“Farewell, sir!” said the prefect, waving his hand.  “I warn you that the sergeant of gendarmes will have orders to watch everything you do.”

When the prefect had departed—­

“Orso,” said Colomba, “this isn’t the Continent.  Orlanduccio knows nothing about your duels, and besides, that wretch must not die the death of a brave man.”

“Colomba, my dear, you are a clever woman.  I owe you a great deal from having saved me from a hearty knife-thrust.  Give me your little hand to kiss!  But, hark ye, let me have my way.  There are certain matters that you don’t understand.  Give me my breakfast.  And as soon as the prefect had started off send for little Chilina, who seems to perform all the commissions she is given in the most wonderful fashion.  I shall want her to take a letter for me.”

While Colomba was superintending the preparation of his breakfast, Orso went up to his own room and wrote the following note: 

“You must be in a hurry to meet me, and I am no less eager.  We can meet at six o’clock to-morrow morning in the valley of Acquaviva.  I am a skilful pistol-shot, so I do not suggest that weapon to you.  I hear you are a good shot with a gun.  Let us each take a double-barrelled gun.  I shall be accompanied by a man from this village.  If your brother wishes to go with you, take a second witness, and let me know.  In that case only, I should bring two with me.

“ORSO ANTONIO DELLA REBBIA.”

After spending an hour with the deputy-mayor, and going into the Barricini house for a few minutes, the prefect, attended by a single gendarme, started for Corte.  A quarter of an hour later, Chilina carried over the letter my readers have just perused, and delivered it into Orlanduccio’s own hands.

The answer was not prompt, and did not arrive till evening.  It bore the signature of the elder Barricini, and informed Orso that he was laying the threatening letter sent to his son before the public prosecutor.  His missive concluded thus:  “Strong in the sense of a clear conscience, I patiently wait till the law has pronounced on your calumnies.”

Meanwhile five or six herdsmen, summoned by Colomba, arrived to garrison the della Rebbia Tower.  In spite of Orso’s protests, archere were arranged in the windows looking onto the square, and all through the evening offers of service kept coming in from various persons belonging to the village.  There was even a letter from the bandit-theologian, undertaking, for himself and Brandolaccio, that in the event of the mayor’s calling on the gendarmes, they themselves would straightway intervene.  The following postscript closed the letter: 

“Dare I ask you what the Signor Prefetto thinks of the excellent education bestowed by my friend on Brusco, the dog?  Next to Chilina, he is the most docile and promising pupil I have ever come across.”

CHAPTER XVI