 chapter 24 part 3 of the betroth. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading done by Jules Harlock of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Betroth by Alexandro Manzoni chapter 24 part 3. Dinner being removed, the two again withdrew together. After a conversation which lasted much longer than the first, the unnamed set off anew for his castle on the same mule which had borne him thither in the morning, and the cardinal calling the priest of the parish told him that he wished to be guided to the house where Lucia had found shelter. Oh, my Lord, replied the parish priest, allow me and I will send directly to bid the young girl come here, with her mother if she has arrived and their host too, if my Lord wishes. Indeed, all that your illustrious grace desires to see. I wish to go myself to see them, replied the Betroth. There is no necessity for your illustrious lordship to give yourself that trouble. I will send directly to fetch them. It's very quickly done, insisted the persevering spoiler of his plans. A worthy man on the whole, not comprehending that the cardinal wished by this visit to do honor at once to the unfortunate girl, to innocence, to hospitality, and to his own ministry. But the superior having again expressed the same desire, the inferior bowed and led the way. When the two companions were seen to enter the street, everyone immediately gathered round them, and in a few moments people flocked from every direction, forming two wings at their sides, and the train behind. The curate officially repeated, come, come, keep back, keep off, bye, bye. Federigo, however, forbade him. Let them alone, let them alone, and he walked on, now raising his hand to bless the people, now lowering it to fondle the children who gathered round his feet. In this way they reached the house and entered, the crowd hedging round the door outside. In this crowd the tailor also found himself, having followed behind, like the rest, with eager eyes and open mouth, not knowing where they were going. When he saw, however, this unexpected wear, he forced the throng to make way. It may be imagined with what bustle, crying over and over again, make way for one who has the right to pass, and so went into the house. Agnes and Lucia heard an increasing murmur in the street, and while wondering what it could be, saw the door thrown open and admit the purple-clad prelate, and the priest of the parish. Is this she demanded Federigo of the curate, and on receiving a sign in the affirmative, he advanced towards Lucia, who was holding back with her mother, both of them motionless and mute with surprise and bashfulness. But the tone of his voice, the countenance, the behavior, and above all the words of Federigo quickly reanimated them. Poor girl, he began, God has permitted you to be put to a great trial. But he has surely shown you that his eye was still over you, that he has not forgotten you. He has restored you in safety, and has made use of you for a great work to show infinite mercy to one and to relieve, at the same time, many others. Here the mistress of the house came into the apartment, who, at the bustle outside, had gone to the window upstairs and seeing who was entering the house hastily ran down after slightly arranging her dress, and almost at the same moment the tailor made his appearance at another door. Seeing their guests engaged in conversation, they quietly withdrew into one corner and waited there with profound respect. The cardinal, having courteously saluted them, continued to talk to the women, mingling with his words of comfort, many inquiries, thinking he might possibly gather from their replies some way of doing good to one who had undergone so much suffering. It would be well if all priests were like your lordship if they would sometimes take the part of the poor and not to help put them into difficulties to get themselves out, said Agnes, emboldened by the kind and affable behavior of Federico, and annoyed at the thought that the Signor Don Abundidio, after having sacrificed others on every occasion, should now even attempt to forbid their giving vent to their feelings, and complaining to one who was set in authority over him, when by an unusual chance the occasion for doing so presented itself. Just say all that you think, said the cardinal. Speak freely. I mean to say that if our Signor Curate had done his duty, things wouldn't have gone as they have. But the cardinal renewing his request that she should explain herself more fully, she began to feel rather perplexed at having to relate a story in which she, too, had borne a part she did not care to make known, especially to such a man. However, she contrived to manage it with the help of a little curtailing. She related the intended match, and the refusal of Don Abundidio, nor was she silent on the pretext of the superiors which he had brought forward. Ah, Agnes! And then she skipped on to Don Rodrigo's attempt, and how, having been warned of it, they had been able to make their escape. But indeed added she in conclusion, we only escaped to be again caught in the snare. If instead, the Signor Curate had honestly told us the whole, and had immediately married my poor children, we would have gone away altogether directly, privately, and far enough off to a place where not even the wind would have known us. But in this way time was lost, and now has happened what has happened. The Signor Curate shall render me an account of this matter, said the Cardinal. Oh, no, Signor, no, replied Agnes. I didn't speak on that account. Don't scold him for what is done is done, and besides it would do no good. It is his nature, and on another occasion he would do just the same. But Lucia dissatisfied with this way of relating the story added, we have also done wrong. It shows it was not the Lord's will that the plan should succeed. What can you have done wrong, my poor girl, asked Federigo. And in spite of the threatening glances which her mother tried to give her secretly, Lucia, in her turn, related the history of their attempt in Don Abandido's house, and concluded by saying, we have done wrong, and God has punished us for it. Take, as from his hand, the sufferings you have undergone and be of good courage, said Federigo, for who have reason to rejoice and be hopeful, but those who have suffered and are ready to accuse themselves. He then asked where was the betrothed, and hearing from Agnes, Lucia stood silent with her head bent and downcast eyes. How he had been outlawed, he felt an express surprise and dissatisfaction, and asked why it was. Agnes stammered out what little she knew of Renzo's history. I have heard speak of this youth, said the Cardinal, but how happens it that a man involved in affairs of this sort is in treaty of marriage with this young girl? He was a worthy youth, said Lucia, blushing but in a firm voice. He was even too quiet a lad, added Agnes, and you may ask this of anybody you like, even of the senior curate. Who knows what confusion they may have made down there? What intrigues? It takes little to make poor people seem rogues. Indeed, it is true, said the Cardinal. I'll certainly make inquiries about him, and learning the name and residence of the youth, he made a memorandum of them on his tablets. He added that he expected to be at their village in a few days, that then Lucia might go thither without fear, and that in the meanwhile he would think about providing her some secure retreat till everything was arranged for the best. Then, turning to the master and mistress of the house, who immediately came forward, he renewed the acknowledgment which he had already conveyed through the priest of the parish, and asked them whether they were willing to receive for a few days the guest which God has sent them. Oh, yes, sir, replied the woman in a tone of voice and with a look which meant much more than the bare words seemed to express. But her husband, quite excited by the presence of a such an interrogator, and by the wish to do him honor and so important an occasion, anxiously sought for some fine reply. He wrinkled his forehead strained and squinted with his eyes, compressed his lips, stretched his intellect to its utmost extent, strove fumbled about in his mind, and there found an overwhelming medley of unfinished ideas and half-formed words. But time pressed, the Cardinal signified that he had already interpreted his silence. The poor man opened his mouth and pronounced the words, you may imagine. At this point not another word would occur to him. His failure not only disheartened and vexed him at the moment, but the tormenting remembrance ever after spoiled his complacency in the great honor he had received, and how often, in thinking it over, and fancening himself again in the same circumstances, did numberless words crowd upon his mind, as it were, out of spite, any of which would have been better than that silly, you may imagine, but are not the very ditches full of wisdom too late. The Cardinal took his leave, saying, the blessing of God be upon this house. The same evening he asked the curate in what way he could best compensate to the tailor, who certainly could not be rich, for the expenses he must have incurred, especially in these times by his hospitality. The curate replied that, in truth, neither the profits of his business nor the produce of some small fields which the good tailor owned would be enough this year to allow of his being liberal to others. But that, having laid by a little in the preceding years, he was among the most easy in circumstances in the neighborhood, and could afford to do a kindness without inconvenience, as he certainly would with all his heart, and that under any circumstances he would deem it an insult to be offered money in compensation. He will probably, said the Cardinal, have demands on people unable to pay. You may judge yourself, my most illustrious Lord, these poor people pay from the over-plus of the harvest. Last year there was no over-plus, and this one, everybody falls short of absolute necessaries. Very well replied Federigo, I will take all these debts upon myself, and you will do me the pleasure of getting from him a list of sums and discharging them for me. It will be a tolerable sum. So much the better and you will have, I dare say, many more wretched and almost destitute of clothing, who have no debts because they can get no credit. Alas, too many, one does what one can, but how can we supply all in times like these. Tell him to clothe them at my expense and