 Chapter 3 Part 2 of The Betrothed The Betrothed by Alessandro Monsoni, Chapter 3 Part 2 While the doctor poured forth this rhapsody, Renzo stood looking at him with the spellbound attention of a laboring man watching a juggler in the street, who, after thrusting into his mouth, handful after handful of toe, draws forth thence ribbon, ribbon, ribbon, seemingly without end. When at last he understood what the doctor was saying and the strange mistake he had made, he cut short the ribbon in his mouth with these words. Oh, senior doctor, how have you misunderstood me? The case is exactly the other way. I have threatened no one. I never do such things, not I. Ask all my neighbors, and you will hear I have never had anything to do with the law. The trick has been played upon me, and I came to ask you what I must do to get justice, and I am very glad that I have seen this edict. Hang him, exclaimed the doctor, opening his eyes. What a medley you have made! So it is. You are all alike. Is it possible you don't know how to tell things plainly? I beg your pardon, senior doctor. You didn't give me time. Now I will relate the case as it is. You must know, then, that I was to have been married today. And here Renzo's voice became tremulous. I was to have married today a young woman to whom I have paid my addresses since the beginning of summer. And this was the day, as I said, that was fixed with the senior curate, and everything was ready. Well, this morning the senior curate began to throw out some excuses. However, not to tire you, I will only say, I made him speak, as was but just. And he confessed that he had been forbidden under pain of death to celebrate this marriage. This tyrant of Adon Rodrigo, get you gone, quickly interrupted the doctor, raising his eyebrows, wrinkling his red nose, and distorting his mouth. Get you gone. Why do you come here to rack my brain with these lies? Talk in this way to your companions, who don't know the meaning of words, and don't come and utter them to a gentleman who knows well what they are worth. Go away, go away. You don't know what you are talking about. I don't meddle with boys. I don't want to hear talk of this sort. Talk in the air. I will take an oath. Get you gone, I tell you. What do I care for your oaths? I won't enter into the business. I wash my hands of it. And he began rubbing and twirling them one over the other, as if he were really washing them. Learn how to speak, and don't come and take a gentleman thus by surprise. But listen, but listen, vainly repeated Renzo. The doctor, fuming all the time, pushed him towards the door, and on reaching it, set it wide open, called the servant, and said, Be quick, and give this man what he brought. I want nothing. I want nothing. The woman had never before executed a similar order all the time she had been in the doctor's service. But it was pronounced in so resolute a manner that she did not hesitate to obey. So taking the four poor birds, she gave them to Renzo with a look of contemptuous compassion, which seemed to say, You must indeed have made a grand blunder. Renzo tried to be ceremonious, but the doctor was inexorable, and the unhappy white, astonished and bewildered, and more wrathful than ever, was compelled to take back the restored victims and return to the country to relate the pleasing result of his expedition to Agnese and Lucia. During his absence, after sorrowfully changing their nuptial robes for the humble daily dress, they had set themselves to consult a new Lucia sobbing Agnese sighing mournfully from time to time. When Agnese had sufficiently enlarged upon the great effects they might hope for from the doctor's advice, Lucia remarked that they ought to try every method likely to assist them, that Father Christofaro was a man not only to advise, but also to render more effectual assistance where it concerned the poor and unfortunate, and that it would be a good thing if they could let him know what had happened. It would indeed, replied Agnese, and they began immediately to contrive together some plan to accomplish it. Sins to go themselves to the convent, distant perhaps two miles, was an undertaking they would rather not risk that day, and certainly no one with any judgment would have advised them to do so. While, however, they were thus engaged in weighing the different sides of the question, they heard a knock at the door, and at the same moment a low but distinct deogratias. Lucia, wondering who it could be, ran to open it, and immediately, making a low bow, there entered a leka-puchin collector, his bag hanging over his left shoulder, and the mouth of it twisted and held tight in his two hands over his breast. Oh, brother Galdino, exclaimed the two women, the Lord be with you, said the friar, I have come to beg for the nuts. Go and fetch the nuts for the fathers, said Agnese. Lucia arose and moved towards the other room, but before entering it she paused behind the friar's back, who remained standing in exactly the same position, and putting her forefinger on her lips gave her mother a look demanding secrecy, in which were mingled tenderness, supplication, and even a certain air of authority. The collector, inquisitively eyeing Agnese at a distance, said, and this wedding I thought it was to have been today, but I noticed a stir in the neighborhood as if indicating something new, what has happened? The same year curate is ill and we are obliged to postpone it, hastily replied Agnese. Probably the answer might have been very different if Lucia had not given her the hint. And how does the collection go on? added she, wishing to change the conversation. Badly, good woman, badly, they are all here. And so, saying, he took the wallet off his shoulders and tossed it up between his hands into the air. They are all here, and to collect this mighty abundance I have had to knock at ten doors. But the year is scarce, brother Galdino, and when one has to struggle for bread one measures everything according to the scarcity. And what must we do, good woman, to make better times return? Give alms, don't you know the miracle of the nuts that happened many years ago in our convent of Romagna? No indeed, tell me. Well, you must know, then, that in our convent there was a holy father whose name was Father Macario, one day in winter walking along a narrow path, in a field belonging to one of our benefactors, a good man also. Father Macario saw him standing near a large walnut tree, and four peasants with axes upraised about to fell it, having laid barrett's roots to the sun. What are you doing to this poor tree, asked Father Macario? Why, father, it has borne no fruit for many years, so now I will make firing of it. Leave it, leave it, said the father, be assured this year it will produce more fruit than leaves. The benefactor, knowing who it was that had uttered these words, immediately ordered the workmen to throw the soil upon the roots again, and calling to the father, who continued his walk, said, Father Macario, half of the crop shall be for the convent. The report of the prophecy spread, and everyone flocked to see the tree. Everything in very truth brought blossoms without number, and then followed nuts, nuts without number. The good benefactor had not the happiness of gathering them, for he went before the harvest to receive the reward of his charity. But the miracle was, in consequence, so much the greater as you will hear. This worthy man left behind him a son of very different character. While then, at the time of gathering, the collector went to receive the moiety belonging to the convent. But the son pretended perfect ignorance of the matter, and had the temerity to reply that he had never heard that capuchins knew how to gather nuts. What do you think happened then? One day, listen to this, the nave was entertaining a party of his friends, of the same genius at himself, and while making merry, he related the story of the walnuts and ridiculed the friars. His jovial friends wished to go see this wonderful heap of nuts, and he conducted them to the storehouse. But listen now, he opened the door, went towards the corner where the great heap had been laid, and while saying, look, he looked himself and saw, what do you think? A magnificent heap of withered walnut leaves. This was a lesson for him, and the convent, instead of being a loser by the denied alms, gained thereby. After so great a miracle, the contribution of nuts increased to such a degree that a benefactor, moved with pity for the poor collector, made a present to the convent of an ass to assist in carrying the nuts home, and so much oil was made that all the poor in the neighborhood came and had as much as they required, for we are like the sea, which receives water from all quarters, and returns it to be again distributed through the rivers. At this moment, Lucia returned, her apron so laden with nuts, that it was with difficulty she could manage it, holding the two corners stretched out at arm's length, while the friar galdino lifted the sack off his shoulders, and putting it on the ground, opened the mouth for the reception of the abundant gift. Agnese glanced toward Lucia, a surprised and reproachful look for her prodigality, but Lucia returned a glance which seemed to say, I will justify myself. The friar broke forth into praises, agnostications, promises, and expressions of gratitude, and replacing his bag was about to depart, but Lucia, calling him, said, I want you to do me a kindness. I want you to tell Father Christoforo that we earnestly wish to speak to him, and ask him to be good as to come to us poor people quickly, directly, for I cannot go to the church. Is this all? It shall not be an hour before Father Christoforo knows your wish. I believe you. You need not fear. And so, saying he departed, rather more burdened and a little better satisfied, than when he entered the house. Let no one think on hearing that a poor girl sent to ask with such confidence for Father Christoforo, and that the collector accepted the commission without wonder and without difficulty, let no one, I say, suppose that this Christoforo was a mean friar, a person of no importance. He was, on the contrary, a man who had great authority among his friends and in the country around. But such was the condition of the capuchins that nothing appeared to them either too high or too low, to minister to the basest, and to be ministered to by the most powerful, to enter palaces or hovels with the same deportment of humility and security, to be sometimes in the same house the object of ridicule and a person without whom nothing could be decided, to solicit alms everywhere and distribute them to all who begged at the convent. A capuchin was accustomed to all these. Traversing the road, he was equally liable to meet a noble who would reverently kiss the end of a rope round his waist, or a crowd of wicked boys who, pretending to be quarreling among themselves, would fling at his beard dirt and mire. The word fratta was pronounced in those days with the greatest respect, and again with the bitterest contempt, and the capuchins, perhaps, more than any other order, were the objects of two directly