section 16 chapter 8 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 8 part 2 we will let them go and return a step or two to find Agnesi and Perpetua whom we had just conducted round the corner of a certain road Agnesi had endeavoured to allure her companion as far away from Donobondio's house as possible and up to a certain point had succeeded very well but all on a sudden the servant remembered that she had left the door open and she wanted to go back there was nothing to be said Agnesi to avoid exciting any suspicion in her mind was obliged to turn and walk with her trying however to detain her whenever she saw her very eager in relating the issue of such and such courtships she pretended to be paying very great attention and every now and then by way of showing that she was listening or to animate the flagging conversation would say certainly now I understand that was capital that is plain and then and he and you while all the time she was keeping up a very different discourse in her own mind I wonder if they are out by this time or will they be still in the house what geese we all were not to arrange any signal to let me know when it was over it was really very stupid but it can't be helped and the best thing I can do now is to keep her loitering here as long as I can let the worst come to the worst it will only be a little time lost thus with sundry pauses and various deviations from the straight path they were brought back again to within a very short distance from Donna Bondio's house which however could not be seen on account of the corner intercepting the view and perpetua finding herself at an important part of her narration had suffered herself to be detained without resistance and even without being aware of it when they suddenly heard echoing through the vacant extent of the atmosphere and the dead silence of night the loud and disordered cry of a Bondio help help mercy what has happened cried perpetua beginning to run what is it what is it said Agnesi holding her back by the gown mercy didn't you hear replied she struggling what is it what is it repeated Agnesi seizing her by the arm wretch of a woman exclaimed perpetua pushing her away to free herself and to run at this moment more distant more shrill more instantaneous was heard the scream of Manico mercy cried Agnesi also and they ran off together they had scarcely however gone a step when the bell sounded one stroke then two three and a succession of peels such as would have stimulated them to run had there been no other inducement perpetua arrived first by two steps while she raised her hand to the door to open it behold it was opened from within and on the threshold stood Tonio Gervais Renzo and Lucia who having found the stairs had come down more rapidly than they went up and at the sound of that terrible bell we're making their escape in haste to reach a place of safety what's the matter what's the matter demanded the panting perpetua of the brothers but they only replied with a violent push and passed on and you and how what are you doing here said she to the other couple on recognizing them but they too made their escape without answering her without therefore asking any more questions and directing her steps where she was most wanted she rushed impetuously into the passage and went groping about as quickly as she could to find the stairs the betrothed still only betrothed now fell in with Agnesi who arrived weary and out of breath here you are said she scarcely able to speak how has it gone what is the bell ringing for I thought I heard home home cried Renzo before anybody comes and they moved forward but at this moment Meniko arrived running as fast as his legs could carry him and recognizing them he threw himself in their way and still all in a tremble and scarcely able to draw his breath exclaimed where are you going back back this way to the convent are you began a crazy what is it asked Renzo Lucia stood by trembling and silent in utter dismay there are devils in your house replied Meniko panting I saw them myself they wanted to murder me father Christophero said so and even you Renzo he said were to come quickly and besides I saw them myself it's providential you are all here I will tell you the rest when we get out of the village Renzo who had more of his senses about him than the rest remembered that they had better make their escape one way or another before the crowds assembled and that the best plan would be to do as Meniko advised they commanded with the authority of one in terror when once on their way and out of the tumult and danger he could ask a clearer explanation from the boy lead the way said he to Meniko and addressing the women said let us go with him they therefore quickly turned their steps towards the church crossed the church yard whereby the favour of heaven there was not yet a living creature entered a little street that ran between the church and on a bondio's house turned into the first alley they came to and then took the way of the fields they had not gone perhaps 50 yards when the crowd began to collect in the church yard and rapidly increased every moment they looked inquiringly in each other's faces everyone had a question to ask but no one could return an answer those who arrived first ran to the church door it was locked they then ran to the Belfry outside and one of them putting his hand to a very small window a sort of loophole cried whatever is the matter as soon as I'm brogio recognized a known voice he let go of the bell rope and being assured by the buzz that many people had assembled replied I'll open the door hastily slipping on the apparel he had carried under his arm he went inside the church and opened the door what is all this hubbub what is it where is it who is it why who is it said I'm brogio laying one hand on the door post and with the other holding up the habiliment he had put on in such haste what don't you know people in the senior curates house up boys help hearing this they all turned to the house looked up approached it in a body looked up again listened all was quiet some ran to the street door it was shut and bolted they glanced upwards not a window was open not a whisper was to be heard who is within oh hey senior curate senior curate don a bondio who scarcely aware of the flight of the invaders had retired from the window and closed it and who at this moment was reproaching perpetua in a low voice for having left him alone in this confusion was obliged when he heard himself called upon by the voice of the assembled people to show himself again at the window and when he saw the crowds that had come to his aid he sorely repented having called them what has happened what have they done to you who are they where are they burst forth from 50 voices at once there's nobody here now thank you go home again but who has been here where are they gone what has happened bad people people who go about by night but they're gone go home again there is no longer anything another time my children I thank you for your kindness to me so saying he drew back and shut the window some of the crowd began to grumble some to joke others to curse some shrugged their shoulders and took their departure when one arrived endeavoring but scarcely able to speak from want of breath it was the person who lived in the house opposite agnesi's cottage who having gone to the window at the noise had seen in the courtyard the assembly of bravos when grizzo was striving to reunite his scattered troops on recovering his breath he cried what are you doing here my good fellows the devil isn't here he's down at the end of the village at agnesi mondela's house armed men are within who seem to be murdering a pilgrim who knows what the devil is doing what what what and a tumultuous consultation began we must go we must see how many are there how many are we who are we the constable the constable I'm here replied the constable from the middle of the crowd I'm here but you must help me you must obey quick where is the sexton to the bell to the bell quick somebody run to let go for help all of you come here some ran some slipped between their fellows and made their escape and the tumult was at its greatest height when another runner arrived who had seen grizzo and his party going off in such haste and cried in turn run my good fellows thieves or banditi who are carrying off a pilgrim they are already out of the village on after them at this information they moved off in a body in great confusion towards the fields without waiting their generals orders and as the crowd proceeded many of the vanguard slackened their pace to let the others advance and retired into the body of the battalion those in the rear pushing eagerly forward until at last the disorderly multitude reached their place of destination traces of the recent invasion were manifest the door opened the locks torn off but the invaders had disappeared the crowd entered the courtyard and went to the room door this two was burst open they called Agnesi Lucia the pilgrim where is the pilgrim Stefano must have been dreaming about the pilgrim no no Carl Andrea saw him also oh hey pilgrim Agnesi Lucia no one replied they've run away with them they've run away with them there were then some who raised their voices and proposed to follow the robbers said it was a heinous crime and that it would be a disgrace to the village if every villain could come and carry off women with impunity as a kite carries off chickens from a deserted barn floor there rose a fresh and more tumultuous consultation but somebody and it was never certainly known who called out in the crowd that Agnesi and Lucia were in safety in a house the rumor spread rapidly it gained belief and no one spoke again of giving chase to the fugitives the multitude dispersed and everyone went into his own house there was a general whispering a noise all over the village a knocking and opening of doors and appearing and disappearing of lights a questioning of women from the windows an answering call from the streets when all outside was deserted and quiet the conversation continued in the houses and ended at last in slumber only to be renewed on the morrow however no other events took place accepting that on the morning of that morrow the constable was standing in his field with his chin resting on his hands his hands on the handle of the spade which was half stuck into the ground and one foot on the iron rest affixed to the handle speculating in his mind as he thus stood on the mysteries of the past night on what would reasonably be expected of him and on what course it would be best for him to pursue he saw two men approaching him with very fierce looks wearing long hair like the first race of French kings and otherwise bearing a strong resemblance to the two who five days before had confronted Don Abondio if indeed they were not the same men these with still less ceremony than had been used towards the curate intimated to the constable that he must take right good care not to make a deposition to the Podesta of what had happened not to tell the truth in case he was questioned not to gossip and not to encourage gossiping among the villagers as he valued his life our fugitives walked a little way at a quick pace in silence one or other occasionally looking back to see if they were followed all of them occasionally looking back to see if they were followed all of them we read by the fatigue of the flight by the anxiety and suspense they had endured by grief at their ill success and by confused apprehensions of new and unknown danger their terror too was increased by the sound of the bell which still continued to follow them and seemed to become heavier and more horse the further they left it behind