1828.] nahi LONI 
A NIGHT AT SEMPIONE. 
“ Caprrau! and did he believe it?” 
« To be sure he did,” answered the French captain ; “ he loaded both 
pistols, and sate by his daughter’s bed during the whole night.” 
Nothing could exceed the merriment of the jolly little fellow, as he 
sat listening to the narrative of this excellent trick, played upon the 
Englishman. For convenience of laughter, he eased his waistcoat, put 
aside his plate of chamois, and rolling backward and forward in his chair, 
roared long and lustily. 
« Did he stay at Tourtemain, Captain ?” 
« I can’t say ;—he was making for Sempione, and had arranged to be 
here to-night ; but, by the lateness of the hour, I suppose he has given up 
his plan ; and, probably, has advanced no further than Brieg.” 
Crack! crack !—The postlilions whips sounded cheerily at a 
little distance, and wheels were heard quickly descending the hill. 
Almost immediately afterwards, a carriage drew up in front of the little 
hotel, and a loud parley was heard between the travellers and host. 
« Here, quick! Signor Benedetto !” cried the captain, whose national 
curiosity had taken him to the window.— Ma foi! how droll!” 
The little fat man waddled to his companion, and their sagacious heads 
were to be seen for some minutes close together. Mysterious words 
were evidently passing between them, and when they returned to their 
posts by the cheerful stove, the elder repressed the funny fellow’s dis- 
position to giggle by no other sign than a single “hush!” and an im- 
periously raised fore-finger. 
Then in came a tall thin Englishman, well enveloped in handker- 
chiefs and comforters, and with him a fine looking girl, who might be 
his daughter. He was in loud conversation with the landlord. 
“ No beds ?—Then what the devil shall we do ?—Can’t you knock up 
something for the young lady, think ye? I don’t care what you do 
with me.” 
« Why, Sir, every room is occupied, and unless the lady is content to 
share one with a stranger 
« No, no,”—interrupted the gentleman,—* is there no spare room with 
a sofa, now, or some such substitute ?” , 
« Our only one is this chamber, Sir, and I should scarcely like to give 
it up.” ; 
« Well, then, my love, we must go on to the next post-town—” 
“ You'll scarcely be able to do that, Sir, begging your pardon,” here 
oberved mine host, “ for Domo d’Odola is full twenty miles away, and 
it is a woful dark night.” 
“ Then we must sleep in the carriage,” replied the Englishman, with 
a wobegone expression, and the bearing of one about to be martyred. 
“Tf you'll allow me to suggest an amendment of that plan,” here 
interrupted the captain, “ it appears to me very natural and easy for 
se companion to take possession of our bed-room, and you yourself to 
satisfied with barrack quarters with us here by the fire. My friend 
joins with me in the hope that this offer may be accepted.” 
And the little man chuckled, as though the loss of his bed had been 
an approved good joke. 
ce Sy,” 9 ie | the gentleman, “ if I mistake not, I am familiar 
with that face ; and, upon a nearer view, I cannot be deceived in sup- 
posing you to be the kind counsellor of last night, by whose advice I was 
appily rescued from a serious peril. If this be so, I am already your 
