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At the degrading portrait which the old lady drew of him, the

habitual feelings of her heart, with regard to him, and her

knowledge and estimate of his character, revived with double

force and distinctness. Her recollections, which she had had so

much difficulty in subduing, returned vividly to her imagination;

in proportion to the aversion and contempt manifested by Donna

Prassede towards the unfortunate youth, just in such proportion

did she recall her former motives for esteem and sympathy; this

blind and violent hatred excited in her heart stronger pity and

tenderness. Such conversations could not be much prolonged

without resolving Lucy's words into tears.