In the village I am generally called Maestro Paolo.

I had a surname once, though a very equivocal one; and I have forgotten THAT since I retired from the world." "And was it from disgust, from poverty, or from some--some ebullition of passion which entailed punishment, that you betook yourself to the mountains ?" "Why, signor," said the bravo, with a gay laugh, "hermits of my class seldom love the confessional.

However, I have no secrets while my step is in these defiles, my whistle in my pouch, and my carbine at my back." With that the robber, as if he loved permission to talk at his will, hemmed thrice, and began with much humour; though, as his tale proceeded, the memories it roused seemed to carry him farther than he at first intended, and reckless and light-hearted ease gave way to that fierce and varied play of countenance and passion of gesture which characterise the emotions of his countrymen.
"I was born at Terracina,--a fair spot, is it not?
My father was a learned monk of high birth; my mother--Heaven rest her!--an innkeeper's pretty daughter.

Of course there could be no marriage in the case; and when I was born, the monk gravely declared my appearance to be miraculous.

I was dedicated from my cradle to the altar; and my head was universally declared to be the orthodox shape for a cowl.