ion upon your heart. 'Tis true that I
perceive easily that your affection is returned; But what can be the
consequences of this attachment? You are poor and friendless, my
Antonia; Lorenzo is the Heir of the Duke of Medina Celi. Even should
Himself mean honourably, his Uncle never will consent to your union;
Nor without that Uncle's consent, will I. By sad experience I know
what sorrows She must endure, who marries into a family unwilling to
receive her. Then struggle with your affection: Whatever pains it may
cost you, strive to conquer it. Your heart is tender and susceptible:
It has already received a strong impression; But when once convinced
that you should not encourage such sentiments, I trust, that you have
sufficient fortitude to drive them from your bosom.'

Antonia kissed her hand, and promised implicit obedience. Elvira then
continued.

'To prevent your passion from growing stronger, it will be needful to
prohibit Lorenzo's visits. The service which He has rendered me
permits not my forbidding them positively; But unless I judge too
favourably of his character, He will discontinue them without taking
offence, if I confess to him my reasons, and throw myself entirely on
his generosity. The next time that I see him, I will honestly avow to
him the embarrassment which his presence occasions. How say you, my
Child? Is not this measure necessary?'

Antonia subscribed to every thing without hesitation, though not
without regret. Her Mother kissed her affectionately, and retired to
bed. Antonia followed her example, and vowed so frequently never more
to think of Lorenzo, that till Sleep closed her eyes She thought of
nothing else.

While this was passing at Elvira's, Lorenzo hastened to rejoin the
Marquis. Every thing was ready for the second elopement of Agnes; and
at twelve the two Friends with a Coach and four were at the Garden wall
of the Convent. Don Raymond drew out his Key, and unlocked the door.
They entered, and waited for some time in expectation of being joined
by Agnes. At length the Marquis grew impatient: Beginning to fear
that his second attempt would succeed no better than the first, He
proposed to reconnoitre the Convent. The Friends advanced towards it.
Every thing was still and dark. The Prioress was anxious to keep the
story a secret, fearing lest the crime of one of its members should
bring disgrace upon the whole community, or that the interposition of
powerful Relati