pay him well. Really, this year, all that does not go for bread seems a kind of robbery, but this is a particular case. We cannot close the history of this day without briefly relating how the unnamed concluded it. This time the report of his conversion had preceded him in the valley, and quickly spreading throughout it had excited among all the inhabitants consternation, anxiety, and angry whisperings. To the first bravos or servants, it mattered not which whom he met, he made signs that they should follow him, and so on, on either hand. All fell behind with unusual perplexity of mine, but with their accustomed submission, so that with the continually increasing train he at length reached the castle. He beckoned to those who were loitering about the gate to follow him with the others, entered the first court, went towards the middle, and here seated all the while on his saddle uttered one of his thundering calls. It was the accustomed signal at which all his dependents who were within hearing immediately flocked towards him. In a moment all those who were scattered throughout the castle attended to the summons and mingled with this already assembled party, gazing eagerly at their master. Go and wait for me in the great hall, said he, and from his higher station on horseback he watched them all move off. He then dismounted, led the animal to the stable himself, and repaired to the room where he was expected. On his appearance a loud whispering was instantly hushed, and retiring to one side they left a large space in the hall quite clear for him. There may have been perhaps about thirty. The unnamed raised his hand as if to preserve the silence his presence had already created. Raised his head, which towered above all those of the assemblage, and said, Listen, all of you, and let no one speak unless I bid him. My friends, the path we have hitherto followed leads to the depths of hell. I do not mean to abrade you, I who have been foremost of you all, the worst of all, but listen to what I have to say. The merciful God has called me to change my life, and I will change it. I have already changed it. So may he do with you all. Know then, and hold it for certain, that I am resolved rather to die than to do anything more against his holy laws. I revoke all the wicked commands you may any of you have received from me. You understand me, indeed, I command you not to do anything I have before commanded, and hold it equally certain that no one from this time forward shall do evil with my sanction in my service. He who will remain with me under these conditions shall be to me as a son, and I shall feel happy at the close of that day in which I shall not have eaten, that I may supply the last of you with the last loaf I have left in the house. He who does not wish to remain shall receive what is due of his salary, and an additional gift he may go away, but must never again set foot here, unless it be to change his life. For this purpose he shall always be received with open arms. Think about it tonight. Tomorrow morning I will ask you one by one for your reply, and will then give you new orders. For the present, retire, everyone to his post, and God who has exercised such mercy towards me, incline you to do good resolutions. Here he ceased, and all continued silent. How various and tumultuous, so ever, might be the thoughts at work in their hardened minds, they gave no outward demonstration of emotion. They were accustomed to receive the voice of their master as the declaration of a will from which there was no appeal. And that voice announcing that the will was changed in no way denoted that it was enfeebled. It never crossed the mind of one of them that, because he was converted, they might therefore assume over him, and reply to him as to another man. They beheld in him a saint, but one of those saints who are depicted with a lofty brow, and a sword in their hands. Besides the fear he inspired, they also entertained for him, especially those born in his service, and they were a large proportion, the affection of subjects. They had all, besides a kindly feeling of admiration for him, and experienced in his presence a species of, I will even say, modest humility, such as the rudest and most wanton spirits feel before an authority which they have once recognized. Again the things they had just heard from his lips were doubtless odious to their ears, but neither false nor entirely alien to their understandings. If they had a thousand times ridiculed them, it was not because they disbelieved them, but to obviate by ridicule the fear which any serious consideration of them would have awakened. And now, on seeing the effect of this fear on the mind like that of their master, there was not one who did not either more or less sympathize with him, at least for a little while. In addition to all this, those among them who had first heard the grand news beyond the valley had at the same time witnessed and related the joy, the exultation of the people, the new favor with which the unname was regarded, and the veneration so suddenly exchanged for their former hatred, their former terror, so that in the man whom they had always regarded, so to say, as a superior being, even while they, in a great measure, themselves constituted his strength, they now beheld the wonder, the idol of a multitude, they beheld him exalted above others in a different but not less real manner, ever above the common throng, ever at the head. They stood now confounded, uncertain one of another and each one of himself. Some murmured, some began to plan whether they could go to find shelter and employment, some questioned with themselves whether they could make up their minds to become honest men, some even, moved by his words, felt a sort of inclination to do so, others, without resolving upon anything, proposed to promise everything readily, to remain in the meanwhile where they could share the loathe so willingly offered, and in those days so scarce and thus gain time for decision. No one, however, uttered a syllable, and when, at the close of his speech, the unname again raised his authoritative hand and beckoned to them to disperse, they all moved off in the direction of the door as quietly as a flock of sheep. He followed them out and placing himself in the middle of the courtyard, stood to watch them by the dim evening light as they separated from each other and repaired to their several posts. Then, returning to Fetchalandern, he again traversed the courts, corridors and halls, visited every entrance, and after seeing that all was quiet, at length retired to sleep. Yes, to sleep, because he was sleepy. Never, though he had always industriously courted them, had he, in any conjuncture, been so overburdened with intricate, and at the same time urgent affairs, as at the present moment, yet he was sleepy. The remorse which had robbed him of rest the night before was not only unsubdued, but even spoke more loudly, more sternly, more absolutely, yet he was sleepy. The order, the kind of government established by him in that castle for so many years, with so much care and such a singular union of rashness and perseverance, he had now himself overturned by a few words. The unlimited devotion of his dependents, the readiness for any undertaking, the ruffian-like fidelity on which he had long been accustomed to depend, these he had himself shaken, his various engagements had become a tissue of perplexities, he had brought confusion and uncertainty into his household, yet he was sleepy. He went, therefore, into his chamber, approached that bed, which the night before he had found such a thorny couch, and knelt down at its side with the intention of praying. He found, in fact, in a deep and hidden corner of his mind, the prayers he had been taught to repeat as a child. He began to recite them, and the words so long wrapped up as it were together, flowed one after another as if emerging once more to light. He experienced in this act a mixture of undefined feelings, a kind of soothing pleasure in this actual return to the habits of innocent childhood, a doubly bitter contrition at the thought of the gulf that he had placed between those former days and the present, an ardent desire to attain, by works of expiation, a clear conscience, a state more nearly resembling that of innocence, to which he could never return, together with a feeling of deep gratitude and of confidence in that mercy which could lead him towards it and had already given so many tokens of willingness to do so. Then, rising from his knees, he laid down and was quickly wrapped in sleep. Thus ended a day still so much celebrated when our anonymous author wrote, a day of which, had he not written, nothing would have been known, at least nothing of the particulars. For Ripamonte and Riviola, whom we have quoted above, merely recorded that, after an interview with Fidet Ego, this remarkable tyrant wonderfully changed his course of life and forever, and how few are there who have read the works of these authors. Fewer still are there who will read this of ours. And who knows whether, in the valley itself, if anyone had the inclination to seek and the ability to find it, there now remains the smallest trace, the most confused tradition, of such an event. So many things have taken place since that time. This is a liverbox recording. All liverbox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit liverbox.org. Recording by Jeanne, The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni, Chapter 25, Part 1. Next day, there was no one spoken of in Lucia's village and throughout the whole territory of Lecho but herself, the unnamed, the archbishop, and one other person, who, however ambitious to have his name in men's mouths would willingly, on this occasion, have dispensed with the honor. We mean the senior Don Rodrigo. Not that his doings had not before been talked about, but they were detached, secret conversations. And that man must have been very well acquainted with his neighbor who would have ventured to discourse with him freely on such a subject. Nay, people did not even exercise those feelings on the subject of which they were capable. For generally speaking, when men cannot give vent to their indignation without imminent danger, they not only show less than they feel or disguise it entirely, but they feel less than reality. But now, who could refrain from inquiring and reasoning about some notorious event in which the hand of heaven had been seen and in which two such personages bore a