opposite sentiments, and shared two directly opposite kinds of treatment, because possessing no property, wearing a more than ordinarily distinctive habit, and making more open professions of humiliation, they exposed themselves more directly to the veneration, or the contumely, which these circumstances would incite, according to the different tempers and different opinions of men. As soon as the friar had left, all those nuts, exclaimed Agnese, and in such a year, too. I beg pardon, mother, replied Lucia, but if we had only given like others, brother Galdino would have had to go about no one knows how long before his wallet would have been filled, and we cannot tell when he would have returned to the convent. Besides, what with chatting here and there, he would very likely have forgotten. Ah, you thought wisely, and after all, charity always brings a good reward, said Agnese, who, in spite of her little defects, was a good woman, and would have given everything she owned for this only daughter, whom she loved with the tenderest affection. At this moment, Renzo arrived, and, entering with an irritated and mortified countenance, threw the chickens on the table, and this was the last sad vicissitude the poor creatures underwent that day. Fine advice you gave me, said he to Agnese, you sent me to a nice gentleman, to one who really helps the unfortunate, and he began immediately to relate his reception at the doctors. Poor Agnese, astonished at his ill success, endeavored to prove that her advice had been good, and that Renzo had not gone about the business cleverly. But Lucia interrupted the question by announcing that she hoped they had found a better helper. Renzo welcomed the hope, as most people do, who are in misfortune and perplexity. But if the father, said he, does not find us a remedy, I will find one somehow or other. The women recommended peace, patience, and prudence. Tomorrow, said Lucia, Father Christofaro will certainly come, and you'll see he will find some help that we poor people can't even imagine. I hope so, said Renzo, but in any case I will get redressed or find someone to get it for me. There must be justice in the end, even in this world. In such melancholy discourse and in such occurrences as have been described, the day wore away and began to decline. Good night, said Lucia sorrowfully to Renzo, who could not make up his mind to leave her. Good night, replied he, still more mournfully. Some saint will help us, added she, be prudent and try to be resigned. Agnese added other advice of the same kind, and the bridegroom went away with fury in his heart, repeating all the while those strange words. There must be justice at last, even in this world. So true is it that a man overwhelmed with great sorrows knows not what he is saying. End of Chapter 3, Part 2 Chapter 4, Part 1 of The Betrothed This is the LibriVox Recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni, Chapter 4, Part 1 The sun had scarcely risen above the horizon when Father Christopharo left the convent of Pescarenico and proceeded towards the cottage where he was expected. Pescarenico is a little town on the left bank of the adda, or rather, we should say, of the lake, a few paces below the bridge. A group of houses inhabited for the most part by fishermen and adorned here and there with nets hung out to dry. The convent was situated, and the building still remains, outside the town facing the entrance on the road that leads from Lekko to Bergamo. The sky was serene and as the sun gradually emerged from behind the mountain, the light descended from the summit of the opposite range, spreading itself rapidly over the steeps and through the valleys, while a soft autumnal breeze, shaking from the boughs the withered leaves of the mulberry, carried them away to fall at some distance from the tree. In the vineyards on either hand the red leaves of various shades glittered on the still festooned branches, and the newly made nets appeared dark and distinct among the fields of white stubble sparkling in the dew. The scene was bright, but the occasional sight of a human figure moving therein dispelled the cheerful thoughts which the scene was calculated to inspire. At every step one met with pale and emaciated beggars, either grown old in the business or reduced by the necessity of the times to ask alms. They looked piously at Father Christoforo as they silently passed him, and although as a capuchin never had any money, they had nothing to hope from him. Yet they gave him a bow of gratitude for the alms which they had received, or were going to solicit at the convent. The sight of the laborers scattered over the fields had in it something still more mournful. Some were sowing seed, but niggardly and unwillingly, like a man who risks something he highly prizes. Others could with difficulty use the spade, and warily overturned the sods. The half-starved child, holding by a cord the thin meager cow, and looking narrowly around, hastedly stooped to steal from it some herb as food for the family, which hunger had taught them could be used to sustain life. Such sights as these at every step increased the sadness of the friar, who even now had a presentiment in his heart that he was going to hear of some misfortune. But why did he take so much thought for Lucia, and why at the first intimation of her wish did he attend to do it so diligently, as it were a call from the Father Provincial? And who was this Father Cristofaro? It will be necessary to answer all these inquiries. Father Cristofaro of, was a man near 60 than 50 years of age. His shaven head circled with a narrow line of hair, like a crown, according to the fashion of the Capuchin tonsure, was raised from time to time with a movement that betrayed somewhat of disdain and disquietude, and then quickly sank again in thoughts of lowliness and humility. His long gray beard covering his cheeks and chin contrasted markedly with the prominent features of the upper part of his face, to which a long and habitual abstinence had rather given an air of gravity, then effaced the natural expression. His sunken eyes, usually bent on the ground, sometimes brightened up with a momentary fire, like two spirited horses under the hand of a driver whom they know by experience they cannot overcome. Yet occasionally they indulge in a few gambles and prancings for which they are quickly repaid by a smart jerk of the bit. Father Cristofaro had not always been thus, nor had he always been Cristofaro. His baptismal name was Ludovico. He was the son of a merchant of. These asterisks are all inserted by the circumspection of our anonymous author who, in his latter years being considerably wealthy and having only one son, had given up trade and retired as an independent gentleman. In his new state of idleness he began to entertain a great contempt for the time he had spent in making money and being useful in the world. Full of this fancy he used every endeavor to make others forget that he had been a merchant. In fact, he wished to forget it himself, but the warehouse, the bails, the journal, the measure were forever intruding upon his mind like the shade of Banco to Macbeth even admits the honors of the table in the smiles of flatterers. It is impossible to describe the care of these poor mortals to avoid every word that might appear like an allusion to the former condition of their patron. One day to mention a single instance towards the end of dinner in the moment of liveliest and most unrestrained festivity when it would be difficult to say which was the merriest, the company who emptied the table or the host who filled it, he was rallying with friendly superiority one of his guests, the most prodigious eater in the world. He, meaning to return the joke with the frankness of the child and without the least shade of malice, he replied, ah, I'm listening like a merchant. The poor offender was at once conscious of the unfortunate word that had escaped his lips. He cast a different glance towards his patron's clouded face and each would gladly have resumed his former expression, but it was impossible. The other guests occupied themselves each in his own mind in devising some plan of remedying the mistake and making a diversion, but the silence thus occasioned only made the error more apparent. Each individual endeavored to avoid meeting his companion's eye, each felt that all were occupied in the thought they wished to conceal. Cheerfulness and sociability had fled for that day and the poor man, not so much imprudent as unfortunate, never again received an invitation. In this manner, Ludovico's father passed his latter years continually subject to annoyances and perpetually in dread of being despised, never reflecting that it was no more contemptuous to sell than to buy and that the business of which he was now so much ashamed had been carried on for many years before the public without regret. He gave his son an expensive education according to the judgment of the times and as far as he was permitted by the laws and customs of the country, he procured him masters in the different branches of literature and in the exercises of horsemanship and at last died leaving the youth heir to a large fortune. Ludovico had acquired gentlemanly habits and feelings and the flatterders by whom he had been surrounded had accustomed him to be treated with the greatest respect. But when he endeavored to mix with the first men of the city, he met with very different treatment to what he had been accustomed to and he began to perceive that if he would be admitted into their society as he desired, he must learn in a new school to be patient and submissive and every moment to be looked down upon and despised. Such a mode of life accorded neither with the education of Ludovico nor with his disposition and he withdrew from it highly peaked. Still he absented himself unwillingly. It appeared to him that these ought really to have been his companions. Only he wanted them to be a little more tractable. With this mixture of dislike and inclination not being able to make them his familiar associates yet wishing in some way to be connected with them, he endeavored to rival them in show and magnificence, thus purchasing for himself enmity, jealousy and ridicule. His disposition open and at the same time violent had occasionally engaged him in more serious contentions. He had a natural and sincere horror of fraud and oppression. A horror rendered still more vivid by the rank of those whom he saw daily committing them. Exactly the persons he hated. To appease or to excite all these passions at once, he readily took the part of the weak and oppressed, assumed the officer arbitrator and intermeddling in one dispute drew himself into others so that by degrees he established his character as a protector of the oppressed and a vindicator of injuries. The employment however was troublesome and it needed not be asked whether poor Ludovico met with enemies on toward accidents and vexations of spirit. Besides the external war he had to maintain, he was continually harassed by internal strife. For in order to carry out his undertakings, not to speak of such as never were