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"Do you think," said Agnes, "that the thirty years I was in the

world before you, I learned nothing? The thing is as I tell you."

The fact was truly such as Agnes represented it; marriages

contracted in this manner were at that time held valid. Such an

expedient was, however, not recurred to, but in cases of great

necessity, and the priests made use of every precaution to avoid

this compulsive co-operation.

"If it be true, Lucy!" said Renzo, regarding her attentively,

with a supplicating expression.

"If it be true!" exclaimed Agnes. "Do you think I would say that

which is not true? Well, well, get out of the difficulty as you

can, I wash my hands from it."

"Ah, no! do not abandon us!" said Renzo; "I mean not to suggest a

doubt of it. I place myself in your hands; I look to you as to a

mother."

The momentary anger of Agnes vanished.

"But why, mamma," said Lucy, in her usual modest tone, "why did

not Father Christopher think of this?"