was night and degl'imbrogli de 'subterfuge.
- After that, - he continued - well you see, my children, now this country is not safe for you. 'Your, we're born, you do not have hurt anyone, but God does so. It is a test, my sons: sopportatela with patience, with confidence, without hate, and be sure there will come a time when you will be content with what happens now. I thought to find shelter for those first moments. Soon, I hope you safe return home, at any rate, God will provide, for your best, and I am sure I shall certainly not miss the grace that I am choosing for his minister in the service of his poor you loved ones afflicted. You, - he continued, turning to the two women - you can stop at ***. There'll be enough out of all danger, and at the same time, not too far from home. Try our convent, please call the guardian, give him this letter: it will be another one for you Christopher. And you, my Renzo, you should also get, for now, safe from the anger of others, and yours. Bring this letter to Father Bonaventura da Lodi, in our monastery in Eastern Gate in Milan. He will be your father, will guide you, find you the job, since you can not go back to live here quietly. Go to the lake shore, near the mouth of Bione -. It is a creek within walking distance of Pescarenico. - There you will see a boat stopped, say, the boat, you will be asked if you answer: St. Francis. The boat will receive you and transports you to the other side, where you'll find a cart that even lead to ***.
between those who ask how Christopher had suffered at his disposal so this' means of transport, water and land, would see they did not know what was the power of having a cappuccino in the concept of a saint.
remained to be thinking about the custody of the houses. The father received the keys to those charged with delivering Renzo Agnes and forefingers. The latter, rising in his pocket, heaved a deep sigh, thinking at that moment, the house was open, that there was the devil, and who knows what it remained to guard!
- Before you depart, - said the father, - let us pray to the Lord to be with you, in Codest travel, and more; and above all, give you strength, give you love to want what he wanted -. So saying, he knelt in the middle of the church, and all did the same. After they had prayed, some moments in silence, the father, his voice quiet but distinct, articulated these words: - we still pray for that poor man who has brought us to this pass. We would be unworthy of your mercy, if you do not we ask a heart for him, he needs so badly! We, in our trial, we have this consolation, that we are on track where we have made you: we can offer our troubles, and become a gain. But he! ... is your enemy. Oh wretch! compete with you! Pity him, O Lord, toccategli the heart, make it your friend, Give to all goods that we desire for ourselves.
then lifted as quickly, he said - by the sons, there is no time to lose, God forbid, his angel v'accompagni: Go -. And while they walked, with that emotion can not find words, and that manifests itself without them, the father said, in an altered voice: - my heart tells me we'll meet again soon.
Of course, the heart, who gives him a straight, always has something to say about what will be. But who knows the heart? Just a little of what has already happened.
Without waiting for an answer, including Christopher, went to the sacristy, passengers They issued from the church, and closed the door between Fazio, giving them a goodbye, her voice altered, too. They set off quietly to the shore which had been given them, they saw the boat ready, and date and changed her password, got to do. The boatman, pointing to the brink of an oar, he fell off, then grabbed the other oar, rowing and two arms, took off towards the beach opposite. Do not pull a breeze and the lake lay smooth and flat, and it would have seemed still, if it was not the slight flicker and the swaying of the moon, which are reflected by half the sky. We heard only the dead and slow breaking surge along the gravel shore, as far as the gurgling water route between the piles of the bridge, the measured thud of this' two oars, which cut the surface blue of the lake, went out to a shot dripping, and Went down into. The wave cut from the boat, meeting behind the stern, marked a wrinkled strip, which s'andava away from the shore. The passengers silent, his head turned back, looked at the mountains and the village lit by the moon, and changed here and there with mighty. Are classified as villages, houses, huts: the palace of Don Rodrigo, with his flat tower, high above the little houses piled up the slope of the hill, looked like a savage, who, standing in darkness, in the midst of a dormant company and alert, contemplating a crime. Lucia saw it and shuddered, went down with the eye down the slope, until his village, looked fixed end, he found his house, he found the thick foliage of the fig tree which towered the wall of the courtyard, he found the window of his room, and sitting as he was, in the bottom of the boat, put his arm on the side, put arm on his forehead, as if to sleep, and wept secretly.
Farewell, ye mountains from the water sources, and elevated to heaven; unequal peaks, known to those who grew up among you, and impressed upon his mind, not least that it is the aspect of 'his closest family members; torrents,' which distinguish the murmur, like the sound of the voices of home villas scattered on the slope and glistening, like flocks of grazing sheep goodbye! How sad it is up to those who grew up among you, it has gone away! At the same fantasy that it willingly, attracted by the hope of making a fortune elsewhere, lose their charms, at that moment, the dreams of wealth, he wonders of having been able to solve, and then revert back, if you did not think that one day, come back wealthy. The more you advance in the plan, withdrew his eyes, disgusted and tired of quell'ampiezza uniform, the air seems heavy and lifeless; rode sad and listless in the tumultuous city, the houses added to homes, roads that flow in the streets, it seems that the Levin breath, and admired by the stranger in front of the buildings, he thinks, restless with desire, or pasture of his country, the little house which has already set his heart upon, for a long time, and that it will buy, full back to 'its mountains.
