Don Camillo Monforte, the cavalier to whom thou art
indebted for thy life, and of whom thou hast so lately spoken with
gratitude, has far more cause to complain of these hard decrees, than
thou mayest have, in any reason."
"'Twould make my griefs still heavier, did I know that one who has shown
so much courage in my behalf, has equal reason to feel their justice,"
returned Violetta, quickly. "What is the affair that, so fortunately for
me, hath brought the Lord of Sant' Agata to Venice, if a grateful girl
may, without indiscretion, inquire?"
"Thy interest in his behalf is both natural and commendable," answered
the Carmelite, with a simplicity which did more credit to his cowl than
to his observation. "He is young, and doubtless he is tempted by the
gifts of fortune and the passions of his years to divers acts of
weakness. Remember him, daughter, in thy prayers, that part of the debt
of gratitude may be repaid. His worldly interest here is one of general
notoriety, and I can ascribe thy ignorance of it only to a retired
manner of life."
"My charge hath other matters to occupy her thoughts than the concerns
of a young stranger, who cometh to Venice for affairs," mildly observed
Donna Florinda,
"But if I am to remember him in my prayers, Father, it might enlighten
my petition to know in what the young noble is most wanting."
"I would have thee remember his spiritual necessities only.
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