 section 45 chapter 23 part 1 of 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 the betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni chapter 23 part 1 Cardinal Federiga was employed according to his usual custom in every leisure interval in study until the hour arrived for repairing to the church for the celebration of divine service when the chaplain and cross-bearer entered with the disturbed and gloomy countenance the strange visitor my noble lord strange indeed who asked the cardinal no less a personage than the senior replied the chaplain and pronouncing the syllables with a very significant tone he uttered the name which we cannot give to our readers he then added he is here outside in person and demands nothing less than to be introduced to your illustrious grace he said the cardinal with an animated look shutting his book and rising from his seat let him come in let him come in directly but rejoined the chaplain without attempting to move your illustrious lordship must surely be aware who he is that outlaw that famous and is it not a most happy circumstance for a bishop that such a man should feel a wish to come and seek an interview with him but insisted the chaplain we may never speak of certain things because my lord says that it's all nonsense but when it comes to the point I think it is a duty zeal makes many enemies my lord and we know positively that more than one ruffian dared to boast that some day or other and what have they done interrupt the cardinal I say that this man is a plotter of mischief a desperate character who holds correspondence with the most violent desperados and who may be sent oh what discipline is this again interrupted Federigo smiling for the soldiers to exhort their general to cowardice then resuming a grave and then resuming a grave and thoughtful air he continued st. Carlo would not have deliberated whether he ought to receive such a man he would have gone to seek him let him be admitted directly he has already waited too long the chaplain moved towards the door saying in his heart there's no remedy these saints are all obstinate having opened the door and surveyed the room where the senior and his companions were he saw that the latter had crowded together on one side where they sat whispering and cautiously peeping at their visitor while he was left alone in one corner the chaplain advanced towards him eyeing him guardedly from head to foot and wondering what weapons he might have hidden under that great coat thinking at the same time that really before admitting him he ought at least to have proposed but he could not resolve what to do he approached him saying his grace waits for your lordship will you be good enough to come with me and as he proceeded him through the little crowd which instantly gave way for him he kept casting glances on each side which meant to say what could I do don't you know yourselves that he always has his own way on reaching the apartment the chaplain opened the door and introduced the unnamed Federico advanced to meet him with a happy and serene look and his hand extended as if to welcome an unexpected guest at the same time making a sign to the chaplain to go out which was immediately obeyed when thus left alone they both stood for a moment silent and insuspense though from widely different feelings the unnamed who had as it were been forcibly carried there by an inexplicable compulsion rather than led by a determinant intention now stood there also as it were by compulsion torn by two contending feelings on the one side a desire and confused hope of meeting with some alleviation of his inward torment on the other a feeling of self-rebuke shame at having come thither like a penitent subdued and wretched to confess himself guilty and to make application to a man he was at a loss for words and indeed scarcely sought for them raising his eyes however to the archbishop's face he became gradually filled with feeling of veneration authoritative and at the same time soothing which while it increased his confidence gently subdued his haughtiness and without offending his pride compelled it to give way and imposed silence the bearing of Federico was in fact one which announced superiority and at the same time excited love it was naturally sedate and almost involuntarily commanding his figure being not in the least bowed or wasted by age while his solemn yet sparkling eye his open and thoughtful forehead a kind of virginal floridness which might be distinguished even among gray locks paleness and the traces of abstinence meditation and labor in short all his features indicated that they had once possessed that which is most strictly entitled beauty the habit of serious and benevolent thought the inward peace of a long life the love that he felt towards his fellow creatures and the uninterrupted enjoyment of an ineffable hope had now substituted the beauty so to say of old age which shone forth more attractively from the magnificent simplicity of the purple he fixed for a moment on the countenance of the unnamed a penetrating look long accustomed to gather from this index what was passing in the mind and imagining he discovered under that dark and troubled mean something every moment more corresponding with the hope that he had conceived on the first announcement of such a visit oh cried he in an animated voice what a welcome visit is this and how thankful I ought to be to you for taking such a step although it may convey to me a little reproof reproof exclaimed the senior much surprised but soothed by his words and manner and glad that the cardinal had broken the ice and started some sort of conversation certainly it conveys to me a reproof replied the archbishop for allowing you to be beforehand with me when so often and for so long a time I might and ought to have come to you myself you come to me do you know who I am did they deliver in my name rightly and the happiness I feel and which must surely be evident in my countenance do you think I should feel it at the announcement and visit of a stranger it is you who make me experience it you I say who might ought to have sought you whom I have at least loved and wept over and for whom I have so often prayed you among all my children for each one I love from the bottom of my heart whom I should most have desired to receive and embrace if I had thought I might hope for such a thing but God alone knows how to work wonders and supplies the weakness and tiredness of his unworthy servants the unnamed stood astonished at this warm reception in language which corresponded so exactly with that which he had not yet expressed nor indeed had fully determined to express and effected but exceedingly surprised he remained silent well resumed Federigo still more affectionately you have good news to tell me and you keep me so long expecting it good news I have hell in my heart and can I tell you any good tidings tell me if you know what good news you can expect from such as I am that God has touched your heart and would make you his own replied the Cardinal calmly God God God if I could see him if I could hear him where is this God do you ask this you and who has him nearer than you do you not feel him in your heart overcoming agitating you never leaving you at ease and at the same time drawing you forward presenting to your view a hope of tranquility and consolation a consolation which shall be full and boundless as soon as you recognize him acknowledge and implore him oh surely there is something within that oppresses that consumes me but God if this be God if he be such as they say what do you suppose he can do with me these words were uttered with an accent of despair but Federigo with a solemn tone as of calm inspiration replied what can God do with you what would he wish to make of you a token of his power and goodness he would acquire you through a glory such as others could not give him the world has long cried out against you hundreds and thousands of voices have declared their detestation of your deeds the unnamed shuddered and felt for a moment surprised at hearing such unusual language addressed to him and still more surprised that he felt no anger but rather almost a relief what glory pursued Federigo will thus redound to God they may be voices of alarm of self interest of justice perhaps a justice so easy so natural some perhaps yay too many may be voices of envy of your wretched power of your hitherto deplorable security of heart but when you yourself rise up to condemn your past life to become your own accuser then then indeed God will be glorified and you ask what God can do with you who am I a poor mortal that I can tell you what use such a being may choose henceforth to make of you how he can employ your impetuous will your unwavering perseverance when he shall have animated and invigorated them with love with hope with repentance who are you weak man that you should imagine yourself capable of devising and executing greater deeds of evil and God can make you will and accomplish in the cause of good what can God do with you pardon you save you finish in you the work of redemption are not these things noble and worthy of him or just think if I am humble and feeble creature so worthless and full of myself I such as I am long so ardently for your salvation that for its sake I would joyfully give and he is my