Part 6 (1/2)
”And so you have arranged everything?”
”I am afraid so.”
”And we shall see the chief of one of these two parties this evening, no doubt?”
”Just so; last night I saw the other.”
”Are we going to see an Orlandi or a Colona?”
”An Orlandi.”
”Is it far from here?”
”In the ruins of the Castle of Vicentello d'Istria.”
”Ah! yes--they told me those ruins were close by.”
”Yes, they are about a league from here.”
”So in three-quarters of an hour we shall be there?”
”Yes, in about that time.”
”Lucien,” said Madame de Franchi, ”remember you speak for yourself.
For a mountaineer as you are it is scarcely three-quarters of an hour distance, but recollect that our guest may not be able to proceed so quickly.”
”That is true; we had better allow ourselves an hour and a half at least.”
”In that case you have no time to lose,” said Madame de Franchi, as she glanced at the clock.
”Mother,” said Lucien as he rose, ”you will excuse our leaving you, will you not?”
She extended her hand to him, and the young man kissed it with the same respect as he had previously done.
Then turning to me, Lucien said--
”If you prefer to finish your supper quietly, and to smoke your cigar afterwards----”
”No, no!” I cried; ”hang it, you have promised me a bandit, and I must have one.”
”Well, then, let us take our guns and be off.”
I bowed respectfully to Madame de Franchi, and we left the room, preceded by Griffo, who carried a light.
Our preparations did not occupy us very long.
I clasped a travelling belt round my waist, from which was suspended a sort of hunting-knife, and in the folds of which I carried powder and ball.