Brigida, Monna

Romola's cousin; a garrulous but good-hearted old woman fond of dress. "A short, stoud, black-eyes woman about fifty, wearing a black velvet berretta, or close cap, embroidered with pearls, under which surprisingly massive black braids surmounted the little bulging forehead, and fell in rich plaited curves over the ears, while an equally surprising carmine tint on the upper region of the fat cheeks contrasted with the surrounding sallowness. Three rows of pearls and a lower necklace of gold reposed on the horizontal cushion o fher neck; the embroidered border of her trailing black velvet gown and her embroidered long-drooping sleeves of rose-coloured damask, were slighly faded." She disapproves of the sober dress of the Piagnoni, but is persuaded unwillingly to give up her false hair and finery to be burned in the Bonfire of Vanities. After Tito's death Romola lives with her and she becomes attached to Tessa's children.

<em>Romola</em>

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