"True; but time shall prove all: and I——"
"Santugo! it was to me, and with me alone, that defiances were exchanged: I cannot permit another to fight in my quarrel."
"But the quarrel is my pretty Bianca's, and I am her only kinsman."
"And I her betrothed husband: behold this ring!"
"Buono! but I am an unfortunate dog, who would more willingly be shot to-night than live longer."
"And leave Francesca alone—alone in her misery and helplessness?"
"O Madonna! Yet I will meet the Colonel."
"On my honour you shall not," I continued, with equal pertinacity. "I must fight or horsewhip him. But if I am winged, or knocked on the head, you can take up my ground, and parade him in turn.—By-the-by, have you not been somewhat rash in venturing forth with me this evening before dusk, when so many enemies are hovering round and ready to pounce on you?"
"I am aware of it: but you have need of a friend; and when I heard this horn blown within the boundaries of my estate, the thought that the base banditti, the ungrateful shepherds, or the carbonari, presuming on my outlawry, were poaching or plundering under the very eaves of the villa, aroused my anger——"
"Excellenza," said Zacheo the chasseur, riding up with alarm in his countenance, "a party of horsemen are now entering the Valley of Amato."