carried out, he was often obliged to make use of subterfuges and have recourse to violence which his conscience could not approve. He was compelled to keep around him a great number of bravles and as much for his own security as to ensure vigorous assistance, he had to choose the most daring or in other words the most unprincipled and thus to live with villains for the sake of justice. Yet on more than one occasion either discouraged by ill success or disquieted by imminent danger, wearied by a state of constant defense, disgusted with his companions and an apprehension of dissipating his property which was daily drawn upon largely either in a good cause or in support of his bold enterprises more than once he had taken a fancy to turn friar. For in these times this was the commonest way of escaping difficulties. This idea would probably have been only a fancy all his life had it not been changed to a resolution by a more serious and terrible accident than he had yet met with. He was walking one day along the streets in company with a former shopkeeper whom his father had raised to the office of Stuart and was followed by two bravles. The Stuart whose name was Christoforo was about 50 years old, devoted from childhood to his master whom he had known from his birth and by whose wages and liberality he was himself supported with his wife and eight children. Ludovico perceived a gentleman at a distance, an arrogant and overbearing man whom he had never spoken to in his life but his cordial enemy to whom Ludovico heartily returned the hatred. For it is a singular advantage of this world that man may hate and be hated without knowing each other. The senior followed by four bravles advanced hotly with a proud step his head raised and his mouth expressive of insolence and contempt. They both walked next to the wall which be it observed was on Ludovico's right hand and this according to custom gave him the right how far people will go to pursue the right of a case of not moving from the said wall to give place to any one to which custom at that time great importance was attached. The senior on the contrary in virtue of another custom held that this right ought to be conceded to him in consideration of his rank and that it was Ludovico's part to give way so that in this as it happens in many other cases to opposing customs clashed the question of which was to have the preference remaining undecided thus giving occasions of dispute whenever one hard head chance to come in contact with another of the same nature. The foes approached each other both close to the wall like two walking figures and bar relief and on finding themselves face to face the senior eyeing Ludovico with a hot air and imperious frown said in a corresponding tone of voice go to the outside. You go yourself replied Ludovico the path is mine with men of your rank the path is always mine. Yes if the arrogance of men of your rank were a law for men of mine. The two trains of attendance stood still each behind its leader fiercely regarding each other with their hands on their daggers prepared for battle while the passers-by stopped on their way and withdrew into the road placing themselves at a distance to observe the issue the presence of these spectators continually animating the punctilio of the disputance to the outside vile mechanic or I'll quickly teach you the civility you owe a gentleman you lie I am not vile you lie if you say I lie this reply was pragmatical and if you were a gentleman as I am added the senior I would prove with the sword that you are the liar that is a capital pretext for dispensing with the trouble of maintaining the insolence of your words by your deeds throw this rascal in the mud said the senior turning to his followers we shall see said Ludovico immediately retiring step and laying his hand on the sword rash man cried the other drawing his own I will break this when it is stained with your vile blood at these words they flew upon one another the attendance of the two parties fighting in defense of their masters the combat was unequal both in number and because Ludovico aimed rather at parrying the blows off and disarming his enemy then killing him while the senior was resolved upon his foes death at any cost Ludovico had already received a blow from the dagger of one of the bravos in his left arm and a slight wound on his cheek and his principal enemy was pressing on to make an end of him when Cristoforo seeing his master in extreme peril went behind the senior with his dagger who turning all his fury upon his new enemy ran him through with his sword at this site Ludovico as if beside himself buried his own in the body of his provoker and laid him at his feet almost at the same moment as the unfortunate Cristoforo the followers of the senior seeing him on the ground immediately betook themselves to flight those of Ludovico wounded and beaten having no longer anyone to fight with and not wishing to be mingled in the rapidly increasing multitude fled the other way and Ludovico was left alone in the midst of the crowd with these two ill-fated companions lying at his feet what's the matter there's one there are two they have pierced his body who has been murdered that tyrant oh holy mary what a confusion seek and you shall find one moment pays all so he is gone what a blow it must be a serious affair and this other poor fellow mercy what a sight save him save him it will go hard with him too see how he is mangled he is covered with blood escape poor fellow escape take care you are not caught these words predominating over the confused tumult of the crowd express their prevailing opinion while assistants accompany the advice the scene had taken place near a cappuccino convent and asylum in those days as everyone knows impenetrable to bailiffs and all that complication of persons and things which went by the name of justice the wounded an almost senseless murderer was conducted or rather carried by the crowd and delivered to the monks with the recommendation he is a worthy man who has made a proud tyrant cold he was provoked to it and did it in his own defense ludovico had never before shed blood and although homicide was in those times so common that everyone was accustomed to hear of and witness it yet the impression made on his mind by the sight of one man murdered for him and another by him was new and undescribable disclosure of sentiments before unknown the fall of his enemy the sudden alteration of the features passing in a moment from threatening and furious expression to the calm and solemn stillness of death was a site that instantly changed the feelings of the murderer he was dragged to the convent almost without knowing where he was or what they were doing to him and when his memory returned he found himself on a bed in the infirmary attended by a surgeon friar for the capuchins generally had one in each convent who was applying lint and bandages to the two wounds he had received in the contest a father whose special office it was to attend upon the dying and who had frequently been called upon to exercise his duties in the street was quickly summoned to the place of combat he returned a few minutes afterwards and entering the infirmary approached the bed where Ludovico lay comfort yourself said he he has at least died calmly and has charged me to ask your pardon and to convey his to you these words aroused poor Ludovico and awakened more vividly and distinctly the feelings which confusedly crowded upon his mind sorrow for his friend consternation and remorse for the blow that had escaped his hand and at the same time and bitterly painful compassion for the man he had slain and the other anxiously demanded he of the friar the other had expired when I arrived end of chapter four part one chapter four part two of the betrothed this is a Librivox recording all Librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Librivox.org they betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni chapter four part two in the meanwhile the gates and precincts of the convent swarmed with idle and inquisitive people but on the arrival of a body of constables they dispersed the crowd and placed themselves in ambush at a short distance from the doors so that none might go out unobserved a brother of the deceased however accompanied by two of his cousins and an aged uncle came armed Capapie with a powerful retinue of bravos and began to make the circuit of the convent watching with looks and gestures of threatening contempt the idle bystanders who did not dare say he is out of your reach though they had it written on their faces as soon as Ludovico could collect his scattered thoughts he asked for a father confessor and begged that he would seek the widow of Cristofaro ask forgiveness in his name for his having been the involuntary cause of her desolation and at the same time assure her that he would undertake to provide for her destitute family in reflecting on his own condition the wish to become a friar which he had often before revolved in his mind revived with double force and earnestness it seemed as if got himself by bringing him to a convent just at this juncture had put it in his way and given him a sign of his will and his resolution was taken he therefore called the garden and told him of his intention the superior replied that he must be aware of forming precipitated resolutions but that if on consideration he persisted in his desire he would not be refused he then sent for a notary and made an assignment of the whole of his property which was no insignificant amount to the family of Cristofaro a certain sum to the widow as if it were an entailed dowry and the remainder to the children the resolution of Ludovico came very apropos for his hosts who were in a sad dilemma on his account to send him away from the convent and thus expose him to justice that is to say to the vengeance of his enemies was a course on which they would not for a moment bestow a thought it would have been to give up their proper privileges disgrace the convent in the eyes of the people draw upon themselves the animate version of all the cappuchins in the universe for suffering their common rights to be infringed upon and arouse all the ecclesiastical authorities who at that time consider themselves the lawful gardens of these rights on the other hand the kindred of the slain powerful themselves and strong in adherence were prepared to take vengeance and denounced as their enemy anyone who should put an obstacle in their way the history does not tell us that much grief was felt for the loss of the deceased nor even that a single tear was shed over him by any of his relations it merely says that they were all on fire to have the murderer dead or living in their power but ludovico's assuming the habit of a cappuchin settled all these difficulties he made atonement in a manner imposed a penance on himself tacitly confessed himself in fault and withdrew from the contest he was in fact an enemy laying down his arms the relatives of the dead could also if they pleased believe and make it their boast he had turned friar in despair and through dread of their vengeance but in any