witness the few days that still remain to me oh think what and how great must be the love of him who inspires me with this imperfect but ardent affection how must he love you what must he desire for you who has bid and enabled me to regard you with the charity that consumes me while these words fell from his lips his face his expression his whole manner evinced his deep feeling of what he uttered the countenance of his auditor changed from a wild and convulsive look first to astonishment and attention then gradually yielded to deeper and less painful emotions his eyes which from infancy had been unaccustomed to weep became confused and when the words ceased he covered his face with his hands and burst into a flood of tears it was the only and most evident reply great and good god exclaimed Federigo raising his hands and eyes to heaven what have I ever done an unprofitable servant an idle shepherd that thou shouldest call me to this banquet of grace that thou shouldest make me worthy of being an instrument in so joyful a miracle so saying he extended his hand to take that of the unnamed no cried the penitent nobleman no keep away from me defile not that innocent and beneficent hand you don't know all that the one you would grasp has committed suffer me said Federigo taking it with affectionate violence suffer me to press the hand which will repair so many wrongs dispense so many benefits comfort so many afflicted and be extended disarmed peacefully and humbly to so many enemies it is too much said the unnamed sobbing leave me my lord good Federigo leave me a crowded assembly awaits you so many good people so many innocent creatures so many come from a distance to see you for once to hear you and you are staying to talk with whom we will leave the ninety and nine sheep replied the cardinal they are in safety upon the mountain i wish to remain with that which was lost their minds are perhaps now more satisfied than if they were seeing their poor bishop perhaps god who has wrought in you this miracle of mercy is diffusing in their hearts a joy of which they know not yet the reason these people are perhaps united to us without being aware of it perchance the spirit may be instilling in their hearts an undefined feeling of charity a petition which he will grant for you an offering of gratitude of which you are as yet the unknown object so saying he threw his arms around the neck of the unnamed who after attempting to disengage himself and making a momentary resistance yielded completely overcome by this vehement expression of affection embraced the cardinal in his turn and buried in his shoulder his trembling and altered face his burning tears dropped upon the stainless purple of Federigo while the guiltless hands of the holy bishop affectionately pressed those members and touched that garment which had been accustomed to hold the weapons of violence and treachery disengaging himself at length from this embrace the unnamed again covered his eyes with his hand and raising his face to heaven exclaimed god is indeed great god is indeed good i know myself now now i understand what i am my sins are present before me and i shudder at the thought of myself yet yet i feel an alleviation a joy yes even a joy such as i have never before known during the whole of my horrible life it is a little taste said Federigo which god gives you to incline you to his service and encourage you resolutely to enter upon the new course of life which lies before you and in which you will have so much to undo so much to repair so much to mourn over unhappy man that i am exclaimed the senior how many oh how many things for which i can do nothing besides mourn but at least i have undertakings scarcely set on foot which i can break off in the midst if nothing more one there is which i can quickly arrest which i can easily undo and repair Federigo listened attentively while the unnamed briefly related in terms of perhaps deeper execration than we have employed his attempt upon Lucia the sufferings and terrors of the unhappy girl her importunate entreaties the frenzy that these entreaties had aroused within him and how she was still in the castle oh then let us lose no time exclaimed Federigo breathless with eagerness and compassion you are indeed blessed this is an earnest of god's forgiveness he makes you capable of becoming the instrument of safety to one whom you intended to ruin god bless you nay he has blessed you do you know where our unhappy protege comes from the senior named Lucia's village it's not far from this said the cardinal god be praised and probably so saying he went towards a little table and rang a bell the crossbearing chaplain immediately attended the summons with a look of anxiety and instantly glanced towards the unnamed at the sight of his altered countenance and his eyes still red with weeping he turned an inquiring gaze upon the cardinal and perceiving amidst the invariable composure of his countenance a look of solemn pleasure and unusual solicitude he would have stood with open mouth in a sort of ecstasy had not the cardinal quickly aroused him from his contemplations by asking whether among the parish priests who were assembled in the next room there were one from there is your illustrious grace replied the chaplain let him come in directly said Federigo and with him the priest of this parish the chaplain quitted the room and on entering the hall where the clergy were assembled all eyes were immediately turned upon him while with a look of blank astonishment and a countenance in which was still depicted the rapture he had left he lifted up his hands and waving them in the air exclaimed signore signore heckmatatio txtere excelsi and he stood for a moment without uttering another word then assuming the tone and language of a message he added his most noble and very reverend lordship desires to speak with the senior curate of this parish and the senior curate of the first party summoned immediately came forward and at the same time they're issued from the midst of the crowd an eye drawled forth with an intonation of surprise are you not the senior curate of replied the chaplain i am but his most noble and very reverend lordship asks for you me again replied the same voice clearly expressing in this monosyllable what can they want with me but this time together with the voice came forth the living being don abondio himself with an unwilling step and a countenance between astonishment and disgust the chaplain beckoned to him with his hand as if he meant to say come let us go is it so very alarming and escorting them to the door he opened it and introduced them into the apartment the cardinal relinquished the hand of the unnamed with whom meanwhile he had been concerning arrangements and withdrawing a little aside beckoned to the curate of the village briefly relating the circumstances he asked whether he could immediately find a trustworthy woman who would be willing to go to the castle in a litter and fetch away luchia a kind and clever person who would know how to conduct himself in so novel and expedition and whose manners and language would be most likely to encourage and tranquilize the unfortunate girl to whom after so much anguish and alarm even liberation itself might be an additional cause of apprehension after a moment's thought the curate said that he knew just the very person and then took his departure the cardinal now calling to him the chaplain desired him to have a litter and bearers immediately prepared and to see that two mules were saddled for riders and as soon as he had quitted the apartment turned to don abondio this worthy gentleman who had kept tolerably close to the archbishop that he might be at a respectful distance from the other senior and had in the meantime been casting side glances first to one and then to the other dubitating the wire within himself whatever all this strange maneuvering might mean now advanced to step forward and making a respectful bow said i was told that your most illustrious lordship wanted me but i think there must be some misunderstanding there is no misunderstanding i assure you replied federigo i have glad news to give you and a pleasant and most agreeable task to impose upon you one of your parishioners whom you must have lamented at lost lucia mandela is again found and is near at hand in the house of my good friend here and you will go now with him and a woman whom the senior a curate of this place has gone to seek you will go i say to fetch thence one of your own children and accompany her hither don abondio did his best to conceal the vexation the what shall i say the alarm the dismay excited by this proposal or command and unable any longer to restrain or dismiss a look of an expressible discontent already gathering in his countenance he could only hide it by a profound reverence in token of obedient acceptance nor did he again raise his face but to make another equally profound obeisance to the unnamed with a piteous look which seemed to say i am in your hands have pity on me par cherry subjectis the cardinal then asked him what relations lucia had of near relations with whom she lives or might live she has only a mother replied don abondio is she at home yes my lord well replied fedorigo since this poor girl cannot be so directly restored to her own home it will be a great consolation to