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if ever I am so happy as to get home again, Perpetua shall answer

for having urged me to come here! Oh! miserable that I am! I must

however say something to this man!" He had at least thought of

something to say,-"I never expected the pleasure of being in such

respectable company,"-and had opened his mouth to speak, when the

servant entered with the curate of the village, who informed them

that the good woman was in the litter awaiting them. Don

Abbondio, approaching the servant, said to him, "Give me a gentle

beast, for, to say truth, I am not a skilful horseman."

"Be quite easy," replied the valet, with a smile; "it is the mule

of the secretary, a grave man of letters."

"Well," replied Don Abbondio, and continued to himself, "Heaven

preserve me!"