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Notwithstanding the sadness of their recollections, joy was the

predominant feeling of their hearts. The good widow was an

agreeable addition to the little company. When Renzo saw her in

the miserable cabin at the lazaretto, he could not have believed

her to be of so facile and gay a disposition; but the lazaretto

and the country, death and a wedding, are not at all the same

things. During the evening Renzo left them, for the purpose of

visiting the curate. "Signor Curate," said he, with a respectful

but jocular air, "the headache, which, you said, prevented you

from marrying us, has it passed off? The bride is here, and I am

come to have you appoint an hour, but, I pray you, not to let it

be far distant."

Don Abbondio did not say he would not; but he began to offer

excuses and insinuations. "Why come forward into public view with

this order for his apprehension hanging over him? and the thing

could be easily done elsewhere, and then this, and then that."