what the father Christopher stopped standing in the doorway, and just had a look on women, must have realized that his submitted were not false. Waves, with the tone of question that should be met with a sad answer, raising his beard with a slight motion of his head back, he said: - Well? - Lucy answered with a burst of tears. The mother began to make excuses for having dared to ... but the monk came forward, and he sat down upon a stool with three legs, severed the compliments, telling Lucia - quietatevi, poor girl. And you, - He said to Agnes, - tell me what is! - While the good lady was doing to better his painful report, the monk became a thousand colors, and now he raised his eyes to heaven, now stamping his feet. After the story, she covered her face with her hands and cried: - O God bless! until ...! - But, without making the sentence, turning back to the women, - poor things! - He said - God has visited. Poor Lucia!
- Do not leave us, Father? - Said she, sobbing.
- Leaving! - Answered. - And with what face could I ask God to do something for me, when v'avessi abandoned? you in this state! you, that He trusts me! Do not lose heart: he v'assisterà: He sees everything, He can also use a man like me from nothing, to confuse a ... Let's see, what we think we can do.
So saying, he rested his left elbow on his knee, bowed his head in the palm, and shook his beard with his right hand and chin, as if to take firm and united all the powers of the mind. But the most careful consideration served only to make him see more clearly how the case was urgent and intrigued, and as poor, uncertain and dangerous as the last resort. "Put a bit 'ashamed to don Abbondio, and make them feel what is lacking in its duty? Shame and duty are nothing to him when he is afraid. And frighten them? What means have I ever make him one that exceeds what has for a shot? Informed of all the cardinal archbishop, and to invoke its authority? It takes time and in the meantime? and then what? Even if this poor innocent was married, this would be a drag on the man? Who knows what sign to get there ... And resist? How? Ah! If I could, thought the poor monk, if I could pull from my my brothers here, que 'di Milano! But! is not a common affair, I would be abandoned. He is the friend of the convent, masquerading as a partisan of 'cappuccino: good and its not have come more than once a refuge from us? I would only dance and I also earn my restless, dell'imbroglione, dell'accattabrighe, and, what is more, I might perhaps, with an attempt out of time, worsen the condition of this poor woman. "counterbalanced the pros and cons of this or that party, it seemed the best deal for Don Rodrigo himself from his infamous attempt to smove connection with the prayers , with the terrors of another life, even of this, if possible. At worst, it could at least know, this way, more distinctly what he was obstinate in his dirt efforts to find out more about his intentions, and take advice from this.
While the friar was thus meditating, Renzo, who, for all the reasons that everyone can guess, he could not stay away from that house, had appeared in the doorway, but, as the father in thought, and women who did they mention not to disturb him, stood in the doorway in silence. Raising his face to talk to women and the design, the monk noticed him, and greeted him in a way ch'esprimeva affection usual, made more intense by pity.
- ... They told her, father? - Asked Renzo, emotional voice.
- Unfortunately, and for that I am here.
rascal who says that ...?
- What do I tell him? He is not here to hear: that would benefit from my words? I tell you, my Renzo, who you trust in God and that God does not t'abbandonerà.
- Blessed be your words! - Exclaimed the young man. - She is not what Dan is always wrong to 'poor. But Mr. cured, and that Mr. Doctor of lost causes ...
- Do not bring up what he can not serve other than to upset you unnecessarily. I am a poor brother, but I repeat what I said to these women: for the little that I can not v'abbandonerò.
- Oh, you're not like friends in the world! Twaddell! Who would believe me that the protests were making them, in good time, eh, eh! They were ready to give blood for me; m'avrebbero argued against the devil. If I had had an enemy? ... enough to let me understand, would be over soon to eat bread. And now, seeing him retire as ... - At this point, looking up at her father's face, saw that everything had been clouded, and he realized what he had said agreed to keep quiet. But wanting to mend, went intriguing and cheating: - I meant ... I do not mean ... that is, I mean ...
- What did you mean? What? So you had begun to spoil my work, before it was taken! Good for you that you were in time undeceived. What! you went in search of friends ... which friends! ... t'avrebber not been able to help, not even if you want! It's just that you were trying to lose That it can and will! Do not you know that God is the friend of 'afflicted, who trust in Him? Do you not know that, to put out the nails, the weak do not buy? And even ... - At this point, he grabbed the arm of Renzo strongly: its appearance, without loss of authority, s'atteggiò compunction of a solemn eyes descends, the voice was slow and as underground: - even when ... is a tremendous gain! Renzo! want you to trust me? ... I say to myself, little man, little tern? Will you trust God?
- Oh yes! - Renzo said. - What is Lord indeed.
- Well, that promise does not address that does not cause any, that you be guided by me.
- I promise. Lucy took a deep breath, as if a weight had been lifted for him, and Agnes said - good son.
