Page:Manzoni - The Betrothed, 1834.djvu/285

 the cross-bearer entered, with a disturbed and unquiet air.

"A strange visit,—strange indeed, most illustrious signor."

"From whom?" asked the cardinal.

"From the signor ," replied the chaplain; pronouncing the name which we are unable to repeat to our readers. "He is without, in person, and asks admiitanceadmittance [sic] to the presence of your lordship."

"Indeed!" said the cardinal, closing his book and rising from his seat, his countenance brightening; "let him come in, let him come in immediately."

"But," replied the chaplain, "does your lordship know who this man is? It is the famous outlaw ."

"And is it not a happy circumstance for a bishop, that such a man should have come to seek him?"

"But," insisted the chaplain, "we never dare speak of certain things, because my lord says they are idle tales. However, in this case it appears to be a duty. Zeal makes enemies, my lord, and we know that more than one ruffian has boasted that sooner or later"

"And what have they done?"

"This man is an enterprising, desperate villain, who is in strict correspondence with other villains, as desperate as himself, and who, perhaps, have sent him"

"Oh! what discipline is this!" said the cardinal, smiling; "the soldiers exhort the general to cowardice!" Then, with a grave and pensive air, he resumed, "Saint Carlo would not have deliberated a moment, whether he should receive such a man; he would have gone to seek him. Let him enter immediately; he has already waited too long."

The chaplain moved towards the door, saying in his heart, "There is no remedy; these saints are always obstinate."

He opened the door, and reaching the hall, where he had left the ecclesiastics, he beheld them collected together in one corner of the room, and the Unknown standing alone in another. As he approached him, he eyed him keenly to ascertain whether he had not arms concealed