ess to possess, the
same selfishness in grasping, however unjustly obtained, and the same
audacity of assertion with a view to mystify, pervaded the Christian world
a century since as exist to-day. The cunning Pippo saw that the bait had
taken, and, assuming a still more respectful and loyal mien, he
continued:--

"Although a stranger, illustrious governor, I have had great delight in
these joyous and excellent ceremonies. Their fame will be spread far and
near, and men will talk of little less for the coming year but of Vevey
and its festival. But a great scandal hangs over your honorable heads
which it is in my power to turn aside, and San Gennaro forbid! that I, a
stranger, that hath been well entertained in your town, should hesitate
about raising his voice on account of any scruples of modesty. No doubt,
great governor, your eccellenza believes that this worthy Vevaisan is
about to wive a creditable maiden, whose name could be honorably mentioned
with those of the ceremonies and your town, before the proudest company in
Europe?"

"What of this, fellow? the girl is fair, and modest enough, at least to
the eye, and if thou knowest aught else, whisper thy secret to her husband
or her friends, but do not come in this rude manner to disturb our harmony
with thy raven throat, just as we are ready to sing an epithalamium in
honor of the happy pair. Your excessive particularity is the curse of
wedlock, my friends, and I have a great mind to send this knave, in spite
of all this profession of order, which is like enough to produce disorder,
for a month or two into our Vevey dungeon for his pains."

Pippo was staggered, for, just drunk enough to be audacious, he had not
all his faculties at his perfect command, and his usual acumen was a
little at fault. Still, accustomed to brave public opinion, and to carry
himself through the failures of his exhibitions by heavier drafts on the
patience and credulity of his audience, he determined to persevere as the
most likely way of extricating himself from the menaced consequences of
his indiscretion.

"A thousand pardons, great bailiff;" he answered. "Naught, but a burning
desire to do justice to your high honor, and to the reputation of the
abbaye's festival, could have led me so far, but--"

"Speak thy mind at once, rogue, and have done with circumlocution."

"I have little to say, Signore, except that the father of this illustrious
bride, who is about to honor Vevey by makin