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They caressed affectionately the boy who had been placed in so

great danger on their account: Renzo gave him a piece of money in

addition to the new coin already promised, and desired him to say

nothing of the message given him by Father Christopher. "Now,

return home," said Agnes, "because thy family will be anxious

about thee: you have been a good boy; go home, and pray the Lord

that we may soon meet again." The boy obeyed, and our travellers

advanced in silence. Lucy kept close to her mother, dexterously

but gently declining the arm of her lover. She felt abashed, even

in the midst of all this confusion, at having been so long and so

familiarly alone with him, while expecting that a few moments

longer would have seen her his wife: but this dream had vanished,

and she felt most sensitively the apparent indelicacy of their

situation. They at length reached the open space before the

church of the convent. Renzo advanced towards the door, and

pushed it gently.