Pagina 1029 van 1118

But the joy of Renzo at seeing the good father was not unalloyed.

It was he indeed; but, alas! how changed! how wan! Exhausted

nature appeared to be sustained for a while by the mind, that had

acquired new vigour from the perpetual demand on its sympathies

and activity.

"Oh, Father Christopher!" said Renzo, when he was near enough to

speak to him.

"You here!" said the friar, rising.

"How are you, my father, how are you?"

"Better than these unfortunate beings that you see," replied the

friar. His voice was feeble-hollow and changed as his person. His

eye alone "had not lost its original brightness"-benevolence and

charity appeared to have imparted to it a lustre superior to that

which bodily weakness was gradually extinguishing.

"But you," pursued he, "why are you here? Why do you thus come to

brave the pestilence?"

"I have had it, thank Heaven! I come--in search of--Lucy."

"Lucy! Is Lucy here?"

"Yes. At least I hope so."

"Is she thy wife?"