ess purpose of preventing the sacrifice. The moment that I
arrived, I flew to the Convent of St. Clare, in which Agnes had chosen
to perform her Noviciate. I requested to see my Sister. Conceive my
surprise when She sent me a refusal; She declared positively, that
apprehending my influence over her mind, She would not trust herself in
my society till the day before that on which She was to receive the
Veil. I supplicated the Nuns; I insisted upon seeing Agnes, and
hesitated not to avow my suspicions that her being kept from me was
against her own inclinations. To free herself from the imputation of
violence, the Prioress brought me a few lines written in my Sister's
well-known hand, repeating the message already delivered. All future
attempts to obtain a moment's conversation with her were as fruitless
as the first. She was inflexible, and I was not permitted to see her
till the day preceding that on which She entered the Cloister never to
quit it more. This interview took place in the presence of our
principal Relations. It was for the first time since her childhood
that I saw her, and the scene was most affecting. She threw herself
upon my bosom, kissed me, and wept bitterly. By every possible
argument, by tears, by prayers, by kneeling, I strove to make her
abandon her intention. I represented to her all the hardships of a
religious life; I painted to her imagination all the pleasures which
She was going to quit, and besought her to disclose to me, what
occasioned her disgust to the world. At this last question She turned
pale, and her tears flowed yet faster. She entreated me not to press
her on that subject; That it sufficed me to know that her resolution
was taken, and that a Convent was the only place where She could now
hope for tranquillity. She persevered in her design, and made her
profession. I visited her frequently at the Grate, and every moment
that I passed with her, made me feel more affliction at her loss. I
was shortly after obliged to quit Madrid; I returned but yesterday
evening, and since then have not had time to call at St. Clare's
Convent.'

'Then till I mentioned it, you never heard the name of Alphonso
d'Alvarada?'

'Pardon me: my Aunt wrote me word that an Adventurer so called had
found means to get introduced into the Castle of Lindenberg; That He
had insinuated himself into my Sister's good graces, and that She had
even consented to elope with him. However, before the pla