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"What an odd thing it is," blundered Jervase, "that Renzo wishes

to be married, and has needed--" Renzo looked sternly at him.

"Keep silence, you beast!" said Tony to him, accompanying the

epithet with a cuff. Jervase obeyed, and the remainder of the

repast was consumed in silence. Renzo observed a strict sobriety,

in order to keep his companions under some restraint. Supper

being over, he paid the reckoning, and prepared to depart: they

were obliged to pass the three men again, and encounter a

repetition of their eager gaze. When a few steps distant from the

inn, Renzo, looking back, perceived that he was followed by the

two whom he had left seated in the kitchen. He stopped; observing

this, they stopped also, and retraced their steps.