Sayfa 902 / 1118

"Has the army arrived in your parish?" said the Unknown to Don

Abbondio.

"No, my lord, I would not wait for the demons. Heaven knows if I

should have escaped alive from their hands, and been able to

trouble your illustrious lordship!"

"You may be quite at ease; you are now in safety; they will not

come here. If the whim should seize them, we are ready to receive

them."

"Let us hope they will not come," said Don Abbondio. "And on that

side," added he, pointing to the opposite mountains, "on that

side, also, wanders another body of troops; but-but--"

"It is true. But, doubt not, we are ready for them also."

"Between two fires!" thought Don Abbondio, "precisely between two

fires! Where have I suffered myself to be led? And by two women!

And this lord appears to delight in such business! Oh, what

people there are in the world!"