But who had never gone beyond those of even a desire fugitive, who had made them in all the designs of the future, and is something thrown away, by a force nasty! Who, at once detached from the dearest habits, and disturbed the dearest hopes to leave these 'mountains, to start in quest of strangers who never wanted to know, with the imagination and can not get a date set for return! Farewell, birthplace, where, sitting, with unconscious thought, one learned to distinguish from the noise of 'steps common noise expected with a step mysterious fear. Farewell, foreign home again, glanced at home many times in passing, passing, and not without a blush, in which the mind imagined a peaceful and perpetual bride. Farewell, the church, where the soul went back many times peaceful, singing the praises of the Lord, where he was promised, prepared a ritual, where the secret sigh of the heart had to be solemnly blessed, and love be commanded, and called holy; goodbye! Who gave you so much for everything is gaiety, and never disturbs the joy of 'his children, except to prepare for them a more certain and larger.
of this kind, if not exactly these were the thoughts of Lucy, and little different thoughts of the other two pilgrims, while the boat was approaching the right bank of the Adda.
Abbondio delighted to read a little every day, and a nice neighbor, who had a little 'library, lent him a book after another, the first that came to blows. What to ponder Don Abbondio at that time, recovering from the fever of fear, rather than cured (as fever) did not want to believe, was a panegyric in honor of St. Charles, said with great emphasis, and heard with great admiration in the cathedral of Milan, two years earlier. The saint There was likened to the love of study, to Archimedes, and so far Don Abbondio not stumble, because Archimedes has done so curious, he did say so himself, that, to know something, there ' is in need of vast erudition. But after Archimedes, the speaker called Carneades also compared: the reader was left there and Arren. At that moment came to announce the visit of Perpetua Tonio.
- At this hour? - Don also said Abbondio, as was natural.
- What do you want? They have no discretion, but if you do not seize on the fly ...
- Yes: if you do not look now, who knows when I'll catch you! Do come ... Hey! hey! well then you're sure it's him?
- Devil! - Perpetua said, and went down, opened the door, and said - where are you? - Tonio showed up, and at the same time, also came forward Agnes Perpetua and greeted by name.
- Good evening, Agnes, - said Perpetua: - where you are, at this hour?
- I come from ... - And appointed a village nearby. - And if you knew ... - Continued: - I stopped more precisely in your favor.
- Oh why? - Asked Perpetua, and turning to 'two brothers - revenue - said, - that I'm coming too.
- Why, - said Agnes, - a woman of those who do not know things, and They want to talk ... believe it? s'ostinava to tell you that you are not married to Suolavecchia Beppe, nor Lunghignano Anselmo, why not v'hanno desired. I argued that it was you that you have refused, and the other one ...
- Sure. Oh the liar! the bugiardona! Who is she?
- Do not ask me, I do not like putting bad.
- say it to me, I have you to say, oh liar!
- Just ... but you can not believe how much I regretted not knowing the whole story, to confound her.
- See if you can invent in this way! - Perpetua cried again, and began at once: - as Beppe, we all know, and could see ... Hey, Toni! approached the door, and climb as well, which I am -. Tonio, the inside, he said yes, and continued Perpetua his impassioned narrative. Opposite the door of Don
Abbondio, opened out between two hovels, a narrow street, which finished them, turned into a field. Agnes walked there, as if to pull himself somewhat aloof, to speak more freely, and Perpetua behind. When they turned, and were in place, whence they could no longer see what is happening in front of the house of Don Abbondio, Agnes coughed loudly. It was the signal: Renzo heard him, his courage to Lucy, with a strong arm, and both of us, on tiptoe, came forth, grazing the wall, quietly, came to the door, pushed him adagino adagino; stealthily bowed down, went in in the passage, where were the two brothers waiting for them. Renzo again approached the door slowly, and four of them up the stairs, not even for making a noise. On reaching the landing, the two brothers came near the door of the room, which was next to the scale shook the couple to the wall.
- Deo gratias - Tonio said, his voice clear.
- Tonio, eh? Revenue, - said the voice within. The call opened the door, just enough to pass him and his brother, at a time. The strip of light that suddenly came out for the opening, and drew on the dark floor of the landing, he riscoter Lucia, as if it were discovered. Entered the brothers, Tonio pulled behind the door: the bride and groom stood still in darkness, with the ears, holding the breath, the loudest noise was the hammer that was the heart of poor Lucia.
Abbondio Don was, as we have said, upon a former chair, wrapped in an old coat, in the head with an old skull cap, which was framed around the face, the lack of light a small lamp. Two thick locks of hair that ran out of the skull cap, two eyebrows, two bushy mustache, a thick goatee, all hoary, and scattered on the brown face and rough, they could look like bushes covered with snow, hanging off a cliff, in the moonlight.
- Ah! ah! - Was his greeting as he lifted his glasses and puts them away in libricciolo.
- will say the curate, who I came late - Tonio said, bowing, as well as he did, but more clumsily, Gervase.
