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"It must be about six miles."

"Six miles! I did not know that," said he. "But," resuming an air

of indifference, "if one wished to shorten the distance, are

there not other places, where one might cross?"

"Certainly," replied the host, looking at him with an expression

of malignant curiosity, which restrained Renzo from any further

enquiry. He drew the dish towards him, and looking at the

decanter the host had put on the table, said, "Is this wine

pure?"

"As gold. Ask all the inhabitants of the village, and hereabouts.

But you can judge yourself." So saying, he joined the other

customers.

"Curse the hosts!" said Renzo, in his heart. "The more I know of

them, the worse I find them."