"How, Signore! am I to be separated from my people?"
"From the hired menials of your palace, lady, to be confided to those who will serve your person from a nobler motive."
"And my maternal friend—my ghostly adviser?"
"They will be permitted to repose from their trusts, during your absence."
An exclamation from Donna Florinda, and an involuntary movement of the monk, betrayed their mutual concern. Donna Violetta suppressed the exhibition of her own resentment, and of her wounded affections, by a powerful effort, in which she was greatly sustained by her pride; but she could not entirely conceal the anguish of another sort, that was seated in her eye.
"Do I understand that this prohibition extends to her who in common serves my person?"
"Signora, such are my instructions."
"Is it expected that Violetta Tiepolo will do these menial offices for herself?"
"Signora, no. A most excellent and agreeable attendant has been provided for that duty. Annina," he continued, approaching the door, "thy noble mistress is impatient to see thee."
As he spoke, the daughter of the wine-seller appeared. She wore an air of assumed humility, but it was accompanied by a secret mien, that betrayed independence of the pleasure of her new mistress.