- Sure is late: late in every way. You know, I'm sick?
- Oh! I'm sorry.
- am sure you heard, I am sick, I do not know when I can and let me see ... But because you have conducted behind that ... that son?
- As per company, curate.
- Enough, let's see.
- Son twenty-five berlingo new, with those of St. Ambrose on horseback - Tonio said, taking a roll from his pocket.
- Let's see, - said Don Abbondio: and, taking the roll, remittances are the glasses, opened it, took the Berlingo, the accounts, turned, The riots, he found no fault.
- Now, curate, will give me the necklace of my Tecla.
- That's right, - said Don Abbondio, then went to a cupboard, took off a key from his pocket, and, looking around as to take away the audience, opened one side of the door, filled the opening with the person, put inside my head, to look, and an arm to take the series, took it, and closed the closet, handed it to Tony, saying: - okay?
- Now, - said Tonio, - is happy to put a little 'black on white.
- That! - Said Don Abbondio to: - know all. Ih! became suspicious of how the world! Do not you trust me?
- Come, senor curate! If I do I trust? She makes me wrong. But since my name is on her LIBRACCIO, from the debt ... So, since he already had the trouble to write once, so ... from life to death ...
- Well well, - don Abbondio interrupted, and muttering, threw him a tape of the table, rose up out of paper, pen and ink, and began to write, repeating the words aloud, many hands that came forth from pen. Meanwhile, Tonio and at a sign from him, Gervase, piantaron is standing before the table, so as to prevent writing to the output view, and, as for leisure, were rubbing, co 'feet, the floor for any sign those who were outside, enter, and at the same time to confuse the sound of their footsteps. Don Abbondio, immersed in his writing, did not care about anything else. The shuffling of the 'four foot, Renzo took the arm of Lucia, pressed it to her courage, and he moved on, and pulled back trembling, saying that there might have come. Went in slowly, on tiptoe, restrain the breath, and hid behind the two brothers. Meanwhile Don Abbondio finished writing, reread it carefully, without raising his eyes from the paper, folded it in four, saying: - Now, you happy? - And stood up with one hand, his glasses from his nose, handed the other a Tony, raising her face. Tony, extending his hand to take the paper, retired from part, Gervasi, a sign from him, on the other, and, in the middle of a scene as divided, appeared Renzo and Lucia. Don Abbondio, he saw a confused, then saw clearly, was frightened, he was astonished, furious, he thought, made a resolution: this time that Renzo began to utter the words: - curate in the presence of these witnesses, this' My wife is -. Her lips had not yet returned to the place that Don Abbondio, letting fall the paper, had already grasped and lifted, with the left-handed, the lamp, grappled with the straight, the carpet of the table, and tiratolo him with fury , threw down the book, paper, ink and powder, and, leaping from his chair and coffee table, going up to Lucy. The poor girl, with her sweet voice, and then trembling, had just been able to utter: - and this ... - Don Abbondio had rudely threw the rug on his head and face, to prevent her from uttering the whole formula. And now, let fall the lantern he held in his other hand, even with that help themselves wrapped up with a rug that almost soffogava, and while shouting that had none in the chamber: - Perpetua! Perpetua! treason! help! - The wick, dying on the floor, sent a languid light and springy on Lucia, who, quite lost, not even attempt to take place, and could view a statue sketched in clay, on which the author has thrown a damp cloth. Stopped all light, don Abbondio left the poor thing, and went groping the door, which put an inner room, found him, he went into that, he shut himself in, however, shouting: - Perpetua! treason! help! out of this house! out of this house! - In the other room, everything was confusion: Renzo, trying to stop the priest, and paddling with their hands, as if he were a blind man's buff, had arrived at the door, and beat her, shouting: - Open, open, does not make noise -. Lucia called Renzo, feeble voice, saying, praying: - come on, come on, for God's sake -. Tonio, fours, was sweeping the floor with your hands, find their way to see your receipt. Gervase, spirited, screaming and jumping, trying to scale the door to exit to safety.
In the midst of this greenhouse emissions, we may not allow pause for a moment to reflect. Renzo, shouting in people's houses at night, there had been introduced by stealth, and held the master himself besieged in a room, has all the appearance of an oppressor, yet at the fin de 'facts, it was the' oppressed. Don Abbondio, surprised, scared away, scared, and waited quietly to 'his business, it appears the victim, yet in reality, it was he who was an injustice. That's often the world ... I mean, it was in the seventeenth century.
The besieged, seeing that the enemy gave no sign of retiring, he opened a window that looked on the church square, and began to cry - help! help! - Was the most beautiful moonlight, the shadow of the church, and in acute and long out of the shadow of the steeple, lay dark and strong on the grassy plain and shining of the square: each one could distinguish, almost as day. But, as far as the eye can see, there appeared evidence of a living person. However, adjacent to the side wall of the church, and just the side that replied to the parsonage, it was a small residence of a closet, where the clerk was sleeping. This was received from that messy cry, jumped, got a bed in a fury, opened the small window covered with cloth of his own, he put out his head, eyes between 'hair, and said - what is it?
