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"That is but too true," said the cardinal; "I will enquire about

him, without doubt." He took a memorandum of the name of the

young man, adding that he expected to be at their village in a

few days; that during his sojourn there, Lucy could return home

without fear, and in the mean while he would procure her an

asylum till all was arranged for the best.

Turning to the master and mistress of the house, they came

forward; he renewed the thanks he had addressed to them by the

mouth of the curate, and asked them if they would be willing to

keep the guests God had sent them for a few days.