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She was a rich tradeswoman, about thirty years of age: she had

beheld her husband and children die of the plague. Attacked by it

herself, she had been brought to the lazaretto, and placed in the

cabin with Lucy, who was just beginning to recover her senses,

which had forsaken her from the commencement of her attack in the

house of Don Ferrante. The humble roof could only accommodate two

guests, and there grew up, in their affliction, a strict and

intimate friendship between them. They derived great consolation

from each other's society, and had pledged themselves not to

separate, after quitting the lazaretto. The good woman, whose

wealth was now far more ample than were her desires, wished to

retain Lucy with her as a daughter: the proposition was received

with gratitude, and accepted, on condition of the permission and

approval of Agnes.