- Run, Ambrose! help! people in the house, - he shouted to Don Abbondio. - I'll be right, - said he, pulled her head back, closed her covered with cloth, and though half 'twixt sleep and more than half stunned, he found about two feet a ploy to give more help than what was asked, without putting him in the scuffle, which was. It gives the pants of me, holding onto the bed, and if the fighters under his arm, like a hat gala, and bounding down a wooden ladder; runs the tower, grab the rope of the biggest of which there were two campanette , and plays a hammer.
Ton, ton, ton, ton, the peasants leap Seated on the bed, the young men lying on the phenyl, tendon ear, stands up. - What? What is this? Tocsin! fire? thieves? banned? - Many women advice, please their husbands, not to move, let go of the others: some rise, and go to the window: the lazy, as if surrendered to the prayers, ritornan below the more curious and more down to good take the forks and guns, to race to noise others are seeing.
But before those were the order, the first fact that they were well intended, the sound had reached the ears of other people watched, not far away, standing up and dressed: the good in one place, Agnese and Perpetua in another . We say first briefly that were caused by those, from the moment we have left, partly in the farmhouse and part of the inn. These three, when they saw all the doors closed and the streets deserted, they went out quickly, as if they had made sights a late, saying he wanted to go home at once, gave a turnaround for the country to come to light if all were withdrawn, and in fact, not met a living soul, nor felt the slightest noise. Also passed, slowly, in front of our poor little house: the most peaceful of all, since there was no one. Diviato then went to the cottage, and made their report to Mr. Griso. Now, this will put a hat on his head, shoulders sanrocchino a canvas waxed, scattered shells, took a drone as a pilgrim, he said - let's be good: quiet, and attentive to orders -, walked the first, the others behind, and, at a time, they reached the house, a road opposite to that for which he had removed our brigatella, also going to his expedition. The Griso kept the troops, some distance away, she went on alone to explore, and seeing all the desert and had come out calm ahead of those two sad, he told them, scalar adagino the wall that enclosed the yard, and fell into , hide in a corner behind a large fig tree on which he had his eye in the morning. This done, he knocked softly, with the intention to be called a lost pilgrim, who asked for shelter, up to day. No replies, a bit of spite 'stronger, not even a silent. Then, he went to call third villain, he does get in the courtyard, like the other two, with orders to break through the bolt slowly, to have free entry and withdrawal. All s'eseguisce with great caution, and with prosperous success. Go and fetch the others, causes them to enter with them, sends them to hide alongside the first, slowly approached the street door, I placed two guards inside, and go straight to the door of the ground. Beats even there, and wait, and 'could very well wait. Pianissimo also gradually break through that output: none inside says: Who goes there?; Nobody feel: better not go. Next point: - st - called those of the fig tree, enters the room with them on earth, where, in the morning, had criminally begged that piece of bread. Cava out bait, stone, flint and matches, lit his lantern, enters into the inner room, to ensure that there is no: there is none. Go back, go to the door of scale, consider, and incline your ear: solitude and silence. Leaves two other guards to the ground, it makes me behind the Grignapoco, who was a good of the countryside of Bergamo, who had only threaten, pacified, commanding, in short, be the speaker, so that its language could make people believe that to Agnes the shipment came from that part. With him on the side, and the others behind, the Griso rises slowly, cursing in his heart that creaks every step, every step of this' rogue that made noise. Is finally on top. Here lies the hare. Gently pushes the door that puts the first room, the door gives way, you crack: you put the eye is dark, you put your ear to hear if someone Russian, winds, swarming in there, nothing. So forward, you put the lantern before his face, to see without being seen, opened the door, he sees a bed on him: the bed is made and cleared, with the turning-thrown back, and made the bed. He shrugs, turns to the company, telling them that go to see the other room, and that Let them come back slowly, comes in, does the same ceremonies, is the same thing. - What the hell is this? - Then said: - that a dog has made the traitor spy? - It Metton all, with less caution, to look at, feel for each song, bitch upside the house. While they are in such matters, the two fans that the guard at the street, they hear a trampling of strainers in a hurry, is as close quickly, imagine that, whoever he is, will go right; standard quiet, and, event, you put on the alert. In fact, the trampling stops precisely at the door. Menico was coming on the run, sent by his father Christopher to advise the two women who, for the love the sky, immediately run away from home and took refuge at the convent, because ... you know why. It takes the handle of the pole, to beat, and if you feel waver in his hand, taken down and break through. "What is this?" thought, and pushes the door with fear: that opens. Menico put your foot inside, very suspicious, and feels at one point to grab his arms, and two low voices, right and left, they say, in a threatening tone: - Shut up! or you're dead -. He screamed in place: one of those 'crooks puts a hand to his mouth, the other pulls out a knife to frighten him. The lad trembled like a leaf, and not even try to scream, but all of a sudden, instead of him, and with well different tone, you hear that first sound of the bell did so, and after a storm of strokes in a row. Who is at fault is suspected, the saying goes Milanese one or the other villain seemed to feel this' touch his name and nickname: Let's arms Menico, retire in their fury, spalancan hand and mouth, look in the face, and run the house, where was the bulk of the company. Domenico, street-legged on the street, towards the tower, where there must be someone good account. To the other villains that frugavan the house from top to bottom, the terrible touch made the same impression: it mixed up, you mess up, s'urtano each other: the way everyone is looking for more short, to arrive at the door. Yet it was all tested and people accustomed to show their faces, but they could not stand against an unspecified threat, and that he had not shown a bit 'from a distance before coming upon them. It took all the superiority of the Griso to keep them together, so it was withdrawn and no escape. As a dog accompanying a herd of pigs, running here and there to those who scatter, it bites into one ear, and pulls in ischiera; pushes another with their muzzles, barking at another coming out in a row that time, so the pilgrim catch a of those who have already reached the threshold, and pulls back, back to hunting with a drone and another s'avviavan that way: shouting to others that corron here and there, not knowing where, so that raccozzò them all in the middle of the courtyard. - Hurry, hurry! guns in their hands, knives ready, all together, and then we will go: so it goes. Who could touch us, if we are well together, fool? But if we allow ourselves to grab one by one, even the peasants there will. Shame! Behind me, and united -. After this brief herring, put his forehead, and left the first. The house, as we have said, was the end of the village, the Griso took the road that put out, and all they went back in good order.