them acquiring every moment something more mournful and ominous in its tone at last the ringing ceased reaching then a deserted field and not hearing a whisper around they slackened their pace and Agnesi taking breath was the first to break the silence by asking Renzo how matters had gone and Minico what was the demon in their house Renzo briefly related his melancholy story and then all of them turning to the child he informed them more expressly of the father's advice and narrated what he had himself witnessed and the hazards he had run which too surely confirmed the advice his auditors however understood more of this than did the speaker they were seized with new horror at the discovery and for a moment paused in their walk exchanging mutual looks of fear then with a unanimous movement they laid their hands some on the head others on the shoulders of the boy as if to caress him and tacitly to thank him for having been to them a guardian angel at the same time signifying the compassion they felt for him and almost apologizing for the terror he had endured and the danger he had undergone on their account now go home that your family may not be anxious about you any longer said Agnesi and remembering the two promised Papagliole she took out four and gave them to him adding that will do pray the Lord that we may never meet again soon and then Renzo gave him a new Berlinga and begged him to say nothing of the message he had brought from the father Lucia again caressed him bad him farewell with a sorrowful voice and the boy almost overcome wished them goodbye and turned back the melancholy trio continued their walk the women taking the lead and Renzo behind to act as guard Lucia clung closely to her mother's arm kindly and dexterously avoiding the proffered assistance of the youth at the difficult passes of this unfrequented path feeling ashamed of herself even in such troubles for having already been so long and so familiarly alone with him while expecting in a few moments to be his wife now that this vision had been so sorrowfully dispelled she repented having proceeded thus far and amidst so many causes of fear she feared even for her modesty not such modesty as arises from the sad knowledge of evil but for that which is ignorant of its own existence like the dread of a child who trembles in the dark he knows not why and the house suddenly exclaimed Agnesi but however important the object might be which extorted this exclamation no one replied because no one could do so satisfactorily they therefore continued their walk in silence and in a little while reached the square before the church of the convent Renzo advanced to the door of the church and gently pushed it open the moon that entered through the aperture fell upon the pale face and silvery beard of Father Cristoforo who is standing here expecting them and having seen that no one was missing God be praised said he beckoning them to enter by his side stood another Capuchin the lay sexton whom he had persuaded by prayers and arguments to keep vigil with him and to keep the door a jar and to remain there on guard to receive these poor threatened creatures and it required nothing short of the authority of the father and of his fame as a saint to persuade the layman to do so inconvenient perilous and irregular a condescension when they were inside Father Cristoforo very softly shut the door then the sexton could no longer contain himself and taking the father aside whispered in his ear but father father at night in church with women shut the rule but father and he shook his head while thus hesitatingly pronouncing these words just see thought father Cristoforo if it were a pursued robber father Fazio would make no difficulty in the world and a poor innocent escaping from the jaws of a wolf omnia Munda Mundis added he turning suddenly to fry a Fazio and forgetting that he did not understand Latin but this forgetfulness was exactly what produced the right effect if the father had begun to dispute and reason father Fazio would not have failed to urge opposing arguments and no one knows how and when the discussion would have come to an end but at the sound of those weighty words of a mysterious signification and so resolutely uttered it seemed to him that in them must be contained the solution of all his doubts he acquiesced saying very well you know more about it than I do trust me then replied father Cristoforo and by the dim light of the lamp burning before the altar he approached the refugees who stood waiting in suspense and said to them my children thank God who has delivered you from so great a danger perhaps at this moment and here he began to explain more fully what he had hinted by the little messenger little suspecting that they knew more than he and supposing that many co had found them quiet in their own house before the arrival of the ruffians nobody undeceived him not even Lucia whose conscience however was all the while secretly reproaching her for practicing such dissimulation with so good a man but it was a night of embarrassment and dissimulation after this continued he you must feel my children that the village is no longer safe for you it is yours you were born here and you have done no wrong to anyone but God wills it so it is a trial my children bear it with patience and faith without indulging in ranker and rest assured there will come a day when you will think yourselves happy that this has occurred I have thought of a refuge for you for the present soon I hope you may be able to return in safety to your own house at any rate God will provide what is best for you and I assure you I will be careful not to prove unworthy of the favor he has bestowed upon me in choosing me as his minister in the service of you his poor yet loved afflicted ones you continued he turning to the two women can stay at here you will be far enough from every danger and at the same time not far from your own home there seek out our convent ask for the guardian and give him this letter he will be to you another father Christoforo and you my Renzo must put yourself in safety from the anger of others and your own carry this letter to father Bonaventura Dalody in our convent of the Porta Orientale at Milan he will be a father to you give you directions and find you work till you can return and live more peaceably go to the shore of the lake near the mouth of the beyond a river not far from this monastery here you will see a boat waiting say boat it will be asked you for whom and you must reply San Francesco the boat will receive you and carry you to the other side where you will find a cart that will take you straight to if anyone asks how father Christoforo had so quickly at his disposal these means of transport by land and water it will show you that he does not know the influence and power of a capuchin held in reputation as a saint it still remained to decide about the care of the houses the father received the keys pledging himself to deliver them to whomsoever Renzo and Agnesi should name the latter in delivering up hers heaved a deep sigh remembering that at that moment the house was open that the devil had been there and who knew what remained to be taken care of before you go said the father let us all pray together that the Lord may be with you in this your journey and forever and above all that he may give you strength and a spirit of love to enable you to desire whatever he has willed so saying he knelt down in the middle of the church and they all followed his example after praying a few moments in silent with low but distinct voice he pronounced these words we beseech thee also for the unhappy person who has brought us to this state we should be unworthy of thy mercy if we did not from our hearts implore it for him he needs it oh Lord we in our sorrow have this consolation that we are in the path where thou has placed us we can offer thee our griefs and they may become our gain but he is thine enemy alas wretched man he is striving with thee have mercy on him oh Lord touch his heart reconcile him to thyself and give him all those good things we could desire for ourselves rising then in haste he said come my children you have no time to lose God defend you his angel go with you farewell and while they set off with that emotion which cannot find words and manifests itself without them the father added in an agitated tone my heart tells me we shall meet again soon certainly the heart to those who listen to it has always something to say on what will happen but what did his heart know very little truly of what had already happened without waiting a reply Father Christophero retired with hasty steps the travelers took their departure and Father Fazio shut the door after them bidding them farewell with even his voice a little faltering the trio slowly made their way to the shore they had been directed to where they spied the boat and exchanging the password stepped in the waterman planting one or on the land pushed off then took up the other or and rowing with both hands pulled out and made towards the opposite beach not a breath of wind was stirring the lake lay bright and smooth and would have appeared motionless but for the tremulous and gentle undulation of the moonbeams which gleamed upon it from the zenith no sounds were heard but the muffled and slowly measured breaking of the surge upon the pebbly shore the more distant gurgling of the troubled waters dashing among the piles of the bridge and the even plash of the light skulls as a rising with a sharp sound of the dripping blade and quickly plunged again beneath they cut the Azure surface of the lake the waves divided by the prowl and reuniting behind the little bark tracked out a curling line which extended itself to the shore the silent travelers with their faces turned backwards gazed upon the mountains and the country illumined by the pale light of the moon and diversified here and there with vast shadows they could distinguish the villages the houses and the little cabins the palace of Don Rodrigo with its square tower rising above the group of huts at the base of the promontory looked like a savage standing in the dark and meditating some evil deed while keeping guard over a company of reclining sleepers Lucia saw it and shuddered then drawing her eye along the declivity till she reached her native village she fixed her gaze on its extremity sought for her own cottage traced out the thick head of the fig tree which towered above the wall of the courtyard discovered the window of her own room and being seated in the bottom of the boat she leaned her elbow on the edge laid her forehead upon her arm as if she were sleeping and wept in secret farewell ye mountains rising from the waters and pointing to the heavens ye varied summits familiar to him who has been brought up among you and impressed upon his mind as clearly as the countenance of his dearest friends ye torrents whose murmur he recognizes like the sound of the voices of home ye villages scattered and glistening on the declivity like flocks of grazing sheep farewell how mournful is the step of him who brought up amidst your scenes is compelled to leave you even in the imagination of one who willingly departs attracted by the hope of making a fortune elsewhere the dreams of wealth at this moment lose their charms he wonders he could form such a resolution and could even now turn back but for the hope of one day returning with a rich abundance as he advances into the plane his eye becomes wearied with its uniform extent the atmosphere feels heavy and lifeless he sadly and listlessly enters the busy cities where houses crowded upon houses and streets intersecting streets seem to take away his breath and before edifices admired by the