- Listen, children, - taken between Christopher: - I shall go today to speak to the man. If God touches his heart, and gives strength to my words: If not, He will make us find some other remedy. You meanwhile, stands quiet, withdrawn, shunned the talk, do not you see. Tonight, or tomorrow at the latest, I'll see -. That said, severed all the thanks and blessings, and departed. Walked to the monastery, he arrived in time to go to sing in chorus the sixth, dined, and immediately started to walk towards the lair of the fair that he wanted proof of tame. The palace of Don Rodrigo
stood isolated in the likeness of a shack on top of one of 'sparse hills enveloping the coastal detected. In this indication the anonymous adds that the place (he would have done better to write the proper name) was more on the couple's village, close to this perhaps three miles, and four from the convent. At the foot of the hill, on the side facing to the south, and toward the lake, lay a heap of huts, inhabited by farmers of Don Rodrigo, it was as the small capital of his little kingdom. Just move on, to be clear of the condition and de 'customs of the country. Taking a look in the lower room, where some door was open, could be seen attached to the wall guns, trombones, hoes, rakes, straw hats, nets and flasks of powder in bulk. The people you meet that tall men were stocky and grim, with a huge tuft on his head thrown back, and closed in a net; old, lost his fangs, seemed always ready to stir those who no nothing, to grind their gums, women with certain male faces, and with some brawny arms, good to come to the aid of the tongue, when it was not enough: it 'looks, and moves in de' children themselves, who giocavan the street, we saw a I do not know of petulant and provocative. Among Christopher
through the village, went to an alley, spiral, and came on a little esplanade before the palace. The door was locked, a sign that the owner had dined, and would not be confused. The sparse and small windows that Davan on the road, closed by tax uneven and worn by the years, however, were protected by thick iron bars, and those on the ground floor so high that soon there would come a man on the shoulders of a more. There a great silence reigned, and a passer would have thought it was an abandoned house, where four creatures, two live and two dead, placed in symmetry, outside, had not given an indication of population. Two grand'avoltoi, with wings outstretched, and co 'skulls dangling, plucked one and a half gnawed by time, even more balance and feathered, were nailed, each upon a hinged front door, and two good, lying Each sur one of the benches placed on the right and left, did they guard, waiting to be called to solace the scraps from the table of the Lord. The father stood upright, in place of those who have to wait, but from a 'good rose, and said, - Father, father, is also next: here are not made to wait for the Capuchins: we are friends of the convent and I have been there at times that it was not too buon'aria out for me, and if I had kept the door closed, it would go ill -. So saying, he gave two peaks with a hammer. At the sound answered immediately in the howls and cries of the hounds and dogs, and a few moments later, an old servant came grumbling, but when he saw his father gave him a grand'inchino, quietened the beast with your hands and voice, introduced the guest in a narrow courtyard, and closed the door. Accompagnatolo then in a living room, and looking with an air of wonder and respect, he said - is not she ... the father of Christopher Pescarenico?
- That's right.
- You here?
- As you see, my good man.
- will to do good. Good, - he continued muttering between his teeth, and rincamminandosi, - if they can do for all -. Through two or three other living rooms dark, arrived at the door of the banquet hall. Here a great confusion of the rig forks, knives, glasses, dishes, and above all of discordant voices, trying to overwhelm each other. The monk wanted to retire, and was in contrast with the servant at the door, to get to be left in some corner of the house, until lunch was finished, and when the door opened. A certain Count Attilio, who was sitting in his face (he was a cousin of the owner of the house, and we have already made mention of him, without naming him) saw a shaved head and a robe, and became aware of the intention of modest good friar, - hey! hey! - Cried - no escape, revered father: forward, forward -. Don Rodrigo, without guessing precisely the subject of that visit, too, for I know not what confused presentiment, n'avrebbe done less. But because of the carefree Attilio had made that great call, did not suit him to lift ourselves back, and said - is the father, is -. The father came forward, bowing to the master, and answered with two hands, the greetings of 'guests.
The honest man in the face of evil, like generally (not to say all) imagine him with his head held high, with look safe, with the breast detected, with the scilinguagnolo well dissolved. In fact, however, to make him take that attitude, you need extra many circumstances, which are rarely found together. So do not be surprised if between Christopher, with good testimony of his conscience, with the firmest sense of justice of the case which was to support, with a mixed feeling of horror and compassion for Don Rodrigo, the same with an air of suggezione and respect, in the presence of that Don Rodrigo, who was there at the head of the table in his house in his kingdom, surrounded with friends, for gifts, so many signs of his power, with a face to those who die in the mouth is a prayer, not that a council not a correction, not a reproach. To his right sat his cousin Attilio that count, and, if it is to say, his colleague and soverchieria libertine, who had come from London to vacation for a few days with him. On the left, and another side of the table, was, with great respect, tempered, however, of a certainty, and of a certain presumptuousness, Mr. Podesta, the very same which, in theory, would have had to do justice to Renzo Tramaglino, and to have to star in Don Rodrigo, as we have seen above. In the face of the mayor, in an act of respect for the purest, the most gutted, sat our Dr. Azzecca-tangles, in black cloaks, and ruddy nose more than usual: in the face of two cousins, two guests obscure de 'as our story says only that did nothing but eat, bow your head, smile and approve everything they said a diner, and not contradicted by another.
- From father to sit, - said Don Rodrigo. A servant showed up a chair, on which she put on her father Christopher, making some excuse to the ladies, come in hours of being inappropriate. - Long to talk to her to be alone with her comfortable, for a great deal of importance - he added, his voice more subdued, the ear of Don Rodrigo.
- Well, well, speak - said this: - but in the meantime you bring a drink to his father. The father wanted to shield them, but Don Rodrigo, his voice rising in the middle who had started the commotion, shouting: - no, Bacchus, I will do this wrong, it will never be true that a cappuccino to go away from this house, without having tasted my wine, nor an insolent creditor, without having tasted the Wood de 'my woods -. These words excited universal laughter, and stopped for a moment the question that agitated strongly among the guests. A servant, wearing a douche sur cruet of wine and a long glass in the form of glass, introduced him to his father, who, unwilling to resist an invitation so pressing as the man who wanted to be gracious, not hesitated to mix, and began to slowly sipped the wine.
- The authority of the rate was not used to its taken, Mr. Podesta revered and indeed is against her - began to scream Count Attilio: - because that man learned, great man, who knew by heart all the rules of chivalry, made the messenger of Argante before exposing the challenge to the Christian knights, ask your license to the pious Bouillon ...
- But that - replied, no less screaming, the mayor - that's a plus, a mere addition, a poetic ornament, since the messenger is inviolable nature, for the law of nations, jure gentium: and, without try to go so, it also says the proverb: ambassador does not bring pain. And, proverbs, Count, they are the wisdom of mankind. And, not having the messenger said nothing in his own name, but only made the challenge in writing ...
- But when will understand that this messenger was a reckless ass, he did not know the first ...?
- with good leave of their masters, - interrupted Don Rodrigo, who would not want that the issue went too far: - rimettiamola the father Christopher, and stand at his sentence.