conspicuous part, one in whom such a spirited love of justice was united to so much authority, the other, who with all his boldness had been induced, as it were, to lay down his arms and submit. By the side of these rivals, Don Rodrigo looked rather insignificant. Now, all understood what it was to torment innocents with the wish to dishonor it, to persecute it with such insolent perseverance, with such atrocious violence, with such abominable treachery. They reviewed on this occasion all the other feet of the senor and said what they thought about all, each one being emboldened by finding everybody else of the same opinion. There were whispering and general murmurs, cautiously uttered, however, on account of the numberless bravos he had around him. A large share of public anima diversion fell also upon his friends and flatters. They said of the senor Podesta that he richly deserved, always deaf and blind and dumb on the doings of this tyrant, but this also cautiously. For the Podesta had bailiffs, with a doctor of Zika Garbouli, who had no weapons but gossiping and cabals, and with other flatterers like himself, they did not use so much ceremony. These were pointed at and regarded with very contemptuous and suspicious glances, so that for some time he judged it expedient to keep as much within his doors as possible. Don Rodrigo astounded at this unlooked-for news, so different to the tidings he had expected day after day and hour after hour, remain ensconced in his den-like palace with no one to keep him company but his bravos, devouring his rage for two days and on the third set off from Milan. Had there been nothing else but the murmuring of the people, perhaps since things had gone so far, he would have stayed on purpose to face it, or even to seek an opportunity of making an example to others of one of the most daring. But the certain intelligence that the Cardinal was coming into the neighborhood fairly drove him away. The Count, his uncle, who knew nothing of the story but what he had been told by Attilio, would certainly expect that on such an occasion Don Rodrigo should be the first to wait upon the Cardinal and receive him in public, the most distinguished reception. Everyone must see how he was on the road to this consummation. The Count expected it, and would have required a minute account of the visit, for it was an important opportunity of showing in what esteem his family was held by one of the head powers to extricate himself from so odious a dilemma. Don Rodrigo, rising one morning before the sun, threw himself into his garage. Grisso and some other bravos outside, both in front and behind, and leaving orders that the rest of his household should follow him, took his departure like a fugitive, like it will perhaps be allowed us to exalt our characters by so illustrious a comparison, like Cataline from Rome, fretting and fuming and swearing to return very shortly in a different guise to execute his vengeance. In the meanwhile, the Cardinal proceeded on his visitation among the parishes in the territory of Leca, taking one each day. On the day in which he was to arrive at Lucia's village, a large part of the inhabitants were early on the road to meet him. At the entrance of the village, close by the cottage of our two poor women, was erected a triumphal arch constructed of upright steaks and poles, length crosswise, covered with straw and moss and ornamented with green vows of holly, distinguishable by its scarlet berries and other shrubs. The front of the church was adorned with tapestry from every window ledge hung extended quilts and sheets and infant swaddling clothes disposed like drapery. In short, all the few necessary articles which could be converted either bodily or otherwise into the appearances of something superfluous, towards the evening they are at which Frederigo usually arrived at the church on his visitation tours, all who had remained within doors, old men, women and children, for the most part, set off to meet him, some in procession, some in groups, headed by Don Abondil, who in the midst of the rejoicing looked disconsolate enough, both from the stunning noise of the crowd and from the continual hurrying to and fro of the people, which as he himself expressed it quite dimmed his sight. Together with a secret apprehension that the women might have been babbling and that he would be called upon to tender an account of the wedding. At length the cardinal came in sight, or to speak more correctly, the crowd in the midst of which he was carried in his litter surrounded by his attendants, for nothing could be distinguished of his whole party, but a signal towering in the air above the heads of the people, part of the cross, which was born by the chaplain mounted upon his mule. The crowd, which was dancing with Don Abondil, hurried forward in a disorderly manner to join the approaching party. While he, after ejaculating three or four times, gently, in procession, what are you doing? Turn back in vexation and muttering to himself. It is a perfect babble, a perfect babble, went to take refuge in the church until they had dispersed, and here he awaited the cardinal. The holy prelate in the meanwhile advanced slowly, bestowing benedictions with his land, and receiving them from the mouths of the multitude, while his followers had enough to do to keep their places behind him. As Lucia's countrymen, the villagers were anxious to receive the archbishop with more than ordinary honors, but this was no easy matter, for it had long been customary wherever he went for all to do the most they could. At the very beginning of his episcopate, on his first solemn entry into the cathedral, the rush and crowding of the populace upon him were such as to excite fears for his life, and some of the gentlemen who were nearest to him had actually drawn their swords to terrify and repulse the press. Such were their violent and uncouth manners, that even in making demonstrations of kindly feelings to a bishop in church, and attempting to regulate them, it was necessary almost to have recourse to bloodshed, and that deference would not perhaps have proven sufficient, had not too free, strong in body, and bold in spirit, raised him in their arms, and carried him at once from the door of the temple to the very foot of the High Altar. From that time forward, in the many episcopal visits he had to make, his first entrance into the church might, without joking, be reckoned among his pastoral labors, and sometimes even among the dangers he had incurred. On this occasion, he entered as best he could, went up to the altar, and then, after a short prayer addressed, as was his custom, a few words to his auditors of his affection for him, his desire for their salvation, and the way in which they ought to prepare themselves for the services of the Mara. Then retiring to the parsonage, among many other things he had consults about, with the curate, he questioned him as to the character and conduct of Renzo. Donna Bondio said that he was rather a brisk, obstinate, and hot-headed fellow. But on more particular, and precise interrogations, he was obliged to admit that he was a worthy youth, and that he himself could not understand how he could have played all the mischievous tricks that Milan, which had been reported of him. And about the young girl, resumed the cardinal, do you think she may not now return in security to her own home? For the present, replied Donna Bondio, she might come and be as safe the present, I say, as she wishes, but added he with a sigh. Your illustrious lordship ought to be always here, or at least near at hand. The lord is always near, said the cardinal, as to the rest I will think about placing her in safety. And he hastily gave orders that next morning early a litter should be dispatched, with an attendant to fetch the two women. Donna Bondio came out from the interview quite delighted, that the cardinal had talked to him about the two young people without requiring an account of his refusal to marry them. Then he knows nothing about it, he said to himself. Agnesa has held her tongue. Wonderful! They have to see him again, but I will give them further instructions, that I will. He knew not, poor man, that Frederigo had not entered upon the discussion, just because he intended to speak to him about it more at length when they were disengaged, and that he wished before giving him what he deserved to hear his side of the question. But the intentions of the Good Prelate, through the safe placing of Lucia, had, in the meanwhile, been rendered unnecessary. After he had left her, other circumstances had occurred which we will now proceed to relate. The two women during the few days which they had to pass in the tailor's hospitable dwelling had resumed as far as they could, each her former accustomed manner of living. Lucia had very soon vexed them employment, and as at the monastery, diligent, leaf-lied her needle in a small, retired room shut out from the gaze of the people, Agnesa occasionally went abroad and at other times sat sewing with her daughter. Their conversations were more melancholy, as well as more affectionate. Both were prepared for separation, since the lamb could not return to dwell so near the wolf's den. And when and what would be the end of the separation? The future was dark, inextricable, for one of them in particular. Agnesa nevertheless indulged in her own mind many cheerful anticipation, that Renzo, if nothing evil had happened to him, would sooner or later send some news of himself, and if he had found some employment to which he could settle, if, and how could it be doubted, he still intended to keep faith with Lucia, why could they not go and live with him? With such hopes she often entertained her daughter, who found it it is difficult to say whether more mournful to listen to them or painful to reply. Her great secret she had always kept to herself, and uneasy, certainly, at concealing anything from so good a mother, yet restrained, invincibly, as it were, by shame. And by the different fears we have before mentioned, she went from day to day without speaking. Her designs were very different from those of her mother, or rather, she had no designs, and she had entirely given herself up to Providence. She always therefore endeavored to divert or to let drop the conversation, or else said, in general terms, that she had no longer any hope or desire for anything in this world except to be soon restored to her mother. More frequently, however, tears came, opportunely, instead of words. Do you know why it appears so to you, said Agnesa? Because you've suffered so much, and it doesn't seem possible that it can turn out for good to you. But leave it to God, and if, let a ray come, but one ray, and then I know whether you will always care about nothing, Lucia kissed her mother and wept. Besides this, a great friendship quickly sprang up between them and their hosts, where indeed should it exist unless between benefactors and the benefited. When both one and the other are worthy, good people. Agnesa particularly had many long chats with the mistress of the house. The tailor, too, gave them a little amusement with his stories and moral discourses, and at dinner especially, had always some wonderful anecdote to relate Abuvo D'Antona, or the Fathers of the Desert. End of Chapter 25, Part 1, Recording by Jeanne Whitfield. Chapter 25, Part 2, The Betrothed. