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The tailor had told Don Abbondio the truth, with regard to the

new life of the Unknown. From the day that we took our leave of

him, he had continued to put in practice his good intentions, by

repairing injuries, reconciling himself with his enemies, and

succouring the distressed and unfortunate. The courage he had

formerly evinced in attack and defence he now employed in

avoiding all occasion both for the one and the other. He went

unarmed and alone; disposed to suffer the possible consequences

of the violences he had committed; persuaded that it would be

adding to his crimes to employ any methods of defence for

himself, as he was a debtor to all the world; and persuaded also,

that though the evil done to him would be sin against God, it

would be but a just retribution against himself; and that he had

left himself no right to revenge an injury, however unprovoked it

might be at the time.