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Hardly had Don Abbondio alighted from his mule, when, making the

most profuse compliments to the Unknown, he begged him to

apologise for him to the cardinal, as he was obliged to return

directly to his parish on some urgent business. He then went in

search of a staff that he had left in the hall, and which he was

accustomed to call his horse, and proceeded homewards. The

Unknown remained at the cardinal's house, awaiting his return

from the church.