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Jeanne Whitfield. The Betrothed. By Alessandro Manzoni. Chapter 25, Part 2. A few miles from this village resided at their country house, a couple of some importance. Don Ferante and Donna Prasada, their family as usual, is unnamed by our anonymous author. Donna Prasada was an old lady, very much inclined to do good. The most praiseworthy employment, certainly, that a person can undertake. But which, like every other, can be too easily abused. To do good, we must know how to do it. And like everything else, we can only know this through the medium of our own passions, our own judgment, our own ideas, which not infrequently are rather as correct as they are capable of being, than as they ought to be. Donna Prasada acted towards her ideas as it is said one ought to do towards one's friends. She had few of them, but to those few she was very much attached. Among the few there were unfortunately many distorted ones, nor was it thee she loved the best. Hence it happened, either that she proposed to herself as a good end what was not such in reality, or employed means which would rather produce an opposite effect, or thought them allowable when they were not at all so. From a certain vague supposition, that he who does more than his duty may also go beyond his right, it happened that she could not see in an event what was actually there, or did see what was not there, and many other similar things which may and do happen to all, not accepting the best, but to Donna Prasada far too often and not infrequently all at once. On hearing Lucia's wonderful case, and all that was reported on this occasion of the young girl, she felt a great curiosity to see her, and sent a carriage with an aged attendant to fetch both mother and daughter. The latter shrugged her shoulders and besought the tailor, who was the bearer of the message, to find some sort of excuse for her, so long as it only related to the common people who tried to make acquaintance with the young girl who had been the subject of a miracle, the tailor had willingly rendered her that service. But in this instance, resistance seemed in his eyes a kind of rebellion. He made so many faces, uttered so many exclamations, used so many arguments that it wasn't customary to do so, and that it was a grand house, and that one shouldn't say no to great people, and that it might be the making of their fortune, and that the senora Donna Prasada, besides all the rest, was a saint, too. In short, so many things that Lucia was obliged to give way, more especially as Agnese confirmed all these reasonings with a corresponding number of ejaculations. Certainly, Shirley arrived in the lady's presence. She received them with much courtesy and numberless congratulations, questioning and advising them with a kind of almost innate superiority, but corrected by so many humble expressions, tempered by so much interest in their behalf, and sweetened with so many expressions of piety that Agnese almost immediately and Lucia not long afterwards began to feel relieved from the oppressive sense of all with which the presence of such a lady had inspired them. Nay, they even found something attractive in it. In short, hearings as the cardinal had undertaken to find Lucia a place of retreat, and urged by a desire to second, and at the same time anticipate his good intention, Donna Prasada proposed to take the young girl into her own house, where no other services would be required of her than the use of her needle, scissors, and spindle, adding that she would take upon herself the charge of informing his lordship beyond the obvious and immediate good in this work Donna Prasada saw in it and proposed to herself another, perhaps a more considerable one in her ideas, that of directing a young mind and of bringing into the right way one who greatly needed it, or from the first moment she had heard Lucia mentioned she became instantly persuaded that in a young girl who could have promised herself to a scoundrel, a villain, in short escape gallows, there must be some fault, some hidden wickedness lurking within. Tell me what company you keep, and I'll tell you what you are. Lucia's visit had confirmed this persuasion, not that on the whole, as the saying is, she did not seem to Donna Prasada a good girl, but there were many things to favor the idea. That head hung down till her chin was buried in her neck, her not replying at all, or only in broken sentences, as if by constraint, might indicate modesty, but they undoubtedly denoted a great deal of willfulness. It did not require much discernment to discover that that young brain had its own thoughts on the subject, and those blushes every moment, and those suppressed sighs. Two such eyes, too, which did not please Donna Prasada at all. She held it for certain, as if she knew it on good grounds, that all Lucia's misfortunes were a chastisement from heaven, for her attachment to a rascal, and a warning to her to give him up entirely, and these premises being laid down. She proposed to cooperate towards so good an end, because as she often said both to herself and others, she made it her object to second the will of heaven. But she often fell into the misconception of taking for the will of heaven, the fancies of her own brain. However, she took care not to give the least hint of the second intention we have named. It was one of her maxims that to bring a good design to a useful issue the first requisite in the greater number of instances is not to let it be discovered. The mother and daughter looked at each other. Considering the mournful necessity of their separating, the offer seemed to both of them most acceptable. When they had no choice for it, on account of the vicinity of the residents to their village, wither let the worst come to the worst they would return and be able to meet at the approaching festivity. Seeing a scent exhibited in each others eyes, they both turned to Donna Prasada with such acknowledgement as expressed their acceptance of the proposal. She renewed her kind affability and promises and said that they would shortly have a letter to present to his lordship. After the women had taken their departure, she got Don Ferrante to compose the letter. He, being a learned person, as we shall hereafter relate more particularly, was always employed by her as secretary on occasions of importance. On one of such magnitude as this, Don Ferrante exerted his utmost stretch of ingenuity and on delivering the rough draft to his partner to copy, warmly recommended the orthography to her notice. This being one of the many things he had studied and the few over which he had any command in the house, Donna Prasada copied it very diligently and then dispatched the letter to the tailors. This was two or three days before the cardinal sent the letter to convey the two women home. Arriving at the village before the cardinal had gone to church, they alighted at the curate's house. There was an order to admit them immediately. The chaplain who was the first to see them executed the order, only detaining them so long as was necessary to school them very hastily in the ceremonials they ought to observe towards his lordship and the titles by which they should address him. His usual practice wherever he could affect it, unknown to his grace, it was a continual annoyance to the poor man to see the little ceremony that was used towards the cardinal in this particular. All said he to the rest of the household through the excess of kindness of that saintly man from his great familiarity and then he related how with his own ears he had more than once even heard the reply yes sir and no sir. The cardinal was at this moment visibly talking with Don Avondio on some parish matters so that the latter had not the desired opportunity of giving his instructions also to the women. He could only bestow upon them in passing as he withdrew and they came forward a glance which meant to say how well pleased he was with them and conjuring them like good creatures to continue silence. After the first kind greeting on one hand and the first reverent salutation on the other Agnese drew the letter from her bosom and handed it to the cardinal saying it is from the senora Donna Prasada who says she knows your most illustrious lordship well my lord it's natural enough among such great people that they should know each other when you have read it you will see very well said Frederico. When he had read the letter and extracted the honey from Don Perante's flowers of Frederick he knew the family well enough to feel certain that the Lucia had been invited thither with good intention and that there she would be secure from the machinations and violence of her persecutor. What opinion he entertained of Donna Prasada's head we have no positive information probably she was not the person whom he would have chosen for such a purpose but as we have said or hinted elsewhere it was not his custom to undo arrangements made by those whose duty it was to make them that he might do them over again better. Take this separation also and the uncertainty in which you are placed calmly he added trust that it will soon be over and that God will bring matters to that end to which he seems to have directed them but rest assured that whatever he will shall happen will be the best for you to Lucia in particular he gave some further kind advice another word or two of comfort to both and then bestowing on them his blessing he let them go at the street door they found themselves surrounded by a crowd of friends of both sexes the whole population we may almost say who were waiting