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"That's another affair truly," said Bartolo. "Poor Renzo! you

have relied on me, and I will not abandon you. To say truth,

workmen are not in much demand at present; and it is with

difficulty that those already engaged are kept by their

employers. But my master regards me, and he has money; and

besides, without boasting, we are equally dependent on each

other-he has the capital, and I the skill, such as it is! I am

his first workman, his factotum! Poor Lucy Mondella! I remember

her as if it was but yesterday that I last saw her! An excellent

girl! always so modest at church; and if you passed by her

cottage-I see it now, the little cottage beyond the village, with

a large fig-tree against the wall--"

"No, no," said Renzo, "do not speak of it."