The friar was held in affectionate esteem by all, even by Rodrigo’s bravos, and on his arrival at the castle he was at once shown into the presence of its master.

“I come,” said he, “to propose to you an act of justice.  Some men of bad character have made use of the name of your illustrious lordship to alarm a poor cure, and dissuade him from performing his duty, and to oppress two innocent persons—­”

“In short, father,” said Rodrigo, “I suppose there is some young girl you are concerned about.  Since you seem to think that I am so powerful, advise her to come and put herself under my protection; she shall be well looked after.  Cowled rascal!” he shouted.  “Vile upstart!  Thank the cassock that covers your cowardly shoulders for saving them from the caresses that such scoundrels should receive.  Depart, or—­”

In the meantime, plans were being discussed in Lucia’s cottage.

“Listen, my children,” said Agnese, her mother; “if you were married, that would be the great difficulty out of the way.”

“Is there any doubt,” said Renzo; “if we were married—­At Bergamo, not far from here, a silk-weaver would be received with open arms.  You know my cousin Bartolo has wanted me to go there and make my fortune, as he has done.  Once married, we could all go thither together, and live in blessed peace, out of this villain’s reach.”

“Listen, then,” said Agnese.  “There must be two witnesses; all four must go to the priest and take him by surprise, that he mayn’t have time to escape.  The man says, ‘Signor Cure, this is my wife’; the woman says, ‘Signor Cure, this is my husband.’  It is necessary that the cure and the witnesses hear it, and the marriage is then as valid and sacred as if the Pope himself had blessed it.”

“But why, then,” said Lucia, “didn’t this plan come into Fra Cristoforo’s mind?”

“Do you think it didn’t?” replied she.  “But—­if you must know—­the friars disapprove of that sort of thing.”

“If it isn’t right, we ought not to do it.”

“What!  Would I give you advice contrary to the fear of God; if it were against the will of your parents?  But when I am satisfied, and he who makes all this disturbance is a villain——­Once it is done, what do you think the father will say?  ’Ah! daughter; it was a sad error, but it is done.’  In his heart he will be very well satisfied.”

On the following night Don Abbondio was disturbed at a late hour by a certain Tonio, who came with his cousin Gervase to pay a small debt.  While he was giving him a receipt for it, Renzo and Lucia slipped in unperceived.  The cure was startled on suddenly hearing the words, “Signor Cure, in the presence of these witnesses, this is my wife.”  Instantly grasping the situation, and before Lucia’s lips could form a reply, Don Abbondio seized the tablecloth, and at a bound wrapped her head in it, so that she could not complete the formula.  “Perpetua!” he shouted to his housekeeper.  “Help!”