Let them go back and take a step back to Agnese and Perpetua, we left some little street. Agnes had caused the other to the expulsion home of Don abundance, the more it was possible, and, to a certain point, the thing had gone well. But suddenly, the servant had remembered output remained open, and wanted to go back. That there was no objection to Agnes, to prevent them from birth to some suspicion, he had time with her and follow her, and wanted to hold, every time I saw heated very well in this tale of 'such marriages went ahead. He showed a lot of her hearing, and, occasionally, to show that he was careful, or restart the cicadas, said: - secure: now I understand: that's fine: it is clear: what next? and he? and you? - But meanwhile, was another matter with herself. "They will come out at this hour? or even be in it? What fools we were all three, not to consult any signal to inform me, when it was successful! It was just great! But it is done now there is nothing but to take this woman at bay, much as I can: at worst, is a bit 'lost time. "Thus, corserelle fermatine and have gone back a short distance from the house of Don abounded, But what they saw, by reason of that corner: Perpetua and, being an important point of the story, had allowed herself to stop without resistance, without even realizing it, when, suddenly, he felt coming from booming in a vain motionless air, the wide silence of the night, that first Don Abbondio rickety cry: - help! help!
- Mercy! What was that? - Perpetua cried and wanted to run.
- What is it? What is it? - Agnes said, holding her skirt.
- Mercy! have not heard? - That said, freeing herself.
- What is it? What is it? - Agnes repeated, grabbing her by the arm.
- Devil of a woman! - Exclaimed Perpetua, Pull back, get in for free, and he ran against him. When, farther, sharper, more flash, feel the roar of Menico.
- Mercy! - Agnes cries too, and galloped after the other. They had raised almost as soon as his heels when it shoots the bell: a touch, and two, three, and followed: would the spurs, as if they needed it. Perpetua arrives, a time before the other, and wants to push the door, the door opens within, and Tonio will appear in the doorway, Gervase, Renzo, Lucia, who found the ladder, had come down saltelloni, and, feeling then that terrible peal, ran in haste to save themselves.
- What is it? What is it? - Asked Perpetua panting to the brothers, who responded with a Urton, and notched. - And you! how! that you do here? - Asked the other couple afterwards, when he had shown. They issued no answer, but those as well. Perpetua, where the need to rush was greatest, did not ask more, came quickly in the passage, and ran, as he could in the dark, toward the stairs. The couple remained promise is found in the face Agnes, who came tutt'affannata. - Ah you're here! - Said she, taking out the word out with difficulty: - how did it go? What is the bell? I seem to have heard ...
- At home, at home, - said Renzo - before people -. It's booting up, but comes Menico travel, recognize them, stop them, and, still trembling, his voice faint half, says - where are you going? Back, back! for here, at the convent!
- Are you that ...? - Agnes began.
- What else? - Asked Renzo. Lucia, all lost, silent and trembling.
- There's the devil in the house - shooting Menico panting. - I've seen, I wanted to kill me from: Christopher told his father: and you too, Renzo, said that immediately come: and then I saw I said that providence will find it all here! I'll tell you then, when we'll be out.
