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"Yesterday evening, or this morning, they have arrested some of

the leaders, and they have been told that four will be hung.

Hardly was this known, when every one betook himself home by the

shortest road, so as not to be the fifth. Milan, when I left it,

resembled a convent of monks."

"But will they really hang them?"

"Undoubtedly, and very soon," replied the merchant.

"And what will the people do?"

"The people will go to see them," said the merchant. "They

desired so much to see a man hung, that the rascals were about to

satisfy their curiosity on the superintendent of provision. They

will see instead, four rogues, accompanied by capuchins and

friars of the _buona morte_[28]; well, they have richly deserved

it. It is a providence, you see; it was a necessary thing. They

had begun to enter the shops, and take what they wanted, without

putting their hand to their purse. If they had been suffered to

go on their own way, after bread, it would have been wine, and

then something else-and I assure you, as an honest man, keeping a

shop, it was not a very agreeable idea."