Volume VI Part 51 (2/2)
We begged the vetturino to restore it to us, but he was inflexible; and as he was in the right we had to subo laid on the trunk at Roo to last for a month A notary was called, and our claim properly drawn up The vetturino, who seeent fellow, assured us he had received nothing else belonging to the Comte de l'Etoile, so ere assured that the actor was a s in the small trunk were all his possessions
After this business had been dispatched Betty brightened up a everything Myto me for the future, for the lesson has been a severe one, and ood fortune of ratulate you,” I replied, ”on having cured yourself so quickly of a passion that had deprived you of your reason”
”Ah! a wo I shudder when I think of the ained my senses if he had not called ranted you my favours These infamous words opened my eyes, and made me see my shame I believe I would have helped you to pierce hilad he did run away, not for his sake but for ours, for we should have been in an unpleasant position if he had been killed”
”You are right; he escaped my sword because he is destined for the rope”
”Let him look to that himself, but I aain”
We reached Radicofani at ten o'clock, and proceeded to write postscripts to our letters to Sir B---- M---- We were sitting at the same table, Betty opposite to the door and I close to it, so that anyone co round
Betty was dressed with all decency and neatness, but I had taken offheat Nevertheless, though I was in shi+rt sleeves, I should not have been ashamed of my attire before the most respectable wo along the passage, and the door was dashed open A furious-lookingBetty, cried out,--
”Ah! there you are”
I did not give him time to turn round and see me, but leapt upon him and seized him by the shoulders If I had not done so he would have shot me dead on the spot
As I leapt upon him I had involuntarily closed the door, and as he cried, ”Let o, traitor!” Betty fell on her knees before hi, ”No, no! he is e to pay any attention to her, and kept on,---
”Let ined, I did not payas the loaded pistol was in his hand
In our struggles he at last fell to the ground and I on top of him The landlord and his people had heard the uproar, and were trying to get in; but as we had fallen against the door they could not do so
Betty had the presence of mind to snatch the pistol fro,
”Sir, you are labouring under a delusion”
Again Betty threw herself on her knees, begging him to calm himself, as I was her preserver not her betrayer
”What do you ave hilishround, and as I was certain of its effect I opened the door and told the landlord to send his people away, and to get dinner for three, as everything had been settled
EPISODE 28 -- RETURN TO ROME