Pagina 131 di 1118

Friar Christopher passed through the hamlet, ascending a winding

path which conducted him to the little esplanade in the front of

the castle. The door was shut, which was a sign that the chief

was dining and did not wish to be disturbed. The few windows that

looked on the road were small and decayed by time; they were,

however, secured by large iron bars; and the lowest of them were

more than ten feet from the ground. A profound silence reigned

within, and a traveller might have believed the mansion deserted,

but for the appearance of four animals, two alive and two dead,

in front of the castle. Two large vultures, with their wings

expanded, were nailed each at the posts of the gate; and two

bravoes, extended at full length on the benches on either side,

were keeping guard until their master should have finished his

repast. The father stopped, as if willing also to wait.