for them and who conducted them home as in triumph among the women there was quite a rivalry in congratulations sympathy and inquiries and all exclaimed with dissatisfaction on hearing that Lucia would leave them the next day the men vied with each other and offering their services everyone wished to keep guard at the cottage for that night upon this fact our anonymous author thinks fit to ground a proverb would you have many ready to help you be sure not to need them so many welcomes confounded and almost stunned Lucia though on the whole they did her good by somewhat distracting her mind from those thoughts and recollections which even in the midst of the bustle and excitement rose only to readily on crossing that threshold on entering those rooms at the site of every object when the bells began to ring announcing the approach of the hour for divine service everybody moved towards the church and to our newly returned friends it was a second triumphal march service being over Donna Bondio who had hastened forward to see if Perpetua had everything well arranged for dinner was informed that the cardinal wished to speak with him he went immediately to his noble guest apartment who waiting until he drew near senior curate he began and these words were uttered in such a way as to convey the idea that they were the preface to a long and serious conversation senior curate why did you not unite in marriage this Lucia with her betrothed husband those people have emptied the sack this morning thought Donna Bondio is each stem and forth and reply your most illustrious lordship will doubtless have heard speak of the confusions which have risen out of this affair it has all been so intricate that to this very day one cannot see one's way clearly in it as your illustrious lordship may yourself conclude from this that the young girl is here after so many accidents as it were by a miracle and that's the bridegroom after other accidents is nobody knows where I ask reply the cardinal whether it is true that before all these circumstances took place you refused to celebrate the marriage when you were requested to do so on the appointed day and if so why really if your illustrious lordship knew what intimations what terrible injunctions I have received not to speak he paused without concluding with a certain manner intended respectfully to insinuate that it would be indiscreet to wish to know more but said the cardinal with a voice and look much more serious than usual it is your bishop who for his own duty's sake and for your justification wishes to learn from you why you have not done what in your regular duties you were bound to do my lord said donna bondio shrinking almost into a nutshell I did not like to say before but it seemed to me that things being so entangled and so long gone by and now irremediable it was useless to bring them up again however however I say I know your illustrious lordship will not betray one of your poor priest for you see my lord your illustrious lordship cannot be everywhere at once and I remain here exposed but when you command it I will tell you I will tell you all tell me I only wish to find you free from blame donna bondio then began to relate the doleful history but suppressing the principal name he merely substituted a great senior thus giving to prudence the little that he could in such an emergency and you had no other motive asked the cardinal having attentively heard the whole perhaps I have not sufficiently explained myself replied donna bondio I was prohibited under pain of death to perform this marriage and does this appear to you a sufficient reason for omitting a positive duty I have always endeavored to do my duty even at very great inconvenience but when one's life is concerned and when you presented yourself to the church said rhetorica in a still more solemn tone to receive holy orders did she caution you about your life did she tell you that the duties belonging to the ministry were free from every obstacle exempt from every danger or did she tell you that where danger begins their duty would end did she not expressly say to the contrary did she not warn you that she sent you forth as a sheep among wolves did you not know that there are violent oppressors to whom what you are commanded to perform would be displeasing he from whom we have received teaching an example in imitation of whom we suffer ourselves to be called and call ourselves shepherds when he descended upon the earth to execute his office did he lay down as a condition the safety of his life and to save it to preserve it I say a few days longer upon earth at the expense of charity and duty did he institute the holy unction the imposition of hands the gift of the priesthood leave it to the world to teach this virtue to advocate this doctrine what do I say oh shame the world itself rejects it the world also makes its own laws which fix the limits of good and evil it too has its gospel a gospel of pride and hatred and it will not have it said that the love of life is a reason for transgressing its precepts it will not and it is obeyed and we children and proclaimers of the promise what would the church be if such language as yours were that of all your brethren where would she be had she appeared in the world with these doctrines donna bondio on his head his mind during these arguments was like a chicken in the talons of a hawk which holds its prey elevated to an unknown region to an atmosphere it has never before breathed finding that he must make some reply he said in an unconvinced tone of submission my lord I shall be to blame when one is not to consider one's life I don't know what to say but when one has to do with some people people who possess power and won't hear reason I don't see what is to be gained by it even if one were willing to play the bravo the senior is one whom it is impossible either to conquer or went over don't you know that suffering for righteousness sake is our conquest if you know not this what do you preach what are you teacher of what is the good news you announced to the poor who requires from you that you should conquer force by force surely you will not one day be asked if you were able to overcome the powerful for this purpose neither your mission nor rule was given to you but you will assuredly be demanded whether you employed the means you possessed to do what was required of you even when they had the temerity to prohibit you these saints are very odd thought down upon deal meanwhile in substance to extract the plain meaning he has more at heart the affections of two young people than the life of a poor prince and as to himself he would have been very well satisfied had the conversation ended here but he saw the cardinal at every pause wait with the air of one who expects a reply a confession or an apology in short something i repeat my lord he answered therefore that i shall be to blame one can't give oneself courage and why then i might ask you did you undertake an office which finds upon you a continual warfare with the passions of the world but i will rather say how is it you do not remember that if in this ministry however you may have been placed there courage is necessary to fulfill your obligation there is one who will infallibly bestow it upon you when you ask him thank you all the millions of martyrs naturally possessed courage that they naturally held life in contempt so many young persons just beginning to enjoy it so many aged ones accustomed to regret that it is so near its end so many children so many mothers all possessed courage because courage was necessary and they relied upon god knowing your own weakness and the duties to which you were called have you ever thought of preparing yourself for the difficult circumstances in which you might be placed in which you actually are placed at present ah if for so many years of pastoral labors you have loved your flock and how could you not love them if you have placed in them your affection your cares your happiness courage ought not fail you in the moment of need love is intrepid now surely if you love those who have been committed to your spiritual care those whom you call children when you saw two of them threatened as well as yourself ah surely as the weakness of the flesh made you tremble for yourself so love would have made you tremble for them you would feel humbled for your former fears as the effect of your corrupt nature you would have implored strength to overcome them to expel them as a temptation but a holy and noble fear for others for your children this you would have listened to this would have given you no peace this would have incited constrained you to think and to do all you could to avert the dangers that threatened them with what has this fear this love inspired you what have you done for them what have you thought for them and he ceased in token of expectation end of chapter 25 part 2 recording by genie wittfield mississippi usa chapter 26 part 1 of the betroth this is a Librebox recording all Librebox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Librebox.org reading done by jules hurlick of mississauga ontario canada the betroth by a alexandro manzoni chapter 26 part 1 at such a question don abondi deal who had been studying to find some reply in the least precise terms possible stood without uttering a word and to speak the truth even we with the manuscript before us and pen in hand having nothing to contend with but words nor anything to fear but the criticisms of our readers even we I say feel a kind of repugnance in preceding we feel somewhat strange in this setting forth with so little trouble such admirable precepts of fortitude and charity of active solicitude for others and unlimited sacrifice of self but remembering that these things were said by one who also practice them we will confidently proceed you'll give me no answer resume the cardinal ah if you had done on your part what charity and duty required of you however things had turned out you would now have something to answer you see then yourself what you have done you have obeyed the voice of inequity unmindful of the requirements of duty you have obeyed her punctually she showed herself to you to signify her desire but she wished to remain concealed from those who could have sheltered themselves from her reach and been on their guard against her she did not wish to resort to arms she desired secrecy to mature her designs of treachery and force at leisure she required a view transgression and silence you have transgressed