vour. This Virginia had discernment enough to perceive, and She
redoubled her attention to the Invalid. When He parted from her at the
door of her Father's Palace, the Duke entreated permission to enquire
occasionally after her health. His request was readily granted:
Virginia assured him that the Marquis de Villa-Franca would be proud of
an opportunity to thank him in person for the protection afforded to
her. They now separated, He enchanted with her beauty and gentleness,
and She much pleased with him and more with his Nephew.

On entering the Palace, Virginia's first care was to summon the family
Physician, and take care of her unknown charge. Her Mother hastened to
share with her the charitable office. Alarmed by the riots, and
trembling for his Daughter's safety, who was his only child, the
Marquis had flown to St. Clare's Convent, and was still employed in
seeking her. Messengers were now dispatched on all sides to inform him
that He would find her safe at his Hotel, and desire him to hasten
thither immediately. His absence gave Virginia liberty to bestow her
whole attention upon her Patient; and though much disordered herself by
the adventures of the night, no persuasion could induce her to quit the
bedside of the Sufferer. Her constitution being much enfeebled by want
and sorrow, it was some time before the Stranger was restored to her
senses. She found great difficulty in swallowing the medicines
prescribed to her: But this obstacle being removed, She easily
conquered her disease which proceeded from nothing but weakness. The
attention which was paid her, the wholesome food to which She had been
long a Stranger, and her joy at being restored to liberty, to society,
and, as She dared to hope, to Love, all this combined to her speedy
re-establishment.

From the first moment of knowing her, her melancholy situation, her
sufferings almost unparalleled had engaged the affections of her
amiable Hostess: Virginia felt for her the most lively interest; But
how was She delighted, when her Guest being sufficiently recovered to
relate her History, She recognized in the captive Nun the Sister of
Lorenzo!

This victim of monastic cruelty was indeed no other than the
unfortunate Agnes. During her abode in the Convent, She had been well
known to Virginia: But her emaciated form, her features altered by
affliction, her death universally credited, and her overgrown and
matted hair which hung over her face and bo