Then turning to Angelo, she continued,--"Thou wouldst like greatly to accept the Lady Nina's proffer ?" "Ah, that I should, dame, if you could spare me." "Child," replied the matron, solemnly, "my sand is nearly run, and my wish is to see thee placed with one who will nurture thy young years, and save thee from a life of licence.

That done, I may fulfil my vow, and devote the desolate remnant of my years to God.

I will think more of this, my child.

Not under such a plebeian's roof shouldst thou have lodged, nor from a stranger's board been fed: but at Rome, my last relative worthy of the trust is dead;--and at the worst, obscure honesty is better than gaudy crime.

Thy spirit troubles me already.