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"Have you no other motive for preventing the fulfilment of your

promise to Renzo?"

"As to that--for myself--what motive?-no other," replied Lucy,

with a hesitation which implied any thing rather than

uncertainty; and a blush passed over her pale and lovely

countenance.

"Do you believe," resumed the old man, "that God has given the

church authority to remit the obligations that man may have

contracted to him?"

"Yes, I believe it."

"Learn, then, that the care of souls in this place, being

committed to us, we have the most ample powers from the church;

and I can, if you ask it, free you from the obligation you have

contracted by this vow."

"But is it not a sin to repent of a promise made to the Virgin?"

said Lucy, violently agitated by unexpected hope.