Whiletheill-starredgirlwasthuswalkinginterrifyingsecurityattheedgeoftheprecipice，Trespolo，followinghismaster’swishes，hadestablishedhimselfintheislandasapilgrimfromJerusalem。
Playinghispartandsprinklinghisconversationwithbiblicalphrases，whichcametohimreadily，inhischaracterofex-sacristan，hedistributedabundanceofcharms，woodofthetrueCrossandmilkoftheBlessedVirgin，andallthoseotherinexhaustibletreasuresonwhichtheeagerdevotionofworthypeopledailyfeeds。Hisrelicswerethemoreevidentlyauthenticinthathedidnotsellanyofthem，and，bearinghispovertyinaholymanner，thankedthefaithfulanddeclinedtheiralms。Only，outofregardfortheestablishedvirtueofSolomon，hehadconsentedtobreakbreadwiththefisherman，andwenttotakemealswithhimwiththeregularityofacenobite。Hisabstinencearouseduniversalsurprise：acrustdippedinwater，afewnutsorfigssufficedtokeepthisholymanalive——topreventhim，thatistosay，fromdying。Furthermore，heentertainedNisidabyhistalesofhistravelsandbyhismysteriouspredictions。
Unfortunately，heonlyappearedtowardsevening；forhespenttherestofthedayinausteritiesandinprayers——inotherwords，indrinkinglikeaTurkandsnoringlikeabuffalo。
Onthemorningoftheseventhday，afterthepromisegivenbytheprincetothefisherman’sdaughter，Brancaleonecameintohisservant’sroom，and，shakinghintroughly，criedinhisear，\"Up，odiousmarmot！\"
Trespolo，awakenedsuddenly，rubbedhiseyesinalarm。Thedead，sleepingpeacefullyatthebottomoftheircoffins，willbelessannoyedatthelastdaywhenthetrumpofJudgmentcomestodragthemfromtheirslumbers。Fearhaving，however，immediatelydispersedthedarkcloudsthatoverspreadhiscountenance，hesatup，andaskedwithanappearanceofbewilderment——