Pagina 687 de 1118

The old woman drew the bolt, and holding the door open, the

Unknown let Don Abbondio and the good woman pass in; then closing

the door, and remaining outside himself, he sent away the old

woman to a distant part of the castle. The first appearance of

other persons increased the agitation of Lucy, to whom any change

brought an accession of alarm. She looked, and beholding a priest

and a female, felt somewhat reassured; she looked again! Can it

be? Recognising Don Abbondio, her eyes remained fixed as by the

wand of an enchanter. The kind woman bent over her, and with an

affectionate and anxious countenance, said, "Alas! my poor child!

come, come with us."

"Who are you?" said Lucy,-but, without waiting her reply, she

turned again to Don Abbondio, exclaiming, "Is it you? Is it you

indeed, Signor Curate? Where are we? Oh! unhappy girl! I am no

longer in my right mind!"

"No, no, it is I, in truth; take courage. We have come to take

you away. I am indeed your curate, come for this purpose--"