stranger he recalls with reckless longing the fields of his own country and the cottage he had long ago set his heart upon and which he resolves to purchase when he returns enriched to his own mountains but what must he feel who has never sent a passing wish beyond these mountains who has arranged among them all his designs for the future and is driven far away by an adverse power who suddenly snatched away from his dearest habits and thwarted in his dearest hopes leaves these mountains to go in search of strangers whom he never desired to know and is unable to look forward to a fixed time of return farewell native cottage where indulging in unconscious thought one learnt to distinguish from the noise of common footsteps the approach of a tread expected with mysterious timidity farewell now cottage still a stranger but so often hastily glanced at not without a blush in passing in which the mind took delight to figure to itself the tranquil and lasting home of a wife farewell my church where the heart was so often soothed while chanting the praises of the Lord where the preparatory right of betrothal was performed where the secret sighing of the heart was solemnly blessed and love was inspired and one felt a hollowing influence around farewell he who imparted to you such gladness is everywhere and he never disturbs the joy of his children but to prepare them for one more certain and durable of such a nature if not exactly these were the reflections of Lucia and not very dissimilar were those of the two other wanderers while the little bark rapidly approached the right bank of the adder end of chapter 8 part 2 chapter 9 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 9 part 1 the striking of the boat against the shore aroused Lucia who after secretly drying her tears raised her head as if she were just awakening Renzo jumped out first and gave his hand successively to Agnese and Lucia and then they all turned and sorrowfully thanked the boatman nothing nothing we are placed here to help one another answered he and he withdrew his hand almost with a movement of horror as if it had been proposed to him to rob when Renzo tried to slip in one or two of the coins he had about him in which he had brought in his pocket with the intention of generously reciting Don Abondio when he should though against his will have rendered the desired assistance the cart stood waiting for them the driver saluted the three expected travelers and bit them get in and then with his voice and a stroke of the whip he started the animal and set forward our author does not described this nocturnal journey and is silent as to the name of the town to which the little company were directing their steps or rather he expressly says he will not give the name in the course of the story the reason of all this mystery appears the adventures of Lucia in this abode involve a dark intrigue of a person belonging to a family still powerful as it appears at the time our author wrote to account for the strange conduct of this person in the particular instance he relates he has been obliged to chiefly to recount her early life and there the family makes the figure which our readers will see hence the poor man's great circumspection and yet how people sometimes forget themselves he himself without being aware of it has opened a way of discovering with certainty what he had taken such great pains to keep concealed in one part of the account which we will admit as not being necessary to the integrity of the story he happens to say that this place was an ancient and noble borough which wanted nothing but the name to be a city he then inadvertently mentions that the river Lambrou runs through it and again that it was the seat of an arch presbyter with these indications there is not in all Europe a moderately learned man who will not instantly exclaim Monza we could also propose some very well-founded conjectures in the name of the family but although the object of our conjectures has been some time extinct we consider it better to be silent on this head not to run the risk of wrongdoing even the dead and to leave some subject of research for the learned our travelers reached Monza shortly after sunrise the driver turned into an in and as if at home in the place and well acquainted with the landlord ordered a room for the newly arrived guests and accompanied them fitter after many acknowledgments Renzo tried to induce him to receive some reward but he like the boatman had in view another more distant but more abundant recompense he put his hands behind him and making his escape went to look after his horse after such a night as we have described and as everyone may imagine the greatest part spent in mournful thoughts with the constant dread of some unforeseen misfortune in the melancholy silence of night in the sharpness of a more than autumn null air and amid the frequent jolts of the incomodious vehicle which rudely shook the weary frames of our travelers they soon felt themselves overpowered with sleep and availed themselves of a sofa that stood in an adjoining room to take a little repose they then partook together of a frugal meal such as the poverty of the times would allow and scanty in proportion to the contingent wants of an uncertain future and their own slender appetite one after another they remembered the banquet which two days before they had hoped to enjoy and each interned heaved a deep sigh Renzo would gladly have stayed there at least for that day to have seen the two women provided for and to have given them his services but the father had recommended them to send him on his way as quickly as possible they alleged therefore these orders and a hundred other reasons people would gossip the longer the separation was delayed the more painful it would be he could come again soon to give and learn news so that at last the youth determined to go their plans were then more definitely arranged Lucia did not attempt to hide her tears Renzo could scarcely restrain his and warmly pressing Agnese's hand he said in an almost choked voice farewell till we meet again and set off the women would have found themselves much at a loss had it not been for the good driver who had orders to give them to the convent and to give them any direction and assistance they might stand in need of with this escort then they took their way to the convent which as everyone knows was a short distance outside the town of Monza arrived at the door their conductor rang the bell and asked for the guardian who quickly made his appearance and received the letter oh brother Cristofaro said he recognizing the handwriting the tone of his voice and the expression of his face evidently indicating that he uttered the name of an intimate friend it might easily be seen too that our good friar had in this letter warmly recommended the women and related their case with much feeling for the guardian kept making gestures of surprise and indignation and raising his eyes from the paper he would fix them upon the women with a certain expression of pity and interest when he finished reading it he stood for a while thoughtful and then said to himself there's no one but the senora if the senora would take upon herself this charge he then drew Agnese a few steps aside in the little square before the convent asked her a few questions which she answered satisfactorily and then turning towards Lucia addressed them both my good women I will try and I hope I shall be able to find you a retreat more than secure more than honorable until I shall please God to provide for you in some better way will you come with me the women reverently bowed as sent and the friared continued come with me to the convent of the senora keep however a few steps behind me because people delight to speak evil and no one knows what fine stories they would make out if they were to see the father guardian walking with a beautiful young girl with women I mean to say so saying he moved forward Lucia blushed their guide smiled and glanced at Agnese who betrayed also a momentary smile and when the friar had gone a few steps they followed him at about 10 yards distance the women then asked their guide what they did not dare say to the father guardian who was the senora the senora replied he is a nun but she's not like the other nuns not that she's either the abes or the prioress for from what they say she's one of the youngest there but she is from adam's rib and she is of an ancient and high family in spain where some of them now are princes and therefore they call her the senora to show that she is a great lady and all the country call her by this name for they say there never was her equal in this monastery before and even now down at Milan her family ranks very high and is held in great esteem and in Monza still more so because her father though he does not live here is the first man in the country so that she can do what she pleases in the convent and all the country people bear her a great respect and if she undertakes a business she is sure to succeed in it so that if this good monk before us is fortunate enough to get you into her hands and she takes you under her protection I dare venture to say you will be as safe as at the altar on reaching the gate of the town flanked at that time by an ancient ruin tower and a fragment of a demolished castle which perhaps some few of my readers may still remember to have seen standing the guardian stopped and looked behind to see if they were following he then passed through and went on to the convent and when he reached it stopped again at the doorway and waited for the little party he then begged the guy to come again to the convent to take back a reply he promised to do so and took his leave of the women who loaded him with thanks and messages to Father Cristoforo the guardian bidding them go into the first court of the monastery ushered them into the apartments of the fortress to whom he recommended them and went forward alone to make his request after a few moments he returned and with a joyful minor told them to come with him and his reappearance was just apropos for they were beginning to find it difficult toward of the pressing interrogations of the fortress while traversing the inner court the father instructed the women how they must behave to the senora she is well disposed towards you said he and may be of much service to you be humble and respectful reply with frankness to the questions she may please to put and when you're not questioned leave it to me they then passed through a lower room to the parlor of the convent and before entering the guardian pointing to the door said to the women in an undertone she is there as if to remind them of the lessons he had been giving lucia who had never before seen a monastery looked around the room on entry for the senora to whom she was to make obeisance and perceiving no one she stood perplexed but seeing the father advance and agnese following she looked in that direction and observed an almost square aperture like a half window graded with two large thick iron bars distant from each other about a span and behind this a nun was standing her countenance which showed her to be about 25 years old gave the impression at a first glance of beauty but of beauty worn faded and one might almost say spoiled a black veil stiffened and stretched quite flat upon her head fell on each side and stood out a little way from her face under the veil a very white linen band half covered a forehead of different but not inferior whiteness a second band and folds down each side of the face crossed under the chin and circled the neck and was spread a little over the breast to conceal the opening of a black dress but this forehead was wrinkled every