At last they subsided into a natural position, and led the way to the curate's house, not twenty yards from the church, in a narrow alley.

The Prince pulled the bell by the long chain which hung beside the open street door, and gave the boys the promised coppers.
They did not leave him, however, but stood by to see what would happen.
An old woman looked out of an upper window, and after surveying the Prince with care, called down to him-- "What do you want ?" "Is the Padre Curato at home ?" "Of course he is at home," screamed the old woman, "At this hour!" she added, contemptuously.
"_Ebbene_--can I see him ?" "What! is the door shut ?" returned the hag.
"No." "Then why don't you come up without asking ?" The old woman's head disappeared, and the window was shut with a clattering noise.
"She is a woman without education," remarked one of the ragged boys, making a face towards the closed window.
The Prince entered the door and stumbled up the dark stairs, and after some further palaver obtained admittance to the curate's lodging.

The curate sat in a room which appeared to serve as dining-room, living-room, and study.

A small table was spread with a clean cloth, upon which were arranged a plate, a loaf of bread, a battered spoon, a knife, and a small measure of thin-looking wine.

A brass lamp with three wicks, one of which only was burning, shed a feeble light through the poor apartment.