Pagina 512 di 1118

As he came out of the inn at which he had rested, to proceed on

his journey, he saw, lying near the door, two women: the one was

elderly, and the other more youthful, with an infant in her arms,

which was in vain seeking sustenance from its exhausted mother;

both were of the complexion of death: by them stood a man, whose

countenance and limbs gave signs of former vigour; now lost from

long inanition. All three stretched forth their hands, but spoke

not-what prayer could be so moving as their appearance. Renzo

sighed; "There is a Providence," said he, as he placed in the

nearest hand the last remnant of his wealth.