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"But, nevertheless, if you had not bound yourself for ever,

provided no misfortune has happened to Renzo, with this money, I

would have found a remedy for all our other evils."

"But, my mother, would this money have been ours if I had not

passed that terrible night? It is God's will that all should be

thus; his will be done!" And her voice became inarticulate

through tears.

At this unexpected argument, Agnes maintained a mournful silence.

After some moments, Lucy, suppressing her sobs, resumed,-"Now

that the thing is done, we must submit cheerfully; and you, dear

mother, you can aid me, first in praying to the Lord for your

poor daughter, and then it is necessary that Renzo should know

it. When you ascertain where he is, have him written to, find a

man,-your cousin Alessio, for instance, who is prudent and kind,

who has always wished us well, and who will not tattle. Make

Alessio write to him, and inform him of the circumstance as it

occurred, where I was, and how I suffered; tell him that God has

ordered it thus, and that he must set his heart at rest; that, as

for me, I can never be united to any one. Make him understand the

matter clearly; when he knows that I have promised the Virgin--he

always has been pious--And you, as soon as you hear from him, get

some one to write to me, let me know that he is safe and

well--and, nothing more."