“All the way from Lecco, all the way from Lecco.”
“All the way from Lecco! Are you from Lecco?”
“From Lecco; that is to say, from the province.”
“Poor youth! From what I have understood of your discourse, it appears you have been hardly treated.”
“Ah! my dear and worthy man, I have been obliged to use much skill in speaking, not to make the public acquainted with my affairs; but—it is enough that they will one day be known, and then—— But I see here a sign, and, by my faith, I don’t wish to go farther.”
“No, no; come to the place I told you of, it is but a short distance off. You will not be well accommodated here.”
“Oh yes. I am not a gentleman accustomed to delicacies; any thing to satisfy my hunger; and a little straw will answer my purpose: that which I have most at heart is to find them both very soon, under Providence!” And he entered a large gate, from which hung a sign of the Full Moon.
“Well, I will conduct you here, since you desire it,” said the unknown; and Renzo followed him.
“There is no necessity for troubling you longer,” replied Renzo; “but,” he added, “do me the favour to go in, and take a glass with me.”
“I accept your obliging offer,” said he; and preceding Renzo as being more accustomed to the house, he entered a little court-yard, approached a glass door, and opening it, advanced into the kitchen with his companion.