see her mother as quickly as possible so if the senior curate of this village doesn't return before i get to church i request you will tell him to find a cart or some kind of conveyance and dispatch a person of discretion to fetch her mother here had not i better go said don abondio no no not you i've already requested you to undertake another commission replied the cardinal i proposed it rejoined don abondio to prepare her poor mother for the news she is a very sensitive woman and it requires one who knows her disposition and how to go to work with her in the right way or he will do her more harm than good and therefore i have requested you to acquaint the senior curate of my wish that a proper person should be chosen for this office you will do better elsewhere replied the cardinal and he would willingly have added that poor girl at the castle has far more need of shortly seeing a known and trusted countenance after so many hours of agony and in such terrible ignorance as to the future but this was not a reason to be so clearly expressed before the present third party indeed the cardinal thought it very strange that it had not immediately occurred to don abondio that he had not thought of it himself and the proffer he had made and so warmly insisted upon seemed so much out of place that he could not help suspecting there must be something hidden beneath he gazed upon his face and there readily detected his fear of journeying with that terrible person and of being his guest even for a few moments anxious therefore entirely to dissipate these cowardly apprehensions yet unwilling to draw the curate aside and whisper with him in secret while his new friend formed the third of their party he judged that the best plan would be to do what indeed he would have done without such a motive that is address the unnamed himself and thus don abondio might at length understand from his replies that he was no longer an object of fear he returned therefore to the unnamed and addressing him with that frank cordiality which may be met with a new and powerful affection as well as in an intimacy of longstanding don't think said he that i shall be content with this visit for today you will return won't you with this worthy clergyman will i return replied the unnamed should you refuse me i would obstinately remain outside your door like the beggar i want to talk with you i want to hear you to see you i deeply need you federigo took his hand and pressed it saying do the clergyman of this village then and me the favor of dining with us today i shall expect you in the meanwhile i must go to offer up prayers and praises with the people and you to reap the first fruits of mercy don abondio at these demonstrations stood like a cowardly child who watches a person boldly petting and stroking a large surly shaggy dog with glaring eyes and a notoriously bad name for biting and growling and hears its master say that his dog is a good and very quiet beast he looks at the owner and neither contradicts nor a sense he looks at the animal afraid to approach him for fear the very gentle beast should show his teeth were it only from habit and equally afraid to run away lest he should be thought a coward and can only utter an internal aspiration would that i were safe in my own house end of chapter 23 part 1 section 46 chapter 23 part 2 chapter 23 part 2 of 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 the betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni chapter 23 part 2 in quitting the apartment in company with the unnamed whose hand he still grasped the cardinal cast another glance upon the poor man who remained behind looking very awkward and mortified and with a doleful expression of countenance thinking that possibly his vexation arose from being apparently overlooked and left as it were in a corner particularly in contrast with a notoriously wicked character now so warmly received and welcomed he turned towards him in passing and hung back for a moment and said to him with a friendly smile senor curate thou wart ever with me in the house of our kind father but this this one oh how glad i am to hear it said don abondio making a profound reverence to the two together the archbishop then went on gave a slight push to the door which was immediately opened from without by two servants who stood outside and the notable pair stood before the longing eyes of the clergy assembled in the apartment they gazed with interest upon their two countenances both of which bore the traces of a very different but equally profound emotion a grateful tenderness and humble joy on Federigo's venerable features and on those of the unnamed confusion tempered with consolation a new and unusual modesty and a feeling of contrition through which the vigor of his wild and fiery temper was nevertheless still apparent it was afterwards found that the passage in the prophet Isaiah had occurred to more than one of the spectators the wolf and the lamb shall feed together and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock Isaiah 1 xv 25 behind them came don abondio to whom no one paid any attention when they had reached the middle of the room the cardinals groom of the chamber entered on the opposite side and informed his master that he had executed all the orders communicated to him by the chaplain that the litter and mules were in readiness and they only waited the arrival of the female whom the curate was to bring the cardinal bid him tell the priest when he came back that don abondio wished to speak with him and then all the rest was left under the direction of the latter and the unnamed whom the cardinal again shook warmly by the hand on taking leave saying I shall expect you then turning to salute don abondio with a bow he set off in the direction of the church followed by the clergy half grouped and half in procession while the fellow travelers remained alone in the apartment the unnamed stood wrapped up in his own thoughts and impatient for the moment when he might go to liberate his luchia from her sufferings and confinement his now in a very different sense from that in which she was so the day before and his face expressed a feeling of intense agitation which to don abondio's suspicious eye might easily appear something worse he peeped and glanced at him from the corner of his eye and longed to start some friendly conversation but what can i say to him thought he must i say again i am glad glad of what that having been hitherto a devil he has at last resolved to become a gentleman like others a fine compliment indeed hey hey hey however i may turn the words i am glad can mean nothing else and after all will it be true that he has become a gentleman so on a sudden there are so many displays made in the world and from so many motives what do i know about it and in the meantime i have to go with him and to that castle oh what a tale what a tale what a tale is this to tell who would have told me this this morning ah if i can but escape in safety my lady perpetual shant soon hear the end of it from me for having sent me here by force when there was no necessity for it out of my own parish with her fine plausible reasons that all the priests for many a mile round would flock hither even those who were further off than i and that i mustn't be behind hand and this that and the other and then to embark me in a business of this sort oh poor me but i must say something to this man and he had just thought of that something and was on the point of opening his mouth to say i never anticipated the pleasure of being thrown into such honorable company when the groom of the chamber entered with the curate of the parish who announced that the woman was waiting in the litter and then turned to don abondio to receive from him the further commission of the cardinal don abondio delivered himself as well as he could in the confusion of mind under which he was laboring and then drawing up to the groom said to him pray give me at least a quiet beast for to tell the truth i am but a poor horseman you may imagine replied the groom with a half smile it is the secretary's mule who is a very learned man that will do replied don abondio and he continued to ruminate heaven send me a good one senior had readily set off the moment he had heard the announcement but on reaching the door and perceiving that don abondio was remaining behind he stood still to wait for him when he came up hastily with an apologizing look the senior bowed and made him pass on first with a courteous and humble air which somewhat reanimated the spirits of the unfortunate and tormented man but scarcely had he set foot in the courtyard when he saw a new object of alarm which quickly dissipated all his reviving confidence he beheld the unnamed go towards the corner take hold of the barrel of his carabine with one hand and of the strap with the other and with a rapid motion as if performing the military exercise swing it over his shoulder alas alas woe is me thought don abondio what would he do with that weapon suitable sackcloth truly fine discipline for a new convert and supposing some fancy should take him oh what an expedition what an expedition could this senior have suspected for a moment what kind of thoughts they were which were passing through his companion's mind it is difficult to say what he would not have done to reassure him