now and then as if by some painful emotion accompanied by the rapid movement of two jet black eyebrows sometimes she would fix two very dark eyes on another's face with a piercing look of haughty investigation and then again would hastily lower them as if seeking a hiding place one moment an attentive observant would imagine they were soliciting affection intercourse pity at another he would gather then some momentary revelation of ancient and smothered hatred of some indescribable fierce disposition and when they remained immovably fixed without attention some might have imagined a proud indifference while others would have suspected the laboring of some secret thought the overpowering dominion of an idea familiar to her mind and more engrossing than surrounding objects her pale cheeks were delicately formed but much altered and shrunk by a gradual extinuation her lips though scarcely suffused with a faint tinge of the rose stood out in contrast with this paleness and like her eyes their movements were sudden quick and full of expression and mystery the well-formed tallness of her figure disappeared in the habitual stoop of her carriage or was disfigured by a certain quick and irregular starts which betrayed to resolute an air for a woman still more for a nun in her very dress there was a display of either particularity or negligence which betokent a nun of singular character her headdress was arranged with a kind of worldly carefulness and from under the band around her head the end of a curl of glossy black hair appeared upon her temple betraying either forgetfulness or contempt of the rule which required them always to keep the hair closely shaven it was cut off first at the solemn ceremony of their admission these things made no impression on the minds of the two women inexperienced in distinguishing nun from nun and the father guardian had so frequently seen the senora before that he was already accustomed like many others to the singularities and manner and dress which she displayed she was standing as we have said near the grated window languidly leaning on it with one hand twinning her delicately white fingers in the interstices and with her head slightly bent downwards surveying the advancing party reverent mother and most illustrious senora said the guardian bowing his head and laying his right hand upon his breast this is the poor young girl to whom you have encouraged me to hope you will extend your valuable protection and this is her mother anese and lucia reverently curtsied the senora beckoning to them with her hand that she was satisfied said turning to the father it is fortunate for me that i have in my power to serve our good friends the capuchin fathers in any matter but continued she will you tell me a little more particularly the case of this young girl so that i may know better what i ought to do for her lucia blushed and held down her head you must know reverent mother began anese but the guardian silenced her with a glance and replied this young girl was to lustrous lady has been recommended to me as i told you by a brother friar she has been compelled secretly to leave her country to avoid great dangers and wants an asylum for some time where she may live retired and where no one will dare molester even when what dangers interrupted the senora be good enough father not to tell me the case so enigmatically you know that we nuns like to hear stories minutely they are dangers replied the guardian which scarcely ought to be mentioned ever so delicately in the pure ears of the reverent mother oh certainly replied the senora hastily and slightly coloring was it modesty one who would have observed the momentary expression of vexation which accompanied this blush might have entertained some doubt of it especially if he had compared it with that which diffused itself from time to time on the cheeks of lucia it is enough resumed the guardian that a powerful nobleman not all of the great people of the world use the gifts of god to his glory and for the good of their neighbors as you illustrious ladieship has done a powerful cavalier often having for some time persecuted this poor girl with base flatteries seeing that they were useless had the heart openly to persecute her by force so that the poor thing has been obliged to fly from her home come near young girls at the senora to lucia beckoning to her with her hand i know that the father guardian is truth itself but no one can be better informed in this business than yourself it rests with you to say whether this cavalier was an odious persecutor as to approaching lucia instantly obeyed but to answer was another matter an inquiry on this subject even when proposed by an equal would have put her into confusion but made by the senora and with a certain air of malicious doubt it deprived her of courage to reply senora mother reverend stammered she but she seemed to have nothing more to say agnes is there for us being certainly the best informed after her here thought herself authorized to come to her succor most illustrious senora said she i can bear full testimony that my daughter hated this cavalier as the devil hates holy water i should say he is the devil himself but you will excuse me if i speak improperly for we are poor folk as god made us the case is this that my poor girl was betrothed to a youth in her own station a steady man and one who fears god and if the senora curato had been what he ought to be i know i am speaking of a religious man but father christopher or a friend here of the father guardian is a religious man as well as he and that's the man that's full of kindness and if he were here he could attest you're very ready to speak without being spoken to interrupted the senora with a hotty and angry look which made her seem almost hideous hold your tongue i know well enough that parents are always ready with an answer in the name of their children agnes drew back mortified giving lucia a look which meant to say see what i get by you're not knowing how to speak the garden then signified to her with a glance and a movement of his head that now was the moment to arouse her courage and not to leave her poor mother in such a plight reverend lady said lucia what my mother has told you is exactly the truth the youth who paid his addresses to me and here she colored crimson i chose with my own good will forgive me if i speak too boldly but it is that you may not think ill of my mother as to this senior god forgive him i would rather die than fall into his hands and if you do us the kindness to put us in safety since we are reduced to the necessity of asking a place of refuge and of inconveniencing worthy people but gods will be done be assured lady that no one will pray for you more earnestly and heartily than we poor women i believe you said the senora in a softened tone but i should like to talk to you alone not that i require further information or any other motives to attend to the wishes of the father guardian added she hastily and turning towards him would study politeness indeed continues she i have already thought about it and this is the best plan i can think of for the present the fortress of the convent has a few days ago settled her last daughter in the world these women can occupy the room she has left at liberty and supply her place in the trifling services she performed in the monastery in truth and here she beckoned to the guardian to approach the graded window and continued in an under voice in truth on account of the scarcity of the times it was not intended to substitute anyone in the place of that young woman but i will speak to the lady abes and at a word from me at the request of the father guardian in short i give the place as a settled thing the guardian began to return thanks but the senora interrupted him there is no need of ceremony in a case of necessity i should not hesitate to apply for the assistance of the capuchin fathers in fact continued she with a smile in which appeared an indescribable air of mockery and bitterness in fact are we not brothers and sisters so saying she called the lay sister to a whom were by a singular distinction assigned to her private service and desired her to inform the abes of the circumstance then sending for the portrait to the door of the cloister she concerted with her an anniese the necessary arrangements dismissing her she bade for well to the guardian and detained lucia the guardian accompanied anniese to the door giving her new instructions by the way and went to write his letter of report to his friend christopher an extraordinary character that senora thought he as he walked home very curious but one who knows the right way to go to work can make her do whatever he pleases my good friend christopher certainly does not expect that i can serve him so quickly and so well that noble fellow there's no help for it he must always have something in hand but he is doing good it is well for him this time that he has found a friend who has brought the affair to a good conclusion in a twinkling without so much noise so much preparation so much adieu this good christopher will surely be satisfied and see that even we here are good for something the senora who in the presence of a cappuccino of advanced age had studied her actions and words now when left with an inexperienced country girl no longer attempted to restrain herself and her conversation became by degrees so strange that instead of relating it we think it better briefly to narrate the previous history of this unhappy person so much that is as will suffice to account for the unusual and mysterious conduct we have witnessed in her and to explain the motives of her behavior in the facts which we shall be obliged to relate end of chapter nine part one chapter nine part two 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 they betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni chapter nine part two she was the youngest daughter of the prince a millonese nobleman who was esteemed one of the richest men of the city but the unbounded idea he entertained of his title made his property appear scarcely sufficient nay even too limited to maintain a proper appearance and all his attention was turned towards keeping it at least such as it was in one line so far as it depended upon himself how many children he had does not appear from history it merely records that he had designed all the younger branches of both sexes for the cloisters that he might leave his property entire to the eldest son destined to perpetuate the family that is bring up children that he might torment himself in tormenting them after his father's example our unhappy senora was yet unborn when her condition was irrevocably determined upon it only remained to decide whether she should be a monk or a nun a decision for which not her ascent but her presence was required when she was born the prince her father wishing to give her a name that would always immediately suggest the idea of a cloister and which had been born by a saint of high family called her Gertrude dolls dressed like nuns where the first play things put into her hands then images in nuns habits accompanying the gift with admonitions to prize them highly as very precious things and with that affirmative interrogation beautifully when the prince or the princess or the young prince the only one of the sons brought up at home would represent the happy prospects of the child it seemed as if they could find no other way of expressing their ideas then by the words what a lady at best no one however directly said to her you must become a nun it was an intention understood and touched upon incidentally in every conversation relating to her future destiny if at any time the little Gertrude