Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 2.djvu/252

228 "It seems to me," said the prefect, "that we may release everybody. These young ladies went out for a walk — ^nothing is more natural in fine weather. They happened to meet a charming young man, who has been lately wounded — nothing could be more natural, again." Then, taking Colomba aside —

"Signorina," he said, "you can send word to your brother that this business promises to turn out better than I had expected. The postmortem examination and the colonel's deposition both prove that he only defended himself, and that he was alone when the fight took place. Everything will be settled — only he must leave the mâquis and give himself up to the authorities."

It was almost eleven o'clock when the colonel, his daughter, and Colomba sat down at last to their supper, which had grown cold. Colomba ate heartily, and made great fun of the prefect, the public prosecutor, and the soldiers. The colonel ate too, but never said a word, and gazed steadily at his daughter, who would not lift her eyes from her plate. At last, gently but seriously, he said in English:

"Lydia, I suppose you are engaged to della Rebbia?"

"Yes, father, to-day," she answered, stead-