第825页 / 共1118页

Lucy, with a voice trembling from shame, grief, and from as much

indignation as her gentle disposition and humble station

permitted her, declared and protested, that in her village this

poor youth had always acted peaceably and honourably, and had

obtained a good reputation. "She wished," she said, "that one of

his countrymen were present to bear testimony to the truth." Even

respecting the events at Milan, of which, 'twas true, she knew

not the details, she defended him, and solely on account of the

acquaintance she had had with his habits from infancy. She

defended him (or rather, she meant to defend him) from the pure

duty of charity, from love of truth, and as being her neighbour.

But Donna Prassede deduced, from this defence, new arguments to

convince Lucy, that this man still held a place in her heart, of

which he was not worthy.