- Well, well, - said the Count Attilio, who seemed very polite to decide a point of chivalry by a cappuccino, while the mayor, the most impassioned of the heart in question, it calmed with difficulty, and with a face , which seemed to say: girls.
- But from what I seem to have understood, - the father said, - are not things that I understand deva.
- excuses modesty of their fathers, - said Don Rodrigo - but I do not run away. Go on! sappiam good that she came into the world with a hood on his head, and that the world has known. Away, away, here is the question.
- The fact is this, - began to cry Count Attilio.
- Let me say that I am neutral, cousin, - replied Don Rodrigo. - Here's the story. A English knight sends a challenge to a Milanese cavalier: the bearer, as they have caused in the house, the sign over to a brother of the knight, the brother reads what the challenge, and in response gives some blows to the bearer. This is ...
- Ben dates, well applied, - cried the count Attilio. - It was a true inspiration.
- To the devil - said the mayor. - Beat an ambassador! holy person! Even her father, tell me if this action is a knight.
- Yes, sir knight, - cried the count - and let me say that I intend to what befits a knight. Oh, if they had been punched, it would be another matter, but the non stick isporca hands on anyone. What I can not understand is why the press as many shoulders of a scoundrel.
- Who spoke of the shoulders, count me? She makes me say nonsense that I've never crossed my mind. I talked about the character, and not from behind, I will. I speak all over the law of nations. Tell me a little, please, if feciali that the Romans sent a notice to the other peoples of the challenges, chiedevan license expose the embassy and find me a while a writer who makes a statement that a feciale has never been beaten.
- What have we to do with the ufiziali of the ancient Romans? people going to good, and that in these things, he was back, back. But, according to the laws of modern chivalry, which is true, I say and maintain that a messenger who dares to put in the hands of a knight a challenge, without avergliene requested license, is a reckless, breakable violabilissimo, beatings bastonabilissimo .. .
- a little Respond to this syllogism.
- Nothing, nothing, nothing.
- But listen, but listen, but listen. Unarmed strikes is a treacherous act; atqui the messenger in question was unarmed, ergo ...
- Piano, piano, Mr. Podesta.
- What plan?
- Plan, tell me what is that? Treasonable act is hurt with a sword to the back, or give him a shot in the back: and for this reason, it's time to give some cases ... but we are in question. I grant that it generally can be called treasonable act, but supports four blows to a scoundrel! It would be nice that you were saying, look at that enough for you: how would you say to a gentleman: his sword. And you, Dr. revered, instead of me de 'sneers, for me to understand who is in my opinion, because does not support my reasons, with his good table, to help persuade this man?
- I ... - Confusetto the doctor replied: - I enjoy this scholarly dispute, and thank bell'accidente that has given rise to a war of wits so pretty. And then, I do not compete to give decision: his illustrious lordship has already delegated a judge ... Here Fr ...
- is true, - said Don Rodrigo - but how you want the court to speak, when the litigants do not want to shut up?
- Mutes, - said the Count Attilio. The mayor pursed lips and raised his hand, as in the act of resignation.
- Oh, thank God! To her father - said Don Rodrigo, with a quizzical half seriously.
- I've already made my excuses by saying that I do not n'intendo - between Christopher said, making the glass to a servant.
- lean Apologies: - cried the two cousins \u200b\u200b- we want the sentence!
- In that case, - continued the monk - my humble opinion would be that there were no challenges, no porters, no beatings.
The guests looked at each other with astonishment.
- Oh this is great! - Attilio said the count. - Forgive me, Father, but is large. One can see that she does not know the world.
- Him? - Don Rodrigo said: - you want me to complain: she knows, my cousin, as you: is not it, father? Say, say, if he has not made his caravan?
Instead of answering questions quest'amorevole, the father said, a little word in secret to himself: "these are for you, but remember, brother, you're not here for you, and that everything he touches you alone, does not enter into account. "
- will, - said the cousin - but his father ... as it is called the father?
- Father Christopher - said more than one.
- But, Father Christopher, master colendissimo, with these its maximum, you would like to send the world upside down. Without challenges! Without a stick! Farewell to the point of honor: impunity for all rogues. Fortunately that is supposed to be impossible.
- Animo doctor - ran out of Don Rodrigo, who always wanted to entertain the dispute over the first two contenders - soul, to you, that, to give reason at all, you're a man. Let's see how you are going to give a little reason in this to his father Christopher.
- In truth, - said the doctor, having wielded a fork in the air, and turning to her father - in truth I can not understand how her father Christopher, who is both the religious and the perfect man of the world, has not thought that his sentence, good, good and proper weight to the pulpit, is not worth anything, be it said with all due respect, in a dispute chivalry. But his father knows better than me, that everything is good in its place, and I believe that this time, wanted to extricate herself, with a joke, dall'impiccio to utter a sentence. What is
could never respond to arguments put forward by a wisdom so ancient and so new? Nothing, and so did our brother.
But Don Rodrigo, for wanting to cut off the question, it was to raise another. - By the way, - he said - I heard rumors that ran along in Milan accommodations.
The reader knows that in that year he fought for the succession to the duchy of Mantua, to whom the death of Vincenzo Gonzaga, who had left her legitimate children, had come into possession of the Duke of Nevers, his next of kin. Louis XIII, that the Cardinal de Richelieu, he claimed that the prince, his affection well, and a naturalized French: Philippe IV, or the Count of Olivares, commonly called the Count Duke, not wanted him there, for the same reasons, and had gone to war. Since then that duchy was a fief of the empire, so the two sides s'adoperavano, with practice, with bodies, with threats from the Emperor Ferdinand II, the first as they were granted the investiture to the new Duke, and the other denied it to him because indeed helped to oust him from that state.
- I'm not far from believing, - said the Count Attilio, - things that you can accommodate. I have some clues ...
