Chapter 22 - Page 2

particular part of the passage.

"We can know little of those who come from the convent, though few would
be apt to leave so safe a roof at this late hour," he answered; "but,
until I saw yonder travellers with my own eyes, I could have sworn there
were none on this side of the Col going the same way as ourselves? It is
time that all the others were already arrived."

"They are villagers of St. Pierre, going up with supplies;" observed one
of the muleteers. "None bound to Italy have passed Liddes since the party
of Pippo, and they by this tine should be well housed at the hospice.
Didst not see a dog among them?--'twas one of the Augustines' mastiffs."

"'Twas the dog I noted, and it was on account of his appearance that I
spoke;" returned the baron. "The animal had the air of an old
acquaintance, Gaetano, for to me it seemed to resemble our tried friend
Nettuno; and he at whose heels it kept so close wore much the air of our
acquaintance of the Leman, the bold and ready Maso."

"Who has gone unrequited for his eminent services!" answered the Genoese,
thoughtfully "The extraordinary refusal of that man to receive our money
is quite as wonderful as any other part of his unusual and inexplicable
conduct. I would he had been less obstinate or less proud, for the
unrequited obligation rests like a load upon my spirits."

"Thou art wrong. I employed our young friend Sigismund secretly on this
duty, while we were receiving the greetings of Roger de Blonay and the
good bailiff, but thy countryman treated the escape lightly, as the
mariner is apt to consider past danger, and he would listen to no offer of
protection or gold. I was, therefore more displeased than surprised by
what thou hast well enough termed obstinacy."

"Tell your employers, he said," added Sigismund, "that they may thank the
saints, Our Lady, or brother Luther, as best suits their habits, but that
they had better forget that such a man as Maso lives. His acquaintance can
bring them neither honor nor advantage. Tell this especially to the Signor
Grimaldi, when you are on your journey to Italy, and we have parted for
ever, as on my suggestion. This was said to me, in the interview I held
with the I rave fellow after his liberation from prison."

"The answer was remarkable for a man of his condition, and the especial
message to myself of singular exception. I observed that his eye was
often on me, with peculiar meaning, during the passage of the lake, and
to this hour I have not been able to explain the motive!"

"Is the Signore of Genoa?"--asked the guide: "or is he, by chance, in any
way connected with her