indulged in rebellious or imperious behavior to which her natural disposition easily inclined her you are a naughty little girl they would say to her this behavior is very unbecoming when you are a lady a best you shall then command with the rod you can then do as you please on another occasion the prince reproving her for her two free and familiar manners into which she easily fell hey hey he cried they are not becoming to one of your rank if you wish someday to engage the respect that is due to you learn from henceforth to be more reserved remember you ought to be in everything the first in the monastery because you carry your rank wherever you go such language imbued the mind of the little girl with the implicit idea that she was to be a nun but her father's words had more effect upon her than all the others put together the manners of the prince were habitually those of an austere master but when treating of the future prospects of his children they're shown forth in every word and tone and immovability of resolution which inspired the idea of a fatal necessity at six years of age gertrude was placed for education and still more as a preparatory step towards the vocation imposed upon her in the monastery where we have seen her and the selection of the place was not without design the worthy guide of the two women has said that the father of the senora was the first man in monza and comparing his testimony whatever it may be worth with some other indications which are anonymous author unintentionally suffers to escape here and there we may very easily assert that he was the feudal head of that country however it may be he enjoyed here very great authority and thought that here better than elsewhere his daughter would be treated with that distinction and deference which might induce her to choose this monastery as her perpetual abode nor was he deceived the then abes and several intriguing nuns who had the management of affairs finding themselves entangled in some disputes with other monastery and with a noble family of the country were very glad of the acquisition of such a support received with much gratitude the honor bestowed upon them and fully entered into the intentions of the prince concerning the permanent settlement of his daughter intentions on every account entirely consonant with their interests immediately on Gertrude's entering the monastery she was called by Antonomasia the senorina a separate place was assigned her at table and a private sleeping apartment her conduct was proposed as an example to others indulgences and caresses were bestowed upon her without end accompanied with that respectful familiarity so attractive to children when observed in those whom they see treating other children with an habitual air of superiority not that all the nuns had conspired to draw the poor child into the snare many there were of simple and undesigning minds who would have shrunk with horror from the thought of sacrificing a child to interested views but all of them being intent on their several individual occupations some did not notice all these maneuvers others did not discern how dishonest they were some abstained from looking into the matter and others were silent rather than give useless offense there was one too who remembering how she had been induced by similar arts to do what she afterwards repented of felt a deep compassion for the poor little innocent and showed that compassion by bestowing on her tender and melancholy caresses which she was far from suspecting were tending towards the same result and thus the affair proceeded perhaps it might have gone on thus to the end if Gertrude had been the only little girl in the monastery but among her school fellows there were some who knew they were designed for marriage the little Gertrude brought up with high ideas of her superiority talked very magnificently of her future destiny as a best and principal of the monastery she wished to be an object of envy to the others on every account and saw with astonishment and vexation that some of them paid no attention to all her boasting to the majestic but circumscribed and cold images the headship of a monastery could furnish they opposed the varied and bright pictures of a husband guests routes towns tournaments retinues dress and equipages such glittering visions roused in Gertrude's mind that excitement and ardor which a large basket full of freshly gathered flowers would produce if placed before a beehive her parents and teachers had cultivated and increased her natural vanity to reconcile her to the cloisters but when this passion was excited by idea so much calculated to stimulate it she quickly entered into them with a more lively and spontaneous ardor that she might not be below her companions and influenced at the same time by her new turn of mind she replied that at the time of the decision no one could compel her to take the veil without her consent that she too could marry live in palace enjoy the world and that better than any of them that she could if she wished it that she would if she wished it and that in fact she did wish it the idea of the necessity of her consent which hitherto had been as it were unnoticed and hidden in a corner of her mind now unfolded and displayed itself in all its importance on every occasion she called it to her aid that she might enjoy in tranquility the images of a self-chosen future together with this idea however there invariably appeared another that the refusal of this consent involved rebellion against her father who already believed it or pretended to believe it a decided thing and at this remembrance the child's mind was very far from feeling the confidence which her words proclaimed she would then compare herself with her companions whose confidence was of a far different kind and experienced lamentably that envy of their condition which at first she endeavored to awaken in them from envy she changed to hatred which she displayed in contempt, rudeness and sarcastic speeches while sometimes the conformity of her inclinations and hopes with theirs suppressed her spite and created in her an apparent and transient friendship at times longing to enjoy something real and present she would feel a complacency in the distinctions accorded to her and make others sensible of this superiority and then again unable to tolerate the solitude of her fears and desires she would go in search of her companions her haughtiness appeased almost indeed imploring of them kindness counsel and encouragement in the midst of such pitiful warfare with herself and others she passed her childhood and entered upon that critical age at which an almost mysterious power seems to take possession of the soul arousing refreshing invigorating all the inclinations and ideas and sometimes transforming them or turning them into some unlooked for channel that which until now Gertrude had most distinctly figured in these dreams of the future was external splendor and pomp a something soothing and kindly which from the first was lightly and as it were mistily diffused over her mind now began to spread itself and predominate in her imagination I took possession of the most secret recesses of her heart as of a gorgeous retreat hitherto she retired from present objects here she entertained various personages strangely compounded of the confused remembrances of childhood the little she had seen of the external world and what she had gathered in conversations with her companions she entertained herself with them talked to them and replied in their name here she gave commands and here she received homage of every kind at times the thoughts of religion would come to disturb these brilliant and toilsome rebels but religion such as it had been taught to this poor girl and such as she had received it did not prohibit pride but rather sanctified it and proposed it as a means of obtaining earthly felicity robbed thus of its essence it was no longer religion but a phantom like the rest in the intervals in which this phantom occupied the first place and ruled in Gertrude's fancy the unhappy girl oppressed by confused terrors and urged by an indefinite idea of duty imagined that her repugnance to the cloister and her resistance to the wishes of her superiors in the choice of her state of life was a fault and she resolved in her heart to expiate it by voluntarily taking the veil it was a rule that before a young person could be received as a nun she should be examined by an ecclesiastic called the vicar of the nuns or by someone deputed by him that it might be seen whether the lot were her deliberate choice or not and this examination could not take place for a year after she had by a written request signified her desire to the vicar those nuns who had taken upon themselves the sad office of inducing Gertrude to bind herself forever with the least possible consciousness of what she was doing seized one of the moments we have described persuade her to write and sign a memorial and in order to more easily to persuade her to such a course they failed not to affirm and impress upon her what indeed was quite true that after all it was a mere formality which could have no effect without other and posterior steps depending entirely upon her own will nevertheless the memorial had scarcely reached its destination before Gertrude repented having written it then she repented of these repentances and thus days and months were spent in an incessant alteration of wishes and regrets for a long while she concealed this act from her companions sometimes from fear of exposing her good resolution to opposition and contradiction at others from shame and revealing her error but at last the desire of unburdening her mind and of seeking an advice and encouragement conquered another rule was this that a young girl was not to be admitted to this examination upon the course of life she had chosen until she had resided for at least a month out of the convent where she had been educated a year had almost passed since the presentation of this memorial and it had been signified to Gertrude that she would shortly be taken from the monastery and sent to her father's house for this one month there to take all the necessary steps towards the completion of the work she had really begun the prince and the rest of the family considered it an assured thing as if it had already taken place not so however his daughter instead of taking fresh steps she was engaged in considering how she could withdraw the first in her perplexity she resolved to open her mind to one of her companions the most sincere and always the readiness to give spirited advice she advised Gertrude to inform her father by letter that she had changed her mind since she had not the courage to pronounce to his face at the proper time a bold i will not and as gratuitous advice in this world is very rare the counselor made Gertrude pay for this by abundance of railery upon her want of spirit the letter was agreed upon with three or four confidants written in private and dispatched by means of many deeply studied artifices Gertrude waited with great anxiety for a reply but none came accepting that a few days afterwards the abyss taking her aside with an air of mystery displeasure and compassion let fall some obscure hints about the great anger of her father in a wrong step she must have been taking leaving her to understand however that if she behaved well she might still hope that all would be forgotten the poor girl understood it and they're not ventured to ask any further explanation at last the day so much dreaded and so ardently wished for arrived although Gertrude knew well enough that she was going to a great struggle yet to leave the monastery to pass the bounds of