He doubted not but this Latter would be much incensed by
losing a Person of such high rank from her society, and consider the
renunciation of Agnes as an insult to her House. He represented her as
a Woman of a violent and revengeful character, capable of proceeding to
the greatest extremities. It was therefore to be feared, lest by
confining Agnes in the Convent She should frustrate my hopes, and
render the Pope's mandate unavailing. Influenced by this
consideration, I resolved to carry off my Mistress, and conceal her
till the arrival of the expected Bull in the Cardinal-Duke's Estate.
He approved of my design, and profest himself ready to give a shelter
to the Fugitive. I next caused the new Gardener of St. Clare to be
seized privately, and confined in my Hotel. By this means I became
Master of the Key to the Garden door, and I had now nothing more to do
than prepare Agnes for the elopement. This was done by the letter,
which you saw me deliver this Evening. I told her in it, that I should
be ready to receive her at twelve tomorrow night, that I had secured
the Key of the Garden, and that She might depend upon a speedy release.

You have now, Lorenzo, heard the whole of my long narrative. I have
nothing to say in my excuse, save that my intentions towards your
Sister have been ever the most honourable: That it has always been,
and still is my design to make her my Wife: And that I trust, when you
consider these circumstances, our youth, and our attachment, you will
not only forgive our momentary lapse from virtue, but will aid me in
repairing my faults to Agnes, and securing a lawful title to her person
and her heart.

CHAPTER II

O You! whom Vanity's light bark conveys
On Fame's mad voyage by the wind of praise,
With what a shifting gale your course you ply,
For ever sunk too low, or borne too high!
Who pants for glory finds but short repose,
A breath revives him, and a breath o'er-throws.
Pope.

Here the Marquis concluded his adventures. Lorenzo, before He could
determine on his reply, past some moments in reflection. At length He
broke silence.

'Raymond,' said He taking his hand, 'strict honour would oblige me to
wash off in your blood the stain thrown upon my family; But the
circumstances of your case forbid me to consider you as an Enemy. The
temptation was too great to be resisted. 'Tis the superstition of my
Relations which has occasioned the