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The little that Renzo had eaten had become poison. It appeared

like an age before he dared rise to quit. He felt nailed to the

spot. To have moved from the inn and the village, in the midst of

the conversation, would have incurred suspicion. He determined to

wait till the babbler should cease to speak of him and apply to

some other subject.

"And I," said one of the company, "who have some experience, know

that a tumult like this is no place for an honest man; therefore

I have not suffered my curiosity to conquer me, and have remained

quietly at home."

"And did I move?" said another.

"And I," added a third, "if by any chance I had been at Milan, I

would have left my business unfinished, and returned home."

At this moment the host approached the corner of the table, to

see how the stranger came on. Renzo gathered courage to speak,

asked for his bill, settled it, and rapidly crossed the

threshold, trusting himself to the guardian care of a kind

Providence.

CHAPTER XVII.