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Meanwhile, Bertrand was so well pleased with his first flask, that he very willingly commenced the attack on a second, and it was late before Emily, not without some apprehension, returned to the cottage. After this evening, she frequently walked with Maddelina, but was never unattended by Bertrand; and her mind became by degrees as tranquil as the circumstances of her situation would permit.
Here are some grapes and figs and half a cup of wine. Emily thanked her, but expressed apprehension lest this kindness should draw upon her the resentment of Dorina, when she perceived the fruit was gone. 'Take it back, therefore, Maddelina, added Emily, 'I shall suffer much less from the want of it, than I should do, if this act of good-nature was to subject you to your mother's displeasure.
When the song had concluded, several of these girls approached Emily, and, inviting her to sit down among them, offered her, and Maddelina, whom they knew, grapes and figs.
'And what brings you here so late, Maddelina? said Emily, as she let her in. 'Hush! signora, for heaven's sake hush! if we are overheard I shall never be forgiven. My father and mother and Bertrand are all gone to bed, continued Maddelina, as she gently shut the door, and crept forward, 'and I have brought you some supper, for you had none, you know, Signora, below stairs.
You will make me very unhappy, if you refuse to take it, Signora. Emily was so much affected by this instance of the good girl's generosity, that she remained for some time unable to reply, and Maddelina watched her in silence, till, mistaking the cause of her emotion, she said, 'Do not weep so, Signora!
'What can this mean, Maddelina? said Emily, awakening from the pleasing trance, into which the music had lulled her. 'This is the eve of a festival, Signora, replied Maddelina; 'and the peasants then amuse themselves with all kinds of sports. 'But they talked of a sea-nymph, said Emily: 'how came these good people to think of a sea-nymph?
'Did you ever hear how many years it is, said Emily, who was considering of Signora Laurentini's disappearance from Udolpho, 'since your father performed the services you spoke of? 'It was a little before he came to live at the cottage, Signora, replied Maddelina, 'and that is about eighteen years ago.
Thus several days passed, during which Emily remained in her own room, Maddelina attending her only at her repast, whose gentle countenance and manners soothed her more than any circumstance she had known for many months. Of her pleasant embowered chamber she now became fond, and began to experience in it those feelings of security, which we naturally attach to home.
'So many years ago, Signora, added Maddelina, 'that I know nothing about it; but my father did the Signor a great good, for my mother has often said to him, this cottage was the least he ought to have had.
Emily, smiling through her tears, told Maddelina, that she was a good girl, and then accepted her offering. She wished anxiously to know, whether Bertrand and Dorina had spoken of Montoni, or of his designs, concerning herself, in the presence of Maddelina, but disdained to tempt the innocent girl to a conduct so mean, as that of betraying the private conversations of her parents.
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