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Meanwhile, in the cottage of Lucy there had been plans agitated

of which it is necessary to inform the reader. After the

departure of the father, they had continued some time in silence;

Lucy, with a heavy heart, prepared the dinner; Renzo, wavering

and anxious, knew not how to depart; Agnes was apparently

absorbed with her reel, but she was really maturing a thought,

which she in a few moments thus declared:-

"Listen, my children. If you will have the necessary courage and

dexterity; if you will confide in your mother; I pledge myself to

free you from perplexity, sooner than Father Christopher could

do, although he is the best man in the world." Lucy looked at her

mother with an expression of astonishment rather than confidence,

in a promise so magnificent. "Courage! dexterity!" cried Renzo,

"say, say, what can I do?"

"Is it not true," said Agnes, "that if you were married, your

chief difficulty would be removed, and that for the rest we would

easily find a remedy!"