those walls in which she had been for eight years immured to traverse the open country in a carriage to see once more the city and her home filled her with sensations of tumultuous joy as to the struggle with the direction of her confidants she had already taken her measures and concerted her plans either they will force me thought she and then I will be immovable I will be humble and respectful but will refuse the chief point is not to pronounce another yes and I will not pronounce it or they will catch me with good words and I will be better than they I will weep I will implore I will move them to pity at last will only entreat that I may not be sacrificed but as it often happens in similar cases of foresight neither one nor the other supposition was realized days past and neither her father nor anyone else spoke to her about the petition or the recantation and no proposal was made to her with either coaxing or threatening her parents were serious sad and morose towards her without ever giving a reason for such behavior it was only to be understood that they regarded her as faulty and unworthy a mysterious anathema seemed to hang over them and divided her from the rest of her family merely suffering so much intercourse as was necessary to make her feel her subjection seldom and only at certain fixed hours was she admitted to the company of her parents and elder brother in the conversations of these three there appeared to rain a great confidence which rendered the exclusion of Gertrude doubly sensible and painful no one addressed her and if she ventured timidly to make a remark unless very evidently called for her words were either unnoticed or were responded to by a careless contemptuous or severe look if unable any longer to endure so bitter and humiliating and distinction she sought an endeavor to mingle with the family and implored a little affection she soon heard some indirect but clear hint thrown out about her choice of a monastic life and was given to understand that there was one way of regaining the affection of the family and since she would not accept of it on these conditions she was obliged to draw back to refuse the first advances towards the kindness she so much desired and to continue in her state of excommunication continue in it too with a certain appearance of being to blame such impressions from surrounding objects painfully contradicted the bright visions with which Gertrude had been so much occupied in which she still secretly indulged in her heart she had hoped that in her splendid and much frequented home she would have enjoyed at least some real taste of the pleasures she had so long imagined but she found herself woefully deceived the confinement was as strict and close at home as in the convent to walk out for recreation was never even spoken of and a gallery that led from the house to an adjoining church obviated the sole necessity there might have been to go into the street the company was more uninteresting more scarce and less varied than in the monastery at every announcement of a visitor Gertrude was obliged to go upstairs and remain with some old woman in the service of the family and here she dined whenever there was company the domestic servants concurred and behavior in language with the example and intentions of their master and Gertrude who by inclination would have treated them with ladylike unaffected familiarity and who in the rank in which she was placed would have esteemed it a favor if they had shown her any little mark of kindness as an equal and even have stooped to ask it was now humbled and annoyed at being treated with a manifest indifference although accompanied by a sleight of secreceness of formality she could not however but observe that one of these servants a page appeared to bear her a respect very different to the others and to feel a peculiar kind of compassion for her the behavior of this youth approached more nearly than anything she had yet seen to the state of things that Gertrude had pictured to her imagination and more resembled the doings of her ideal characters by degrees a strange transformation was discernible in the manners of the young girl there appeared a new tranquility and at the same time a restlessness different from her usual disquietude her conduct was that of one who had found a treasure which oppresses him which he incessantly watches and hides from the view of others Gertrude kept her eyes on this page more closely than ever and however it came to pass she was surprised one unlucky morning by a chambermaid while secretly folding up a letter in which it would have been better had she written nothing after a brief altercation the maid god possession of the letter and carried it to her master the terror of Gertrude at the sound of his footsteps may be more easily imagined than described it was her father he was irritated and she felt herself guilty but when he stood before her with that frowning brow and the ill-fated letter in his hand she would gladly have been a hundred feet underground not to say in a cloister his words were few but terrible the punishment named at the time was only to be confined in her own room under the charge of the maid who had made the discovery but this was merely a foretaste a temporary provision he threatened and left a vague promise of some other obscure undefined and therefore more dreadful punishment the page was of course immediately dismissed and was menaced with something terrible if ever he should breathe a syllable about the past in giving him this intimation the prince seconded it with two solemn blows to associate in his mind with this adventure a remembrance that would effectively remove every temptation to make a boast of it some kind of pretext to account for the dismissal of a page was not difficult to find as to the young lady it was reported that she was ill she was now left to her fears her shame her remorse and her dread of the future with the sole company of this woman whom she hated as the witness of her guilt and the cause of her disgrace she in turn hated Gertrude by whom she was reduced she knew not for how long to the worrisome life of a jailer and had become forever the guardian of a dangerous secret the first confused tumult of these feelings subsided by degrees but each remembrance recurrent by turns to her mind was nourished there and remained to torment her more distinctly and at leisure whatever could the punishment be so mysteriously threatened many various and strange were the ideas that suggested themselves to the ardent and inexperienced imagination of Gertrude the prospect that appeared most probable was that she would be taken back to the monastery at Monza no longer to appear as the senorina but as a guilty person to be shut up there who knew how long who knew with what kind of treatment among the many annoyances of such a course perhaps the most annoying was the dread of the shame she would feel the expressions the words the very commas of the unfortunate letter were turned over and over in her memory she fancy them noticed and weighed by a reader so unexpected so different from the one to whom they were destined in reply she imagined that they might have come under the view of her mother her brother or indeed anyone else and by comparison all the rest seemed to her a mere nothing the image of him who had been the primary cause of all this offense failed not also frequently to beset the poor recluse and it is impossible to describe the strange contrast this phantasm presented to those around her so dissimilar so serious reserved and threatening but since she could not separate his image from theirs nor turned for a moment to those transient gratifications without her present sorrows as the consequence of them suggesting themselves to her mind she began by degrees to recall them less frequently to repel the remembrance of them and wean herself from such thoughts she no longer willingly indulged in the bright and splendid fancies of her earlier days there were too much opposed to her real circumstances and to every probability for the future the only castle in which Gertrude would conceive a tranquil and honorable retreat which was not in the air was the monastery if she could make up her mind to enter it forever such a resolution she could not doubt would have repaired everything atoned for every fault and changed her condition in a moment opposed to this proposal it is true rose up the plans and hopes of her whole childhood but times were changed and in the depths to which Gertrude had fallen and in comparison of what at times she so much dreaded the condition of a nun respected revered and obeyed appeared to her a bright prospect two sentiments of very different character indeed contributed at intervals to overcome her former aversion sometimes remorse for a fault and a capricious sensibility of devotion and at other times her pride embittered and irritated by the manners of her jailer who often it must be confessed provoked to it revenge herself now by terrifying her with the prospect of the threatened punishment or taunting her with the disgrace of her fault when however she chose to be benign she would assume a tone of protection still more odious than insult on these different occasions the wish that Gertrude felt to escape from her clutches and to raise herself to a condition above either her anger or pity became so vivid and urgent that it made everything which could lead to such an end appear pleasant and agreeable at the end of four or five long days of confinement Gertrude disgusted and exasperated beyond measure by one of the sallies of her guardian went and sat down in a corner of the room and covering her face with her hands remained for some time secretly indulging her rage she then felt an overbearing longing to see some other faces to hear some other words to be treated differently she thought of her father of her family and the idea made her shrink back in horror but she remember that it only depended upon her to make them her friends and this remembrance awakened a momentary joy then there followed a confused and unusual sorrow for her fault and an equal desire to expiate it now that her will was already determined upon such a resolution she had never before approached it so near she rose from her seat went to the table took up the fatal pen and wrote a letter to her father full of enthusiasm and humiliation of affliction and hope imploring his pardon and showing herself indefinitely ready to do anything that would please him who alone could grant it end of chapter nine part two chapter 10 part one 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 recording by Lani Small The Betrothed by Alessandra Menzoni chapter 10 part one there are times when the mind of the young especially is so disposed that any external influence however slight suffices to call forth whatever has the appearance of virtuous self sacrifice as a scarcely expanded flower abandons itself negligently to its fragile stem ready to yield its fragrance to the first breath of the zephyrs that float around these moments which others should regard with reverential all are exactly those which the wily and interested eagerly watch for and seize with avidity to fetter and unguarded will on the perusal of this letter the prince instantly saw a door open to the fulfillment of his early and still cherished views he therefore sent to Gertrude to come to him and prepared to strike the iron while it was hot Gertrude had no sooner made her appearance than without raising her eyes towards her father she threw herself upon her knees scarcely able to articulate the word pardon the prince beckon to her to rise and then in a voice little calculated to reassure her replied that it