case to oblige a man to relinquish his property shave his head and walk barefoot to sleep on straw and to live upon alms was surely a punishment fully equivalent to the most heinous offense the superior presented himself with an easy humility to the brother of the deceased and after a thousand protestations of respect for his most illustrious house and of desire to comply with his wishes as far as was possible he spoke of ludovico's penitence and the determination he had made politely making it appear that his family ought to be therewith satisfied and insinuating yet more courtesely and with still greater dexterity that whether he were pleased or not so it would be the brother fell into a rage which the cappuchin patiently allowed to evaporate occasionally remarking that he had to just cause of sorrow the senior also gave him to understand that in any case his family had it in their power to enforce satisfaction to which the cappuchin whatever he might think did not say no and finally he asked or rather required as a condition that the murderer of his brother should immediately quit the city the cappuchin who had already determined upon such a course replied that it should be as he wished leaving the nobleman to believe if he chose that his compliance was an act of obedience and thus the matter concluded to the satisfaction of all parties the family were released from their obligation the friars had rescued a fellow creature and secured their own privileges without making with themselves enemies the dilettante in chivalry gladly saw the affair terminated in so laudable a manner the populace rejoiced at a worthy man's escaping from danger and at the same time marveled at his conversion finally and above all in the midst of his sorrow it was a consolation to poor ludovico himself to enter upon a life of expiation and devote himself to services which though they could not remedy might at least make some atonement for his unhappy deed and alleviate the intolerable pangs of remorse the idea that his resolution might be attributed to fear paint him for a moment but he quickly consoled himself by the remembrance that even this unjust imputation would be a punishment for him and a means of expiation thus at the age of 30 ludovico took the monastic habit and being required according to custom to change his name he chose one that would continually remind him of the fault he had to atone for the name of friar cristoforo scarcely was the ceremony of taking the religious habit completed when the guardian told him that he must keep his novitiate at 60 miles distant and that he must leave the next day the novice bowed respectfully and requested a favor of him allow me father said he before i quit the city where i have shed the blood of a fellow creature and leave a family justly offended with me to make what satisfaction i can by at least confessing my sorrow begging forgiveness of the brother of the deceased and so removing please god the enmity he feels towards me the guardian thinking that such an act besides being good in itself would also serve still more to reconcile the family to the convent instantly repaired to the offended senior's house and communicated to him friar cristoforo's request the senior greatly surprised at so unexpected proposal felt the rising of anger mingled perhaps with complacency and after thinking a moment let him come tomorrow said he mentioning the hour and the superior returned to the monastery to acquaint the novice with the desire permission the gentleman soon remembered that the more solemn and notorious the submission was the more his influence and importance would be increased among his friends and the public and it would also to use a fashionable modern expression make a fine page in the history of the family he therefore hastily sent to inform all his relatives that the next day at noon they must hold themselves engaged to come to him for the purpose of receiving a common satisfaction at midday the palace warmed with the nobility of both sexes and of every age occasioning a confused intermingling of large cloaks lofty plumes and pendant jewels a vibrating movement of stiffened and curled ribbons and in peter trailing of embroidered trains the anti rooms courtyards and the roads overflowed with servants pages bravos and inquisitive gazers on seeing all this preparation fryer christophoro guessed the motive and felt a momentary perturbation for he soon recovered himself and said be it so i committed the murder publicly in the presence of many of his enemies that was an injury this is reparation so with the father his companion at his side and his eyes bent on the ground he passed the threshold traversed the courtyard among a crowd who eyed him with very unceremonious curiosity ascended the stairs and in the midst of another crowd of nobles who save way at his approach was ushered with a thousand eyes upon him into the presence of the master of the mansion who surrounded by his nearest relatives stood in the center of the room with a downcast look grasping in his left hand the hilt of his sword while with the right he folded the collar of his cloak over his breast there is sometimes in the face and behavior of a person so direct an expression such an effusion so to speak of the internal soul that in a crowd of spectators there will be but one judgment an opinion of him so was it with fryer christophoro his face and behavior plainly expressed to the bystanders that he had not become a fryer nor submitted to that humiliation from the fear of man and the discovery immediately conciliated all hearts on perceiving the offended senior he quickened his steps fell on his knees at his feet crossed his hands on his breast and bending his shaved head said i am the murderer of your brother god knows how gladly i would restore him to you at the price of my own blood but it cannot be i can only make inefficacious and tardy excuses and implore you to accept them for god's sake all eyes were immovably fixed upon the novice and the illustrious personage he was addressing all ears were attentively listening and when fryer christophoro ceased there was a murmur of compassion and respect throughout the room the gentleman who stood in an attitude of force condescension and restrained anger was much moved at these words and bending towards the supplicant rise said he in an altered tone the offense the act certainly but the habit you wear not only so but also yourself rise father my brother i cannot deny it was a cavalier was rather a precipitate man rather hasty but all happens by god's appointment speak of it no more but father you must not remain in this posture and taking him by the arm he compelled him to rise the fryer standing with his head bowed and his eyes fixed on the ground replied i may hope then that i have your forgiveness and if i obtain it from you from whom may i not hope it oh if i might hear from your lips that one word pardon pardon said the gentleman you no longer need it but since you desired certainly certainly i pardon you with my whole heart and all all all exclaimed the bystanders with one voice the countenance of the fryer expanded with grateful joy under which however might be traced a humble and deep compunction for the evil which the forgiveness of man could not repair the gentleman overcome by this deportment and urged forward by the general feeling through his arms around christopher's neck and gave and received the kiss of peace bravo well done burst forth from all parts of the room there was a general movement and all gathered round the fryer servants immediately entered bringing abundance of refreshment the senior again addressing christopher who was preparing to retire said father let me give you some of these trifles afford me this proof of your friendship and was on the point of helping him before any of the others but he drawing back with a kind of friendly resistance these things said he are no longer for me but god forbid that i should refuse your gifts i am about to start on my journey allow me to take a loaf of bread that i may be able to say i have shared your charity eaten of your bread and received a token of your forgiveness the nobleman much affected ordered it to be brought and shortly a waiter entered in full dress bearing the loaf on a silver dish and presented it to the father who took it with many things and put it in his basket then obtaining permission to depart he bade for well to the master of the house and those who stood nearest to him and with difficulty made his escape as they endeavored for a moment to impede his progress while in the enter rooms he had to struggle to free himself from the servants and even from the bravos who kissed the hem of his garment his rope and his hood at last he reached the street born along as in triumph and accompanied by a crowd of people as far as the gate of the city from whence he commenced his pedestrian journey towards the place of his novitiate the brother and other relatives of the deceased who had been prepared in the morning to enjoy the sad triumph of pride were left instead full of the serene joy of a forgiving and benevolent disposition the company entertained themselves some time longer with feelings of unusual kindness and cordiality in discussions of a very different character to what they had anticipated on assembling instead of satisfaction and forced insults of inch and obligations discharged praises of the novice reconciliation and meekness were the topics of conversation and he who for the 50th time would have recounted how Count Muzio his father had served the Marquis Stanislaw a violent boastful man as everyone is aware in a well-known encounter of the same kind related instead the penitence and wonderful patience of one friar Simone who had died many years before when the party had dispersed the senior are still considerably agitated we considered with surprise what he had heard and had himself expressed and muttered between his teeth the devil of a friar we must record his exact words that devil of a friar if he hadn't out there a few moments longer I should almost have begged his pardon for his having murdered my brother our story expressly notes that from that day forward he became a little less impetuous and rather more tractable Father Gustafler pursued his way with a peace of mind such as he had never experienced since that terrible event to make atonement for which his whole life was henceforth to be consecrated he maintained the silence usually imposed upon novices without difficulty being entirely absorbed in the thought of the labor's privations and humiliations he would have to undergo for the expiation of his fault at the usual hour of refreshment he stopped at the house of a patron and partook almost voraciously of the bread of forgiveness reserving however a small piece which he kept in his basket as a perpetual remembrancer it is not our intention to write the history of his cloisteral life it will suffice to say that while he willingly and carefully fulfilled the duties customarily assigned to him to preach and to attend upon the dying he never suffered an opportunity to pass of executing to other offices