Pagina 284 di 1118

The young bride-thus they called young persons about to enter the

monastic life-the young bride had enough to do to reply to the

compliments which were paid to her; she felt that each reply was

a confirmation of her destiny; but how act differently? After

dinner came the hour of riding, and Gertrude was placed in a

carriage with her mother and two uncles, who had been among the

guests. They entered the street Marina, which then crossed the

space now occupied by the public gardens, and was the public

promenade, where the nobility refreshed themselves after the

fatigues of the day. The uncles conversed much with Gertrude, and

one of them in particular, who appeared to know every body, every

carriage, and every livery, had something to tell of signor such

an one, and signora such an one; but checking himself, he said to

his niece, "Ah! you little rogue!