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"Truly-if your illustrious lordship knew-what terrible orders I

received-" and he stopped, indicating by his manner, though

respectfully, that it would be imprudent in the cardinal to

enquire farther.

"But," said Frederick, in a tone of much more gravity than he was

accustomed to employ, "it is your bishop, who, from a sense of

duty, and for your own justification, would learn from you, why

you have not done that which, in the ordinary course of events,

it was your strict duty to do?"

"My lord," said Don Abbondio, "I do not mean to say,-but it

appears to me, that as these things are now without remedy, it is

useless to stir them up-However, however, I say, that I am sure

your illustrious lordship would not betray a poor curate,

because, you see, my lord, your illustrious lordship cannot be

every where present, and I-I remain here, exposed-However, if you

order me, I will tell all."

"Speak; I ask for nothing but to find you free from blame."