Renzo, who was in itself the most of all, I think, here or there, agreed to go now, before people accorresse, and that it was safer to do what you Menico counseled, commanded even, with the strength of a fright. Then the street, and out of danger, you might ask the guy a clearer explanation. - Walk forward, - he said. - Let us go with him - said to the women. They turned, started walking quickly toward the church, attraversaron the square, where the grace of eielo, there was no living soul, who had entered a narrow street between the church and the house of Don Abbondio on the first hole saw in a hedge, in , and off the fields. Not a
s'eran perhaps fifty yards away, when people began to flock on the square, and every moment swelled. They looked into her face with each other: everyone had a question to ask, no answer to give. The first arrived they ran to the door of the church was locked. They ran to the bell tower outside, and one of them, putting his mouth in a window, a sort of loophole, drove into a: - what the hell is it? - When Ambrose heard a familiar voice, let go of the rope, and secured by the buzz, which was very rushed people, said: - I come to open -. He put the thing in a hurry that he had brought under his arm, came in on the inside, the church door, and opened it.
- What's all this noise? - What? - Where? - Who is it?
- How, who? - Ambrose said, taking a hand with a swing of the door, and, with the other, the flap of what this tool, which had started so fast: - What! do not know? people in the house of the curate. Animo, sons help -. It Voltan all that house, you're coming in crowds, looking up, ears are in: everything quiet. Others run from the where there was the door: it is closed and does not seem to have been touched. They look up too: there's an open window: you hear a hush.
- Who's there? - Hey, Ho! - Mr nice! - Mr nice!
Abbondio Don, who just became aware of the escape the invaders, had retired from the window, and had closed, and that at this time was to quarrel with sub Perpetua, who had left alone in quell'imbroglio , had, when he heard himself called a rumor, come back to the window and saw that great emergency, you repented of having asked for it.
- What was that? - What have they done? - Who are they? - Where are they? - He was called out of fifty items at once.
- There's no one: I thank you: well back home.
- Who was that? - Where did they go? - What happened?
- Poor people, people running at night, but fled: go home, there's nothing: again, my children, I thank you for your good heart -. And having said this, he retired and closed the window. Here, people began to grumble, some to mock, to other festivals, others stringevan shoulders, and went: a whole when it comes out of breath, which could hardly form words. He was man of the house almost opposite to our women, and having, noise, looking out the window, he saw the commotion in the courtyard de 'good, when the Griso busily picking them. When he had recovered his breath, cried out - you do here, children? this is not the devil is down in the bottom of the street, the house of Agnes Mondella: armed men, are in it, seems to want to kill a pilgrim who knows what the hell is!
- What? - What? - What? - It begins a tumultuous visit. - You have to go. - You have to see. - How many? - How many are we? - Who are they? - The console! the console!
- Here I am, - replied the consul, in the crowd: - I am here, but we must help, must obey. Presto: where's the sexton? At the bell, the bell. Presto: one that runs in Lecco in search of relief: here come all ...
Who runs, who sguizza between man and man, and if the beats, the tumult was great, when it comes another, who had seen them leave in a hurry, and shouting: - run, sons, thieves or bandits who escaped with a pilgrim : I am already out of the country on him! me! - In this advertisement, without waiting for the captain's orders, you movono mass, bulk and down the street, hand in hand that the army advances, someone in the vanguard of those slow pace, leaving surpass , and it sticks in the body of the battle: the last push before: confused swarm finally come to the place indicated. The tracks were fresh, obvious invasion: the opened door, the lock will break through, but the invaders had disappeared. One enters the courtyard, you go to the door of the ground: open and break through that too: it is called: - Agnes! Lucia! The pilgrim! Where is the pilgrim? He must have dreamed of Stephen, the pilgrim. - No, no: he also saw Carlandrea. Hey, pilgrim! - Agnes! Lucia! - No one answers. - They have taken away! They have taken away! - There was then of those who, raising his voice, suggested tracking the kidnappers that he was a disgrace, and it would be a shame for the country, if every rogue could a man be saved Take away the women, such as kites the barnyard chicks deserted. New Access and more tumultuous, but one (and no one ever knew exactly who he was) threw a voice in the brigade, which Agnese and Lucia s'eran made safe in a house. The rumor quickly gained belief, there was no talk of hunt the fugitives, and the brigade is dispersed, each going to his house. It was a whisper, a roar, a beat is an opening of doors, a look and a shot of oil lamps, a question of women from the windows, a reply from the road. Returning this deserted and quiet, the talk continuaron homes, and in moriron yawning, before recovering in the morning. Without, however, there was no other, except that, that same morning, the consul, standing in his field, his chin in one hand and the elbow resting on the handle of the spade stuck in the middle ground, and with one foot on Vangile , standing, I say to himself to speculate on the mysteries of the night before, and therefore composed of toccase what to do, and what do convenisse, he saw two men come meet very vigorous presence, her hair as two re de 'Franchi the first race, and resembled the rest in this 'two to five days earlier had addressed Don Abbondio, although these were not' them. They, even less to do with a ceremonious, demanded the console that looks good not to lay the incident to the Mayor, not the real answer, if it were to be questioned, not gossiping, not to stir up the gossip of 'rude, as he loved the hope of dying of disease.
