I put aside the little present I had intended to give to Griffo, which consisted of a hunting-knife and two pistols attached to it, the barrels of which were hidden in the hilt.
I never saw anybody so delighted as he was at this present.
I descended, and found Madame de Franchi at the bottom of the staircase, where she was waiting to bid me good-bye, in the same place where she had bade me welcome. I kissed her hand, feeling great respect for such a simple-minded and yet so dignified a woman.
"On any other day," he said, "I would saddle my horse, and ride with you beyond the mountain, but to-day I dare not quit Sullacaro for fear that one or other of the newly-made friends might commit some folly."
"You are quite right," I said; "and for my own part, I am very glad to have assisted at a ceremony so new to Corsica."
"Yes," he said, "you may well congratulate yourself, for you have to-day witnessed a thing which is enough to make our ancestors turn in their graves."
"I understand--their word was sufficient; they did not need a notary to reconcile them, I suppose?"
"Have you no message for your brother?" I said.
"Yes, certainly, if it will not incommode you to deliver it."
"Well, then, let us embrace. I can only deliver that which I am able to receive." [See "Transcriber's Note."]
"We shall see you again some day?" I said.
"I shall never go there," replied Lucien.
"In any case, you will find my card on the mantelpiece in your brother's room--do not forget the address."
"I will promise you that should any event call me to the Continent you shall have my first visit."
We shook hands once again and parted; but I noticed, so long as he could see me, he followed me with his eyes.
All was quiet in the village, although, of course, there was the usual agitation which follows the completion of a great public act; and as I went along the street I sought my friend Orlandi, who had never addressed a word to me, nor even thanked me; and so I passed the last house in the village, and entered the open country without having seen any one like him.
I thought he had entirely forgotten me, and under the circumstances I quite excused him, but before I got very far out of the village I perceived a man stride from the underwood, and place himself in the middle of the road. I recognized him at once as the man who in my great regard for appearances, and in my impatience, I had accused of ingratitude.