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Before answering, Renzo emptied another glass; it was the third,

but I fear for the future we shall not find it possible to count

them. "Ah, ah!" exclaimed he, "you have the proclamation. Well, I

pride myself on being a doctor of laws, and I know what

importance is attached to proclamations."

"I speak in earnest," said the host, looking again at the mute

companion of Renzo; and returning to his desk, he drew from it a

large sheet of paper, which he unfolded before Renzo, as an exact

copy of the proclamation.