On they came, and she determined
to offer them a lunch at her own expense; having faith that
gentleness and courtesy was the best protection from injury.
Accordingly, as soon as they arrived, and rushed boisterously
into the _osteria_, she rose, and said to the _padrone_, 'Give
these good men wine and bread on my account; for, after their
ride, they must need refreshment.' Immediately, the noise and
confusion subsided; with respectful bows to her, they seated
themselves and partook of the lunch, giving her an account of
their journey. When she was ready to go, and her _vettura_ was
at the door, they waited upon her, took down the steps,
and assisted her with much gentleness and respectfulness of
manner, and she drove off, wondering how men with such natures
could have the reputation they had. And, so far as we could
gather, except in this instance, their conduct was of a most
disorderly kind.
"Again, on another occasion, she showed how great was her
power over rude men. This was when two _contadini_ at Rieti,
being in a violent quarrel, had rushed upon each other with
knives.
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