but he was far enough away from such a suspicion and don abondio carefully avoided any movement which would distinctly express i don't trust your lordship on reaching the door into the street they found the two animals in readiness the unnamed mounted one which was held for him by a hostler isn't it vicious said don abondio to the valet as he stood with one foot suspended on the stirrup and the other still resting on the ground you may go with a perfectly easy mind it's a very lamb replied the man and don abondio grasping the saddle and assisted by the groom gradually mounted upwards and at last found himself safely seated on the creature's back the litter which stood a few paces in advance and was borne by two mules moved forward at the word of the attendant and the party set off they had to pass before the church which was full to overflowing with people and through a little square also swarming with the villagers and newly arrived visitors whom the building could not accommodate the glad news had already spread and on the appearance of the party and more especially of him who only a few hours before had been an object of terror and execration but was now the object of joyful wonder there arose from the crowd almost a murmur of applause and as they made their way for him even their eagerness was hushed in the desire to obtain a near view of him the litter passed on the unnamed followed and when he arrived before the open door of the church took off his hat and bowed his hitherto dreaded forehead till it almost touched the animal's mane amidst the murmur of a hundred voices exclaiming god bless you donna bondio also took off his hat and bending low recommended himself to heaven but hearing the solemn harmony of his brethren as they chanted in chorus he was so overcome with the feeling of envy a mournful tenderness of spirit and a sudden fervor of heart that it was with difficulty he restrained his tears when they got beyond the habitations into the open country and in the often entirely deserted windings of the road a still darker cloud overspread his thoughts the only object on which his eye could rest with any confidence was the attendant on the litter who belonging to the cardinal's household must certainly be an honest man and who besides did not look like a coward from time to time passengers appeared sometimes even in groups who were flocking to see the cardinal and this was a great relief to donna bondio it was however but transitory and he was advancing towards that tremendous valley where he should meet none but the vassals of his companion and what vassals he now more than ever longed to enter into conversation with this companion both to sound him a little more and to keep him in good humor but even this wish vanished on seeing him so completely absorbed in his own thoughts he must then talk to himself and we will present the reader with the part of the poor man soliloquy during his journey for it would require a volume to record the whole it is a fine thing truly that saints as well as sinners must have quick silver in their compositions and cannot be content with fussing about and busying themselves but must also bring into the dance with them the whole world if they can and that the greatest busy bodies must just come upon me who never meddle with anybody and drag me by the hair into their affairs me who ask for nothing but to be left alone that mad rascal of a don rodrigo what does he want to make him the happiest man in the world if he had but the least grain of judgment he is rich he is young he is respected and courted he is sick with too much prosperity and must needs go about making trouble for himself and his neighbor he might follow the ways of saint michael oh no my gentleman doesn't choose he chooses to set up the trade of molesting women the most absurd the most vile the most insane business in the world he might ride to heaven in his carriage and chooses rather to walk halting to the devil's dwelling and this man and here he looked at him as if he suspected he could hear his very thoughts this man after turning the world upside down with his wickedness now he turns it upside down with his conversion if it prove really so in the meanwhile it falls to me to make the trial so it is that when people are born with this madness in their veins they must always be making a noise is it so difficult to act an honest part all one's life as i have done oh no my good sir they must kill and quarter play the devil oh poor me and then comes a great stir even when doing penance repentance when there is an inclination to it can be performed at home quietly without so much show without giving so much trouble to one's neighbors and his illustrious lordship instantly with open arms calling him his dear friend his dear friend and this man listens to all he says as if he had seen him work miracles and then he must all at once come to a resolution and rush it to hand and foot one minute here the next there we at home should call this precipitation and to deliver a poor curate into his hands without the smallest security this may be called playing with a man at great odds a holy bishop as he is ought to value his curate as the apple of his eye it seems to me there might be a little moderation a little prudence a little charity along with sanctity supposing this should be all a mere show who can tell all the intentions of men and particularly of such a man as this to think that it is my lot to go with him to his own house there may be some underwork of the devil here oh poor me it is best not to think about it how is luchia mixed up with all this it is plain don rodrigo had some designs upon her what people and suppose it is exactly thus how then has this man got her into his clutches who knows i wonder it is all a secret with my lord and to me whom they are making trot about in this way they don't tell a word i don't care about knowing other people's affairs but when i have to risk my skin in the matter i have a right to know something if it be only to go and fetch away this poor creature patience though he could easily enough bring her straight away himself and besides if he is really converted if he has become a holy father what need is there of me oh what a chaos well it is heaven's will it should be thus it will be a very great inconvenience but patience i shall be glad too for this poor luchia she also must have escaped some terrible issue heaven knows what she must have suffered i pity her but she was born to be my ruin at least i wish i could look into his heart and see what he is thinking about who can understand him just look now one minute he looks like saint antony in the desert the next he is like holofernes himself oh poor me poor me well heaven is under an obligation to help me since i didn't get myself into this danger with my own goodwill in fact the thoughts of the unnamed might be seen so to say passing over his countenance as in a stormy day the clouds flipped across the face of the sun producing every now and then an alternation of dazzling light and gloomy shade his soul still quite absorbed in reflection upon fedorigo's soothing words and as it were renewed and made young again with fresh life now rose with cheerful hope at the idea of mercy pardon and love and then again sank beneath the weight of the terrible past he anxiously tried to select those deeds of iniquity which were yet reputable and those which he could still arrest in the midst of their progress he considered what remedies would be most certain and expeditious how to disentangle so many knots what to do with so many accomplices but it was all obscurity and difficulty in this very expedition the easiest of execution and so near its termination he went with a willingness mingled with grief at the thought that in the meanwhile the poor girl was suffering God knew how much and that he while burning to liberate her was all the while the cause of her suffering at every turn or fork in the road the mule driver looked back for directions as to the way the unnamed signified it with his hand and at the same time beckoned to him to make haste they entered the valley how must Don Abondio have felt then that renowned valley of which he had heard such black and horrible stories to be actually within it those men of notorious fame the flower of the bravos of Italy men without fear and without mercy to see them in flesh and blood to meet one two or three at every turn of a corner they bowed submissively to the senior but their son burnt visages their rough mustachios their large fierce eyes they seemed to Don Abondio's mind to mean shall we dispatch that priest so that in a moment of extreme consternation the thought rushed into his mind would that I had married them worse could not before me in the meanwhile they went forward along a gravelly path by the side of the torrent on one hand was a view of isolated and solid rocks on the other a population which would have made even a desert seem desirable Dante was not in a worse situation in the midst of malebolga they passed the front of malanota where bravos were lounging at the door who bowed to the senior and gazed at his companion and the litter they knew not what to think the departure of the unnamed in the morning by himself had already seemed extraordinary and his return was not less so was it a captive that he