The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-03-26
NUMBER 8,
THE BETROTHED:
BY MANZoNI.
tCondnu&d 1

tConhnusd
Don Abbondio and the unknown were lea
alone in the apartment; the latter were ab.
sorbed in Eis own thoughts, impatient for the
from sorrow and prison; for shs was indeed ~
Lucy, but in q sense very different frou Tia
preceding night. His oonnteuanse expressed
concentrated agitation, which 20 the sns-
thing worse: he locked At him with desire
to begin q friendly conversation. "Das what
can / say to him ~ thought be. "ahall re-
peat to him that rejoicsf rejoioei st what
That having been demon, he has formed the
resolution Of becoming an honest mani a
pretty salutation, indeed Ehl oh Aosssvsr
should arrange my words, my r9eies weala
be has become an honest man all In momensi
Assertions prove nothing; 1t 10 90 easy 70 make
them But, nevertheless, must 60 with kiaa
to the castlei Obi who would have told ms
this, this morningi Oh! IL ever / am 90 happy
TO get home again, PeEpetua shall answee ysf
having urged me 10 come here Oh miserable
that ami ] must, hoWever, say something 10
TO sAy,-"I never expected the pleasure Of belnS
10 such respectable COMPANY, ,"-snd had opened
his mouth TO speslI, when the servant entered
with the cnrste Of the village, who infosnsca
awaiting then. Don Abbond!o, approaeSinr
the servant, said TO him, Give ne gentIe
beass. for; to say truth, I am not Skfifsl
"Be quite easy" replied the vslet, with
smile; ut 10 tho mule Of the secretary, . grave
man Of letteDs.n
"Well," replied Don Abboudio, and con-
tinued to himself, Heaven preserve me r.
The Unknown had advanced towards the
door. but looking back, and seeing Don Alb
bondio behind, he suddenly recoli0oted him
self and bowing With polite and humble air,
waited to let him pass before. This ciRcuM-
stance reassured the poor man . listle; but he
had scarcely reached the little couFt, whom be
saw the unknown resume bis carbine, and Aing
it over his shoulder, rs IL performing the mill
tary exercise.
ooh oh. ohw Thought Don Abbondio.
" what docs he want with this toolf That 10 .
strange orpameBt for 9 converted person And
would become OF mel what would become Of
mep
II the Unknown had had che least suspicisn
of the thoughts that were passing In tho mind
Of his compAaion, he would have done bis us-
most to inspire him with confidence; but be
vac fer from suoh 90 imagination, as Don
AbbOndio was very careful not to let bis DIS
They found the mules ready at the door: Ne
Unknown mounted one which WAS presented
lis che NOT vicious in tho leastp asked Don
AbbondiO Of the servant, with his foot in the
"Be quite easy, she 10 lamb" replied be.
Don Abbondio climbed to the saddle, by the
aid Of the servant, and was ct last safely
"Tbe litter, which wa few steps in ad-
vance, moved NJ call from the driver, and The
convoy departed.
was crowded with people, and through . small
square, which was filed with Villagers from
abroad, who had not been able TO hnd plae9
within the walls of the church. The report had
already spread; and when they saw ahe car
riRRe appear and beheld the man who few
hours before bad been the object of terror aud
execrRtion, O confused murmur OF applause
rose from the crowd. They made way 20 let
h at 40 n.
deRV0red TO obtain sight OF him. When he
arri we'd in front of the church he took OF bis
hst, and bowed his head in reverence Amidss
the tumultuous din Of many voices, which sx-
claimed "God bless you |" Don AbbondiO took
OF his hat also, bent bis head, and oommen1ed
bimself to the pFoteotion OF heaven; ands
hearing the voices Of his brethren In the ehoiF'
be could not restrain his SeAEe.
But when they resShed She open COUNTY,
in the WindinRs Of the almost deserted roads, q
darker veil cSme over his thoughts; there Was
but ths dri yer, who, belonging 10 che estsblieh-
ment Of the cardinal, must certainly be hoaosts
and moreover, did not look like coward.
Prom time TO time they passed tEayeleIs
IheE1 wSs Q transient balm 20 Don Abeondiei
but still he approached this formidable valley
TheFo they WoHld meet nothing bat the ya1eAls
" the Unknowni And what yesSalsl Hs as-
With his companion, TO keep him In good
humoT, bat, seeing him preoccuPied, be dared
not attempt % tnteETnPt his thoughta ne
,gas Obliged then 70 hold C0llOquy with him
ELF. Of which we will tFansoribo part for the
benefit of tho reader.
HIs n NOT an astonishing thing that tha
-aints. Ss we'll as the wicked, have always
uuieksilver in their veins and, not oontont9q
With making buBtlo themselves they Vo1ld
make all mankind, if they could, 1oln tna
dance with themt Il there not fstality iB y.
shat the most troublesome come 20 mey--tq ne
,gho never moSS1ad With anybody; they saEe
- nlmQst by che bsirs and thrust as ~