which he had imposed upon himself the composing of differences and the protection of the oppressed without being aware of it he entered upon these undertakings with some proportion of his former zeal and a slight remnant of that courageous spirit which humiliation and mortifications had not been able entirely to subdue his manner of speaking was habitually meek and humble but when truth and justice were at stake he was immediately animated with his former warmth which mingled with and modified by a solemn emphasis acquired in preaching imparted to his language a very marked character his whole countenance and deportment indicated a long continued struggle between a naturally passionate temper and an opposing and habitually victorious will ever on the watch and directed by the highest principles and motives one of the brotherhood his friend who knew him well likened him on one occasion to those two expressive words too expressive that is in their natural state which some persons well behaved enough on ordinary occasions pronounced when overcome by anger in half and half sort of way with a slight change of letters words which even thus transformed bear about them much of their primitive energy if one unknown to him in Lucia's sad condition had implored the aid of Father Cristofaro he would immediately have attended to the request when it concerned Lucia however he hastened to her with double solicitude since he knew and admired her innocence he had already trembled for her danger and felt a lively indignation at the base persecution of which she was the object besides this he feared that by advising her to say nothing about it and keep quiet he might have been the cause of some sad consequences so that in this case there was added to the kind solicitude which was as it were natural to him that scrupulous perplexity which often torments the innocent but while we have been relating the early history of Father Cristofaro he has arrived at the village and reached the door and the women leaving the harsh tone spinning wheel at which they were engaged have risen and exclaimed with one voice oh Father Cristofaro God reward you end of chapter four part two section nine chapter five part one of the betrothed this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni chapter five part one Father Cristofaro stopped on the threshold and quickly perceived by a glance at the women that his presentiments had not been unfounded while raising his beard by a slight movement of the head backwards he said in that interrogative tone which anticipates a mournful reply well Lucia answered by a flood of tears her mother began to apologize for having dared but he advanced and seated himself on a three-legged stool and cut short all her excuses by saying to Lucia calm yourself my poor daughter and you continuing he turning to Agnesi tell me what has happened the good woman related the melancholy story as well as she could while a friar changed color a thousand times at one moment raising his eyes to heaven the next kicking his heels on the ground at the conclusion of the recital he covered his face with his hands and exclaimed oh blessed lord but without finishing the sentence he turned again to the women poor things said he god has indeed visited you poor Lucia you will not forsake us father sob Lucia forsake you replied he great god with what face could i again make request to him if i should forsake you you in this state you whom he confides to me don't despair he will help you he sees all he can make use even of such an unworthy instrument as i am to confound her let us see let me think what i can do for you so saying he leaned his left elbow on his knee laid his forehead on his hand and with the right grasped his beard and chin as if to concentrate and hold fast all the powers of his mind but the most attentive consideration only served to show more distinctly the urgency and intricacy of the case and how few how uncertain and how dangerous were the ways of meeting it instill shame into don abondio and make him sensible of how much he is failing in his duty shame and duty are nothing to him when overwhelmed with fear inspire him with fears how can i suggest one that would overbalance the dread he already has of a musket inform the cardinal archbishop of all and invoke his authority this requires time and in the meanwhile what might not happen and afterwards supposing even this unhappy innocent were married would that be a curb to such a man who knows to what length he might proceed and resist him how ah if i could thought the poor friar if i could but engage in this cause my brethren here and at milan but it is not a common affair and i should be abandoned don rodrigo pretends to be a friend to the convent and professes himself a favour of the capuchins and his followers have more than once taken refuge with us i should find myself alone in the undertaking i should be opposed by meddling quarrelsome persons and what is worse i should perhaps by an ill timed endeavor only render the condition of this poor girl more hopeless having considered every view of the question the best seemed to be to confront don rodrigo himself and try by entreaties the terrors of the life to come and even of this world if that were possible to dissuade him from his infamous purpose at least he could by this means ascertain whether he continued obstinately bent on his wicked design discover something more of his intentions and act accordingly while the friar was thus engaged renzo who for reasons that everyone can divine could not long absent himself made his appearance at the door but seeing the father absorbed in thought and the women beckoning to him not to interrupt him he stood silent on the threshold raising his head to communicate his design to the women the friar perceived renzo and saluted him with his usual affection increase and rendered more intense by compassion have they told you father ask renzo in an agitated tone only too much and for that reason i am here what do you say to the rascal what do you wish me to say of him he is far away and my words would be of no use but i say to you my renzo trust in god and he will not forsake you what blessed words exclaimed the youth you are not one of those who always wrong the poor but the senior curate and that senior doctor don't recall those scenes renzo which only serve to irritate you uselessly i am a poor friar but i repeat what i have said to these poor women poor as i am i will not forsake you ah you are not like the world's friends good for nothing creatures that they are you would not believe the protestations they made me in prosperity they were ready to give their lives for me if i had had an enemy i had only to let them know it and i should have been quickly rid of him and now if you were to see how they draw back at this moment renzo perceived on raising his eyes to those of his auditor that the good friar's face was clouded and he felt that he had uttered something wrong he only added to his perplexities however and made matters worse by trying to remedy them i i meant to say i don't at all mean that is i meant to say what did you mean to say have you then begun to spoil my work before i have undertaken it it is well for you that you have been undeceived in time what you went in search of friends and such friends who could not have helped you had they been willing and you forgot to seek the only one who can and will assist you do you not know that god is the friend of the afflicted who put their trust in him do you not know that threatening and contention gained nothing for the weak and even if here he forcibly grasped renzo's arm his countenance without losing of its authority expressed the ground and his voice became slow and almost sepulchral even if they did it is a terrible gain renzo will you trust to me to me did i say a feeble mortal a poor friar no but will you trust in god oh yes replied renzo he is in truth the lord very well promise me that you will not attack that you will not provoke anyone that you will be guided by me i promise you lucia drew a long breath as if she were relieved from a great weight and agnese exclaimed bravo my son listen my children continued friar christophoro i will go today and speak to this man if it please god to touch his heart and give force to my words well but if not he will show us some other remedy you in the meanwhile be quiet and retired avoid gossip and don't show yourselves tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest you shall see me again so saying he cut short all their thanks and benedictions and departed he returned first to the convent where he arrived in time to join the chorus in chanting dined and then set off on his way towards the den of the wild beast he had undertaken to tame the small but elegant palace of don rodrigo stood by itself rising like a castle from the summit of one of the abrupt cliffs by which the shore of the lake was broken and diversified our anonymous author only adds to this indication that the site it would have been better to have given the name in full was rather on the side adjoining the country of the betrothed about three miles distant from them and four from the convent at the base of the cliff on the side looking towards the lake lay a group of cottages inhabited by the peasantry in the service of don rodrigo the diminutive capital of his little kingdom it was quite sufficient to pass through it to be assured of the character and customs of the country casting a glance into the lower rooms should a door happen to be open one saw hanging on the wall fouling pieces spades rakes straw hats nets and powder flasks in admired confusion everywhere might be seen powerful fierce-looking men wearing a large lock turned back upon their head and enclosed in a net old men who having lost their teeth appeared ready at the slightest provocation to show their gums women of masculine appearance with strong sinewy arms prepared to come into the aid of their tongues on every occasion even the very children playing in the road displayed in their countenances and behavior a certain air of provocation and defiance father christophoro passed through this hamlet and ascended a winding footpath to a small level plot of ground in front of the palace the door was shut a sign that the master of the mansion was dining and would not be disturbed a few small windows that looked into the road the frameworks of which were disjointed and decayed with age were defended by large iron bars and those of the ground floor were so high that a man could scarcely reach them by standing on the shoulders of another perfect silence reigned around and a passerby might have deemed it a deserted mansion had not four creatures too animate and too inanimate disposed opposite each other outside given some indication of inhabitants two great vultures with extended wings and pendant heads one stripped of its feathers and half consumed by time the other still feathered and in a state of preservation were nailed one on each post of the massive doorway and two bravos stretched at full length on the benches to the right and left were on guard and expecting their