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"At present," replied Don Abbondio, "she can come and remain for

a while. I say, at present, but," added he with a sigh, "your

illustrious lordship should be always near at hand."

"God is always present," said the cardinal. "But I will use my

efforts to secure a place of safety for her."

Before dismissing Don Abbondio, he ordered him to send a litter,

on the following day, for Lucy and her mother.

Don Abbondio went away quite pleased that the cardinal had talked

to him of the young couple, without even alluding to his refusal

to marry them. "He knows nothing of it," said he; "Agnes has kept

silence! wonderful! She will see him again, 'tis true, but she

shall have further instructions from me, so she shall." He little

thought, poor man, that Frederick had only deferred the enquiry

until he should have more leisure to learn the reasons of his

conduct.

But the solicitude of the good prelate for the disposal of Lucy

had been rendered useless, by a circumstance which we will

relate.