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At the break of day they both arose, and Renzo prepared to

depart. "If all goes well," said he, "if I find her living-if-I

will return. I will go to Pasturo and carry the joyful news to

poor Agnes, and then-but if, by a misfortune, which may God

avert-then, I know not what I shall do, nor where I shall go; but

you will never see me here again."

As he stood on the threshold of the door, about to resume his

journey, he contemplated for a moment, with a mixture of

tenderness and anguish, his village, which he had not beheld for

so long a time. His friend accompanied him a short distance on

his road, and bade him farewell, prognosticating a happy return,

and many days of prosperity and enjoyment.