was following the track.

But the encampment below me engrossed all my eyes. In that windless
hollow a thin spire of smoke rose blue towards the blue. An iron pot was
suspended on three poles; the smoke hugged it closely, united above it,
and rose in a column. The couple, a young man and woman, sat still,
watching it. Their meal was ended, I judged, and they were summoning
resolution for the road. The woman, with a pretty, weary gesture, put
her head upon the man's shoulder. He embraced her with his arm, bent his
head and kissed her. Stooping yet lower, he kissed her lap. I saw that
she had a child asleep there. Just then both of them heard, as I did,
the horse's hoof strike on a stone. They both started, and looked up
towards me. My heart stood still, my tongue clove to the roof of my
mouth. Those two were Belviso and Virginia--and the child! the child! In
a flash of instantaneous reflection I remembered that a year ago Belviso
had gone to Lucca to find Virginia, had reported her to me as not there,
and at Arezzo had asked leave to seek her again.

Oh, monstrous thought! Oh, monstrous thinker, Francis! But I was
incapable of justice or reason. I thought here to see the mockery of
God; and I, who imagined so wickedly, went on to deal wickedness.

I strode down the hill upon them without a word, my eyes blazing like
coals. Both recognised me at the same moment. Virginia stood up, holding
her child close to her, but never budged; Belviso cried, "Master!" and
started towards me. When he saw with what countenance I was coming, he
faltered and stood ill at ease. In my blind fury I put this down to his
guilt; good God, what more did I meditate? Oh, horrible! I stopped and
cocked my pistol.