The rest of the floor was hired by a very rich gentleman who was supposed to be a Sicilian or Maltese; but the host was unable to decide to which of the two nations the traveller belonged.

"Very good, signor Pastrini," said Franz; "but we must have some supper instantly, and a carriage for tomorrow and the following days." "As to supper," replied the landlord, "you shall be served immediately; but as for the carriage"-- "What as to the carriage ?" exclaimed Albert.

"Come, come, Signor Pastrini, no joking; we must have a carriage." "Sir," replied the host, "we will do all in our power to procure you one--this is all I can say." "And when shall we know ?" inquired Franz.
"To-morrow morning," answered the inn-keeper.
"Oh, the deuce! then we shall pay the more, that's all, I see plainly enough.

At Drake's or Aaron's one pays twenty-five lire for common days, and thirty or thirty-five lire a day more for Sundays and feast days; add five lire a day more for extras, that will make forty, and there's an end of it." "I am afraid if we offer them double that we shall not procure a carriage." "Then they must put horses to mine.

It is a little worse for the journey, but that's no matter." "There are no horses." Albert looked at Franz like a man who hears a reply he does not understand.
"Do you understand that, my dear Franz--no horses ?" he said, "but can't we have post-horses ?" "They have been all hired this fortnight, and there are none left but those absolutely requisite for posting." "What are we to say to this ?" asked Franz.
"I say, that when a thing completely surpasses my comprehension, I am accustomed not to dwell on that thing, but to pass to another.