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12 the mother and the daughter. In spite of the interest excited by Beatrice, the conclusion was in favour of the parent. "The one," thought he to himself, "is gloomy and desponding—rash, too—think of last night's adventure. Donna Margaretta, on the contrary, reconciles herself to the alteration of her fortunes by a gentle contentedness, engaging her mind and centering her wishes on healthful employment and innocent amusements, in the best spirit of feminine philosophy." He walked round the garden with her, till they came to an immense ilex-tree at one end. It had its lower branches fashioned into a sort of bower, and a rude lattice-work supported the growth of several luxuriant creeping plants. There were two or three seats covered with matting; and on one of these, at the foot of the ilex, Donna Margaretta took her place. "It is not so pretty as our English gardens—have you a garden at home?" Edward was obliged to confess his inattention hitherto to horticultural pursuits. "I was much happier in England—now, don't you tell Beatrice, for she takes his part—but Don Henriquez is very unkind to leave me as he does. I have not seen him such a long while."