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"Well, well," interrupted Don Abbondio; and seating himself at

the table, he began to write, repeating, with a loud voice, the

words as they came from his pen. In the meanwhile, Tony, and, at

a sign from him, Jervase, placed themselves before the table, in

such a manner as to deprive the writer of a view of the door;

and, as if from heedlessness, moved their feet about on the

floor, as a signal to those without, and also for the purpose of

drowning the noise of their footsteps; of this Don Abbondio,

occupied in writing, took no notice. At the grating sounds of the

feet Renzo drew Lucy trembling into the room, and stood with her

behind the brothers. Don Abbondio, having finished writing, read

it over attentively, folded the paper, and reaching it to Tony,

said, "Will you be satisfied now?" Tony, on receiving it, retired

on one side, Jervase on the other, and, behold, in the midst,

Renzo and Lucy!