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After advancing a few steps in Gorgonzola, he saw a sign, and

entering the house, asked the host for a mouthful to eat, and a

half-pint of wine, his horror of which had been subdued by his

excessive fatigue. "I pray you to be in haste," added he, "for I

must continue my journey immediately." And he said this, not only

because it was the truth, but from fear that the host, imagining

he was going to lodge there, might ask him his name, surname, and

_whence he came, and what was his business_!

The host replied that he should have what he requested, and Renzo

seated himself at the end of a bench near the door.