was conducting and how had he accomplished it alone and what was the meaning of a strange litter and whose could this livery be they looked and looked but no one moved because such was the command they read in his eye and expression they climbed the ascent and reached the summit the bravos on the terrace and round the gate retired on either side to make room for him the unnamed motioned to them to retreat no farther spurted forward and passed before the litter beckoned to the driver and donna bondio to follow him entered an outer court and thence into a second went towards a small postern made signs to a bravo who was hastening to hold his stirrup to keep back and said to him you there and no one nearer he then dismounted and holding the bridle advanced towards the litter addressed himself to the female who had just drawn back the curtain and said to her in an undertone comfort her directly let her understand at once that she is at liberty and among friends god will reward you for it he then ordered the driver to open the door and assist her to get out advancing then to donna bondio with a look of greater serenity than the poor man had yet seen or thought it possible he could see on his countenance in which there might now be traced to joy at the good work which was at length so near its completion he lent him his arm to dismount saying to him at the same time in a low voice senor curate i do not apologize for the trouble you have had on my account you are bearing it for one who rewards bountifully and for this his poor creature this look and these words once more put heart into donna bondio and drawing a long breath which for an hour past had been striving ineffectually to find vent he replied whether or not in a submissive tone it need not be asked is your lordship joking with me but but but and accepting the hand which was so courteously offered he slid down from the saddle as he best could the unnamed took the bridle and handed it with his own to the driver bidding him wait there outside for him taking a key from his pocket he opened the postern admitted the curate and the woman followed them in advanced to lead the way went to the foot of the stairs and they all three ascended in silence end of chapter 23 part 2 chapter 24 part 1 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 24 part 1 Lucia had aroused herself only a short time before and part of that time she had been striving to awaken herself thoroughly and to sever the disturbed dreams of sleep from the remembrances and images of a reality which too much resembled the feverish visions of sickness the old woman quickly made up to her and with a constrained voice of humility said ah have you slept you might have slept in bed I told you so often enough last night and receiving no reply she continued in a tone of pettish entreaty just eat something do be prudent oh how wretched you look you must want something to eat and then if when he comes back he's angry with me no no I want to go away I want to go to my mother your master promised I should he said tomorrow morning where is he he's gone out but he said he'd be back soon and would do all you wished did he say so did he say so very well I wish to go to my mother directly directly and behold the noise of footsteps was heard in the adjoining room then a tap at the door the old woman ran to it and asked who's there open the door replied the well-known voice gently the old woman drew back the bolt and with a slight push the unnamed half opened the door bitter come out and hastily ushered in dawn on banditio and the good woman he then nearly closed the door again and waiting himself outside sent the aged matron to a distant part of the castle as he had before dismissed the other one who was keeping watch outside all this bustle the moment of expectation and the first appearance of strange figures made Lucia's heart bound with agitation for if her present condition was intolerable every change was an additional cause of alarm she looked up and beheld a priest and a woman this somewhat reanimated her she looked more closely is it he or not at last she recognized dawn a banditio and remained with her eyes fixed as if by enchantment the female then drew near and bending over her looked at her compassionately taking both her hands as if to caress and raise her at the same time and saying oh my poor girl come with us come with us who are you demanded Lucia but without listening to the reply she again turned to dawn a banditio who was standing two or three yards distance even his continence expressing some compassion she gazed at him again and exclaimed you it is you the senior curate where are we oh poor me i have lost my senses no no replied dawn a banditio it is indeed i take courage don't you see we are here to take you away i am really your curate come hither on purpose on horseback as if she had suddenly regained all her strength Lucia perceptedly sprang upon her feet then again fixing her eyes on those two faces she said it is the Madonna then that has sent you i believe indeed it is said the good woman but can we go away can we really go away resumed lucia lowering her voice and assuming a timid and suspicious look and all these people continued she with her lips compressed and quivering with fear and horror and that lord that man he did indeed promise he is here himself in person came on purpose with us said dawn a banditio he is outside waiting for us let us go at once we mustn't keep a man like him waiting at this moment he of whom they were speaking opened the door and showing himself at the entrance came forward into the room lucia who but just before had wished for him nay having no hope in anyone else in the world had wished for none but him now after having seen and listened to friendly faces and voices could not restrain a sudden shutter she started held her breath and throwing herself on the good woman's shoulder buried her face in her bosom at the first sight of that countenance on which the evening before he had been unable to maintain a steady gaze now rendered more pale languid and dejected by prolonged suffering and abstinence the unnamed had suddenly checked his steps now at the site of her impulse of terror he cast his eyes on the ground stood for a moment silent and motionless and then replying to what the poor girl had not expressed in words it is true exclaimed he forgive me he has come to set you free he's no longer what he was he has become good don't you hear him asking for your forgiveness said the good woman in lucia's ear could he say more come lift up your head don't be a baby we can go directly said don a banditio lucia raised her face looked at the unnamed and seeing his head bent low and is embarrassed and humble look she was seized with a mingled feeling of comfort gratitude and pity as she replied oh my lord god reward you for this deed of mercy and you a thousand fold for the good you do me by these words so saying he turned around went towards the door and led the way out of the room lucia completely reassured followed leaning on the worthy female's arm well done a banditio brought up the rear they descended the staircase and reached the little door that led into the court the unnamed opened it went towards the litter and with a certain politeness almost mingled with timidity two novel qualities in him offered his arm to lucia to assist her to get in and afterwards to the worthy dame he then took the bridles of the two mules from the driver's hand and gave his arm to don a banditio who had approached his gentle steed oh what condescension said don a banditio as he mounted much more nimbly than he had done the first time and as soon as the unname was also seated the party resumed their way the senor's brow was raised his countenance had regained its customary expression of authority the ruffians whom they passed on their way discovered indeed in his face the marks of deep thought and an extraordinary solicitude but they neither understood nor could understand more about it they knew not yet anything of the great change which had taken place in their master and undoubtedly none of them would have divined it merely from conjecture the good woman immediately drew the curtains over the little windows and then affectionately taking lucia's hands she applied herself to comfort her with expressions of pity congratulation and tenderness seeing then that not only fatigue from the suffering she had undergone but the perplexity and obscurity of all that had happened prevented the poor girl from being sensible of the joy of her deliverance she said all she could think of most likely to recall her recollection and to clear up and set to rights so to say her poor scattered thoughts she named the village she came from and to which they were now going yes said lucia who knew how short a distance it was from her own ah most holy madonna i praise thee my mother my mother we will send to fetch her directly said the good woman not knowing that it was already done yes yes and god will reward you for it and you who are you how have you come our curate sent me said the good woman because god has touched this in your heart blessed be his name and he came to our village to speak to this in your cardinal archbishop for he is there in his visitation that holy man of god and he has repented of his great sins and wished to