In the
darkness of night our brigands yonder could not be seen, and in broad
daylight the ruse would be apparent; so we are in luck, Chiquita! But
now for a nap--we have plenty of time for it, and the creaking of the
wheels will be sure to wake us." Accordingly Agostino threw himself down
upon a little heap of pine branches and heather, Chiquita crept close
to him, so that the large cloak with which he had covered himself might
protect her also from the chilly night air, and both were soon sound
asleep.
It was so early when our travellers were roused from their slumbers
and told that it was time for them to resume their journey, by the
treacherous landlord of the Blue Sun Inn, that it seemed to them like
the middle of the night; to they arranged themselves as comfortably as
they could in the great, roomy chariot, and despite the loud creaking
and groaning that accompanied its every movement as it went slowly
lumbering along, and the shrill cries of the driver to his oxen, they
were all soon asleep again, excepting de Sigognac, who walked beside the
chariot, lost in thoughts of Isabelle's beauty, grace and modesty, and
adorable goodness, which seemed better suited to a young lady of noble
birth than a wandering actress. He tormented himself with trying to
devise some means to induce her to reciprocate the ardent love that
filled his heart for her, not for an instant suspecting that it was
already a fait accompli, and that the sweet, pure maiden had given him,
unasked, her gentle, faithful heart.
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