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Save thee, good Father! hath thy shriving sped? How is thy penitent?

Better, I hope: may Heaven preserve his mind In the meek frame in which I left it. Never, In all my intercourse with wretched sinners, Have I with a more keen ungovern'd spirit Stronger contention held.

I well believe thee: For I have seen ere now his spirit strive In all the restless energy of passion. Thou hast at last subdued him?

Thank God, I have! Meek and resigned to Heaven He now appears. But go to him, my son; He needs thy presence much. Within an hour He leaves the castle,—leaves his wife and child; It is not fit that he should be alone. Go, good Rovani, and with soothing words Keep thou his resolution to the bent.

Ah! such a resolution! Heard I right? To leave his wife and child?