- Do not believe, count, do not believe me, - broke the mayor. - I, in this corner, I know how things, why Mr. Castellano English, who, by his goodness, I want some 'good, and to be the son of a created Duke of Earl, is aware of everything ...
- I say that to me happens every day in Milan to talk with as many other characters, and I know a good place that the pope, deeply interested, as, for peace, made statements ...
- This should be, the thing is in order, his holiness does his duty, a pope is always good to put between Christian principles, but the Count Duke has his policy, e. ..
- And, and, and, you know, my lord, how do you think the emperor, at the moment? Do you think there's something that Mantua in this world? things that you must think I'm much, sir. Do you know, for example, up to a sign that the emperor could now trust that his Prince of Valdistano or Vallistai, or as they call it, and if ...
- The name of legitimate Germanic language - again interrupted the mayor - is Vagliensteino, as I've heard uttering several times by our Lord Castellan English. But be of good cheer, though, that ...
- I want to teach ...? - Resumed the count, but Don Rodrigo gave him an eye, to make him understand that, for her sake, cease to contradict. The Count was silent, and the mayor, as a ship disimbrogliato a dry, continuous, full sail, the course of his eloquence. - Vagliensteino gives me little trouble, because the Count Duke has his eye on everything, and everything, and if Vagliensteino bell'umore will do, will do him well Rigar law, with good or bad. He has an eye for everything, I say, and long hands, and if he fixed the nail, as it has fixed, and rightly so, from that great politician he is, that the Duke of Nevers does not put roots in Mantua , the Duke of Nevers do not put any, and the cardinal of Riciliù make a hole in the water. It makes me laugh but that dear Lord Cardinal, to want to clash with an earl Duke, with a Olivares. I tell you the truth, I would like to be reborn here in two hundred years, to hear what posterity will say of this beautiful pretension. It takes more than envy; head wants to be: heads and as the head of an earl Duke, there is only one in the world. The Count Duke, gentlemen, - the mayor continued, always with wind in its sails, and a bit 'surprised he's never meet a rock: - The Count Duke is an old fox, speaking with all due respect, that would lose the track who has: and it starts on the right, can be sure that battery on the left: and so, no one can ever claim to know his designs, and the same people who put devon running, the same people who write the dispatches, not capiscon nothing. I can speak with some knowledge of the facts, because the good man of Mr. Castellano deigns to stay with me, with some confidence. The Count Duke, vice versa, appuntino knows what's in store for all the other courts, and all those 'politiconi (which there rights rather, we can not deny) have just imagined a design, the Count Duke you have already guessed, with his head, with those streets covered with this' argument for all its threads. The poor man Cardinal Riciliù try here, sniffing there, sweating, endeavors: and then? when he has succeeded in digging a mine, is already ready-made from the contrammina Count Duke ...
Heaven knows when the mayor would come ashore, but Don Rodrigo, stimulated by 'versacci who was a cousin, he turned suddenly, as if he were an inspiration, a servant, and mentioned he would bring a certain fiasco.
- Mr Podesta and gentlemen! - Then said - a toast Count Duke, and I will tell you if the wine is worthy of the character -. The mayor responded with a bow, which transpired in a particular sense of gratitude, because everything you did or said in honor of Earl Duke, partly because it believed in itself.
- Viva thousand years Don Gasparo Guzman, Count of Olivares, Duke of St. Lucar, largely deprived of the great king Don Philip, our lord! - He exclaimed, raising his glass. Private
, the uninitiated, the term was in use, this' time, to signify the favorite of a prince.
- live a thousand years! - All answered.
- Serve the father - said Don Rodrigo.
- Forgive me, - said to him - but I already made a disorder, and I could not ...
- What! - Don Rodrigo said: - This is a toast to the Earl of Duke. It means, therefore, to believe that she takes from Navarrini?
as they were called then, mocked, the French, by the principles of Navarre, who had begun with Henry IV, to reign over them. In this
beg, agreed to drink. All the guests broke into cheers, and praises the wine out of the doctor, who, with his head up, eyes fixed, her lips tight, expressed much more than he could do with words.
- What do you say eh, doctor? - Asked Don Rodrigo. Pulled out of a glass nose more than the brightest vermilion, the doctor said, tapping emphasis on each syllable: - I say, speaks, and declares that this is the de Olivares' wines: censorship, et in eam sententiam therein, a fluid that is not similar in all the twenty-two kingdoms of our Lord the King, which God forbid: declare and define that the lunches of the most illustrious Don Rodrigo win Elagabulus dinners, and that the famine is banned and confined for ever from this palace, where she sits and reigns splendor.
- Well said! well-defined! - They shouted with one voice, the diners, but that word, famine, which the doctor had thrown out a case, a point addressed in all minds at this sad subject, and all spoke of the famine. Here were going all agree, at least in principal, but the noise was perhaps greater than if there had been varied. All spoke together. - There is no famine, - said one - are monopolists ...
- And the bakers, - said another: - hiding the grain. Hang them.
- Exactly, hang them without mercy.
- De 'good processes, - shouted the mayor.
- What processes? - Count Attilio shouted louder: - summary justice. Seize three or four or five or six of those who, rumor, are known as the richest and most dogs, and hang them.
- Examples! examples! without examples it does nothing.
- Hang them! hang them!, and wheat will jump out from all sides. Who, through a fair, found itself in goder the harmony that makes a company busker, when, between a sonata and another, each one grants his instrument, making it creak as it can, akin to hear distinctly, amid the noise of others, imagine that this was the consonance of those, if you can say, talks. S'andava while pouring and rimescendo of what this wine, and praised it were, it was just, intermixed with the judgments of economic law, so that the words s'udivan loudest and most often were: ambrosia, and hang . Don Rodrigo
meanwhile gave the only eye that was silent, and always saw him there still, no sign of impatience or hurry, without making note that tended to remember that he was waiting, but with an air of not wanting to leave, before being heard. The mandate would have to walk willingly, and made less of that conversation, but lay off a cappuccino without having given him the hearing was not following the rules of his policy. Since the nuisance could not be avoided, he resolved to face immediately, and liberation; rose from the table, and with him the whole ruddy brigade, without interrupting the noise. License then asked the guests, he approached, actually demure, the monk, who had just turned up with others said to him - I am to 'his commands -, and led him into another room.
