Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 2.djvu/175

COLOMBA 155 with a character as white as snow, and with money in his pocket, too. As for me, I thought it better to get into the fresh air. DixiJ' " Everything that fellow has said is a heap of lies," reiterated Orlanduccio stoutly. " If we were in the open country, and each of us had his gun, he wouldn't talk in that way." " Here's a pretty foUy! " cried Brandolaccio. " Don't you quarrel with the Padre, Orlan- duccio! " " Will you be good enough to allow me to leave this room, Signor della Rebbia? " said the prefect, and he stamped his foot in his im- patience. " Saveria! Saveria!" shouted Orso, "open the door, in the devil's name ! " " One moment," said Brandolaccio. " We have to shp away first, on our side. Signor Pre- f etto, the custom, when people meet in the house of a mutual friend, is to allow each other half an hour's law, after departure." The prefect cast a scornful glance at him. " Your servant, signorina, and gentlemen all! " said Brandolaccio. Then stretching out his arm, " Hi, Brusco," he cried to his dog, " jump for the Signor Pref etto ! " The dog jumped; the bandits swiftly snatched up their arms in the kitchen, fled across