a _requiem_ for the grandmother in Cressogno also.'
Never mind my answer. My words were bitter; perhaps I did
wrong; I am even ready to confess I did wrong. Maria looked at
me, and said: 'Is the grandmother at Cressogno really wicked?'
'Yes.' 'But why does Uncle Piero say she is not really wicked?'
'Because Uncle Piero is so very good.' 'Then you are not so
very good?' My dear little innocent! I devoured her with
kisses, I could not help it! As soon as she was free to speak
she began again: 'You will not go to Paradise, you know, if you
are not so very good.' Paradise is her one idea. Poor Franco,
not to have her with you, you who would be so satisfied with
her! You are indeed making a great sacrifice! If it will give
you any pleasure I will tell you that the only possibility for
me to love God is through this child, for in her God becomes
visible and intelligible to me.

"Good-bye, Franco. I embrace you.

"LUISA.

"P. S. I must tell you that I have dismissed Veronica for the
first of October. This I did in the first place for reasons of
economy, and secondly because I have discovered that she is
flirting with a customs-guard. Oh! I almost forgot something
else! Half an hour ago Ester came to tell me she has decided to
say 'yes,' but she wishes to wait a day longer before seeing
the Professor. She has evidently succeeded in swallowing the
nose, but has not yet digested it."

FRANCO TO LUISA.

"TURIN, _September 14, 1855_.

"The 'knave of clubs' is threatened with dismissal by his
employer on account of the truly miserable state of his
clothes. The 'knave' is indeed given to extravagance, and has
not yet learned--_duris in rebus_--to handle a clothes brush,
but however that may be, the other 'wise men' have decided not
to lunch for a week in order that he may re-clothe himself. Now
observe the baseness of the human heart! The 'knave,'
overflowing with expressions of gratitude, calmly prepared to
go to his own lunch! This, however, we would not stand. So
to-day, instead of repairing to Stomach-ache Tavern, we spent
half an hour on the banks of the Po, near the Valentino,
watching the water flow past. The wise man from Udine