- Do not leave us, Father? - Said she, sobbing.
- Leaving! - Answered. - And with what face could I ask God to do something for me, when v'avessi abandoned? you in this state! you, that He trusts me! Do not lose heart: he v'assisterà: He sees everything, He can also use a man like me from nothing, to confuse a ... Let's see, what we think we can do.
So saying, he rested his left elbow on his knee, bowed his head in the palm, and shook his beard with his right hand and chin, as if to take firm and united all the powers of the mind. But the most careful consideration served only to make him see more clearly how the case was urgent and intrigued, and as poor, uncertain and dangerous as the last resort. "Put a bit 'ashamed to don Abbondio, and make them feel what is lacking in its duty? Shame and duty are nothing to him when he is afraid. And frighten them? What means have I ever make him one that exceeds what has for a shot? Informed of all the cardinal archbishop, and to invoke its authority? It takes time and in the meantime? and then what? Even if this poor innocent was married, this would be a drag on the man? Who knows what sign to get there ... And resist? How? Ah! If I could, thought the poor monk, if I could pull from my my brothers here, que 'di Milano! But! is not a common affair, I would be abandoned. He is the friend of the convent, masquerading as a partisan of 'cappuccino: good and its not have come more than once a refuge from us? I would only dance and I also earn my restless, dell'imbroglione, dell'accattabrighe, and, what is more, I might perhaps, with an attempt out of time, worsen the condition of this poor woman. "counterbalanced the pros and cons of this or that party, it seemed the best deal for Don Rodrigo himself from his infamous attempt to smove connection with the prayers , with the terrors of another life, even of this, if possible. At worst, it could at least know, this way, more distinctly what he was obstinate in his dirt efforts to find out more about his intentions, and take advice from this.
While the friar was thus meditating, Renzo, who, for all the reasons that everyone can guess, he could not stay away from that house, had appeared in the doorway, but, as the father in thought, and women who did they mention not to disturb him, stood in the doorway in silence. Raising his face to talk to women and the design, the monk noticed him, and greeted him in a way ch'esprimeva affection usual, made more intense by pity.
- ... They told her, father? - Asked Renzo, emotional voice.
- Unfortunately, and for that I am here.
rascal who says that ...?
- What do I tell him? He is not here to hear: that would benefit from my words? I tell you, my Renzo, who you trust in God and that God does not t'abbandonerà.
- Blessed be your words! - Exclaimed the young man. - She is not what Dan is always wrong to 'poor. But Mr. cured, and that Mr. Doctor of lost causes ...
- Do not bring up what he can not serve other than to upset you unnecessarily. I am a poor brother, but I repeat what I said to these women: for the little that I can not v'abbandonerò.
- Oh, you're not like friends in the world! Twaddell! Who would believe me that the protests were making them, in good time, eh, eh! They were ready to give blood for me; m'avrebbero argued against the devil. If I had had an enemy? ... enough to let me understand, would be over soon to eat bread. And now, seeing him retire as ... - At this point, looking up at her father's face, saw that everything had been clouded, and he realized what he had said agreed to keep quiet. But wanting to mend, went intriguing and cheating: - I meant ... I do not mean ... that is, I mean ...
- What did you mean? What? So you had begun to spoil my work, before it was taken! Good for you that you were in time undeceived. What! you went in search of friends ... which friends! ... t'avrebber not been able to help, not even if you want! It's just that you were trying to lose That it can and will! Do not you know that God is the friend of 'afflicted, who trust in Him? Do you not know that, to put out the nails, the weak do not buy? And even ... - At this point, he grabbed the arm of Renzo strongly: its appearance, without loss of authority, s'atteggiò compunction of a solemn eyes descends, the voice was slow and as underground: - even when ... is a tremendous gain! Renzo! want you to trust me? ... I say to myself, little man, little tern? Will you trust God?
- Oh yes! - Renzo said. - What is Lord indeed.
- Well, that promise does not address that does not cause any, that you be guided by me.
- I promise. Lucy took a deep breath, as if a weight had been lifted for him, and Agnes said - good son.
- Listen, children, - taken between Christopher: - I shall go today to speak to the man. If God touches his heart, and gives strength to my words: If not, He will make us find some other remedy. You meanwhile, stands quiet, withdrawn, shunned the talk, do not you see. Tonight, or tomorrow at the latest, I'll see -. That said, severed all the thanks and blessings, and departed. Walked to the monastery, he arrived in time to go to sing in chorus the sixth, dined, and immediately started to walk towards the lair of the fair that he wanted proof of tame. The palace of Don Rodrigo
stood isolated in the likeness of a shack on top of one of 'sparse hills enveloping the coastal detected. In this indication the anonymous adds that the place (he would have done better to write the proper name) was more on the couple's village, close to this perhaps three miles, and four from the convent. At the foot of the hill, on the side facing to the south, and toward the lake, lay a heap of huts, inhabited by farmers of Don Rodrigo, it was as the small capital of his little kingdom. Just move on, to be clear of the condition and de 'customs of the country. Taking a look in the lower room, where some door was open, could be seen attached to the wall guns, trombones, hoes, rakes, straw hats, nets and flasks of powder in bulk. The people you meet that tall men were stocky and grim, with a huge tuft on his head thrown back, and closed in a net; old, lost his fangs, seemed always ready to stir those who no nothing, to grind their gums, women with certain male faces, and with some brawny arms, good to come to the aid of the tongue, when it was not enough: it 'looks, and moves in de' children themselves, who giocavan the street, we saw a I do not know of petulant and provocative. Among Christopher
through the village, went to an alley, spiral, and came on a little esplanade before the palace. The door was locked, a sign that the owner had dined, and would not be confused. The sparse and small windows that Davan on the road, closed by tax uneven and worn by the years, however, were protected by thick iron bars, and those on the ground floor so high that soon there would come a man on the shoulders of a more. There a great silence reigned, and a passer would have thought it was an abandoned house, where four creatures, two live and two dead, placed in symmetry, outside, had not given an indication of population. Two grand'avoltoi, with wings outstretched, and co 'skulls dangling, plucked one and a half gnawed by time, even more balance and feathered, were nailed, each upon a hinged front door, and two good, lying Each sur one of the benches placed on the right and left, did they guard, waiting to be called to solace the scraps from the table of the Lord. The father stood upright, in place of those who have to wait, but from a 'good rose, and said, - Father, father, is also next: here are not made to wait for the Capuchins: we are friends of the convent and I have been there at times that it was not too buon'aria out for me, and if I had kept the door closed, it would go ill -. So saying, he gave two peaks with a hammer. At the sound answered immediately in the howls and cries of the hounds and dogs, and a few moments later, an old servant came grumbling, but when he saw his father gave him a grand'inchino, quietened the beast with your hands and voice, introduced the guest in a narrow courtyard, and closed the door. Accompagnatolo then in a living room, and looking with an air of wonder and respect, he said - is not she ... the father of Christopher Pescarenico?
