ses his
authority as mayor, to have me arrested, I shall defend myself."

"From this very day," said the prefect, "Signor Barricini is suspended.
I trust he will exculpate himself. Listen to me, my young gentleman, I
have a liking for you. What I ask of you is nothing to speak of. Just to
stay quietly at home till I get back from Corte. I shall only be three
days away. I'll bring back the public prosecutor with me, and then we'll
sift this wretched business to the bottom. Will you promise me you will
abstain from all hostilities till then?"

"I can not promise that, monsieur, if, as I expect, Orlanduccio asks me
to meet him."

"What, Signor della Rebbia! Would you--a French officer--think of going
out with a man you suspect of being a forger?"

"I struck him, monsieur!"

"But supposing you struck a convict, and he demanded satisfaction of
you, would you fight him? Come, come, Signor Orso! But I'll ask you to
do even less, do nothing to seek out Orlanduccio. I'll consent to your
fighting him if he asks you for a meeting."

"He will ask for it, I haven't a doubt of that. But I'll promise I won't
give him fresh cuffs to induce him to do it."

"What a country!" cried the prefect once more, as he strode to and fro.
"Shall I never get back to France?"

"Signor Prefetto," said Colomba in her most dulcet tones, "it is growing
very late. Would you do us the honour of breakfasting here?"

The prefect could not help laughing.

"I've been here too long already--it may look like partiality. And there
is that cursed foundation-stone. I must be off. Signorina della Rebbia!
what calamities you may have prepared this day!"

"At all events, Signor Prefetto, you will do my sister the justice of
believing her convictions are deeply rooted--and I am sure, now, that
you yourself believe them to be well-founded."

"Farewell, sir!" said the prefect, waving his hand. "I warn you that the
sergeant of gendarmes will have orders to watch everything you do."

When the prefect had departed--

"Orso," said Colomba, "this isn't the Continent. Orlanduccio knows
nothing about your duels, and besides, that wretch must not die the
death of a brave man."

"Colomba, my dear, you are a clever woman. I owe you a great deal from
having saved me from a hearty knife-thrust. Give me your little hand to
kiss! But, hark ye, let me have my way. There are certain matters that
you don't understand. Give me my breakfast. And as soon as the prefect
ha