settle yourself at your ease

“Tush,” returned Cetoxa, “the same thing has been said of the quack Cagliostro,— mere fables. I will believe them when I see this diamond turn to a wisp of hay. For the rest,” he added gravely, “I consider this illustrious gentleman my friend; and a whisper against his honour and repute will in future be equivalent to an affront to myself.” Cetoxa was a redoubted swordsman, and excelled in a peculiarly awkward manoeuvre, which he himself had added to the variations of the stoccata. The grave gentleman, however anxious for the spiritual weal of the count, had an equal regard for his own corporeal safety. He contented himself with a look of compassion, and, turning through the gateway, ascended the stairs to the gaming-tables. “Ha, ha!” said Cetoxa, laughing, “our good Loredano is envious of my diamond. Gentlemen, you sup with me to-night. I assure you I never met a more delightful, sociable, entertaining person, than my dear friend the Signor Zanoni.” Part 1 Chapter 5 Quello Ippogifo, grande e strano augello Lo porta via. “Orlando Furioso,” c. vi. xviii. (That hippogriff, great and marvellous bird, bears him away.) And now, accompanying this mysterious Zanoni, am I compelled to bid a short farewell to Naples. Mount behind me,— mount on my hippogriff, reader; settle yourself at your ease. I bought the pillion the other day of a poet who loves his comfort; it has been newly stuffed for your special accommodation. So, so, we ascend! Look as we ride aloft,— look!— never fear, hippogriffs never stumble; and every hippogriff in Italy is warranted to carry elderly gentlemen,— look down on the gliding landscapes! There, near the ruins of the Oscan’s old Atella, rises Aversa, once the stronghold of the Norman; there gleam the columns of Capua, above the Vulturnian Stream.