"But," said I, "since you knew that Monsieur Lucien was here, why did you not come sooner?" "Because our appointment was for nine o'clock," said the bandit, "and it is just as unpunctual to be a quarter of an hour too soon as to arrive a quarter of an hour too late." "That is meant for a hit at me, Orlandi," said Lucien, laughing. "No, sir; you no doubt have your reasons; besides you have a companion, and it is likely on his account you may have started earlier, for I know your punctual habits, Monsieur Lucien, and I know also that you have been good enough to put yourself to inconvenience on my account frequently." "Oh, do not say anything about that, Orlandi; this will probably be the last time." "Have we not some few words to exchange upon that subject, Monsieur Lucien," said the bandit. "Yes, if you will have the goodness to follow me." "I am at your orders." Lucien turned towards me, and said: "Will you excuse me a moment?" "Of course;" I replied. The men then went away together, and ascending the breach through which Orlandi had appeared halted at the top of it, their figures standing out in strong relief in the moonlight. Then I was able to take more particular note of this Orlandi. He was a tall man, who had fashioned his beard in exactly the same manner as young de Franchi, and was clothed like him; but his dress showed traces of more frequent contact with the bushes through which he was obliged to fly, and of the earth upon which he was obliged to lie, than did those of Lucien. I could not hear what the men were talking about, and had I heard it I could not have understood it, as they spoke in the Corsican dialect. But I was enabled to perceive by their gestures that the bandit was refuting with some heat a series of arguments which the young man was setting forth with an impartiality that did him honour. At length the gestures of the Orlandi became less frequent and more energetic. His voice became subdued, and he at last bowed his head and held out his hand to the young man. I concluded the conference was now over, and the men descended together towards me. "My dear, sir," said Lucien, "Orlandi wishes to shake you by the hand, and to thank you." "And for what?" I said. "For being so good as to be one of his sponsors. I have answered for you!" "If you have answered for me I will readily accept, without even asking what is in question." I extended my hand to the bandit, who did me the honour to touch it with the tips of his fingers. "You will now be able to tell my brother that all has been arranged according to his wishes," said Lucien, "and that you have signed the contract." "Is there, then, a marriage about to take place?" "No, not yet; but perhaps there may be shortly." A disdainful smile passed over the bandit's face as he replied, "We have made peace, Monsieur Lucien, because you wished it; but marriage is not included in the compact."