Page 383 of 1118

Meanwhile the most active and officious employed themselves in

preparing the passage so politely requested. Some made the crowd

retire from before the horses with good words, placing their

hands on their breast, and pushing them gently, "There, there, a

little space, gentlemen." Others pursued the same plan at the

sides of the carriage, so that it might pass on without damage to

those who surrounded it; which would have subjected the

popularity of Antonio Ferrer to great hazard. Renzo, after having

been occupied for a few moments in admiring the respectable old

man, a little disturbed by vexation, overwhelmed with fatigue,

but animated by solicitude, embellished, so to speak, by the hope

of wresting a fellow-creature from the pains of death,-Renzo, I

say, threw away all idea of retreat. He resolved to assist Ferrer

in every way that lay in his power, and not to abandon him until

he had accomplished his designs.