Our fugitives walked a piece good trot in silence, turning, now one, now another, to see if anyone gl'inseguiva, all in trouble for the effort of escape, the heartbeat and the suspension in which they were, for the pain of ill success, for the apprehension of the new dark confused danger. And even more trouble keeping them in the pressure of this ongoing 'strokes, which, as for the leave, Came more dim and dull, so it seemed that something would take a more gloomy and sinister. Finally ceased. The fugitives then, being in a deserted field, and not feeling a breath around, slowed the pace, and Agnes, who was the first, take a breath, broke the silence, asking as it was Renzo gone, wondering what that Menico devil in the house. Renzo briefly recounted her sad story, and all three turned to the boy, who reported more specifically the advice of his father, and told himself what he had seen and threatened, and that unfortunately confirmed the warning. The listeners understood more than he had known Menico say to that discovery, sentiron shudder; fermaron are all three at once, looked at each other with each other, scared, and now, with a movement unanimous, all three placed a hand on his head who, on the shoulders of the boy who like to stroke him, to thank him silently for them to have been a guardian angel, to show compassion that they felt the anguish suffered by him, and of the danger to their salvation, and almost to apologize. - Now back at home, because your no longer have to feel sorry for you, - said Agnes, and remembering the two parpagliole promises, he raised four of his pocket and gave it to him, adding: - just, pray to the Lord to see you soon: and then ... - Renzo berlingo gave him a new and highly recommended to say nothing of the commission received by the friar Lucia caressed her again, greeted him with a mournful voice, the boy greeted them all, touched, and turned back. Those resumed their way, all thought, the women first, and Renzo behind, as to guard. Lucia was close to the arm of her mother, shunned and gently, and with skill, the young man the help that they offered the 'steps of that journey malagevoli astray; shameful in itself, even in such a disturbance, of being already time alone with him, and so familiarly, when he expected to become his wife, in a few moments. Now, that dream faded away so painfully, you repented of being gone too far, and in so many causes of awful, awful shame for that which comes not from the dismal science of evil, to that modesty that ignores itself, similar to the fear the child, trembling in the darkness, without knowing that.
- And the house? - Agnes said suddenly. But as far as the question was important, no one answered because no one could give a satisfactory answer. They continued their way in silence, and soon after, the final outlet on the square in front of the church. Renzo
appeared at the door, and drove pretty good. The door actually opens, and the moon, entering through the aperture, illuminated the pale face and beard of silver of his father Christopher, who was standing there in expectation. Since no one was missing, - God be praised! - And he did mention who enter them. Next to him was another Capuchin, and was a lay clerk, he, with prayers and with reasons, had persuaded him to watch with him, to leave the door ajar, and Sentinel to stay in it in order to welcome this' poor threat, and not be required unless the authority of his father, his fame as a saint, to get from a secular condescension uncomfortable, dangerous and illegal. That were entered, the father Christopher repositioning the door slowly. So the clerk could no longer hold, and called the father of a part, was whispered in his ear: - but Father, father! at night ... in church ... with women ... close ... the rule ... But father! - And he shook his head. As she said those words with difficulty, "you see a little!" Christopher's father thought, "if he chased a robber, a Friar Fazio would not harm the world, and a poor innocent man who runs from the claws of the wolf ... "- Omnia Munda mundis, - he said, turning suddenly to between Fazio, and forgetting that this did not mean Latin. But this omission was precisely that which made the effect. If his father was put to question with reasons, Friar Fazio would not have missed other reasons to oppose, and heaven knows when and how it would end. But to hear those pregnant words of a mysterious sense, and spoken so resolutely , it seemed that those that may contain the solution to all your doubts. acquiesce, and said - enough! you know more than me.
- Trust well, - said the father, Christopher, and the uncertain light the lamp that burned before the altar, approached the patients, who were suspended waiting, and said to them - children! thank the Lord, who hath escaped from a great danger. Perhaps at this moment ...! - And here he began to explain what he did mention the little messenger, because he did not suspect that they sapesser over him, and he's supposed to Menico find peace at home, before the arrival of the robbers. No one disappointment, even Lucia, who, however, felt a secret guilt of such a concealment, with such a man, but it was night and degl'imbrogli de 'subterfuge.
- After that, - he continued - well you see, my children, now this country is not safe for you. 'Your, we're born, you do not have hurt anyone, but God does so. It is a test, my sons: sopportatela with patience, with confidence, without hate, and be sure there will come a time when you will be content with what happens now. I thought to find shelter for those first moments. Soon, I hope you safe return home, at any rate, God will provide, for your best, and I am sure I shall certainly not miss the grace that I am choosing for his minister in the service of his poor you loved ones afflicted. You, - he continued, turning to the two women - you can stop at ***. There'll be enough out of all danger, and at the same time, not too far from home. Try our convent, please call the guardian, give him this letter: it will be another one for you Christopher. And you, my Renzo, you should also get, for now, safe from the anger of others, and yours. Bring this letter to Father Bonaventura da Lodi, in our monastery in Eastern Gate in Milan. He will be your father, will guide you, find you the job, since you can not go back to live here quietly. Go to the lake shore, near the mouth of Bione -. It is a creek within walking distance of Pescarenico. - There you will see a boat stopped, say, the boat, you will be asked if you answer: St. Francis. The boat will receive you and transports you to the other side, where you'll find a cart that even lead to ***.
between those who ask how Christopher had suffered at his disposal so this' means of transport, water and land, would see they did not know what was the power of having a cappuccino in the concept of a saint.
remained to be thinking about the custody of the houses. The father received the keys to those charged with delivering Renzo Agnes and forefingers. The latter, rising in his pocket, heaved a deep sigh, thinking at that moment, the house was open, that there was the devil, and who knows what it remained to guard!
