The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-04-02

concealed vice. " Tell me phot company you
keep, and tell you sch0 you dTe." Inc Visit OF
Lucy had confirmed her opinioni she appeared,
indeed, to be an artless girl, but who could
tell tho cause of her downcast looks and timid
replesf There was great effort OF mind
necessary to perceive that the maiden had
opinions of her owD. Her blushes, signs, and
particularly her large and beautiful eyes, did
not please Donna Prassede OF all. She regarded
it as certain as if she had been told it by one
having authority, that the misfortunes of Lucy
were punishment from Heaven for her con-
nection with that villain, and warning to
withdraw herself from him entirely. That
settled her determination to lend her co'opers-
| teu to further so desirable work for, as she
freGuently said to herself and Others, " Was 1T
not her constant study to second the will OF
Heavenf' But, alas she often fell into the
terrible mistake of taking for the will OF Hea-
| the vain imaginings of her own brain.
However she was on the present occasion very
careful not to exhibit any of her proposed In
tentions. 1t was one of her maxims, that the
first rule to be observed in &C ,omplisbing
good design, is to keep your motives to your
self
Excepting the painful necessity of separa-
ton, the offer appeared to both mother aud
daughter very inviting, were it only on ac-
count of tho short distance from the castle to
their village. Reading in each others coun,
with many thanks the kindness of Donna
Prsssede who, renewing her kind promises,
said she would soon send them q letter to pre-
sent to the cardinal. The two females having
departed, she requested Don Ferrante to write
= letter, who, being literary and learned
man, was employed as her secretary on ocoa-
sons of Importance In an affair OF this sort
Don Ferraute did his best, and he gave the
original to his wife in order that she should
copy it; he warmly recommended to her an
attention to the orthography, as orthography
was among the great number OF things he had
studied, and among the small number over
which he had control in his family. The letter
was forthwith copied and sent to the tailor's
house. These events occurred a few days be-
fore the cardinal had dispatched a litter to
bring the mother and daughter to their abode.
Upon their arrival they went to the parson-
age, orders having been left for their i'm mediate
ahmittance to tho presence of the cardinal.
The chaplain, who conducted them thither,
ave them many instructions with regard to the
ceremony to be used with him, and the titles
to the poor man to behold the little ceremony
that reigned around the good archbishop in
this respect "This results" he was aoens-
toned to say, 81 from tho excessive goodness Of
this blessed msn-from his great familiarity"
And he added that he had "eyen heard people
address him with Yes, sir, and No. sir!'
At this moment the cardinal was converting
with Don Abbondio on the affairs of his parish;
SO that the latter had no opportunity to repeaG
his instru ctionsito the females; however, going
by them as they entered, he gave them glance
to make them comprehend that he was we'll
satisfied wit them, and that they should con-
tinue, like honest and worthy women, to keep
silence.
After the first reception, Agnes drew from
nSr DO5OIl bQ6 leIIeE Oh D1uO8 fE95beQ6 ana
gave it to the cardinal saying, cit is from the
Signora Prassede, who says that she knows
your illustrious lordship WE'LL my lord, as
naturally is the case with great people. When
you have read, you will see"
1t is WELL" said Frederick, after having
| read the letter, and extracted it's meaning from
| the trash of Don terrantes fowers of rhetoric.
| He knew the family we'll enough to be certain
| that Lucy had beon invited to it with good
i intentions, and that she would be sheltered
from the spares and violence of rpersecutor.
As to his opinion of Donna Prassede we do not
| know it precisely; probably she was not a
person he would have chosen for Lucys pro-
tectress; but it was not his habit to undo
things apparently ordered by Providence in
order to do them better.
"Submit, without regret to this narration
also, and TO the suspense in which you are
left" said he's Hope for the best, and confde
in God, and be persuaded that all that be sends
you, whether OF joy OF sorrow, will be for your
permanent good" Having received the bene-
diction which he bestowed on them, they took
their leave
Hardly had they reached the street when
they were surrounded by u swarm of friends
who were expecting them, and who cond ucted
them IN triumph to their horss. Their female
acquaintance congratulated them, sympa-
thised with them, aud overwhelmed them with
inquiries. Learning that Lucy was to depart
on tho following morning, they broke forth in
examinations of regret and disappointment.
| The mon disputed with each other the privi-
lege of offering their services each wished to
remain for the night to guard their cottage
which reminds us of proVerb: "Lf you troa!d
have people Hiliing TO oonf farors yoS, be sure
NOT to need ths"" This warmth of reception
served little to Withdraw Lucy from the
painful recollections which crowded upon her
mind at the sight of her loved home.
At the sound of the bell which announced
! tke commencement of the ceremonies, all
moved towards the church. The ceremonies
over, Don Abbondio, who bad hastened home
to see every thing arranged for breakfast, was
told that the cardinal wished to speak with
him. He proceeded to the chamber of his illus-
trious guest, who &c ;osted him as he entered
with, Signor CuTate, why did you not unite
| in marriage Lucy to her betrothedT
They have emptied the sack this morning"
thought Don Abbondio, and he stammered
forth, Your illustrious lordshp has no donbt
heard of all the difficulties of that business
1t has been such an intricate affair that it can
not even now be seen into clearly. Your illus
trious lordship knows that the young girl is
here only by a miracle, and that no one can
tell where the young man is"
" / ask if it is true that, before these unhap-
py events, you refused to celebrate the mar
rlage upcn the day agreed upon, and why you
did soi'
"Truly-if your illustrious lordship knew
what terrible orders l received" and he
| ind l,x-6