her tears and sighs will be unavailing. No! In
five and twenty years that I have been Superior of this Convent, never
did I witness a transaction more infamous!'

'You must expect much opposition to your will;' the Other replied in a
milder voice; 'Agnes has many Friends in the Convent, and in particular
the Mother St. Ursula will espouse her cause most warmly. In truth,
She merits to have Friends; and I wish I could prevail upon you to
consider her youth, and her peculiar situation. She seems sensible of
her fault; The excess of her grief proves her penitence, and I am
convinced that her tears flow more from contrition than fear of
punishment. Reverend Mother, would you be persuaded to mitigate the
severity of your sentence, would you but deign to overlook this first
transgression, I offer myself as the pledge of her future conduct.'

'Overlook it, say you? Mother Camilla, you amaze me! What? After
disgracing me in the presence of Madrid's Idol, of the very Man on whom
I most wished to impress an idea of the strictness of my discipline?
How despicable must I have appeared to the reverend Abbot! No, Mother,
No! I never can forgive the insult. I cannot better convince Ambrosio
that I abhor such crimes, than by punishing that of Agnes with all the
rigour of which our severe laws admit. Cease then your supplications;
They will all be unavailing. My resolution is taken: Tomorrow Agnes
shall be made a terrible example of my justice and resentment.'

The Mother Camilla seemed not to give up the point, but by this time
the Nuns were out of hearing. The Prioress unlocked the door which
communicated with St. Clare's Chapel, and having entered with her
Companion, closed it again after them.

Matilda now asked, who was this Agnes with whom the Prioress was thus
incensed, and what connexion She could have with Ambrosio. He related
her adventure; and He added, that since that time his ideas having
undergone a thorough revolution, He now felt much compassion for the
unfortunate Nun.

'I design,' said He, 'to request an audience of the Domina tomorrow,
and use every means of obtaining a mitigation of her sentence.'

'Beware of what you do!' interrupted Matilda; 'Your sudden change of
sentiment may naturally create surprize, and may give birth to
suspicions which it is most our interest to avoid. Rather, redouble
your outward austerity, and thunder out menaces against the errors of
others, the better to conceal your