Page 452 of 1118

Renzo meanwhile began to have a confused recollection of the

events of the preceding day, and to comprehend that the

proclamations, name, and surname, were the cause of all this

trouble; but how the devil did this man know his name? And what

the devil had happened during the night, that they should come to

lay hands on one, who, the day before, had such a voice in the

assembly, which could not be yet dispersed, because he also heard

a growing murmur in the street. He perceived also the agitation

which the notary vainly endeavoured to conceal; therefore, to

feel his pulse, and clear up his own conjectures, as well as to

gain time, he said, "I comprehend the cause of all this, it is on

account of the name and surname. Last night, 'tis true, I was a

little merry; these hosts have such treacherous wine and, you

know, often when wine passes through the channel of speech, it

will have its say too. But if that is all the difficulty, I am

ready to give you every satisfaction.