What can I do?
I wish I knew, for I would try and do it." "Ah! I was not speaking of you, Duchessa," answered the statesman.

"You are too noble a woman to be easily consoled.

And yet, though you may not find relief from your great sorrow, there are many things within your reach which you might do, and feel that in your mourning you have done honour to your departed husband as well as to yourself.

You have great estates--you can improve them, and especially you can improve the condition of your peasants, and strengthen their loyalty to you and to the State.

You can find many a village on your lands where a school might be established, an asylum built, a road opened--anything which shall give employment to the poor, and which, when finished, shall benefit their condition.