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36 excellent wives; in spite also of this failure, he relied with great confidence on the assistance of his patron saint, who, indeed, served him so well, that, before the end of the month, he placed with great pomp the promised gift on the altar of St. Christopher.

Mother Brigitta was now obliged to bring back the exiled spinning-wheel, and again to put it into activity. Every thing soon returned into its usual course. Mela recovered her health, her bloom and her cheerfulness; she was active at her work, and went regularly to mass. But her mother would not conceal her grief for the destruction of her favourite plan, and the loss of her best hope. She became peevish, discontented and melancholy. On the day on which the king of hops celebrated his wedding, she was particularly bad, and suffered great pain and uneasiness. When the festive train moved on towards the church, accompanied by all the pipers and trumpeters of the city, she sighed and groaned, as at the hour when she first heard that the raging waves had swallowed her husband and all his fortune. Mela