"Content me! that it would, indeed; if it were only to be freed from those infernal shakings of the head the curate makes me every time I meet him. And then always, "_Tony, remember; Tony, when shall we see each other for this business?_" When he preaches, he fixes his eyes on me in such a manner, I am almost afraid he will speak to me from the pulpit. I have wished the twenty-five livres to the devil a thousand times: and I was obliged to p.a.w.n my wife"s gold necklace, which might be turned into so much _polenta_. But----"
"But, if you will do me a small favour, the twenty-five livres are ready."
"Agreed."
"But," said Renzo, "you must be silent and talk to no one about it."
"Need you tell me that?" said Tony; "you know me."
"The curate has some foolish reason for putting off my marriage, and I wish to hasten it. I am told that the parties going before him with two witnesses, and the one saying, _This is my wife_, and the other, _This is my husband_, that the marriage is lawful. Do you understand me?"
"You wish me to go as a witness?"
"Yes."
"And you will pay the twenty-five livres?"
"Yes."
"Done; I agree to it."
"But we must find another witness."
"I have found him already," said Tony. "My simpleton of a brother, Jervase, will do whatever I tell him; but you will pay him with something to drink?"
"And to eat," replied Renzo. "But will he be able?"
"I"ll teach him; you know I was born with brains for both."
"To-morrow."
"Well."
"Towards evening."
"Very well."
"But be silent," said Renzo.
"Poh!" said Tony.
"But if thy wife should ask thee, as without doubt she will?"
"I am in debt to my wife for lies already; and for so much, that I don"t know if we shall ever balance the account. I will tell her some idle story or other to set her heart at rest." With this good resolution he departed, leaving Renzo to pursue his way back to the cottage. In the meanwhile Agnes had in vain solicited Lucy"s consent to the measure; she could not resolve to act without the approbation of Father Christopher.
Renzo arrived, and triumphantly related his success. Lucy shook her head, but the two enthusiasts minded her not. They were now determined to pursue their plan, and by authority and entreaties induce her finally to accede to it.
"It is well," said Agnes, "it is well, but you have not thought of every thing."
"What have I not thought of?" replied Renzo.
"Perpetua! You have not thought of Perpetua. Do you believe that she would suffer Tony and his brother to enter? How then is it probable she would admit you and Lucy?"
"What shall we do?" said Renzo, pausing.
"I will tell you. I will go with you; I have a secret to tell her, which will engage her so that she will not see you. I will take her aside, and will touch such a chord--you shall see."
"Bless you!" exclaimed Renzo, "I have always said you were our best support."
"But all this will do no good," said Agnes, "if we cannot persuade Lucy, who obstinately persists that it is sinful."
Renzo made use of all his eloquence, but Lucy was not to be moved. "I know not what to say to your arguments," replied she. "I perceive that to do this, we shall degrade ourselves so far as to lie and deceive. Ah!
Renzo, let us not so abase ourselves! I would be your wife" (and a blush diffused itself over her lovely countenance), "I would be your wife, but in the fear of G.o.d--at the altar. Let us trust in Him who is able to provide. Do you not think He will find a way to help us, far better than all this deception? And why make a mystery of it to Father Christopher?"
The contest still continued, when a trampling of sandals announced Father Christopher. Agnes had barely time to whisper in the ear of Lucy, "Be careful to tell him nothing," when the friar entered.
CHAPTER VII.
"Peace be with you!" said the friar as he entered. "There is nothing more to hope from man: so much the greater must be our confidence in G.o.d; and I"ve already had a pledge of his protection." None of the three entertained much hope from the visit of Father Christopher: for it would have been not only an unusual, but an absolutely unheard-of fact, for a n.o.bleman to desist from his criminal designs at the mere prayer of his defenceless victim. Still, the sad certainty was a painful stroke.
The women bent down their heads; but in the mind of Renzo anger prevailed over disappointment. "I would know," cried he, gnashing his teeth, and raising his voice as he had never done before in the presence of Father Christopher, "I would know what reasons this dog has given, that my wife should not _be_ my wife?"
"Poor Renzo!" said the father, with an accent of pity, and with a look which greatly enforced moderation; "poor Renzo! if those who commit injustice were always obliged to give a reason for it, things would not be as they are!"
"He has said, then, the dog! that he will not, because he will not?"
"He has not even said _so_, poor Renzo! There would be something gained, if he would make an open confession of his iniquity."
"But he has said something; _what_ has this firebrand of h.e.l.l said?"
"I could not repeat his words. He flew into a pa.s.sion at me for my suspicions, and at the same time confirmed me in them: he insulted me, and then called himself offended; threatened, and complained. Ask no farther. He did not utter the name of Lucy, nor even pretend to know you: he affected to intend nothing. In short, I heard enough to feel that he is inexorable. But confidence in G.o.d! Poor children! be patient, be submissive! And thou, Renzo! believe that I sympathise with all that pa.s.ses in thy heart.--But _patience_! It is a poor word, a bitter word to those who want faith; but, Renzo, will you not let G.o.d work? Will you not trust Him? Let Him work, Renzo; and, for your consolation, know that I hold in my hand a clue, by which I hope to extricate you from your distress. I cannot say more now. To-morrow I shall not be here; I shall be all day at the convent employed for you. Renzo, if thou canst, come there to me; but, if prevented by any accident, send some trusty messenger, by whom I can make known to you the success of my endeavours.
Night approaches; I must return to the convent. Farewell! Faith and courage!" So saying, he departed, and hastened by the most abrupt but shortest road, to reach the convent in time, and escape the usual reprimand; or, what was worse, the imposition of some penance, which might disenable him, for the following day, from continuing his efforts in favour of his proteges.
"Did you hear him speak of a clue which he holds to aid us?" said Lucy; "it is best to trust in him; he is a man who does not make rash promises."
"He ought to have spoken more clearly," said Agnes; "or at least have taken me aside, and told me what it was."
"I"ll put an end to the business; I"ll put an end to it," said Renzo, pacing furiously up and down the room.
"Oh! Renzo!" exclaimed Lucy.
"What do you mean?" said Agnes.
"What do I mean? I mean to say that he may have a hundred thousand devils in his soul, but he is flesh and blood notwithstanding."