change his life and he told the cardinal that he had caused a poor innocent to be seized meaning you at the instigation of another person who had no fear of god but the curate didn't tell me who it could be lucia raised her eyes to heaven you know who it was perhaps continued the good woman well the senior cardinal thought that as there was a young girl in the question there ought to be a female to come back with her and he told the curate to look for one and the curate in his goodness came to me oh the lord recompense you for your kindness well just listen to me my poor child and the senior curate bid me encourage you and to try to comfort you directly and point out to you how the lord has saved you by a miracle oh yes by a miracle indeed through the intercession of the Madonna well that you should have a right spirit and forgive him who has done you this wrong and be thankful that god has been merciful to him yes and pray for him too or besides that you will be rewarded for it you will also find your heart lightened lucia replied with a look which expressed ascent as clearly as words could have done and with a sweetness which words could not have conveyed noble girl rejoined the woman and your curate too being at our village for there are numbers assembled from all the country round to elect four public officers the senior cardinal thought it better to send him with us but he has been of little use i had before heard that he was a poor spirited creature but on this occasion i couldn't help seeing that he was as frightened as a chicken in a bundle of hemp and this man has lucia this person who has become good who is he what don't you know him said the good woman mentioning his name oh the mercy of the lord exclaimed lucia how often had she heard that name repeated with horror in more than one story in which it always appeared as in other stories that of the monster orcus and at that thought of having once been in his dreaded power and being now under his merciful protection at the thought of such fearful danger and such unlooked for deliverance and at the remembrance of whose face it was that had at first appeared to her so haughty afterwards so agitated and then so humbled she remained in a kind of ecstasy only occasionally repeating oh what a mercy it is a great mercy indeed said the good woman it will be a great relief to half the world to all the country round to think how many people he kept in fear and now as our curate told me and then only to see his face he has become a saint and the fruits are seen so directly to assert this worthy person did not feel much curiosity to know rather more explicitly the wonderful circumstances in which she was called upon to bear apart would not be the truth but we must say to her honor that restrained by respectful pity for Lucia and feeling in a manner the gravity and dignity of the charge which had been entrusted to her she never even thought of putting an indiscreet or idle question throughout the whole journey her words were those of comfort and concern for the poor girl heaven knows how long it is since you have eaten anything i don't remember not for some time poor thing you must want something to strengthen you yes replied lucia in a faint voice thank god we shall get something at home directly take heart for it's not far now lucia then sank languidly to the bottom of the litter as if overcome with drowsiness and the good woman left her quietly to repose to don abondedio the return was certainly not so harassing as the journey further not long before but nevertheless even this was not a ride of pleasure when his overwhelming fears had subsided he felt at first as if relieved from every burden but very shortly a hundred other fancies began to haunt his imagination as the ground went a large tree had been uprooted remained bare and empty for a time but is soon abundantly covered with weeds he had become more sensitive to minor causes of alarm and in thoughts of the present as well as the future failed not to find only too many materials for self torment he felt now much more than in coming the inconveniences of a mode of traveling to which he was not at all accustomed and particularly in the descent from the castle to the bottom of the valley the mule driver obedient to a sign from the unnamed drove on the animals at a rapid pace the two riders followed in a line behind with corresponding speed so that in sundry steep places the unfortunate Don abondedio as if forced up by a lever behind rolled forward and was obliged to keep himself steady by grasping the pommel of the saddle not daring to request the slower pace and anxious also to get out of the neighborhood as quickly as he could besides this wherever the road was on an eminence on the edge of a steep bank the mule according to the custom of its species seemed as if aiming out of contempt always to keep on the outside and to set its feet on the very brink and Don abondedio saw almost perpendicularly beneath him and a good leap or as he thought a precipice even you said he to the animal in his heart have a cursed inclination to go in search of dangers when there is such a safe and wide path and he pulled the bridle to the opposite side but in vain so that grumbling with vexation and fear he suffered himself as usual to be guided at the will of others the ruffians no longer gave him so much alarm now that he knew for certain how their master regarded them but reflected he if the news of this grand conversion should get abroad among them while we are still here who knows how these fellows would take it who knows what might arise from it what if they should get an idea that i'm come hither as a missionary heaven preserve me they would murder me the haughty brow of the unnamed gave him no uneasiness to keep these visages there in awe thought he it needs no less than this one here i understand that myself but why has it fallen to my lot to be thrown among such people but enough they reached the foot of the descent and at length also issued from the valley the brow of the unnamed became gradually smoother don abundedio too assumed a more natural expression released his head somewhat from imprisonment between his shoulders and stretched his legs and arms tried to be a little more at ease which in truth made him look like a different creature drew his breath more freely and with a calmer mind proceeded to contemplate other and remote or dangers what will that villain of adan rodrigo say to be left in this way wronged and open to ridicule just fancy whether that won't be a bitter dose now's the time when he'll play the devil outright it remains to be seen whether he won't be angry with me because i have been mixed up with this business if he has already chosen to send these two demons to meet me on the high road with such an intimation what will he do now heaven knows he can't quarrel with his illustrious lordship where he's rather out of his reach he'll be obliged to gnaw the bit with him but all the wild of venom will be in his veins and he will be sure to vent it upon somebody how will all these things end the blow must always fall somewhere the lash must be uplifted of course his illustrious lordship intends to place lucia in safety that other unfortunate misguided youth is beyond reach and has already had his share so behold the lash must fall upon my shoulders it will indeed be cruel if after so many inconveniences and so much agitation without my deserving it to in the least i should have to bear the punishment what will his most illustrious grace do now to protect me after having brought me into the dance can he ensure that this cursed rich won't play me a worse trick than before and besides he has so many things to think of he puts his hand to so many businesses how can he attend to all matters are sometimes left more entangled than at first those who do good do it in the gross when they have enjoyed this satisfaction they've had enough and won't trouble themselves to look after the consequences but they who have such a taste for evil doings are much more diligent they follow it up to the end and give themselves no rest because they have an ever devouring canker within them must i go and say that i came here at the express command of his illustrious grace and not with my own goodwill that would seem as if i favored the wicked side oh sacred heaven i favor the wicked side for the pleasure it gives me well the best plan will be to tell perpetua the case as it is and then leave it to her to circulate it provided my lord doesn't take a fancy to make the whole matter public and bring even me into the scene at any rate as soon as ever we arrive if he's out of church i'll go and take my leave of him as quickly as possible if he's not i'll leave an apology and go off home at once luci is well attended to there's no need for me and after so much trouble i too may claim a little repose and besides what if my lord should feel some curiosity to know the whole history and it should fall to me to give an account of that wedding business this is all that is wanting to complete it and if he should come out on a visit to my parish oh let it be what it will i will not trouble myself about it beforehand i have troubles enough already for the present i shall shut myself up at home as long as his grace is in this neighborhood don rodrigo won't have the face