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But, you would have eagerly listened to the holy and noble

anxiety for the safety of others, for the safety of your

children; you would have been unable to find a moment of repose;

you would have been impelled, constrained to do all that you

could to avert the evil that threatened them. With what then has

this love, this anxiety, inspired you? What have you done for

them? How have you been engaged in their service?"

And he paused for a reply.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Don Abbondio uttered not a word. It must be confessed that we

ourselves, who have nothing to fear but the criticisms of our

readers, feel a degree of repugnance in thus urging the

unfashionable precepts of charity, courage, indefatigable

solicitude for others, and unlimited sacrifice of self. But the

reflection that these things were said by a man who practised

what he preached, encourages us to proceed in our relation.