Pagina 726 di 1118

Agnes and Lucy heard an increasing murmur in the street; and

whilst they were surmising the cause, the door opened, and,

behold, the cardinal and the curate!

"Is this she?" asked the former of the curate, and at a sign in

the affirmative he approached Lucy, who with her mother was

standing, motionless and mute with surprise and extreme

diffidence: but the tones of the voice, the countenance, and

above all, the words of Frederick, soon removed their

embarrassment. "Poor young woman," said he, "God has permitted

you to be subjected to a great trial; but he has also made you

see that he watches over you, and has never forgotten you. He has

saved you, and in addition to that blessing, has made use of you

to accomplish a great work through you, to impart the wonders of

his grace and mercy to one man, and at the same time to comfort

the hearts of many."