- That's right.
- You here?
- As you see, my good man.
- will to do good. Good, - he continued muttering between his teeth, and rincamminandosi, - if they can do for all -. Through two or three other living rooms dark, arrived at the door of the banquet hall. Here a great confusion of the rig forks, knives, glasses, dishes, and above all of discordant voices, trying to overwhelm each other. The monk wanted to retire, and was in contrast with the servant at the door, to get to be left in some corner of the house, until lunch was finished, and when the door opened. A certain Count Attilio, who was sitting in his face (he was a cousin of the owner of the house, and we have already made mention of him, without naming him) saw a shaved head and a robe, and became aware of the intention of modest good friar, - hey! hey! - Cried - no escape, revered father: forward, forward -. Don Rodrigo, without guessing precisely the subject of that visit, too, for I know not what confused presentiment, n'avrebbe done less. But because of the carefree Attilio had made that great call, did not suit him to lift ourselves back, and said - is the father, is -. The father came forward, bowing to the master, and answered with two hands, the greetings of 'guests.
The honest man in the face of evil, like generally (not to say all) imagine him with his head held high, with look safe, with the breast detected, with the scilinguagnolo well dissolved. In fact, however, to make him take that attitude, you need extra many circumstances, which are rarely found together. So do not be surprised if between Christopher, with good testimony of his conscience, with the firmest sense of justice of the case which was to support, with a mixed feeling of horror and compassion for Don Rodrigo, the same with an air of suggezione and respect, in the presence of that Don Rodrigo, who was there at the head of the table in his house in his kingdom, surrounded with friends, for gifts, so many signs of his power, with a face to those who die in the mouth is a prayer, not that a council not a correction, not a reproach. To his right sat his cousin Attilio that count, and, if it is to say, his colleague and soverchieria libertine, who had come from London to vacation for a few days with him. On the left, and another side of the table, was, with great respect, tempered, however, of a certainty, and of a certain presumptuousness, Mr. Podesta, the very same which, in theory, would have had to do justice to Renzo Tramaglino, and to have to star in Don Rodrigo, as we have seen above. In the face of the mayor, in an act of respect for the purest, the most gutted, sat our Dr. Azzecca-tangles, in black cloaks, and ruddy nose more than usual: in the face of two cousins, two guests obscure de 'as our story says only that did nothing but eat, bow your head, smile and approve everything they said a diner, and not contradicted by another.
- From father to sit, - said Don Rodrigo. A servant showed up a chair, on which she put on her father Christopher, making some excuse to the ladies, come in hours of being inappropriate. - Long to talk to her to be alone with her comfortable, for a great deal of importance - he added, his voice more subdued, the ear of Don Rodrigo.
- Well, well, speak - said this: - but in the meantime you bring a drink to his father. The father wanted to shield them, but Don Rodrigo, his voice rising in the middle who had started the commotion, shouting: - no, Bacchus, I will do this wrong, it will never be true that a cappuccino to go away from this house, without having tasted my wine, nor an insolent creditor, without having tasted the Wood de 'my woods -. These words excited universal laughter, and stopped for a moment the question that agitated strongly among the guests. A servant, wearing a douche sur cruet of wine and a long glass in the form of glass, introduced him to his father, who, unwilling to resist an invitation so pressing as the man who wanted to be gracious, not hesitated to mix, and began to slowly sipped the wine.
- The authority of the rate was not used to its taken, Mr. Podesta revered and indeed is against her - began to scream Count Attilio: - because that man learned, great man, who knew by heart all the rules of chivalry, made the messenger of Argante before exposing the challenge to the Christian knights, ask your license to the pious Bouillon ...
- But that - replied, no less screaming, the mayor - that's a plus, a mere addition, a poetic ornament, since the messenger is inviolable nature, for the law of nations, jure gentium: and, without try to go so, it also says the proverb: ambassador does not bring pain. And, proverbs, Count, they are the wisdom of mankind. And, not having the messenger said nothing in his own name, but only made the challenge in writing ...
- But when will understand that this messenger was a reckless ass, he did not know the first ...?
- with good leave of their masters, - interrupted Don Rodrigo, who would not want that the issue went too far: - rimettiamola the father Christopher, and stand at his sentence.
- Well, well, - said the Count Attilio, who seemed very polite to decide a point of chivalry by a cappuccino, while the mayor, the most impassioned of the heart in question, it calmed with difficulty, and with a face , which seemed to say: girls.
- But from what I seem to have understood, - the father said, - are not things that I understand deva.
