Page 196 of 1118

When Renzo and his companions arrived at the inn, they found the

door blockaded by a sentinel, who, leaning on one side of it,

with his arms folded on his breast, occupied half its width; at

the same time rolling his eagle eyes first to the right and then

to the left, displaying alternately their blacks and their

whites. A flat cap of crimson velvet, placed sideways, covered

the half of the long lock, which, parted on a dark forehead, was

fastened behind with a comb. He held in his hand a club; his

arms, properly speaking, were concealed beneath his garments.

When Renzo evinced a desire to enter, he looked at him fixedly

without moving; of this, the young man, wishing to decline all

conversation, took no notice, but, beckoning to his companions to

follow his example, slid between the figure and the door-post.