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After the strongest expressions of pity and horror at the

misfortunes of Lucy; "Write," pursued he, "that I do not wish to

set my heart at rest, and that I never will; that this is not

advice to give me; and that, moreover, I will never touch the

money, but will keep it in trust, as the dowry of the young girl;

that Lucy belongs to me, and that I will not abide by her vow;

that I have always heard that the Virgin interests herself in our

affairs, for the purpose of aiding the afflicted, and obtaining

favour for them; but that I have never heard that she will

protect those who do evil, and fail to perform their promises;

say that, as such cannot be the case, her vow is good for

nothing; that with this money we can establish ourselves here,

and that, if our affairs are now a little perplexed, it is a

storm which will soon pass away."