ose scenes to his mind in which Antonia had perished, She had
hitherto concealed from him the history of her sufferings. As He now
started the subject himself, and thinking that perhaps the narrative of
her sorrows might draw him from the contemplation of those on which He
dwelt too constantly, She immediately complied with his request. The
rest of the company had already heard her story; But the interest which
all present felt for its Heroine made them anxious to hear it repeated.
The whole society seconding Lorenzo's entreaties, Agnes obeyed. She
first recounted the discovery which had taken place in the Abbey
Chapel, the Domina's resentment, and the midnight scene of which St.
Ursula had been a concealed witness. Though the Nun had already
described this latter event, Agnes now related it more circumstantially
and at large: After which She proceeded in her narrative as follows.

Conclusion of the History of Agnes de Medina

My supposed death was attended with the greatest agonies. Those
moments which I believed my last, were embittered by the Domina's
assurances that I could not escape perdition; and as my eyes closed, I
heard her rage exhale itself in curses on my offence. The horror of
this situation, of a death-bed from which hope was banished, of a sleep
from which I was only to wake to find myself the prey of flames and
Furies, was more dreadful than I can describe. When animation revived
in me, my soul was still impressed with these terrible ideas: I looked
round with fear, expecting to behold the Ministers of divine vengeance.
For the first hour, my senses were so bewildered, and my brain so
dizzy, that I strove in vain to arrange the strange images which
floated in wild confusion before me. If I endeavoured to raise myself
from the ground, the wandering of my head deceived me. Every thing
around me seemed to rock, and I sank once more upon the earth. My weak
and dazzled eyes were unable to bear a nearer approach to a gleam of
light which I saw trembling above me. I was compelled to close them
again, and remain motionless in the same posture.

A full hour elapsed, before I was sufficiently myself to examine the
surrounding Objects. When I did examine them, what terror filled my
bosom I found myself extended upon a sort of wicker Couch: It had six
handles to it, which doubtless had served the Nuns to convey me to my
grave. I was covered with a linen cloth:

Several faded flowers were stro