was not sufficient to desire and solicit forgiveness for that was easy and natural enough to one who had been convicted of a fault and dreaded its punishment that in short it was necessary she should deserve it Gertrude in a subdued and trembling voice asked what she must do to this question the prince for we cannot find it in our heart at this moment to give him the title of father made no direct reply but proceeded to speak at some length on Gertrude's fault in words which graded on the feelings of the poor girl like the drawing of a rough hand over a wound he then went on to say that even if supposing he ever had had at the first any intention of settling her in the world she herself had now opposed an insuperable obstacle to such a plan since a man of honor as he was could never bring himself to give to any gentleman a daughter who had shown such a specimen of her character his wretched auditor was completely overwhelmed and then the prince gradually softening his voice and language proceeded to say that for every fault there was a remedy and a hope of mercy that hers was one the remedy for which was very distinctly indicated that she ought to see in this sad event a warning that a worldly life was too full of danger for her ah yes exclaimed Gertrude excited by fear subdued by a sense of shame and overcome at the instant by a momentary tenderness of spirit ah you see it too replied the prince instantly taking up her words well let us say no more of what is passed all is canceled you have taken the only honorable and suitable course that remained for you but since you have chosen it willingly and cheerfully it rests with me to make it pleasant to you in every possible way I have the power of turning it to your advantage and giving all the merit of the action to yourself and I'll engage to do it for you so saying he rang a little bell that stood on the table and said to the servant who answered it the princess and immediately then turning to Gertrude he continued I wish them to share in my satisfaction at once and I wish you immediately to be treated by all as is fit and proper you have experienced a little of the severe parent but from henceforth you shall find me an affectionate father Gertrude stood thunderstruck at these words one moment she wondered how that yes which had escaped her lips could be made to mean so much then she thought was there no way of retracting of restricting the sense but the prince's conviction seems so unshaken his joy so sensitively jealous and his benignity so conditional that Gertrude dared not utter a word to disturb them in the slightest degree the party summoned quickly made their appearance and on seeing Gertrude regarded her with an expression of surprise and uncertainty but the prince with a cheerful and loving countenance which immediately met with an answering look from them said behold the wandering sheep and I intend this to be the last word that shall awaken sad remembrances behold the consolation of the family Gertrude no longer needs advisors for she has voluntarily chosen what we desired for her good she has determined she has given me to understand that she has determined here Gertrude raised towards her father a look between terror and supplication as if imploring him to pause but he continued boldly that she has determined to take the veil bravo well done exclaimed the mother and son turning at the same time to embrace Gertrude who received these congratulations with tears which were interpreted as tears of satisfaction the prince then expatiated upon what he would do to render the situation of his daughter pleasant and even splendid he spoke of the distinction with which she would be regarded in the monastery in the surrounding country that she would be like a princess the representative of the family that as soon as ever her age would allow of it she would be raised to the first dignity and in the meanwhile would be under subjection only in name the princess and the young prince renewed their congratulations and applause is while poor Gertrude stood as if possessed by a dream we had better fix the day for going to Monza to make a request of the abyss said the prince how pleased she will be I venture to say that all the monastery will know how to estimate the honor which Gertrude does them likewise but why not go this very day Gertrude will be glad to take an airing let us go then said the princess I will go and give orders said the young prince but suggested Gertrude submissively softly softly replied the prince let her decide perhaps she does not feel inclined today would rather delay till tomorrow tell me would you prefer today or tomorrow tomorrow answered Gertrude in a faint voice thinking it's something that she could get a little longer respite tomorrow pronounced the prince solemnly she has decided that we go tomorrow in the meanwhile I will go and ask the vicar of the nuns to name a day for the examination no sooner said than done the prince took his departure and absolutely went himself no little act of condescension to the vicar and obtained a promise that he would attend her the day after tomorrow during the remainder of this day Gertrude had not two moments of quiet she wished to have calmed her mind after so many scenes of excitement to clear and arrange her thoughts to render an account to herself what she had done and of what she was about to do determine what she wished and for a moment at least retard that machine which once started was proceeding so precipitously but there was no opening occupation succeeded one another without interruption one treading upon the heels of another immediately after this solemn interview she was conducted to her mother's dressing room there under her superintendents to be dressed and adorned by her own waiting made scarcely was this business completed when dinner was announced Gertrude was greeted on her way by the bowels of the servants who expressed their congratulations for her recovery and on reaching the dining room she found a few of their nearest friends who had been hastily invited to do her honor and to share in the general joy for the two happy events her restored health and her choice of a vocation the young bride as the novices were usually distinguished and Gertrude was saluted on all sides by this title on her first appearance the young bride had enough to do to reply to all the compliments that were addressed to her she was fully sensible that every one of these answers was an assent and confirmation yet how could she reply otherwise shortly after dinner came the driving hour and Gertrude accompanied her mother in a carriage with two uncles who had been among the guests after the usual tour they entered the strata marina which crossed the space now occupied by the public gardens and was the rendezvous of the gentry who drove out for recreation after the labors of the day the uncles addressed much of their conversation to Gertrude as was to be expected on such a day and one of them who seemed to be acquainted with everybody every carriage every livery and had every moment something to say about senior this and lady that suddenly checked himself and turning to his niece ah you young rogue exclaimed he you are turning your back on all these follies you are one of the saints we poor worldly fellows are caught in the snare but you are going to lead a religious life and go to heaven in a carriage as evening approach they returned home and the servants hastily descending to meet them with lights announced several visitors who were awaiting their return the rumor had spread and friends and relations crowded to pay their respects on entering the drawing room the young bride became the idol the sole object of attention the victim everyone wished to have her to himself one promised her pleasures another visits one spoke of madre this her relation another of madre that an acquaintance one extolled the climate of Monza another enlarged with great eloquence upon the distinction she would there enjoy others who had not yet succeeded in approaching Gertrude while thus besieged stood watching their opportunity to address her and felt a kind of regret until they had discharged their duty in this matter by degrees the party dispersed and Gertrude remained alone with the family at last said the prince I have had the pleasure of seeing my daughter treated as becomes her rank I must confess that she has conducted herself very well and has shown that she will not be prevented making the first figure and maintaining the dignity of the family they then went to supper so as to retire early that they might be ready in good time in the morning Gertrude annoyed peaked and at the same time a little puffed up by the compliments and ceremonies of the day at this moment remembered all she had suffered from her jailer and seeing her father so ready to gratify her in everything but one she resolved to make use of this disposition for the indulgence of at least one of the passions which tormented her she displayed a great unwillingness again to be left alone with her maid and complained bitterly of her treatment what said the prince did she not treat you with respect tomorrow I will reward her as she deserves leave it to me and I will get you entire satisfaction in the meanwhile a child with whom I am so well pleased must not be attended by a person she dislikes so saying he called another servant and gave her orders to wait upon Gertrude who though certainly enjoying the satisfaction she received was astonished at finding it so trifling in comparison with the earnest wishes she had felt beforehand the thought that in spite of her unwillingness predominated in her imagination was the remembrance of the fearful progress she had this day made toward her cloister life and the consciousness that to draw back now would require a far far greater degree of courage and resolution than would have sufficed a few days before and which even then she felt she did not possess the woman appointed to attend her was an old servant of the family who had formally been the young prince's governess having received him from the arms of his nurse and brought him up until he was almost a young man in him she had centered all her pleasures all her hopes all her pride she was delighted at this day's decision as if it had been her own good fortune and Gertrude at the close of the day was obliged to listen to the congratulations praises and advice of this old woman she told her of some of her aunts and near relations who had been very happy as nuns because being of so high a family they had always enjoyed the first honors and had been able to have a good deal of influence beyond the walls of the convent so that from their parlor they had come off victorious in undertakings in which the first ladies of the land had been quite foiled she talked to her about the visits she would receive she would someday be seeing the senior prince with his bride who must certainly be some noble lady and then not only the monastery but the whole country would be in excitement the old woman talked while undressing Gertrude she talked after she had lain down and even continued talking after Gertrude was asleep youth and fatigue had been more powerful than cares her sleep was troubled disturbed and full of tormenting dreams but was unbroken until the shrill voice of the old woman aroused her to prepare for her journey to monza up up senor a bride it is broad daylight and you will want at least an hour to dress and arrange yourself the senora princess is getting up they awoke her four hours earlier than usual the young prince has already been down to the stables and come back and is ready to start whenever you are the creature is as brisk as a hair but he was always so