he must picture to himself a young, stout fellow, whose limbs
perhaps might have been thought not ill-formed, had not the most
horrible countenance that ever was invented by a caricaturist, or
that Milton could have adapted to the ugliest of his fallen angels,
entirely marred the advantages of his person. Black and shining,
but long and straight, his hair flew wildly about his brown neck and
yellow face. His mouth so wide, that his gums and discoloured teeth
were visible, and a kind of convulsive twist, which scarcely ever
was at rest, had formed its expression into an internal grin. His
eye, for he had but one, was sunk deep into his head, and little
more than the white of it was visible, and even that little was
overshadowed by the protrusion of his dark and bushy eyebrow. In
the union of his features were found collected in one hideous
assemblage all the most coarse and uncouth traits which had ever
been exhibited singly in wooden cuts, and the observer was left in
doubt whether this repulsive physiognomy expressed stupidity of
intellect, or maliciousness of heart, or whether it implied them
both together.

"Now, then, I am satisfied," roared Abellino, and dashed the still
full goblet upon the ground. "Speak! what would you know of me? I
am ready to give you answers."

"The first thing," replied Matteo, "the first thing necessary is to
give us a proof of your strength, for this is of material importance
in our undertakings. Are you good at wrestling?"

"I know not; try me."

Cinthia removed the table.