- excuses modesty of their fathers, - said Don Rodrigo - but I do not run away. Go on! sappiam good that she came into the world with a hood on his head, and that the world has known. Away, away, here is the question.
- The fact is this, - began to cry Count Attilio.
- Let me say that I am neutral, cousin, - replied Don Rodrigo. - Here's the story. A English knight sends a challenge to a Milanese cavalier: the bearer, as they have caused in the house, the sign over to a brother of the knight, the brother reads what the challenge, and in response gives some blows to the bearer. This is ...
- Ben dates, well applied, - cried the count Attilio. - It was a true inspiration.
- To the devil - said the mayor. - Beat an ambassador! holy person! Even her father, tell me if this action is a knight.
- Yes, sir knight, - cried the count - and let me say that I intend to what befits a knight. Oh, if they had been punched, it would be another matter, but the non stick isporca hands on anyone. What I can not understand is why the press as many shoulders of a scoundrel.
- Who spoke of the shoulders, count me? She makes me say nonsense that I've never crossed my mind. I talked about the character, and not from behind, I will. I speak all over the law of nations. Tell me a little, please, if feciali that the Romans sent a notice to the other peoples of the challenges, chiedevan license expose the embassy and find me a while a writer who makes a statement that a feciale has never been beaten.
- What have we to do with the ufiziali of the ancient Romans? people going to good, and that in these things, he was back, back. But, according to the laws of modern chivalry, which is true, I say and maintain that a messenger who dares to put in the hands of a knight a challenge, without avergliene requested license, is a reckless, breakable violabilissimo, beatings bastonabilissimo .. .
- a little Respond to this syllogism.
- Nothing, nothing, nothing.
- But listen, but listen, but listen. Unarmed strikes is a treacherous act; atqui the messenger in question was unarmed, ergo ...
- Piano, piano, Mr. Podesta.
- What plan?
- Plan, tell me what is that? Treasonable act is hurt with a sword to the back, or give him a shot in the back: and for this reason, it's time to give some cases ... but we are in question. I grant that it generally can be called treasonable act, but supports four blows to a scoundrel! It would be nice that you were saying, look at that enough for you: how would you say to a gentleman: his sword. And you, Dr. revered, instead of me de 'sneers, for me to understand who is in my opinion, because does not support my reasons, with his good table, to help persuade this man?
- I ... - Confusetto the doctor replied: - I enjoy this scholarly dispute, and thank bell'accidente that has given rise to a war of wits so pretty. And then, I do not compete to give decision: his illustrious lordship has already delegated a judge ... Here Fr ...
- is true, - said Don Rodrigo - but how you want the court to speak, when the litigants do not want to shut up?
- Mutes, - said the Count Attilio. The mayor pursed lips and raised his hand, as in the act of resignation.
- Oh, thank God! To her father - said Don Rodrigo, with a quizzical half seriously.
- I've already made my excuses by saying that I do not n'intendo - between Christopher said, making the glass to a servant.
- lean Apologies: - cried the two cousins \u200b\u200b- we want the sentence!
- In that case, - continued the monk - my humble opinion would be that there were no challenges, no porters, no beatings.
The guests looked at each other with astonishment.
- Oh this is great! - Attilio said the count. - Forgive me, Father, but is large. One can see that she does not know the world.
- Him? - Don Rodrigo said: - you want me to complain: she knows, my cousin, as you: is not it, father? Say, say, if he has not made his caravan?
Instead of answering questions quest'amorevole, the father said, a little word in secret to himself: "these are for you, but remember, brother, you're not here for you, and that everything he touches you alone, does not enter into account. "
- will, - said the cousin - but his father ... as it is called the father?
- Father Christopher - said more than one.
- But, Father Christopher, master colendissimo, with these its maximum, you would like to send the world upside down. Without challenges! Without a stick! Farewell to the point of honor: impunity for all rogues. Fortunately that is supposed to be impossible.
- Animo doctor - ran out of Don Rodrigo, who always wanted to entertain the dispute over the first two contenders - soul, to you, that, to give reason at all, you're a man. Let's see how you are going to give a little reason in this to his father Christopher.
- In truth, - said the doctor, having wielded a fork in the air, and turning to her father - in truth I can not understand how her father Christopher, who is both the religious and the perfect man of the world, has not thought that his sentence, good, good and proper weight to the pulpit, is not worth anything, be it said with all due respect, in a dispute chivalry. But his father knows better than me, that everything is good in its place, and I believe that this time, wanted to extricate herself, with a joke, dall'impiccio to utter a sentence. What is
could never respond to arguments put forward by a wisdom so ancient and so new? Nothing, and so did our brother.
But Don Rodrigo, for wanting to cut off the question, it was to raise another. - By the way, - he said - I heard rumors that ran along in Milan accommodations.
The reader knows that in that year he fought for the succession to the duchy of Mantua, to whom the death of Vincenzo Gonzaga, who had left her legitimate children, had come into possession of the Duke of Nevers, his next of kin. Louis XIII, that the Cardinal de Richelieu, he claimed that the prince, his affection well, and a naturalized French: Philippe IV, or the Count of Olivares, commonly called the Count Duke, not wanted him there, for the same reasons, and had gone to war. Since then that duchy was a fief of the empire, so the two sides s'adoperavano, with practice, with bodies, with threats from the Emperor Ferdinand II, the first as they were granted the investiture to the new Duke, and the other denied it to him because indeed helped to oust him from that state.
- I'm not far from believing, - said the Count Attilio, - things that you can accommodate. I have some clues ...
- Do not believe, count, do not believe me, - broke the mayor. - I, in this corner, I know how things, why Mr. Castellano English, who, by his goodness, I want some 'good, and to be the son of a created Duke of Earl, is aware of everything ...
- I say that to me happens every day in Milan to talk with as many other characters, and I know a good place that the pope, deeply interested, as, for peace, made statements ...
