"There is something for you in this trunk, my dear Colomba," said he.
"You must excuse the modesty of my gifts. A lieutenant on half-pay
hasn't a very well-lined purse!"
As he spoke, he opened the trunk, and took out of it a few gowns, a
shawl, and some other things likely to be useful to a young girl.
"What beautiful things!" cried Colomba. "I'll put them away at once, for
fear they should be spoiled. I'll keep them for my wedding," she added,
with a sad smile, "for I am in mourning now!"
And she kissed her brother's hand.
"It looks affected, my dear sister, to wear your mourning for so long."
"I have sworn an oath," said Colomba resolutely, "I'll not take off my
mourning. . . ." And her eyes were riveted on the Barricini mansion.
"Until your wedding day?" said Orso, trying to avoid the end of her
sentence.
"I shall never marry any man," said Colomba, "unless he has done three
things . . ." And her eyes still rested gloomily on the house of the
enemy.
"You are so pretty, Colomba, that I wonder you are not married already!
Come, you must tell me about your suitors. And besides, I'm sure to hear
their serenades.
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