call to partake of the remains of the senor's table the father stood still in the attitude of one who was prepared to wait but one of the bravos rose and called to him father father come forward we don't make cappuccins wait here we are friends of the convent and i have sometimes been within it when the air outside was not very good for me and when if the door had been closed upon me i should have fared badly so saying he gave two strokes of the knocker which were answered immediately from within by the howling and yelling of mastiffs and curves and in a few moments by an old grumbling servant but seeing the father he made him a low bow quieted the animals with hand and voice introduced the visitor into a narrow passage and closed the door again he then conducted him into a small apartment and regarding him with a surprised and respectful look said are you not father christoforo of pescarinico i am you here as you see my good man it must be to do good then good continued he muttering between his breath as he still led the way good may be done anywhere having passed through two or three dark apartments they at last reached the door of the dining room where they were greeted with a loud and confused noise of knives forks glasses pewter dishes and above all of discordant voices alternately endeavouring to take the lead in conversation the friar wished to withdraw and was debating at the door with the servant and begging permission to wait in some corner of the house till dinner was over when the door opened a certain count at ilio who was sitting opposite he was a cousin of don rodrigo and we have already mentioned him without giving his name seeing a shaved head and monk's habit and perceiving the modest intentions of the good friar exclaimed aha aha you shan't make your escape reverent father forward forward don rodrigo without precisely divining the object of this visit had a sort of presentiment of what awaited him and would have been glad to avoid it but since atilio had thoughtlessly given this blunt invitation he was obliged to second it and said come in father come in the friar advanced making a low bow to the host and respectfully responded to the salutations of the guests it is usual i do not say invariable to represent the innocence in the presence of the wicked with an open countenance an air of security an undaunted heart and a ready facility of expression in reality however many circumstances are required to produce this behavior which are rarely met with in combination it will not therefore be wondered at that friar christophoro with the testimony of a good conscience and a firm persuasion of the justice of the cause he had come to advocate together with a mingled feeling of horror and compassion for don rodrigo stood nevertheless with a certain air of timidity and submissiveness in the presence of this same don rodrigo who was seated before him in an armchair in his own house on his own estate surrounded by his friends and many indications of his power with every homage paid to him and with an expression of countenance that would at once prohibit the making of a request much more the giving advice correction or reproof on his right sat count atelio his cousin and it is needless to say his companion in libertinism and oppression who had come from melanne to spend a few days with him to his left and on the other side of the table was seated with a profound respect tempered however with a certain air of security and even arrogance the senor podesta the person whose business it was professedly to administer justice to renzo tramaglino and inflict upon don rodrigo one of the appointed penalties opposite the podesta in an attitude of the purest most unbounded servility sat our doctor azeka garbugli with his black cap and more than usually red nose and facing the cousins were two obscure guests whom our story merely records that they did nothing but eat bow their heads and smile approval at everything uttered by a fellow guest provided another did not contradict it end of chapter five part one section ten chapter five part two of the betrothed this is a libra vox recording or libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox.org the betrothed by alessandro manzoni chapter five part two give the father a seat said don rodrigo a servant presented the chair and father christophoro sat down making some excuse to the senior for coming at so in opportune an hour i wish to speak with you alone on a matter of importance added the friar in a lower voice in don rodrigo's ear very well i will attend you replied he but in the meanwhile bring the father something to drink the father tried to excuse himself but don rodrigo raising his voice above the recommencing tumult required no no you shall not do me this wrong it shall never be said that a cappuccino left this house without tasting my wine nor an insolent creditor the wood of my forests these words were followed by a general laugh and for a moment interrupted the question that was being warmly agitated among the guests a servant then brought in a bottle of wine on a tray and a tall glass in the shape of a chalice and presented them to the father who unwilling to refuse the pressing invitation of one he so much wished to propitiate did not hesitate to pour some out and began slowly to sip the wine the authority of tasso will not serve your purpose respected senior podesta it even militates against you resumed count atelio in a thundering voice for that learned that great man who perfectly understood all the rules of chivalry has made the messenger of argante ask leave of the pious buglione before delivering the challenge to the christian knights but this replied the podesta vociferating no less vehemently this is a liberty a mere liberty a poetical ornament since an ambassador is in his nature inviolable by the law of nations jury gentium but without seeking so far the proverb says embasquiator non portapena and proverbs you know contain the wisdom of the human race besides the messenger having uttered nothing in his own name but only presented the challenge in writing but when will you understand that this messenger was an inconsiderate ass who didn't know the first with your leave gentlemen interrupted don rodrigo who was afraid of the question being carried too far we will refer it to father christoforo and abide by his sentence well very well said count atelio highly pleased at the idea of referring a question of chivalry to a capuchin while the more eager podesta with difficulty restrained his excited feelings and a shrug of contempt which seemed to say absurdity but from what i have heard said the father these are matters i know nothing of as usual the modest excuses of the father said don rodrigo but you shall not get off so easily come now we know well enough you did not come into the world with a cowl on your head and that you are no stranger to its ways see here this is the question the cases this began count atelio let me tell it who am neutral cousin replied don rodrigo this is the story a spanish cavalier sent a challenge to a melanese cavalier the bearer not finding him at home delivered the summons to his brother who after reading it gave the bearer in reply a good thrashing the dispute is one good turn deserves another cried count atelio it was really inspiration of the devil added the podesta to beat an ambassador a man whose person is sacred even you father will say whether this was a nightly deed yes senior nightly cried the count and you will allow me to say so who ought to understand what relates to a cavalier oh if they had been blows it would be another matter but a cudgel defiles nobody's hands what puzzles me is why you think so much of the shoulders of a mean scoundrel who said anything about his shoulders senior count you would make out i had talked nonsense such as never entered my mind i spoke of his office not of his shoulders and i'm now considering the laws of chivalry be do good as to tell me whether the heralds that the ancient romans sent to bid defiance to other nations asked leave to announce their message and find me one writer who mentions that a herald was ever beaten what have the officers of the ancient romans to do with us a simple nation and in these things far far behind us but according to the laws of modern chivalry which are the only right ones i affirm and maintain that a messenger who dared to place a challenge in the hand of a knight without having asked his permission is an unconscious fool who may be beaten and who richly deserves it answer me this syllogism no no nothing but listen listen to strike an unarmed person is a treacherous act at qui the messenger de quo was without arms ergo gently gently senior podesta why gently gently i say what are you talking about it is an act of treachery to give a man a blow with a sword behind him or to shoot him in the back and to this even there are certain exceptions but we will keep to the point i allow that this may generally be called an act of treachery but to bestow four blows on a poultry fellow like him it would have been a likely thing to say take care i don't beat you as one says to a gentleman draw your sword and you respected senior doctor instead of smiling at me there and giving me to understand you are of my opinion why don't you support my position with your capital powers of argument and help me drive some reason into the head of this senior i replied the doctor in confusion i enjoy this learned dispute and am glad of the accident that has given occasion to so agreeable a war of genius but it does not belong to me to give sentence his illustrious lordship has already delegated a judge the father here true said don rodrigo but how is the judge to speak when the disputants will not be silent i am dumb said count atelio the podesta made a sign that he would not speak at last what do you say father asked don rodrigo with half jesting gravity i have already excused myself by saying i don't understand the matter replied friar christoforo returning the wineglass to a servant poor excuses cried the two cousins we must have your sentence since you wish it my humble opinion is that there should be neither challenges bearers nor blows the guests interchanged looks of unfaigned astonishment oh this is too bad claimed count atelio pardon me father but this is too bad it is easy to see you know nothing of the world he said don rodrigo haha he knows it cousin as well as you do isn't it true father instead of replying to this courteous interrogation the father said to himself this is aimed at you but remember friar that you are not here for yourself and that which affects you only is not to be taken into the account it may be said the cousin but the father what is his name father christoforo replied more than one but father christoforo most reverend father with your principles you would turn the world upside down without challenges without blows farewell to the point of honor impunity for all villains fortunately however the supposition is impossible up doctor up broken don rodrigo who always tried to divert the argument from the original disputants you are the man to argue on any matter