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The nuns, at her solicitation, furnished her with occupation;

and, as from morning till night she plied her needle, her reel,

her beloved but now forsaken reel, recurred to her memory,

bringing with it a throng of painful recollections.

The following week another message was received from Father

Christopher, confirming the flight of Renzo, but with regard to

the extent or nature of his misdemeanor, there was no further

information. The friar had hoped for satisfaction on this point

from his brother at Milan, to whom he had recommended him; but

had received for answer that he had neither seen the young man,

nor received the letter; that some one from abroad had been at

the convent to ask for him, and not finding him there, had gone

away.