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"Oh! signora, signora! one word, for charity! Alas! alas! one

word!" But he might as well have talked to the wind.

Afflicted by this intelligence, and vexed with the rude treatment

of the woman, Renzo seized the knocker again, and raised it for

the purpose of striking. In his distress, he turned to look at

the neighbouring houses, with the hope of seeing some one, who

would give him more satisfactory information. But the only person

he discovered, was a woman, about twenty paces off, who, with an

appearance of terror, anger, and impatience, was making signs to

some one to approach; and this she did, as if not wishing to

attract Renzo's notice. Perceiving him looking at her, she

shuddered with horror.

"What the devil!" said Renzo, threatening her with his fist, but

she, having lost the hope of his being seized unexpectedly, cried

aloud, "A poisoner! catch him! catch him! stop the poisoner!"