Pagina 249 di 1118

So saying, he went on before: Lucy blushed; the guide looked at

Agnes, who could not conceal a momentary smile; and they all

three obeyed the command of the friar, and followed him at a

distance. "Who is the signora?" said Agnes, addressing their

conductor.

"The signora," replied he, "is not a nun; that is, not a nun like

the others. She is not the abbess, nor the prioress; for they say

that she is one of the youngest of them; but she is from Adam's

rib, and her ancestors were great people, who came from Spain;

and they call her the signora, to signify that she is a great

lady,-every one calls her so, because they say that in this

monastery they have never had so noble a person; and her

relations down at Milan are very powerful, and in Monza still

more so; because her father is the first lord in the country; for

which reason she can do as she pleases in the convent,-and

moreover people abroad bear her a great respect, and if she

undertakes a thing, she makes it succeed; and if this good father

induces her to take you under her protection, you will be as safe

as at the foot of the altar."