"
"Thou wast left to be thine own pilot; he is but one of thy gay crew,
and thus even these stirring times touch him not so deeply as thou
wert affected by thine own choice in life between disorderly freedom
and honourable restraint."
"I thought of that choice to-day, mother, as I crossed the bridge and
looked at the church; and more than ever thankful did I feel that our
blessed Friedel, having aided me over that one decisive pass, was
laid to rest, his tender spirit unvexed by the shocks and divisions
that have wrenched me hither and thither."
"Nay; not hither and thither. Ever hadst thou a resolute purpose and
aim."
"Ever failed in by my own error or that of others--What, thou
nestling here, my little Vittoria, away from all yonder prattle?"
"Dear father, if I may, I love far best to hear you and the
grandmother talk."
"Hear the child! She alone hath your face, mother, or Friedel's
eyes! Is it that thou wouldst be like thy noble Roman godmother, the
Marchesa di Pescara, that makes thee seek our grave company, little
one?"
"I always long to hear you talk of her, and of the Italian days, dear
father, and how you won this noble jewel of yours.
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