- This should be, the thing is in order, his holiness does his duty, a pope is always good to put between Christian principles, but the Count Duke has his policy, e. ..
- And, and, and, you know, my lord, how do you think the emperor, at the moment? Do you think there's something that Mantua in this world? things that you must think I'm much, sir. Do you know, for example, up to a sign that the emperor could now trust that his Prince of Valdistano or Vallistai, or as they call it, and if ...
- The name of legitimate Germanic language - again interrupted the mayor - is Vagliensteino, as I've heard uttering several times by our Lord Castellan English. But be of good cheer, though, that ...
- I want to teach ...? - Resumed the count, but Don Rodrigo gave him an eye, to make him understand that, for her sake, cease to contradict. The Count was silent, and the mayor, as a ship disimbrogliato a dry, continuous, full sail, the course of his eloquence. - Vagliensteino gives me little trouble, because the Count Duke has his eye on everything, and everything, and if Vagliensteino bell'umore will do, will do him well Rigar law, with good or bad. He has an eye for everything, I say, and long hands, and if he fixed the nail, as it has fixed, and rightly so, from that great politician he is, that the Duke of Nevers does not put roots in Mantua , the Duke of Nevers do not put any, and the cardinal of Riciliù make a hole in the water. It makes me laugh but that dear Lord Cardinal, to want to clash with an earl Duke, with a Olivares. I tell you the truth, I would like to be reborn here in two hundred years, to hear what posterity will say of this beautiful pretension. It takes more than envy; head wants to be: heads and as the head of an earl Duke, there is only one in the world. The Count Duke, gentlemen, - the mayor continued, always with wind in its sails, and a bit 'surprised he's never meet a rock: - The Count Duke is an old fox, speaking with all due respect, that would lose the track who has: and it starts on the right, can be sure that battery on the left: and so, no one can ever claim to know his designs, and the same people who put devon running, the same people who write the dispatches, not capiscon nothing. I can speak with some knowledge of the facts, because the good man of Mr. Castellano deigns to stay with me, with some confidence. The Count Duke, vice versa, appuntino knows what's in store for all the other courts, and all those 'politiconi (which there rights rather, we can not deny) have just imagined a design, the Count Duke you have already guessed, with his head, with those streets covered with this' argument for all its threads. The poor man Cardinal Riciliù try here, sniffing there, sweating, endeavors: and then? when he has succeeded in digging a mine, is already ready-made from the contrammina Count Duke ...
Heaven knows when the mayor would come ashore, but Don Rodrigo, stimulated by 'versacci who was a cousin, he turned suddenly, as if he were an inspiration, a servant, and mentioned he would bring a certain fiasco.
- Mr Podesta and gentlemen! - Then said - a toast Count Duke, and I will tell you if the wine is worthy of the character -. The mayor responded with a bow, which transpired in a particular sense of gratitude, because everything you did or said in honor of Earl Duke, partly because it believed in itself.
- Viva thousand years Don Gasparo Guzman, Count of Olivares, Duke of St. Lucar, largely deprived of the great king Don Philip, our lord! - He exclaimed, raising his glass. Private
, the uninitiated, the term was in use, this' time, to signify the favorite of a prince.
- live a thousand years! - All answered.
- Serve the father - said Don Rodrigo.
- Forgive me, - said to him - but I already made a disorder, and I could not ...
- What! - Don Rodrigo said: - This is a toast to the Earl of Duke. It means, therefore, to believe that she takes from Navarrini?
as they were called then, mocked, the French, by the principles of Navarre, who had begun with Henry IV, to reign over them. In this
beg, agreed to drink. All the guests broke into cheers, and praises the wine out of the doctor, who, with his head up, eyes fixed, her lips tight, expressed much more than he could do with words.
- What do you say eh, doctor? - Asked Don Rodrigo. Pulled out of a glass nose more than the brightest vermilion, the doctor said, tapping emphasis on each syllable: - I say, speaks, and declares that this is the de Olivares' wines: censorship, et in eam sententiam therein, a fluid that is not similar in all the twenty-two kingdoms of our Lord the King, which God forbid: declare and define that the lunches of the most illustrious Don Rodrigo win Elagabulus dinners, and that the famine is banned and confined for ever from this palace, where she sits and reigns splendor.
- Well said! well-defined! - They shouted with one voice, the diners, but that word, famine, which the doctor had thrown out a case, a point addressed in all minds at this sad subject, and all spoke of the famine. Here were going all agree, at least in principal, but the noise was perhaps greater than if there had been varied. All spoke together. - There is no famine, - said one - are monopolists ...
- And the bakers, - said another: - hiding the grain. Hang them.
- Exactly, hang them without mercy.
- De 'good processes, - shouted the mayor.
- What processes? - Count Attilio shouted louder: - summary justice. Seize three or four or five or six of those who, rumor, are known as the richest and most dogs, and hang them.
- Examples! examples! without examples it does nothing.
- Hang them! hang them!, and wheat will jump out from all sides. Who, through a fair, found itself in goder the harmony that makes a company busker, when, between a sonata and another, each one grants his instrument, making it creak as it can, akin to hear distinctly, amid the noise of others, imagine that this was the consonance of those, if you can say, talks. S'andava while pouring and rimescendo of what this wine, and praised it were, it was just, intermixed with the judgments of economic law, so that the words s'udivan loudest and most often were: ambrosia, and hang . Don Rodrigo
meanwhile gave the only eye that was silent, and always saw him there still, no sign of impatience or hurry, without making note that tended to remember that he was waiting, but with an air of not wanting to leave, before being heard. The mandate would have to walk willingly, and made less of that conversation, but lay off a cappuccino without having given him the hearing was not following the rules of his policy. Since the nuisance could not be avoided, he resolved to face immediately, and liberation; rose from the table, and with him the whole ruddy brigade, without interrupting the noise. License then asked the guests, he approached, actually demure, the monk, who had just turned up with others said to him - I am to 'his commands -, and led him into another room.
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