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The host kept silence, looking at the guide, who appeared not to

notice any thing that passed. Renzo, it grieves us to say,

swallowed another glass, and continued, "I will give you reasons

enough to satisfy you, my dear host; if those proclamations which

speak favourably of good Christians are worth nothing, those

which speak unfavourably are worth less than nothing. Take away,

then, all these encumbrances, and bring in exchange another

flagon, because this one is broken." So saying, he struck it

lightly with his hand, adding, "Don't you hear how it is

cracked?"

The discourse of Renzo had again attracted the general attention

of the company, and when he concluded, there was a general murmur

of applause.

"What must I do?" said the host, looking at the strange

companion, who was, however, no stranger to him.

"Yes, yes," cried many of the company, "this countryman is right;

they are vexatious impositions. New laws to-day! new laws

to-day!"