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The third week there was no messenger, which not only deprived

them of a desired and expected consolation, but also produced a

thousand uneasy suspicions. Before this, Agnes had thought of

taking a journey home, and this disappointment confirmed her

resolution. Lucy was unwilling to be separated from her mother,

but her anxiety to gain more satisfactory intelligence of Renzo,

and the security she felt in her sacred asylum, reconciled her.

It was therefore agreed between them, that Agnes should wait on

the road the following day for the return of the fishmonger from

Milan, and should ask the favour of a seat in his cart, in order

to go to her mountains. Upon seeing him approach, therefore, she

asked him if Father Christopher had not sent any message by him.

The fishmonger had been occupied the whole day before his

departure in fishing, and had received no message from the friar!