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"Oh, I shall certainly return. If I were only sure of not

returning alone! I hope for the best."

"Well, I join in your hopes; if God wills, we will work, and live

together here. Heaven grant you may find me here, and that this

devilish disease may have ceased."

"We shall meet again, we shall meet again, I am sure."

"I say again, God bless you."

In a few days Renzo, finding his strength sufficiently restored,

prepared for his departure; he put on a girdle in which he placed

the fifty crowns sent him by Agnes, together with his own small

savings; he took under his arm a small bundle of clothes, and

secured in his pocket his certificate of good conduct from his

second master; and having armed himself with a good knife, a

necessary appendage to an honest man in those days, he commenced

his journey towards the end of August, three days after Don

Roderick had been carried to the lazaretto. He took the road to

Lecco, before venturing into Milan, as he hoped to find Agnes

there, and learn from her some little of what he desired so much

to know.