- Before you depart, - said the father, - let us pray to the Lord to be with you, in Codest travel, and more; and above all, give you strength, give you love to want what he wanted -. So saying, he knelt in the middle of the church, and all did the same. After they had prayed, some moments in silence, the father, his voice quiet but distinct, articulated these words: - we still pray for that poor man who has brought us to this pass. We would be unworthy of your mercy, if you do not we ask a heart for him, he needs so badly! We, in our trial, we have this consolation, that we are on track where we have made you: we can offer our troubles, and become a gain. But he! ... is your enemy. Oh wretch! compete with you! Pity him, O Lord, toccategli the heart, make it your friend, Give to all goods that we desire for ourselves.
then lifted as quickly, he said - by the sons, there is no time to lose, God forbid, his angel v'accompagni: Go -. And while they walked, with that emotion can not find words, and that manifests itself without them, the father said, in an altered voice: - my heart tells me we'll meet again soon.
Of course, the heart, who gives him a straight, always has something to say about what will be. But who knows the heart? Just a little of what has already happened.
Without waiting for an answer, including Christopher, went to the sacristy, passengers They issued from the church, and closed the door between Fazio, giving them a goodbye, her voice altered, too. They set off quietly to the shore which had been given them, they saw the boat ready, and date and changed her password, got to do. The boatman, pointing to the brink of an oar, he fell off, then grabbed the other oar, rowing and two arms, took off towards the beach opposite. Do not pull a breeze and the lake lay smooth and flat, and it would have seemed still, if it was not the slight flicker and the swaying of the moon, which are reflected by half the sky. We heard only the dead and slow breaking surge along the gravel shore, as far as the gurgling water route between the piles of the bridge, the measured thud of this' two oars, which cut the surface blue of the lake, went out to a shot dripping, and Went down into. The wave cut from the boat, meeting behind the stern, marked a wrinkled strip, which s'andava away from the shore. The passengers silent, his head turned back, looked at the mountains and the village lit by the moon, and changed here and there with mighty. Are classified as villages, houses, huts: the palace of Don Rodrigo, with his flat tower, high above the little houses piled up the slope of the hill, looked like a savage, who, standing in darkness, in the midst of a dormant company and alert, contemplating a crime. Lucia saw it and shuddered, went down with the eye down the slope, until his village, looked fixed end, he found his house, he found the thick foliage of the fig tree which towered the wall of the courtyard, he found the window of his room, and sitting as he was, in the bottom of the boat, put his arm on the side, put arm on his forehead, as if to sleep, and wept secretly.
Farewell, ye mountains from the water sources, and elevated to heaven; unequal peaks, known to those who grew up among you, and impressed upon his mind, not least that it is the aspect of 'his closest family members; torrents,' which distinguish the murmur, like the sound of the voices of home villas scattered on the slope and glistening, like flocks of grazing sheep goodbye! How sad it is up to those who grew up among you, it has gone away! At the same fantasy that it willingly, attracted by the hope of making a fortune elsewhere, lose their charms, at that moment, the dreams of wealth, he wonders of having been able to solve, and then revert back, if you did not think that one day, come back wealthy. The more you advance in the plan, withdrew his eyes, disgusted and tired of quell'ampiezza uniform, the air seems heavy and lifeless; rode sad and listless in the tumultuous city, the houses added to homes, roads that flow in the streets, it seems that the Levin breath, and admired by the stranger in front of the buildings, he thinks, restless with desire, or pasture of his country, the little house which has already set his heart upon, for a long time, and that it will buy, full back to 'its mountains.
But who had never gone beyond those of even a desire fugitive, who had made them in all the designs of the future, and is something thrown away, by a force nasty! Who, at once detached from the dearest habits, and disturbed the dearest hopes to leave these 'mountains, to start in quest of strangers who never wanted to know, with the imagination and can not get a date set for return! Farewell, birthplace, where, sitting, with unconscious thought, one learned to distinguish from the noise of 'steps common noise expected with a step mysterious fear. Farewell, foreign home again, glanced at home many times in passing, passing, and not without a blush, in which the mind imagined a peaceful and perpetual bride. Farewell, the church, where the soul went back many times peaceful, singing the praises of the Lord, where he was promised, prepared a ritual, where the secret sigh of the heart had to be solemnly blessed, and love be commanded, and called holy; goodbye! Who gave you so much for everything is gaiety, and never disturbs the joy of 'his children, except to prepare for them a more certain and larger.
of this kind, if not exactly these were the thoughts of Lucy, and little different thoughts of the other two pilgrims, while the boat was approaching the right bank of the Adda.
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