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"She has no near relation but her mother, with whom she lives,"

replied Don Abbondio.

"Is she at home?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Since," replied Frederick, "this poor child cannot yet go home,

it would be a great consolation for her to see her mother; if the

curate of this village does not return before I go to church, I

beg you will desire him to send some prudent person to bring the

good woman hither."

"Perhaps I had better go myself," said Don Abbondio.

"No, no; I have other employment for you."

"Her mother," resumed Don Abbondio, "is a very sensitive woman,

and it will require a good deal of discretion to prepare her for

the meeting."

"That is the reason that I have named some prudent person. You,

however, will be more useful elsewhere," replied the cardinal. He

could have added, had he not been deterred by a regard to the

feelings of the Unknown-"This poor child needs much to behold

some person whom she knows, after so many hours of alarm, and in

such terrible uncertainty of the future."