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[28] Good death. A confraternity which exists under the same name

in the south of France.

"Assuredly not," said one of his auditors.

"Assuredly not," repeated the others in chorus.

"And," continued the merchant, "it had been in preparation a long

while. There was a league, you know?"

"A league!"

"A league. Cabals instigated by the Navarrese, by that cardinal

of France, you know, who has a half-barbarous name, and who every

day offers some new affront to the crown of Spain. But he aims

chiefly at Milan, because he knows, the knave, that the strength

of the king lies there."

"Indeed!"

"Would you have a proof of it? Those who made the most noise were

strangers; people who were never seen before in Milan. I have

forgotten, after all, to tell you something I heard; one of these

had been caught in an inn--"

When this chord was touched, poor Renzo felt a cold shiver, and

could with difficulty conceal his agitation. No one however

perceived it, and the orator proceeded:-