let us see what you will do in discussing this question with father christoforo really replied the doctor brandishing his fork in the air and turning to the father really i cannot understand how father christoforo who is at once the perfect devotee and a man of the world should not remember that his sentence good excellent and of just weight as it is in the pulpit is of no value with due respect be it spoken in a question of chivalry but the father knows better than i that everything is good in its place and i think that this time he has only endeavored the escape by a jest from the difficulty of giving sentence what can one reply to reasonings deduced from a wisdom so ancient yet so new nothing and so thought our friar but don rodrigo wishing to cut short this dispute proceeded to suggest another apropos said he i hear there are rumors of an accommodation at melanne the reader must know that at this time there was a contest for the succession to the duchy of mantua which on the death of vichenzo gonzaga who left no male issue had fallen into the possession of the duke of nevers gonzaga's nearest relation lewis the thirteenth or rather cardinal ruchelieu wished to support him on account of his being well disposed toward the french philip the fourth or rather the count dolevaris commonly called the count duke opposed him for the same reason and had declared war against him as the duchy was a thief of the empire the two parties made interest by intrigue threats and solicitations at the court of the emperor ferdinand the second the former urging him to grout the investiture to the new duke the latter to refuse it and even assist in banishing him from the state i am inclined to think said count atelieu that matters may be adjusted i have certain reasons don't believe it senior count don't believe it interrupted the podesta even in this corner of the world i have means of ascertaining the state of things for the spanish governor of the castle who condescends to make me his friend and who being the son of one of the count duke's dependence is informed of everything i tell you i have opportunity every day at milan of talking with great men and i know on good authority that the pope is highly interested in the restoration of peace and has made propositions so it ought to be the thing is according to rule and his holiness does his duty a pope ought always to mediate between christian princes but the count duke has his own policy and and and and do you know my good senior what the emperor thinks of it at this moment do you think there is no other place in the world besides mantua there are many things to be looked at my good senior do you know for example how far the emperor can at this moment confide in that prince valdestano or valestay or whatever they call him and whether his right name is german again interrupted the podesta is valien steino as i have often heard it pronounced by our spanish senior the governor of the castle but be of good courage for will you teach me exclaimed the count angrily but don rodrigo motioned to him with his knee for his sake to cease contradiction he therefore remained silent and the podesta like a vessel disengaged from a sandbank continued with widespread sales the course of his eloquence valien steino gives me little concern because the count duke has his eyes on everything and in every place and if valien steino chooses to play any tricks he will set him right with fair words or foul he has his eye everywhere i say and long arms and if he has resolved as he justly has like a good politician that the senior duke of nevers shall not take root in mantua the senior duke of nevers will not take root there and the cardinal richelieu will sink in the water it makes me smile to see this worthy senior cardinal contending with a count duke with an olivares i should like to rise again after a lapse of 200 years to hear what posterity will say of these fine pretensions it requires something more than envy there must to be a head and of heads like that of a count duke there is but one in the world the count duke my good seniors continued the pudesta sailing before the wind and a little surprised at not encountering one shoal the count duke is an aged fox speaking with all respect who can make anybody lose his track when he aims at the right we may be sure he will take the left so that no one can boast of knowing his intentions and even they who execute them and they who write his dispatches understand nothing of them i can speak with some knowledge of the circumstances for that worthy man the governor of the castle deans to place some confidence in me the count duke on the other hand knows exactly what is going forward in all the other courts and their great politicians many of whom it cannot be denied are very upright men have scarcely imagined a design before the count duke has discovered it with that clever head of his his underhand ways and his nets everywhere spread that poor man the cardinal richelieu makes an attempt here busies himself there he toils he strives and what for when he has succeeded in digging a mine he finds a counter mine already completed by the count duke no one knows when the podesta would have come ashore had not don rodrigo urged by the suggestions of his cousin ordered a servant to bring him a certain bottle of wine senior podesta said he and gentlemen a toast to the count duke and you will then tell me whether the wine is worthy of the person the podesta replied by a bow in which might be discerned an expression of particular acknowledgement for all that was said or done in honor of the duke he received in part as done to himself long live don gasparo guzman count of olivares duke of san locar grand private of the king don filip the great our sovereign exclaimed don rodrigo raising his glass private for the information of those who know it not was the title used in those days to signify the favorite of a prince long live the count replied all help the father said don rodrigo excuse me replied the father but i have already been guilty of a breach of discipline and i cannot what said don rodrigo it is a toast to the count duke will you make us believe that you hold with the navarenes thus they contemptuously styled the french princes of navar who had begun to reign over them in the time of henry the fourth on such an adoration he was obliged to taste the wine all the guests broke out in exclamations and encomiums upon it except the doctor who by the gesture of his head the glance of his eyes and the compression of his lips expressed much more than he could have done by words what do you say of it a doctor asked don rodrigo withdrawing from the wine glass and knows more ruddy and bright than itself the doctor replied with marked emphasis on every syllable i say pronounce and affirm that this is the olivares of wine sensui et in iam ivy sententiam that its equal cannot be found in the twenty-two kingdoms of the king our sovereign whom god defend i declare and determine that the dinners of the most noble senior don rodrigo excel the suppers of helio gabales and that famine is perpetually banished and excluded from this place where splendor reigns and has its abode well said well defined cried the guests with one voice but the word famine which he had uttered by chance at once directed the minds of all to this mournful subject and everyone spoke of the famine in this matter they were all agreed at least on the main point but the uproar was greater perhaps than if there had been a diversity of opinion all spoke at once there is no famine said one it is the monopolists and the bakers said another who hide the grain hang them say i yes yes hang them without mercy upon fair trial cried the pudesta trial cried count atelio more loudly summary justice i say take three or four or five or six of those who are acknowledged by the common voice to be the richest and most avaricious and hang them examples examples without examples nothing can be done hang them hang them and grain will flow out in abundance whoever in passing through affair has had the pleasure of hearing the harmony produced by a party of fiddlers when between one air and another each one tunes his instrument making it sound as loud as possible that he may the more distinctly hear it in the midst of and above the surrounding uproar may imagine what would be the harmony of these if one may so say discourses the party continued pouring out and drinking the wine while the praises of it were mingled as was but just with sentences of economical jurisprudence so that the loudest and most frequently heard words were nectar and hang them don rodrigo in the meanwhile glanced from time to time towards the friar and always saw him in the same station giving no signs of impatience or hurry without a movement tending to remind him that he was waiting his leisure but with the air of one who was determined not to depart till he had a hearing he would gladly have sent him away and escaped the interview but to dismiss a capuchin without having given him audience was not according to the rules of his policy however since the annoying duty could not be avoided he resolved to discharge it at once and free himself from the obligation he therefore rose from the table and with him all the excited party without ceasing their clamour having asked leave of his guests he advanced in a haughty manner towards the friar who had immediately risen with the rest and saying to him at your command father conducted him to another apartment end of chapter five part two chapter six part one of the betrothed this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org the betrothed by alessandro manzoni chapter six part one how can i obey you sedan rodrigo standing in the middle of the room his words were these the tone in which they were pronounced clearly meant to say remember before whom you are standing take heed to your words and be expedious there was no sure or quicker way of inspiring friar christoforo with courage than to address him with haughtiness he had stood waveringly and at a loss for words passing through his fingers the beads of the rosary that hung at his girdle as if he hoped to find in some of them an introduction to his speech but at this behavior of don rodrigos there instantly rose to his mind more to say than he had want of immediately however recollecting how important it was not to spoil his work or was far worse the work he had undertaken for others he corrected and tempered the language that had presented itself to his mind and said with a cautious humility i come to propose to you an act of justice to supplicate a deed of mercy some men of bad character have made use of the name of your illustrious lordship to alarm a poor curate and dissuade him from performing his duty and to oppress two innocent persons you can confound them by a word restore all to order and relieve those who are so shamefully wronged you are able to do it and being able conscience honor you will be good enough to talk of my conscience when i ask your advice about it as to my honor i beg to inform you i am the guardian of it and i only and that whoever dares intrude himself to