第504页 / 共1118页

In the mean time he despaired of obtaining any repose; the cold

was insupportable; his teeth chattered; he ardently wished for

day, and measured with impatience the slow progress of the hours;

this he was enabled to do, as he heard, every half hour, in the

deep silence, the heavy sound of some distant clock, probably

that of Trezzo. When the time arrived which he had fixed on for

his departure, half benumbed with exposure to the night air, he

stretched his stiffened limbs, and opening the door of the

cascinotto, looked out, to ascertain if any one were near, and

finding all silent around, he resumed his journey along the path

he had quitted.