from a child I have a right to say so I who have nursed him in my arms but when he's once said a going it won't do to oppose him for though he is the best tempered creature in the world he sometimes gets impatient and storms poor fellow one must pity him is all the effect of his temperament and besides this time there is some reason in it because he is going to all this trouble for you people must take care how they touch him at such times he minds no one except the senior prince but someday he will be the prince himself may it be as long as possible first however quick quick senorina why do you look at me as if you are bewitched you ought to be out of your nest at this hour at the idea of the impatient prince all the other thoughts which had crowded into Gertrude's mind on awakening vanished before it like a flock of sparrows on the sudden appearance of a scarecrow she instantly obeyed dressed herself in haste and after submitting to the decoration of her hair in person went down to the salon where her parents and brother were assembled she was then led to an arm chair and a cup of chocolate was brought to her which in those days was a ceremony similar to that formally in use among the romans in presenting the toga virilis when the carriage was at the door the prince drew his daughter aside and said come Gertrude yesterday you had every attention paid you today you must overcome yourself the point is now to make a proper appearance in the monastery and the surrounding country where you are destined to take the first place they are expecting you it is unnecessary to say that the prince had dispatched a message the preceding day to the lady abbess they are expecting you and all eyes will be upon you you must maintain dignity in an easy manner the abbess will ask you what you wish according to the usual form you must reply that you request to be allowed to take the veil in the monastery where you have been so lovingly educated and have received so many kindnesses which is the simple truth you will pronounce these words with an unembarrassed air for I would not have it said that you have been drawn in and that you don't know how to answer for yourself these good mothers know nothing of the past it is a secret which must remain forever buried in the family take care you don't put on sorrowful or dubious countenance which might excite any suspicion show of what blood you are be courteous and modest but remember that they're away from the family there will be nobody above you without waiting for a reply the prince led the way Gertrude the princess and the young prince following and going downstairs they seated themselves in the carriage the snares and vexations of the world and the happy blessed life of the cloister more especially for young people of noble birth were the subjects of conversation during the drive on approaching their destination the prince renewed his instructions to his daughter and repeated over to her several times the prescribed form of reply on entering this neighborhood Gertrude felt her heart beat violently but her attention was suddenly arrested by several gentlemen who stopped the carriage and addressed numberless compliments to her then continuing their way they drove slowly up to the monastery amongst the inquisitive gazes of the crowds who had collected upon the road when the carriage stopped before these well-known walls and that dreaded door Gertrude's heart beats still more violently they alighted between two wings of bystanders whom the servants were endeavoring to keep back and the consciousness that the eyes of all were upon her compelled the unfortunate girl closely to study her behavior but above all those of her father kept her in all for in spite of the dread she had of them she could not help every moment raising her eyes to his and like invisible reins they regulated every movement and expression of her countenance after traversing the first court they entered the second where the door of the interior cloister was held open and completely blockaded by nuns in the first roast of the abyss surrounded by the eldest of the sisterhood behind them the younger nuns promiscuously arranged and some on tiptoe and last of all the lay sisters mounted on stools here and there among them were seen the glancing of certain bright eyes and some little faces peeping out from between the cows they were the most active and daring of the pupils who creeping in and pushing their way between none and none had succeeded in making an opening where they might also see something many were the acclimations of the crowd and many the hands held up in token of welcome and exultation they reached the door and Gertrude found herself standing before the lady abyss after the first compliments the superior with an air between cheerfulness and solemnity asked her what she wanted in that place where there was no one who would deny her anything I am here began Gertrude but on the point of pronouncing the words which would almost irrevocably decide her fate she hesitated a moment and remained with her eyes fixed on the crowd before her at this moment she caught the eye of one of her old companions who looked at her with a mixed air of compassion and malice which seemed to say ah the boaster is caught this site awakening more vividly in her mind her old feelings restored to her also a little of her former courage and she was on the point of framing of reply far different to the one which had been dictated to her when raising her eyes to her father's face almost to try her strength she encountered there such a deep disquietude such a threatening and patience that urged by fear she continued with great precipitation as if flying from some terrible object I am here to request permission to take the religious habit in this monastery where I have been so lovingly educated the abyss quickly answered that she was very sorry in this instance that the regulations forbade her giving an immediate reply which must come from the general votes of the sisters and for which she must obtain permission from her superiors that nevertheless Gertrude knew well enough the feelings entertained towards her in that place to foresee what the answer would be and that in the meanwhile no regulation prevented the abyss and the sisterhood from manifesting the great satisfaction they felt in hearing her makes such a request there then burst forth a confused murmur of congratulations and acclamations presently large dishes were brought filled with sweetmeats and were offered first to the bride and afterward to her parents while some of the nuns approached to greet Gertrude others complimenting her mother and others the young prince the abyss requested the prince to repair to the great of the parlor of conference where she would wait upon him she was accompanied by two elders and on his appearing senior prince said she to obey the regulations to perform an indispensable formality though in this case nevertheless I must tell you that whenever a young person asks to be admitted to take the veil the superior which I am unworthily is obliged to warn the parents that if by any chance they should have constrained the will of their daughter they are liable to excommunication you will excuse me oh certainly certainly reverend mother I admire your exactness it is only right but you need not doubt oh thanks in your prince I only spoke from absolute duty for the rest certainly certainly lady abyss having exchanged these few words the two interlocutors reciprocally bowed and departed as if neither of them felt willing to prolong the interview each retiring to his own party the one outside the other within the threshold of the cloister now then let us go said the prince Gertrude will soon have plenty of opportunity of enjoying as much as she pleases the society of these good mothers for the present we have put them to enough inconvenience and making a low bow he signified his wish to return the party broke up exchanged salutations and departed during the drive home Gertrude felt little inclination to speak alarmed at the steps she had taken ashamed at her want of spirit and vexed with others as well as herself she tried to enumerate the opportunities which still remained of saying no and languidly and confusedly resolved in her own mind that in this or that or the other instance she would be more open and courageous yet in the midst of these thoughts her dread of her father's frown still held its full sway so that once when by a stealthy glance at his face she was fully assured that not a vestige of anger remained when she even saw that he was perfectly satisfied with her she felt quite cheered and experienced a real but transient joy on their arrival a long time toilet dinner visits walks a conversation and supper followed each other in rapid succession after supper the prince introduced another subject the choice of a godmother this was the title the person who being solicited by the parents became the guardian and escort of the young novice in the interval between the request and the admission an interval frequently spent in visiting churches public palaces conversazione villas and temples in short everything of note in the city and its environs so that the young people before pronouncing the irrevocable vow might be fully aware of what they were giving up we must think of a godmother said the prince for tomorrow the vicar of the nuns will be here for the usual formality of an examination and shortly afterward Gertrude will be proposed in council for the acceptance of the nuns and saying this he turned toward the princess and she thinking he intended it as an invitation to make some proposal was beginning there should be but the prince interrupted her no no senora princess the godmother should be acceptable above all to the bride and the universal custom gives the selection to the parents yet Gertrude has so much judgment and such excellent discernment that she richly deserves to be made an exception and here turning to Gertrude with the air of one who was bestowing a singular favor he continued any one of the ladies who were at the conversazione this evening possesses all the necessary qualifications for the office of godmother to a person of your family and any one of them I am willing to believe will think in an honor to be made choice of do you choose for yourself Gertrude was fully sensible that to make a choice was but to renew her consent yet the proposition was made with so much dignity that a refusal would have borne the appearance of contempt and an excuse of ignorance or fastidiousness she therefore took this step also and named a lady who had chiefly taken her fancy that evening that is to say one who had paid her the most attention who had most applauded her and who had treated her with those familiar affectionate and engaging manners which on the first acquaintanceship counterfeit a friendship of longstanding an excellent choice exclaimed the prince who had exactly wished and expected it whether by art or chance it happened just as one a card player holding up to view a pack of cards bids the spectator think of one and then will tell him which it is having previously disposed them in such a way that but one of them can be seen this lady had been so much with Gertrude all the evening and had so entirely engaged her attention that it would have required an effort of imagination to think of another these attentions however had not been paid without a motive the lady had for some time fixed her eyes upon the young prince as a desirable son-in-law hence she regarded everything belonging to the family as her own and therefore it was natural enough that she should interest herself for her dear Gertrude no less than for her nearest relatives.