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"Agreed," said Count Attilio, amused at submitting a question of

knighthood to a capuchin; whilst the podestà muttered between his

teeth, "Folly!"

"But, from what I have comprehended," said the father, "it is a

subject of which I have no knowledge."

"As usual, modest excuses from the father," said Don Roderick;

"but we will not accept them. Come, come, we know well that you

came not into the world with a cowl on your head; you know

something of its ways. Well, how stands the argument?"

"The facts are these," said the Count Attilio--

"Let me tell, who am neutral, cousin," resumed Don Roderick.

"This is the story: a Spanish knight sent a challenge to a

Milanese knight; the bearer, not finding him at home, presented

it to his brother, who, having read it, struck the bearer many

blows. The question is--"

"It was well done; he was perfectly right," cried Count Attilio.