"'Excellency,' I ventured to observe, 'it is not his fault. I had no bass with me.' "'Very well,' said the captain, 'send off five men immediately to Sienna, Volterra, Grossetto--all over the country. I must have a bass by to-morrow night.' "I could not help thinking I had seen Mademoiselle Rina's face somewhere before, and I was cudgeling my memory to remember where, when she addressed the captain. "'Tonino,' said she, 'you have not even asked the poor man if he is hungry.' "I was touched by this little attention, and, on the captain's invitation, I drew a chair to the table, in fear and trembling I acknowledge; but it was nearly twelve hours since I had eaten any thing, and my hunger was perfectly canine. Mademoiselle Rina herself had the kindness to pass me the dishes and fill my glass; so that I had abundant opportunities of admiring my own ring, which sparkled upon her finger. I began to perceive, however, that I should not be so badly off as I had expected, and that the captain was disposed to treat me well. "Supper over, I was allowed to retire to a room and a bed that had been prepared for me. I slept fifteen hours without waking. The robbers had the politeness not to disturb me till I awakened of my own accord. Then, however, five of them entered my room, each carrying a bass. I chose the best, and they made firewood of the others. "When I had made my choice, they told me the captain was waiting dinner for me; and accordingly, on entering the principal room of the inn, I found a table spread for the captain, Mademoiselle Rina, the lieutenant, and myself. There were several other tables for the rest of the banditti. The room was lighted up with at least three hundred wax candles. "The dinner was a merry one. The robbers were really very good sort of people, and the captain was in an excellent humour. When the feasting was over, "'You have not forgotten your promise, Rina, I hope?' said he. "'Certainly not,' was the reply. 'In a quarter of an hour I am ready.' "So saying, she skipped out of the room. "'And you, Signor Musico,' said the captain, 'I hope you are going to distinguish yourself.' "'I will do my best, captain.' "'If I am satisfied, you shall have back your hundred crowns.' "'And my diamond ring, captain?' "'Oh! as to that, no. Besides, you see Rina has got it, and you are too gallant to wish to take it from her.' "At this moment Mademoiselle Rina made her appearance in the costume of a shepherdess--a boddice of silver, short silk petticoats, and a large Cashmere shawl twisted round her waist. She was really charming in this dress. I seized my bass. I fancied myself in the orchestra at Marseilles. "'What would you like me to play, Mademoiselle?' "'Do you know the shawl-dance in the ballet of _Clary_?' "'Certainly; it is my favourite.' "I began to play, Rina to dance, and the banditti to applaud. She danced admirably. The more I looked at her, the more convinced I became that I had seen her before.