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“From the same day they will live together like good neighbors and
companions, as their parents did before this unfortunate occurrence, which has
brought disunion between their families and friends.

“In faith of which, they have signed these presents, under the portico of the
village church, with Signor Paolo Arbori, Mayor of the Community, Signor Lucien
de Franchi, Arbiter, the witnesses of both parties, and ourselves the Notary,

“Sullacaro, this 9th day of March, 1841.”

It gave me pleasure to observe, with what excessive prudence the Notary had
avoided mentioning a single word about the hen, which placed Colonna in so bad a
position before Orlandini.

After the reading of the deed, Colonna’s face brightened up, while
Orlandini’s brow grew darker; he evidently looked at the hen as if he felt the
most violent desire of throwing it into Colonna’s face; but a glance from Lucien
de Franchi prevented the execution of this bad design.

The Mayor saw that there was no time to be lost; he stepped back, still
keeping the two hands joined in each other, and not losing sight of the newly
reconciled men for a single moment.

Then, in order to prevent a new discussion at the moment of signing, as
either of the parties might have considered it a concession to sign first, he
took the pen, signed his name, and offered it to Orlandini, thus preventing any
hesitation by conferring an honor, Orlandini took the pen, signed, and presented
it to Lucien, who, using the same peaceable subterfuge, passed it on in his turn
to Colonna, who last of all made his cross.

At this moment solemn music was heard from the church, sounding like the Te
Deum sung after a victory.

We then all signed without any distinction of rank or title, just as the
nobility of France had, 123 years before, signed the protestation against the
Duc du Maine.

The two heroes of the day now entered the church, and knelt down on each side
of the choir, at the places which had been reserved for them.

I saw that, from this moment only, Lucien became calm. All was over, the
reconciliation was sworn, not only before men, but also before God.

The remainder of divine service passed over without any occurrence worth
relating.

After the mass was ended, Orlandini and Colonna walked out with the same
ceremony. At the door, by the request of the Mayor, they again touched each
other’s hands. Then each of them, accompanied by their several friends and
relations, walked up to his own house, which for the last three years neither of
them had entered.

As for Lucien and myself, we returned to Signora de Franchi, where dinner was
waiting for us.

It was easy for me to see by the increased attention of which I was the
object, that Lucien had read my name when I signed the deed of reconciliation,
and that this name was not quite unknown to him.

In the morning I announced to Lucien, my intention of leaving immediately
after dinner.

I was anxiously expected at Paris for the rehearsal of “Un Mariage sous Louis
XV,” and notwithstanding the entreaties of mother and son, firmly adhered to my
first decision.

Lucien then asked the permission of writing to his brother, and Madame de
Franchi, who with an appearance of classical severity still possessed all the
tenderness of a mother’s heart, made me promise that I would deliver it to her
son with my own hand.

This was certainly no great trouble, as Louis de Franchi, like a true
Parisian, lived at No. 7, Rue du Helder.

I requested permission to see Lucien’s room once more. He took me there
himself, and pointing with his hand to all its contents,

“You know, said he, “that if any thing here pleases you, you must take it,
for it is yours.”

I took down a small poniard which was suspended in a corner sufficiently
obscure to convince me that it was not of much value: and as I had seen him
throw a glance of admiration on my hunting girdle, and heard him praise its
arrangement, I begged him to accept it. He had the good sense to take it,
without malting me repeat my request.