Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

CARMELA. 177
He did reply ;
and in a letter of eight pages, in which were
written all the details required about the persons, speeches,
hours, and all. But there was not a comment, not an allusion
to the past, not a single word referring to any thing but the
supper and his departure not a
; syllable aside from the questions
asked, not even an expression of pity for Carmela. But
from that bare, crude letter one could see that he must have
felt deep pangs of remorse while writing
it. If this had not
been the case, at least some feigned expression of regret or
repentance would have been found therein. In closing he
"
would have said at least : I . . .
hope etc." ;
but there
was nothing of the kind.
" At one o'clock at night the steamer
left. I salute you." And then the signature.
IX.
" I understand !
" exclaimed the doctor, as soon as his friend
had finished reading him the letter; "now I understand why
not one of all the persons present were able to relate any of
the particulars. I do not doubt it, when they had been drinking
like that ! "
That same day both began to make preparations for the great
experiment. Both of them went to the syndic, judge, receiver,
marshal of the carabineers, and the others, all of whom
were very intimate ;
and the one, the doctor, with scientific
arguments, and the other with those coming from the heart, by
sheer force of talking, explaining, and demonstrating, succeeded
in making them understand what it was all about, assuring
themselves of their assistance, and teaching each one the part he
"
was to play. Heaven
" be praised
! exclaimed the officer on
coming out of the receiver's house, which was the last visit ;