and kept silent i ask you now whether you have not done more you will tell me whether it be true that you alleged false pretext for your refusal that you might not reveal the true motive and he paused the while awaiting a reply the telltales have reported this too but donna banditio but as he gave no token in words of having anything to say the cardinal continued if it be true then that you told these poor people what was not the case to keep them in the ignorance and darkness in which inequity wished them to be i must believe it then it only remains for me to blush for it with you and to hope that you will weep for it with me see then to what this solicitude good god and but just now you adduced it as a justification this solicitude for your temporal life has led you it has led you repel freely these words if you think them unjust take them as a salutary humiliation if they are not it has led you to deceive the weak to lie to your own children just see now how things go thought donna banditio again to himself to that fiend meaning the unnamed his arms round his neck and to me for the half lie uttered for the sole purpose of saving my life all this fuss and noise but they are our superiors they're always in the right it's my ill star that everybody sets upon me even saints and speaking aloud he said i have done wrong i see that i've done wrong but what could i do in an extremity of that kind do you still ask this have not i told you already must i tell you again you should have loved my son loved and prayed then you would have felt that inequity may indeed have threats to employ blows to bestow but not commands to give you would have united according to the law of god those whom man wished to put us under you would have extended towards these unhappy innocence the ministry they had a right to claim from you god himself would have been surety for the consequences because you had followed his will by following and others you have come in as answerable and for what consequences but supposing all human resources failed you supposing no way of escape was open when you looked anxiously around you thought about it sought for it then you might have known that when your poor children were married they would themselves have provided their escape that they were ready to flee from the face of their powerful enemy and had already designed a place of refuge but even without this did you not remember that you had a superior how would he have this authority to rebuke you for having been wanting in the duties of your office did he not feel himself bound to assist you in fulfilling them why did you not think of acquain your bishop with the impediment that infamous violence had placed in the way of the exercise of your ministry the very advice of perpetua thought dawn abondidio pettishly who in the midst of this conversation had most vividly before his eyes the image of the bravos and the thought that dawn rudrigo was still alive and well and that he would someday or other be returning in glory and triumph and furious with revenge and though the presence of so high a dignitary together with his countenance and language filled him with confusion and inspired him with fear yet it was not such a fear as completely to subdue him or expel the idea of resistance because this idea was accompanied by the recollection that after all the cardinal employed neither musket nor sword nor bravos why did you not remember pursued the bishop that if there were no other retreat open to these betrayed innocence I at least was ready to receive them and put them in safety had you directed them to me the desolate to a bishop as belonging to him as a precious part I don't say of his charge but of his riches and as to yourself I should have become anxious for you I should not have slept till I was sure that not a hair of your head would be injured do you think I had not the means of securing your life think you that he who was so very bold would have remitted nothing of his boldness when he was aware that his plots and contrivances were known elsewhere were known to me that I was watching him and was resolved to use all the means within my power in your defense didn't you know that if men too often promise more than they can perform so they not unfrequently threaten more than they would attempt to execute didn't you know that inequity depends not only on its own strength but often also on the fears and credulity of others Just Perpetua's arguments again thought Don Abondidio never reflecting that his singular concurrence of his servant and Federico Boremio in deciding on what he might and should have done would tell very much against him but you pursued the cardinal in conclusion saw nothing and would see nothing but your own temporal danger what wonder that it seemed to use sufficient to outweigh every other consideration it was because I myself saw those terrible faces escaped from Don Abondidio in reply I myself heard their words your illustrious lordship can talk very well but you ought to be in a poor priest's shoes and find yourself brought to the point no sooner however had he uttered these words than he bit his tongue with vexation he saw that he had allowed himself to be too much carried away by petulance and said to himself now comes the storm but raising his eyes doubtfully he was utterly astonished to see the countenance of that man whom he never could succeed in divining or comprehending pass from solemn air of authority and rebuke to a sorrowful and pensive gravity Tis too true said Federico such is our miserable and terrible condition we must rigorously exact from others what God only knows whether we should be ready to yield we must judge correct reproof and God knows what we ourselves should do in the same circumstances what we actually have done in similar ones but woe unto me had I to take my own weaknesses as the measure of other people's duties or the rule of my own teaching yet I certainly ought to give a good example as well as a good instruction to others and not to be like the Pharisees who laid men with burdens grievous to be born while they themselves touched not the burden with one of their fingers well then my son my brother as the errors of those in authority are often better known to others than to themselves if you are aware of my having from poosalamity or from any other motive failed in any part of my duty tell me of it candidly and help me to amend so that where example has been wanting confession at least may supply its place remonstrate freely with me on my weaknesses and then my words will acquire more value in my mouth because you will feel more vividly than they are not mine but are the words of him who can give both to you and me the necessary strength to do what they prescribe oh what a holy man but what a tormentor thought dawn a bondedio he doesn't even spare himself that I should examine interfere with criticize and accuse even himself he then said aloud oh my lord you are joking with me who does not know the fortitude of mine the intrepid zeal of your illustrious lordship and in his heart he added even too much so I did not ask you for praise which makes me tremble said fed it ego for god knows my failings and what I know of them myself is enough to confound me but I wish that we should humble ourselves together before him that we might depend upon him together I would for your own sake that you should feel how your conduct has been and your language still is opposed to the law you nevertheless preach and according to which you will be judged all falls upon me said dawn a bondedio but these people who have told you this didn't probably tell you too of their having introduced themselves treacherously into my house to take me by surprise and to contract a marriage contrary to the laws they did tell me my son but it is this that grieves that depresses me to see you still anxious to excuse yourself still thinking to excuse yourself by accusing others still accusing others of what ought to make part of your own confession who placed them I don't say under the necessity but under the temptation to do what they have done would they have sought this irregular method had not the legitimate one been closed against them would they have thought of snaring their pastor had they been received to his arms assisted advised by him or of surprising him had he not concealed himself or do you lay the blame upon them and are you indignant because after so many misfortunes what do I say in the midst of misfortune they have said a word or two to give vent to their sorrows to their and your pastor that the appeals of the oppressed and the complaints of the afflicted are odious to the world is only too true but we but what advantage would it have been to you had they remained silent would it turn to your prophet that their cause should be left entirely to the judgment of God is it not a fresh reason why you should love these persons and you have many already that they have afforded you an opportunity of hearing the sincere voice of your pastor that they have given you the means of knowing more clearly and in part discharging the great depth you owe them ah if they have provoked offended annoyed you I would say to you and need I say it love them exactly for that reason love them because they have suffered because they still suffer because they are yours because they are weak because you have need of pardon to obtain which think of what efficacy their prayer may be Don Abondadio was silent but it was no longer an unconvinced and scornful silence it was that of one who has more things to think about than to say the words he had heard were unexpected consequences novel applications of a doctrine he had nevertheless long believed in his heart without a thought of disputing it the misfortunes of others from the contemplation of which his fears of personal misfortune had hitherto diverted his mind now made a new impression upon him and if he did not feel all the contrition which the address was intended to produce for this same fear was ever at hand to execute the office of defensive advocate yet he felt it in some degree he experienced a satisfaction with himself a kind of pity for others a mixture of compunction and shame it was if we may be allowed the comparison like the crushed and humid wick of a candle which on being presented to the flame of a large torch at first smokes spurts crackles and will not ignite but it lights at length and well or ill burns he would have accused himself bitterly he would even have wept had