“I tell you, such promises are good for nothing.”
“Oh! where have you been all this time? with whom have you associated, that you speak thus?”
“I speak as a good Christian. I think better of the Virgin than you do, because I do not believe vows to the injury of others are acceptable to her. If the Virgin had spoken herself, oh! then indeed——but it is simply an idea of your own!”
“No, no, you know not what you say; you know not what it is to make a vow! Leave me, leave me, for the love of Heaven!”
“Lucy!” said Renzo, “tell me at least, tell me, if this reason did not exist——would you feel the same towards me?”
“Unfeeling man!” said Lucy, with difficulty restraining her tears; “would it satisfy you to hear me confess that which might be sinful, and would certainly be useless! Leave me, oh! leave me! forget me! we were not destined for each other. We shall meet again above; we have not long to remain in the world. Go! tell my mother that I am cured, that even here God has assisted me, that I have found a good soul, this worthy woman who has been a mother to me; tell her we shall meet when it is the will of God, and as it is his will. Go! for the love of Heaven! and remember me no more——except when you pray to God!”
And as if wishing to withdraw from the temptation to prolong the conversation, she drew near the bed where the female was lying of whom she had spoken.
“Hear me, Lucy, hear me!” said Renzo, without however approaching her.
“No, no; go away! for charity!”
“Hear me, Father Christopher——”