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She avoided as much as possible replying to the repeated

enquiries of the signora on that part of her history, which

preceded the promise of marriage; to her modesty and innocence it

appeared an impossible thing to converse freely on such a

subject. Gertrude was often tempted to quarrel with her shyness,

but how could she? Lucy was nevertheless so respectful, so

grateful, so trusting! Sometimes her shrinking and susceptible

modesty might displease her, from other motives; but all was lost

in the sweetness of the thought that to Lucy, if to no other

human being, she was doing good. And this was true; for besides

the asylum she afforded her, her conversation and endearments

encouraged the timid mind of the maiden; whose only other

resource was constant employment.