dexterity. The Baron immediately
marked me down for a Man of Genius, and vowed to me an eternal
friendship.

That friendship was become to me by no means indifferent. At the
Castle of Lindenberg I beheld for the first time your Sister, the
lovely Agnes. For me whose heart was unoccupied, and who grieved at
the void, to see her and to love her were the same. I found in Agnes
all that was requisite to secure my affection. She was then scarcely
sixteen; Her person light and elegant was already formed; She possessed
several talents in perfection, particularly those of Music and drawing:
Her character was gay, open, and good-humoured; and the graceful
simplicity of her dress and manners formed an advantageous contrast to
the art and studied Coquetry of the Parisian Dames, whom I had just
quitted. From the moment that I beheld her, I felt the most lively
interest in her fate. I made many enquiries respecting her of the
Baroness.

'She is my Niece,' replied that Lady; 'You are still ignorant, Don
Alphonso, that I am your Countrywoman. I am Sister to the Duke of
Medina Celi: Agnes is the Daughter of my second Brother, Don Gaston:
She has been destined to the Convent from her cradle, and will soon
make her profession at Madrid.'

(Here Lorenzo interrupted the Marquis by an exclamation of surprise.

'Intended for the Convent from her cradle?' said He; 'By heaven, this
is the first word that I ever heard of such a design!'

'I believe it, my dear Lorenzo,' answered Don Raymond; 'But you must
listen to me with patience. You will not be less surprised, when I
relate some particulars of your family still unknown to you, and which
I have learnt from the mouth of Agnes herself.'

He then resumed his narrative as follows.)

You cannot but be aware that your Parents were unfortunately Slaves to
the grossest superstition: When this foible was called into play,
their every other sentiment, their every other passion yielded to its
irresistible strength. While She was big with Agnes, your Mother was
seized by a dangerous illness, and given over by her Physicians. In
this situation, Donna Inesilla vowed, that if She recovered from her
malady, the Child then living in her bosom if a Girl should be
dedicated to St. Clare, if a Boy to St. Benedict. Her prayers were
heard; She got rid of her complaint; Agnes entered the world alive, and
was immediately destined to the service of St. Clare.

Don Gaston readily chimed in wit