colored, in turn, but it was not in resentment.

"They have spoken in too much kindness for an orphan," she answered;
"though that fatal wealth is perhaps not over-estimated. Thou knowest
that the state charges itself with the care and establishment of all
noble females, whom Providence has left fatherless?"

"Lady, I did not. It is kind of St. Mark to do it!"

"Thou wilt think differently, anon. Thou art young, Gelsomina, and hast
passed thy time in privacy?"

"True, lady. It is seldom I go further than my mother's room, or the
cell of some suffering prisoner."

Violetta looked towards her governess, with an expression which seemed
to say, that she anticipated her appeal would be made in vain, to one so
little exposed to the feelings of the world.

"Thou wilt not understand, then, that a noble female may have little
inclination to comply with all the Senate's wishes, in disposing of her
duties and affections?"

Gelsomina gazed at the fair speaker, but it was evident that she did not
clearly comprehend the question. Again Violetta looked at the governess
as if asking aid.

"The duties of our sex are often painful," said Donna Florinda,
understanding the appeal with female instinct. "Our attachments may not
always follow the wishes of our friends. We may not choose, but we
cannot always obey."

"I have heard that noble ladies are not suffered to see those to whom
they are to be wedded, Signora, if that is what your eccellenza means,
and, to me, the custom has always seemed unjust, if not cruel."

"And are females of thy class permitted to make friends among those who
may become dearer at any other day?" asked Violetta.

"Lady, we have that much freedom even in the prisons."

"Then art thou happier than those of the palaces! I will trust thee,
generous girl, for thou canst not be unfaithful to the weakness and
wrongs of thy sex."

Gelsomina raised a hand, as if to stop the impetuous confidence of her
guest, and then she listened intently.

"Few enter here," she said; "but there are many ways of learning secrets
within these walls which are still unknown to me. Come deeper into the
rooms, noble ladies, for here is a place that I have reason to think is
safe, even from listeners."

The keeper's daughter led the way into the little room in which she was
accustomed to converse with Jacopo.

"You were saying, lady, that I had a feeling for the weakness and
helplessness of our sex, and surely you did me just