पृष्ठ 706 / 1118

It seemed to her that such infidelity would certainly draw upon

her new and more terrible evils, and if these should indeed be

its consequences she could no longer hope for an answer to her

prayers; she therefore hastened to abjure her momentary regret,

and drawing the chaplet reverently from her neck, and holding it

in her trembling hand, she confirmed her vow; at the same time

fervently praying to God that he would grant her strength to

fulfil it, and to drive from her thoughts circumstances which

might, if they did not move her resolution, still increase but

too much the severity of the sacrifice. The absence of Renzo,

without any probability of his return, which had at first been so

bitter, appeared now to her a design of Providence, to make the

two events conduce to the same end, and she endeavoured to find

in one a consolation for the other.