Orso read the attorney-general’s letter again, weighing every word with the greatest care--for now that he had seen the old lawyer, he felt it more difficult to convince himself than it would have been a few days previously. At last he found himself obliged to admit that the explanation seemed to him to be satisfactory. But Colomba cried out vehemently: “Tomaso Bianchi is a knave! He’ll not be convicted, or he’ll escape from prison! I am certain of it!” The prefect shrugged his shoulders. “I have laid the information I have received before you, monsieur. I will now depart, and leave you to your own reflections. I shall wait till your own reason has enlightened you, and I trust it may prove stronger than your sister’s suppositions.” Orso, after saying a few words of excuse for Colomba, repeated that he now believed Tomaso to be the sole culprit. The prefect had risen to take his leave. “If it were not so late,” said he, “I would suggest your coming over with me to fetch Miss Nevil’s letter. At the same time you might repeat to M. Barricini what you have just said to me, and the whole thing would be settled.” “Orso della Rebbia will never set his foot inside the house of a Barricini!” exclaimed Colomba impetuously. “This young lady appears to be the _tintinajo_[*] of the family!” remarked the prefect, with a touch of irony. [*] This is the name given to the ram or he-goat which wears a bell and leads the flock, and it is applied, metaphorically, to any member of a family who guides it in all important matters. “Monsieur,” replied Colomba resolutely, “you are deceived. You do not know the lawyer. He is the most cunning and knavish of men. I beseech you not to make Orso do a thing that would overwhelm him with dishonour!” “Colomba!” exclaimed Orso, “your passion has driven you out of your senses!” “Orso! Orso! By the casket I gave you, I beseech you to listen to me! There is blood between you and the Barricini. You shall not go into their house!” “Sister!” “No, brother, you shall not go! Or I will leave this house, and you will never see me again! Have pity on me, Orso!” and she fell on her knees. “I am grieved,” said the prefect, “to find Mademoiselle Colomba so unreasonable. You will convince her, I am sure.” He opened the door and paused, seeming to expect Orso to follow him. “I can not leave her now,” said Orso. “To-morrow, if----” “I shall be starting very early,” said the prefect. “Brother,” cried Colomba, clasping her hands, “wait till to-morrow morning, in any case. Let me look over my father’s papers. You can not refuse me that!” “Well, you shall look them over to-night. But at all events you shall not torment me afterward with your violent hatreds. A thousand pardons, monsieur! I am so upset myself to-night--it had better be to-morrow.” “The night brings counsel,” said the prefect, as he went out. “I hope all your uncertainty will have disappeared by to-morrow.”