Once more I lit my cigar, and stretched myself out to take some rest.

The constant strain on the nerves was becoming very wearing, and I knew very well that on the morrow I should need bleeding and mallows tea.
Hardly was I settled and comfortable when I heard that dreadful bell again.
"This is the day of the resurrection indeed," cried Mariuccia frantically from the kitchen.

And she hurried to the door.

But I cannot describe to you the screams of joy and the strange sounds, between laughing and crying, that her leathern throat produced when she found Nino and Hedwig on the landing, waiting for admission.

And when Nino explained that he had been married, and that this beautiful lady with the bright eyes and the golden hair was his wife, the old woman fairly gave way, and sat upon a chair in an agony of amazement and admiration.