Page 223 of 1118

He succeeded, however, in assembling them in the middle of the

court-yard. "Halt, halt," cried he, "pistols in hand, knives

ready, all in order, and then we will march. Cowards! for shame!

fall behind me, and keep together." Reduced to order, they

followed him in silence.

We will leave them, in order to give an account of Agnes and

Perpetua, whom we left at the end of the little lane, engaged in

conversation. Agnes had managed to draw the latter off to some

distance, by dint of appearing to give great heed to her story,

which she urged on by an occasional "Certainly; now I comprehend;

that is plain; and then? and he? and you?" In the midst of an

important part of her narrative, the deep silence of the night

was broken by the cry of Don Abbondio for "help!" "Mercy! what is

the matter?" cried Perpetua, and prepared to run.

"What is the matter? what is the matter?" cried Agnes, holding

her by the gown.

"Mercy! did you not hear?" replied she, struggling to get free.