it not been for the thought of Don Rodrigo and as it was betrayed sufficient emotion to convince the cardinal that his words had not been entirely without effect now pursued he the one effugitive from his home the other on the point of abandoning it both with two good reasons for absending themselves and without a probability of ever meeting again here even if God proposes to reunite them now alas they have too little need of you now you have no opportunity of doing them any service nor can our limited foresight predict any for the future but who knows whether a god of mercy may not be preparing some for you ah suffer them not to escape seek them be on the watch for them beseech him to create them for you I will not fail my lord I will not fail I assure you replied Don Abondidio in a tone that showed it came from the heart ah yes my son yes exclaimed Federigo and with a dignity full of affection he concluded heaven knows how I should have wished to hold a different conversation with you we have both lived long heaven knows if it has not been painful to me to be obliged thus to grieve your gray hairs with reprimands how much more gladly I would have shared with you our common cares and sorrows and conversed with you on the blessed hope to which we have so nearly approached God grant that the language which I have been compelled to use may be of use to us both you would not wish that he should call me to account at the last day for having countenanced you in a course of conduct in which you have so unhappily fallen short of your duty let us redeem the time the hour of midnight is at hand the bridegroom cannot tarry let us therefore keep our lamps burning let us offer our hearts miserable and empty as they are to God that he may be pleased to fill them with that charity which amends the past which is a pledge of the future which fears and trusts weeps and rejoices with true wisdom which becomes in every instance the virtue which we stand in need so saying he left the room followed by Don Abondidio here our anonymous author informs us that this was not the only interview between these two persons nor Luccia the only subject of these interviews but that he had confined himself to the mention of this one that he might not digress too far from the principal object of his narrative and for the same reason he does not make mention of other notable things said and done by Federigo throughout the whole course of his visitation or of his liberality or of the dissensions composed and the ancient feuds between individuals families and entire towns extinguished or which was at last far more frequent suppressed or of the sundry ruffians and petty tyrants tamed either for life or for some time all of them things which occurred more or less in every part of the diocese where this excellent man made any stay he then goes on to say how next morning Donna Presidi came according to agreement to fetch Luccia and to pay her respects to the cardinal who spoke in high terms of the young girl and recommended her warmly to the senora Luccia parted from her mother it may be imagined with what tears left her cottage and a second time said for well to her native village with that sense of doubly bitter sorrow which is felt on leaving a spot which was once dearly loved and can never be so again but this parting from her mother was not the last for Donna Presidi had announced that she should still reside some time at their country house which was not very far off and Agnes had promised her daughter to go thither to give and receive a more mournful adieu End of chapter 26 part 1 Chapter 26 part 2 of the betroth this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading done by Jules Harlock of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada the betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni chapter 26 part 2 the cardinal was himself just starting for another parish when the curate of that in which the castle of the unnamed was situated arrived and requested to speak to him on being admitted he presented a packet and a letter from that nobleman wherein he besought Federico to prevail upon Lucia's mother to accept a hundred scooty of gold which were contained in the parcel to serve either as a dowry for the young girl or for any other use which the two women might deem more suitable requesting him at the same time to tell them that if ever on any occasion they thought he could render them any service the poor girl knew too well where he lived and that for him this would be one of the most desirable events that could happen the cardinal immediately sent for Agnes who listened with equal pleasure and amazement to the courteous message and suffered the packet to be put into her hand without much scrupulous ceremony may god reward the senior for it said she and will your illustrious lordship thank him very kindly and don't say a word about it to anybody because this is a kind of country excuse me sir I know very well that a gentleman like you won't chatter about these things but you understand me home she went as quickly as possible shut herself up in her room unwrap the parcel and however prepared by anticipation be held with astonishment so many of those coins all together and all her own of which she had perhaps never seen more than one at once before and that but seldom she counted them over and then had some trouble in putting them together again and making the whole hundred stand up upon their edges for every now and then they would jet out and slide from under her inexpert fingers at length however she succeeded in rolling them up after a fashion put them in a handkerchief so as to make quite a large parcel and wrapping a piece of cord several times around it went and tucked it into a corner of her straw mattress the rest of the day was spent in castle building devising plans for the future and longing for the moral after going to bed she lay for a long time awake with the thought of the hundred scooty she had beneath her to keep her company and when asleep she saw them in her dreams by break of day she arose and set off in good time towards the villa where her daughter was residing though lucia's extreme reluctance to speak of her vow was in no degree diminished she had on her part resolved to force herself to open her mind to her mother in this interview as it would be the last they should have for a long time scarcely were they left alone when agnus with a look full of animation and at the same time in a suppressed tone of voice as if there were someone present who she was afraid would hear began i have a grand thing to tell you and proceeded to relate her unexpected good fortune god bless this senior said lucia now you have enough to be well off yourself and you can also do good to others why reply to agnus don't you see how many things we may do with so much money listen i have nobody but you but you too i may say for for the time that he began to address you i've always considered renzo as my son the whole depends upon whether any misfortune has happened to him seeing he gives no sign of being alive but oh surely all won't go ill with us we'll hope not we'll hope not for me i should have liked to lay my bones in my native country but now that you can't be there thanks to that villain and when i remember that he is near even my country has become hateful to me and with you too i can be happy anywhere i was always inclined to go with you both to the very end of the world and have ever been in readiness but how could we do it without money do you understand now the little sum that the poor fellow had been scarcely able to lay by with all his frugality just as came and cleared it away but the lord has sent us a fortune to make up for it well when he has found a way of letting us know that he is alive where he is and what are his intentions i'll come to malan and fetch you i i'll come myself once upon a time i should have thought twice about such a thing but misfortune makes one experienced and independent i've gone as far as manza and know what it is to travel i'll bring with me a proper companion a relation as i may say alicio of magy and eco for to say the truth a fit person isn't to be found in the country at all i'll come with him we'll pay the expense and do you understand but perceiving that instead of cheering up lucia became more and more dejected and only exhibited a motion unmixed with pleasure she stopped abruptly in the midst of her speech and said but what's the matter with you don't you see it poor mama exclaimed lucia throwing her arm around her neck and burying her weeping face in her bosom what is the matter again asked her mother anxiously i ought to have told you at first said lucia raising her head and composing herself but i never had the heart to do it pity me but tell me then now i can no longer be that poor fellow's wife why why with a head hung down a beating heart and tears rolling down her cheeks like one who relates something which though a misfortune is unalterable lucia disclosed her vow and at the same time clasping her hands again besought her mother's forgiveness for having hitherto concealed it from her she implored her not to speak of such a thing to any living being and to give her help and facilitate the fulfillment of what she had promised agnes remained stupefied with consternation she would have been angry with her for her silence to her mother but the more serious thoughts the case itself aroused stifled this personal vexation she would have reproached her for the act but it seemed to her that that would be a murmuring against heaven the more so as lucia began to depict more vividly than ever the horrors of that night the absolute desolation and the unhope for deliverance between which the promise had been so expressly so solemnly made and all the while example after example rose to the recollection of the listener which she had often heard repeated and had repeated herself to her daughter of strange and terrible punishments following upon the violation of a vow after a few moments of astonishment she said and what would you do now now replied lucia it is the lord who must think for us the lord and the madonna i have placed myself in their hands they have not forsaken me hitherto they will not forsake me now that the mercy i asked for myself of the lord the only mercy after the salvation of my soul is that he will let me rejoin you and he will grant it to me yes i feel sure he will that day in that carriage oh most holy virgin those men who would have told me that they