"Oh, poor me!" cried Don Abbondio, "oh, what savages! they have no feeling; they give not a thought to their poor curate!" And he went again in search of Perpetua.
"Oh, you are come just in time," said she, "where is your money?"
"What shall we do with it?"
"Give it to me; I will bury it in the garden with the plate."
"But"
"But, but, give it to me; keep a few pence for necessity, and let me manage the rest."
Don Abbondio obeyed, and drawing his treasure from his strong box, gave it to Perpetua. "I will bury it in the garden, at the foot of the fig-tree," said she, as she disappeared. She returned in a few moments, with a large basket, full of provisions, and a small one, which was empty; into the latter she put a few articles of clothing for herself and master.
"You must take your breviary with you," said she.
"But where are we going?"
"Where every one else goes. We will go into the street, and then we shall hear and see what we must do."
At this moment Agnes entered with a small basket in her hand, and with the air of one about to make an important proposal.
She had decided not to wait the approach of the dangerous guests, alone as she was, and with the gold of the Unknown in her possession; but had remained some time in doubt where to seek an asylum. The residue of the crowns, which in time of famine would have been so great a treasure, was now the principal cause of her anxiety and irresolution; as, under the present circumstances, those who had money were worse off than others; being exposed at the same time to the violence of strangers, and the treachery of their companions. It is true, none knew of the wealth which had thus, as it were, fallen to her from heaven, except Don Abbondio, to whom she had often applied to change a crown, leaving him always some part of it for those more unfortunate than herself. But