share the guardianship with me i regard as a rash man who offends against it friar christoforo perceiving from these words that the senior sought to put a wrong construction on all he said and to turn the discourse into a dispute so as to prevent his coming to the main point bound himself so more rigidly to be patient and to swallow every insult he might please to offer he therefore applied in a subdued tone if i had said anything to offend you i certainly did not intend it correct me reprove me if i do not speak becomingly but deign to listen to me for heaven's sake for the sake of that god whose presence we must all appear and in saying this he took between his hands the little cross of wood appended to his rosary and held it up before the eyes of his frowning auditor be not obstinately resolved to refuse an act of justice so easy and so due to the poor remember that god's eye is ever over them and that their implications are heard above innocence is powerful in his aha father sharply interrupted don rodrigo the respect i bear to your habit is great but if anything could make me forget it it would be to see it on one who dares to come as a spy into my house these words brought a crimson glow upon the cheeks of a friar but with the countenance of one who swallows a very bitter medicine he replied you do not think i deserve such a title you feel in your heart the act i am now performing is neither wicked nor contemptible listen to me senior don rodrigo and heaven grant today may not come in which you will have to repent of not having listened to me i will not listen your honor what honor senior don rodrigo what honor in the sight of men what honor in the sight of god you have much in your power but don't you know said don rodrigo interrupting him in an agitated tone the mingled effect of anger and remorse don't you know that when the fancy takes me to hear a sermon i can go to church like other people but in my own house oh continued he was the fourth smile of mockery you treat me as though i were of higher rank than i am it is only princes who have a preacher in their own houses and that god who acquires princes to render an account of the word preached to them in their palaces that god now bestows upon you a token of his mercy by sending his minister though indeed a poor and unworthy one to intercede for an innocent in short father said don rodrigo preparing to go i don't know what you mean i can only suppose there must be some young girl you're concerned about make confidence of whom you please but don't have the insurance to annoy a gentleman any longer on the movement of don rodrigo the friar also advanced reverently placing himself in his way raised his hands both in an attitude of supplication and also to detain him and again replied i am concerned for her it is true but not more than for yourself there are two persons who concern me more than my own life don rodrigo i can only pray for you but this i will do with my whole heart do not say no to me do not keep a poor innocent in anguish and terror one word from you will do all well said don rodrigo since you seem to think i can do so much for this person since you are so much interested for her well said father christoforo anxiously while the behavior and countenance of don rodrigo forbade his indulging in the hope which the words appeared to warrant well advise her to come and put herself under my protection she shall want for nothing and no one shall dare molest her as i am a gentleman at such a proposal the indignation of the friar hitherto with difficulty confined within bounds burst forth without restraint all his good resolutions of prudence and patience foresook him the old nature usurped the place of the new and in these cases father christoforo was indeed like two different men your protection exclaimed he for tiring a step or two and fiercely resting on his right foot his right hand placed on his hip his left held up pointing with his forefinger towards don rodrigo and two fiery glancing eyes piercingly fixed upon him your protection will be to you that you have thus spoken that you have made me such a proposal you have filled up the measure of your iniquity and i no longer fear you how are you speaking to me friar i speak as to one who is forsaken by god who can no longer excite fear i knew that this innocent was under god's protection but you who have now made me feel it was so much certainty that i have no longer need to ask protection of you lucia i say c higher pronounced his name with a bold face an unmoved expression what in this house i pity this house a curse is suspended over it you'll see whether the justice of god can be resisted by four walls and four bravos at your gates thought you that god had made a creature in his image to give you the delight of tormenting her thought you that he would not defend her you have despised his council and you'll be judged for it the heart of pharaoh was hardened like yours but god knew how to break it lucia is safe from you i do not hesitate to say so though a poor friar and as to you listen what i protect to you a day will come don rodrigo had stood till now with a mingled feeling of rage and mute astonishment but on hearing the beginning of this prediction an undefined and mysterious fear was added to his anger hastily seizing the father's outstretched arm and raising his voice to drown that of the inauspicious prophet he exclaimed get out of my sight rash villain coward rascal these definite appellations calmed father christoforo in a moment the idea of submission and silence had been so long associated in his mind with that of contempt and injury that at this compliment every feeling of warmth and enthusiasm instantly subsided and he only resolved to listen patiently to whatever don rodrigo might be pleased to subjoin quietly then withdrawing his hand from the senior's grasp he said motionless with his head bent downwards as an aged tree in the sudden lulling of an overbearing storm resumes its natural position and receives on its drooping branches the hail as heaven sends it the vile upstart continued don rodrigo you treat me like an equal but thank the cossack that covers your cowardly shoulders for saving you from the caresses that such scoundrels as you should receive to teach them how to talk to a gentleman depart with sound limbs for this once or we shall see so saying he pointed with imperious scorn to a door opposite the one they had entered and father christoforo bowed his head and departed leaving don rodrigo to measure with excited steps the field of battle when the friar had closed the door behind him he perceived someone in the apartment he had entered sealing softly along the wall that he might not be seen from the room of conference and he instantly recognized the aged servant who had received him at the door on his arrival this man had lived in the family for 40 years that is since before don rodrigo's birth having been in the service of his father who was a very different kind of man on his death the new master dismissed all the household and hired a fresh set of attendants retaining however this one servant both because he was old and because although of a temper and habits widely different from his own he made amends for this defect by two qualifications a lofty idea of the dignity of the house and long experience in its ceremonials with the most ancient traditions and minute particulars of which he was better acquainted than anyone else in the presence of his master the poor old man never ventured a sign still less an expression of his disapprobation of what he saw around him every day but at times he could scarcely refrain from some exclamation some reproof murmured between his lips to his fellow servants they highly diverted at his remarks would sometimes urge him to conversation provoking him to find fault within the present state of things and to sound the praises of the ancient way of living in the family his censures only came to his master's ears accompanied by a relation of the ridicule bestowed upon them so that they merely succeeded in making him an object of contempt without resentment on days of ceremony and entertainment however the old man became a person of serious importance fathered Christopher looked at him as he passed saluted him and was about to go forward the old man approached with a mysterious air put his forefinger on his lips and then beckoned him with the said forefinger to accompany him into a dark passage where in an undertone he said father i have heard all and i want to speak to you speak up then at once my good man not here woe to us if the master saw us but i can learn much and we'll try to come tomorrow to the convent is there some project some things in the wind that's certain i had already suspected it but now i will be on the watch and we'll find out all leave it to me i happen to see and hear things strange things i'm in a house but i wish to save my soul god bless you said the friar softly pronouncing the benediction as he laid his hand on the servant's head who though much older than himself bent before him with the respect of a son god will reward you continued the friar don't fail to come to me tomorrow i will be sure to come replied the servant but do you go quickly and for heaven's sake don't betray me so saying and looking cautiously around he went out at the other end of the passage into a hall that led into the courtyard and seeing the coast clear back into the good friar whose face responded to the last injunction more plainly than any protestations could have done the old man pointed to the door and the friar departed without further delay this servant had been listening at his master's door had he done right and was father christophoro right in praising him for it according to the commonest and most generally received rules it was a very dishonest act but might not this case be regarded as an exception and are there not exceptions to the most generally received rules these are questions which we leave to the reader to resolve at his pleasure we do not pretend to give judgment it is enough that we relate facts having reached the road he turned his back on this wild beast's den father christophoro breathed more freely as he hastened down the descent his face flushed and his mind as everyone may imagine agitated and confused by what he had recently heard and said but the unexpected proffer of the old man had been a great relief to him it seemed as if heaven had given him a visible token of its protection here is a clue that he that providence has put into my hands in this very house too and without my even dreaming of looking for one engaged in such thoughts he raised his eyes towards the west and seeing the setting sun already touching the summit of the mountain was reminded that the day was fast drawing to a close he therefore quickened his steps though weary and weak after the many annoyances of the day that he might have time to carry back his intelligence such as it was to his protege's and arrive at the convent before night for this was one of the most absolute and strictly enforced rules of the capuchin discipline end of chapter six part one