to make a stir and afterwards oh afterwards i see that my last years are to be spent in sorrow the party arrived before the services in the church were over they passed through the still assembled crowd which manifested no less emotion than on the former occasion and then separated the two riders turned aside into a small square at the extremity of which stood the curates residents while the litter went forward to that of the good woman don abondedio kept his word scarcely dismounted he paid the most obsequious compliments to the unnamed and begged him to make an apology for him to his grace as he must return immediately to his parish on urgent business he then went to seek for what he called his horse that is to say his walking stick which he had left in a corner of the hall and set off on foot the unnamed remained to wait till the cardinal returned from church the good woman having accommodated lucia with the best seat in the best place in her kitchen hasten to prepare a little refreshment for her refusing with a kind of rustic cordiality her reiterated expressions of thanks and apology hastily putting some dry sticks under a vessel which she had replaced upon the fire and in which floated a good cape on she quickly made the broth boil and then filling from it a pour injure already furnished with soaps of bread she was at length able to offer it to lucia and on seeing the poor girl refreshed at every spoonful she congratulated herself aloud that all this had happened on a day when as she said the cat was not sitting on the hearth stone everybody contrives to set out a table today added she unless it be those poor creatures who can scarcely get bread of veggies and a polenta of millet however they all hope to beg something today from such a charitable senior we thank heaven are not so badly off what with my husband's business and a little plot of ground we can live very well so that you need and hesitate to eat with a good appetite the chicken will soon be done and you can then refresh yourself with something better and receiving the little pour injure from her hand she turned to prepare the dinner and to set out the table for the family end of chapter 24 part 1 chapter 24 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 betroth by Alessandro Manzoni chapter 24 part 2 invigorated in body and gradually revived in heart Lucia now began to settle her dress from an instinctive habit of cleanliness and modesty she tied up and arranged a fresh her loose and disheveled tresses and adjusted the handkerchief over her bosom and around her neck in doing this her fingers became entangled in the chaplet she had hung there her eyes rested upon it aroused an instantaneous agitation in her heart the remembrance of her vow hitherto suppressed and stifled by the presence of so many other sensations suddenly rushed upon her mind and presented itself clearly and distinctly to her view the scarcely recovered powers of her soul were again at once overcome and had she not been previously prepared by a life of innocence resignation and confiding faith the consternation she experienced that that moment would have amounted to desperation after a tumultuous burst of such thoughts as were not to be expressed in words the only ones she could form in her mind were oh poor me whatever have I done but scarcely had she indulged a thought when she had felt a kind of terror at having done so she recollected all the circumstances of the vow her insupportable anguish her despair of all human sukor the fervency of her prayer the entireness of feeling with which the promise had been made and after having obtained her petition to repent of her promise seemed to her nothing less than sacrilegious and perfidy towards god and the virgin she imagined that such unfaithfulness would draw down upon her new and more terrible misfortunes in which she could not find consolation even in prayer and she hastened to abjure her momentary regret reverently taking the rosary from her neck and holding it in her trembling hand she confirmed and renewed the vow imploring at the same time with heart-rending earnestness that strength might be given her to fulfill it and that she might be spared such thoughts and occurrences as would be likely if not disturb her resolution at least to harass her beyond endurance the distance of renzo without any probability of return that distance which she had hitherto felt so painful now seemed to her a dispensation of providence who had made the two events work together for the same end and she thought to find in one a motive of consolation for the other and following up this thought she began representing to herself that the same providence to complete the work would know what means to employ to induce renzo himself to be resigned to think no more but scarcely had such an idea entered her mind when all was again overturned the poor girl feeling her heart still prone to regret the vow again had recourse to prayer confirmation of the promise and inward struggles from which she arose if we may be allowed the expression like the wearied and wounded victor from his fallen enemy at this moment she heard approaching footsteps and joyous cries it was the little family returning from church two little girls and a young boy bounded into the house who stopping a moment to cast an inquisitive glance at lucia ran to their mother and gathered around her one inquiring the name of the unknown guest and how and why another attempting to relate the wonderful things they had just witnessed while the good woman replied to each and all be quiet be quiet with a more sedate step but with cordial interest depicted on his countenance the master of the house then entered he was if we have not yet said so the tailor of the village and its immediate neighborhood a man who knew how to read who had in fact read more than once ill legendario de santi and ill really de francia and who had passed among his fellow villagers as a man of talent and learning a character however which he modestly disclaimed only saying that he had mistaken his vocation and that had he applied himself to study instead of so many others and so on with all this he was the best tempered creature in the world having been present when his wife was requested by the curate to undertake her charitable journey he had not only given his approbation but would also have added his persuasion had it been necessary and now that the services the pomp the concourse and above all the sermon of the cardinal had as the saying is elevated all his best feelings he returned home with eager anticipations and an anxious desire to know how the thing had succeeded and to find the innocent young creature safe see there she is said the good wife as he entered pointing to lucia who blushed and rose from her seat beginning to stammer forth some apology but he advancing towards her interrupted her excuses congratulating her on her safety and exclaiming welcome welcome you are the blessing of heaven in this house i'm glad i am to see you here i was pretty sure you would be brought out safely for i've never found that the lord began a miracle without bringing it to a good end but i'm glad to see you here poor girl but it is indeed a great thing to have received a miracle let it not be thought that he was the only person who thus denominated this event because he had read the legendary as long as the remembrance of it lasted it was spoken of in no other terms in the whole village and throughout the neighborhood and to say truth considering its attendant and following consequences no other name is so appropriate then sidling up to his wife who was taking the kettle off the hook over the fire he whispered did everything go on well very well i'll tell you afterwards yes yes at your convenience dinner now being quickly served up the mistress of the house went up to lucia and leading her to the table made her take a seat then cutting off a wing of the fowl she said it before her and she and her husband sitting down they both begged their dispirited and bashful guests to make herself at home and take something to eat between every mouthful the tailor began to talk with great eagerness in spite of the interruptions of the children who stood round the table to their meal and who in truth had seen too many extraordinary things to play for any length of time the part of mere listeners he described the solemn ceremonies and then passed on to the miraculous conversion but that which had made the most impression upon him and to which he most frequently returned was the cardinal sermon to see him there before the altar said he a gentleman like him like a curate and that gold thing he had on his head said a little girl hush to think i say a gentleman like him such a learned man too that from what people say he has read all the books there are in the world a thing which nobody else has ever done not even in malan to think that he knew how to say things in such a way that everyone understood even i understood very well said another little prattler hold your tongue what may you have understood i wonder i understood that he was explaining the gospel instead of the senior curate well be quiet i don't say those who know something or then one is obliged to understand but even the dullest and most ignorant could follow out the sense go now and ask them if they could repeat