were bringing me to this that they would bring me to join my mother the next day but not to tell your mother of it at once said agnes with a kind of anger subdued by affection and pity oh pity me i had not the heart and what use would it have been to grieve you so long ago and renzo said agnes shaking her head ah exclaimed lucia with a sudden start i must think nothing more of that poor fellow long ago god had not destined see how it appears that it was his will we should be kept asunder and who knows but no no the lord will have preserved him from danger and will make him even happier without me but now you see replied agnes if it were not that you are bound forever for all the rest if no misfortune has happened to renzo i might have found a remedy with so much money but should we have got this money replied lucia if i had not passed through such a night it is the lord who has ordered everything as it is his will will be done and hear her voice was choked with tears at this unexpected argument agnes remained silent and thoughtful in a few moments however lucia suppressing her sobs resumed now that the deed is done we must submit to it with cheerfulness and you my poor mother you can help me first by praying to the lord for your unhappy daughter and then that poor fellow must be told of it you know would you see to this and do me also this kindness for you can think about it when you can find out where he is get someone to write to him find a man oh your cousin alicio is just the man a prudent and kind person who has always wished us well and won't gossip and tell tales get him to write the things just as it is where i have been how i have suffered and that god has willed it should be thus and that he must set his heart at rest and that i can never never be anybody's wife and tell him of it in a kind and clever way explain to him that i have promised that i have really made a vow when he knows that i have promised the Madonna he has always been good and religious and you the moment you have any news of him get somebody to write to me let me know that he is well and then let me never hear anything more agnes with much feeling assured her daughter that everything should be done as she desired there's one thing more i have to say resumed lucia this poor fellow if he hadn't had the misfortune to think of me all that has happened to him never would have happened he's a wanderer in the wide world they've ruined him on setting out in life they've carried away all he had all those little savings he had made poor fellow you know why and we have so much money oh mother as the lord has sent us so much wealth and you look upon this poor fellow true enough as belonging to you yes as your son oh divided between you or most assuredly god won't let us want look out for the opportunity of a safe bearer and send it to him for heaven knows how much he wants it well what do you think replied agnes i'll do it indeed poor youth why do you think i was so glad of this money but i certainly came here very glad so i did well i'll send it to him poor youth but he too i know what i would say certainly money gives pleasure to those who want it but it isn't this that will make him rich lucia thanked her mother for her ready and liberal ascent with such deep gratitude and affection as would have convinced an observer that her heart still secretly clung to renzo more perhaps than she herself believed and what shall i a poor solitary woman do without you said agnes weeping in her turn and i without you my poor mother and in a stranger's house and down there in malan but the lord will be with us both and afterwards will bring us together again between eight and nine months hence we shall see each other once more here and by that time or even before it i hope he will have disposed matters to our comfort leave it to him i will ever ever beseech the Madonna for this mercy if i had anything else to offer her i would do it but she is so merciful that she will obtain it for me as a gift with these and other similar and off repeated words of lamentation and comfort of opposition and resignation of interrogation and confident assurance with many tears and after long and renewed embraces the women tore themselves apart promising by turns to see each other the next autumn at the latest as if the fulfillment of these promises depended upon themselves and as people always do nevertheless in similar cases meanwhile a considerable time passed away and agnes could hear no tidings of renzo neither letter nor message reached her from him and among all those whom she could ask from Bergamo or the neighborhood no one knew anything about him nor was she the only one who made inquiries in vain cardinal for the eagle who had not told the poor woman merely out of compliment that he would seek for some information concerning the unfortunate man had in fact immediately written to obtain it having returned to Milan after his visitation he received a reply in which he was informed that the address of the person he had named could not be ascertained that he had certainly made some stay in such a place where he had given no occasion for any talk about himself but that one morning he had suddenly disappeared that a relative of his with whom he had lodged there knew not what had become of him and could only repeat certain vague and contradictory rumors which were afloat that the youth had enlisted for the Levant had passed into Germany or had perished in fording a river but that the writer would not fail to be on the watch and if any better authenticated tidings came to light would immediately convey them to his most illustrious and very reverend lordship these and various other reports at length spread throughout the territory of Leseo and consequently reached the ears of Agnes the poor woman did her utmost to discover what was the true account and to arrive at the origin of this and that rumor but she never succeeded in tracing it further than they say which even at the present day suffices by itself to attest the truth of facts sometimes she had scarcely heard one tale when someone would come and tell her not a word of it was true only however to give her another in compensation equally strange and disastrous the truth is all these rumors were alike unfounded the governor of Milan and captain general in Italy Don Gonzalez Fernandez the card over had complained bitterly to the Venetian minister resident at Milan because a rogue and public robber a promoter of plundering and massacre the famous Lorenzo Tramiglino who while in the very hands of justice had excited an insurrection to force his escape had been received and harbored in the bergamanskin territory the minister in residence replied that he knew nothing about it he would write to Venice that he might be able to get his excellency any explanation that could be procured on the subject it was a maxim of Venetian policy to second and cultivate the inclination of Milanese silk weavers to immigrate into the bergamanskin territory and with this object to provide many advantages for them more especially that without which every other was worthless we mean security as however when two great diplomats dispute and however trifling a matter third parties must always have a taste in the shape of consequences Portola was warned in confidence it was not known by whom that Renzo was not safe in that neighborhood and that he would do wisely to place him in some other manufacturer for a while even under a false name Portola understood the hint raised no objections explain the matter to his cousin took him with him in a carriage conveyed him to another new silk mill about 15 miles off and presented him under the name of Antonio Riviolta to the owner who was a native of the Milanese and an old acquaintance this person though the times were so bad needed little entreaty to receive a workman who was recommended to him as honest and skillful by an intelligent man like Portola on the trial of him afterwards he found he had only reason to congratulate himself on the acquisition accepting that at first he thought the youth must be naturally rather stupid because when anyone called Antonio he generally did not answer soon after an order came from Venice in peaceable form to the sheriff of Bergamo requiring him to obtain and forward information whether in his jurisdiction or more expressly in such a village such as an individual was to be found the sheriff having made the necessary researches in the manner he saw was desired transmitted a reply in the negative which was transmitted to the minister at Milan who transmitted it to Don Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordova there was not wanting inquisitive people who tried to learn from Bartolo why this youth was no longer with him and where he had gone to the first inquiry he replied nay he has disappeared but afterwards to get rid of the most pertinacious without giving them a suspicion of what was really the case he contrived to entertain them some with one some with another of the stories we have before mentioned always however as uncertain reports which he also had heard related without having any positive accounts but when inquiries came to be made of him by commission from the cardinal without mentioning his name and with a certain show of importance and mystery merely giving him to understand that it was in the name of the a great personage Bartolo became the more guarded and deemed it the more necessary to adhere to his general method of reply nay as a great personage was concerned he gave out by wholesale all the stories which he had published one by one of his various disasters let it not be imagined that such a person as Don Gonzalo bore any personal enmity to the poor mountain silk weaver that informed perhaps of his irreverence and ill-language towards his Moorish king chained by the throat he would have wreaked his vengeance upon him or that he thought him so dangerous a subject as to be worth pursuing even in flight and not suffer to live even at a distance like the Roman Senate with Hannibal Don Gonzalez had too many and too important affairs in his head to trouble himself about Renzo's doings and if it seemed that he did not trouble himself about them it arose from a singular combination of circumstances by which the poor unfortunate fellow without desiring it and without being aware of it either then or even afterwards found himself linked as by a very subtle and invisible chain to these same too many and too important affairs end of chapter 26 part 2