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We may imagine the surprise of our little company, at a visit

from such a guest. He entered agreeably into conversation with

them and after a while, made his proposal. Don Abbondio, being

requested by him to fix the price, did so; the purchaser said he

was well satisfied, and, if he had not understood him, in

repeating it, doubled the sum. He would not hear of rectifying

the mistake, and ended the conversation by inviting the company

to dinner the day after the wedding, when the affair could be

settled with every necessary formality.

"Ah!" thought Don Abbondio when he returned home, "if the

pestilence acted everywhere with so much discrimination, it would

be a pity to speak ill of it. We should want one every

generation."