Page 828 of 1118

There did follow them, however, such agitation, such uneasy

awakening of slumbering thoughts, that much time and effort were

requisite to restore her to any degree of tranquillity.

It was a happiness for Lucy that Donna Prassede's sphere of

usefulness was somewhat extensive; consequently these tiresome

conversations could not be so frequently repeated. Besides her

immediate household, composed, according to her opinion, of

persons that had more or less need of correction and regulation;

and besides all the other occasions which presented themselves

for her rendering the same office from pure benevolence to

persons who required not the duty at her hands; she had five

daughters, neither of whom lived at home, but they gave her the

more trouble from that very cause. Three were nuns; and two were

married. Donna Prassede consequently had three monasteries and

two families to govern; a vast and complicated machinery, and the

more troublesome, as two husbands, supported by a numerous

kindred, three abbesses, defended by other dignitaries, and a

great number of nuns, would not accept her superintendence.