of Agnes, and I loved and pitied her most
sincerely. The Mothers Bertha and Cornelia joined my party: We made
the strongest opposition possible, and the Superior found herself
compelled to change her intention. In spite of the majority in her
favour, She feared to break with us openly. She knew that supported by
the Medina family, our forces would be too strong for her to cope with:
And She also knew that after being once imprisoned and supposed dead,
should Agnes be discovered, her ruin would be inevitable. She
therefore gave up her design, though which much reluctance. She
demanded some days to reflect upon a mode of punishment which might be
agreeable to the whole Community; and She promised, that as soon as her
resolution was fixed, the same Council should be again summoned. Two
days passed away: On the Evening of the Third it was announced that on
the next day Agnes should be examined; and that according to her
behaviour on that occasion, her punishment should be either
strengthened or mitigated.

'On the night preceding this examination, I stole to the Cell of Agnes
at an hour when I supposed the other Nuns to be buried in sleep. I
comforted her to the best of my power: I bad her take courage, told
her to rely upon the support of her friends, and taught her certain
signs, by which I might instruct her to answer the Domina's questions
by an assent or negative. Conscious that her Enemy would strive to
confuse, embarrass, and daunt her, I feared her being ensnared into
some confession prejudicial to her interests. Being anxious to keep my
visit secret, I stayed with Agnes but a short time. I bad her not let
her spirits be cast down; I mingled my tears with those which streamed
down her cheek, embraced her fondly, and was on the point of retiring,
when I heard the sound of steps approaching the Cell. I started back.
A Curtain which veiled a large Crucifix offered me a retreat, and I
hastened to place myself behind it. The door opened. The Prioress
entered, followed by four other Nuns. They advanced towards the bed of
Agnes. The Superior reproached her with her errors in the bitterest
terms: She told her that She was a disgrace to the Convent, that She
was resolved to deliver the world and herself from such a Monster, and
commanded her to drink the contents of a Goblet now presented to her by
one of the Nuns. Aware of the fatal properties of the liquor, and
trembling to find herself upon the brink o