Pagina 592 di 1118

Meanwhile the carriage entered the wood. Poor Lucy awoke as from

a profound and painful slumber. She opened her eyes, and her

horrible situation rushed with full force upon her mind. She

struggled again in vain, she attempted to scream, but Nibbio said

to her, holding up the handkerchief, "Be tranquil; it is the best

thing you can do. We do not wish to harm you; but if you do not

keep silence, we must make you."

"Let me go. Who are you? Where are you taking me? Why am I here?

Let me go, let me go."

"I tell you, don't be frightened. You are not a child, and you

ought to know that we will not harm you. We might have murdered

you before this, if such had been our intention. Be quiet, then."

"No, no, let me go; I know you not."

"We know you well enough, however."

"Oh, holy Virgin! Let me go, for charity's sake. Who are you? Why

have you brought me here?"

"Because we have been ordered to do so."

"Who? who? who ordered you to do it?"