the words that he spoke i'll engage they could not remember one but the meaning they will have in their heads and without ever mentioning the name of that senior how easy it was to see that he was alluding to him besides to understand that one had only to observe him with the tears standing in his eye and then the whole church began to weep yes indeed they did first forth the little boy but why were they all crying in that way like children hold your tongue surely there are some hard hearts in this country and he made us see so well that though there is a famine here we ought to thank god and be content do whatever we can work industriously help one another and then be content because it is no disgrace to suffer and be poor the disgrace is to do evil and these are not only fine words for everybody knows that he lives like a poor man himself and takes the bread out of his own mouth to give to the hungry when he might be enjoying good times better than anyone ah then it gives one satisfaction to hear a man preach not like so many others do what i say and not what i do and then he showed us that even those who are not what they call gentlemen if they have more than they actually want are bound to share it with those who are suffering here he interrupted himself as if checked by some thought he hesitated a moment then filling a platter from the several dishes on the table and adding a loaf of bread he put it into a cloth and taking it by the four corners said to his eldest girl here take this he then put into her other hand a little flask of wine and added go down to the widow maria leave her these things and tell her it is to make a little feast with her children but do it kindly and nicely you know that it may not seem as if you were doing her a charity and don't say anything if you meet anyone and take care you break nothing lucia's eyes glistened and her heart glowed with tender emotion as from the conversation she had already heard she had received more comfort than an expressly consolatory sermon could possibly have imparted to her her mind attracted by these descriptions these images of pomp and these emotions of piety and wonder and sharing in the very enthusiasm of the narrator was detached from the consideration of its own sorrows and on returning to them found itself strengthened to contemplate them even the thought of her tremendous sacrifice though it had not lost its bitterness brought with it something of a steer and solemn joy shortly afterwards the curate of the village entered and said that he was sent by the cardinal to inquire after lucia and to inform her that his grace wished to see her sometime during the day and then in his lordship's name he returned many thanks to the worthy couple surprised and agitated the three could scarcely find words to reply to such messages from so great a personage and her mother hasn't arrived yet said the curate to lucia my mother exclaimed the poor girl then hearing from him how he had been sent to fetch her by the order and suggestion of the archbishop she drew her apron over her eyes and gave way to a flood of tears which continued to flow for some time after the curate had taken his leave when however the tumultuous feelings which had been excited by such an announcement began to yield to more tranquil thoughts the poor girl remembered that the now closely impending happiness of seeing her mother again a happiness so unhoped for a few hours previous was what she had expressively implored in those very hours and almost stipulated as a condition of her vow bring me in safely to my mother she had said and these words now presented themselves distinctly to her memory she strengthened herself more than ever in the resolution to maintain her promise and a fresh and more bitterly lamented the struggle and regret she had for a moment indulged agnes indeed while they were talking about her was but a very little way off it may easily be imagined how the poor woman felt at this unexpected summons and at the announcement necessarily defective and confused of an escape but fearful danger an obscure event which the messenger could neither circumstantiate nor explain and of which she had not the slightest ground of explanation in her own previous thoughts after tearing her hair after frequent exclamations of ah my god ah Madonna after putting various questions to the messenger which he had not the means of satisfying she threw herself impetuously into the vehicle continuing to utter on her way numberless ejaculations and useless inquiries but at this certain point she met Don Abundidio trudging on step after step and before each step his walking stick after an O from both parties he stopped agnes also stopped and dismounted and drawing him apart into a chestnut grove on the roadside she there learned from Don Abundidio all that he had been able to ascertain and observe the thing was not clear but at least agnes was assured that Lucia was in safety and she again breathed freely after this Don Abundidio tried to introduce another subject and give her minute instructions as to how she ought to behave before the archbishop if as was likely he should wish to see her and her daughter and above all that it would not do to say a word about the wedding but agnes perceiving that he was only speaking for his own interest cut him short without promising indeed without proposing anything or she had something else to think about and immediately resumed her journey at length the cart arrived and stopped at the tailor's house Lucia sprang up hastily agnes dismounted and rushed impetuously into the cottage and in an instant they were locked in each other's arms the good dame who alone was present tried to encourage and calm them and share with them in their joy then with her usual discretion she left them for a while alone saying that she would go and prepare a bed for them for which indeed she had the means though in any case both she and her husband would much rather have slept upon the ground than suffer them to go in search of shelter elsewhere for that night the first burst of sobs and embraces being over agnes long to hear Lucia's adventures and the latter began mournfully to relate them but as the reader is aware it was a history which no one knew fully and to Lucia herself there were some obscure passages which were in fact quite inextricable more particularly the fatal coincidence of that terrible carriage being in the road just when Lucia was passing on an extraordinary occasion on this point both mother and daughter were lost in conjecture without ever hitting the mark or even approaching the real cause as to the principal author of the plot neither one nor the other could for a moment doubt but that it was Don Rodrigo ah the black villain ah the infernal firebrand exclaimed agnes but his hour will come god will reward him according to his works and then he too will feel no no mother no interrupted Lucia don't predict suffering for him don't predict it to anyone if you knew what it was to suffer if you had tried it no no rather let us pray god and the Madonna for him that god would touch his heart as he has done to this other poor senior who was worse than he is and is now a saint the shattering horror that Lucia felt in retracing such recent and cruel scenes made her more than once pause in the midst more than once she said she had not the courage to go on and after many tears with difficulty resumed her account but a different feeling checked her at a certain point of the narration at the mention of the vow the fear of being blamed by her mother as imprudent and precipitate or that as in the affair of the wedding she should bring forward one of her broad rules of conscience and try to make it prevail or that poor woman she should tell it to someone in confidence if nothing else to obtain light and counsel and thus make it publicly known from the bare idea of which Lucia shrank back with insupportable shame together with a feeling of present shame and an inexplicable repugnance to speak on such a subject all these things together determined her to maintain absolute silence on this important circumstance proposing in her own mind to open herself first to Father Christophero but what did she feel when in inquiring after him she heard that he was no longer at Pescara Nico that he had been sent to a town far far away to a town bearing such and such a name and Renzo said Agnes he's in safety isn't he said Lucia hastily that much is certain because everybody says so it is thought to pretty surely that he's gone to the territory of Bergamo but the exact place nobody knows and hitherto he has sent no news of himself perhaps he hasn't yet found a way of doing so if he's in safety the Lord be praised said Lucia and she was seeking some other subject of conversation when they were interrupted by an unexpected novelty the appearance of the cardinal archbishop this holy prelate having returned from church where we last left him and having heard from the unnamed of Lucia's safe arrival had sat down to dinner placing his new friend on his right hand in the midst of a circle of priests who were never weary of casting glances at that countenance now so subdued without weakness so humble without dejection and of comparing him with the idea that had so long entertained of this formidable personage end of chapter 24 part 2