wn over me: On one side lay a small
wooden Crucifix; On the other, a Rosary of large Beads. Four low narrow
walls confined me. The top was also covered, and in it was practised a
small grated Door: Through this was admitted the little air which
circulated in this miserable place. A faint glimmering of light which
streamed through the Bars, permitted me to distinguish the surrounding
horrors. I was opprest by a noisome suffocating smell; and perceiving
that the grated door was unfastened, I thought that I might possibly
effect my escape. As I raised myself with this design, my hand rested
upon something soft: I grasped it, and advanced it towards the light.
Almighty God! What was my disgust, my consternation! In spite of its
putridity, and the worms which preyed upon it, I perceived a corrupted
human head, and recognised the features of a Nun who had died some
months before!

I threw it from me, and sank almost lifeless upon my Bier.

When my strength returned, this circumstance, and the consciousness of
being surrounded by the loathsome and mouldering Bodies of my
Companions, increased my desire to escape from my fearful prison. I
again moved towards the light. The grated door was within my reach: I
lifted it without difficulty; Probably it had been left unclosed to
facilitate my quitting the dungeon. Aiding myself by the irregularity
of the Walls some of whose stones projected beyond the rest, I
contrived to ascend them, and drag myself out of my prison. I now
found Myself in a Vault tolerably spacious. Several Tombs, similar in
appearance to that whence I had just escaped, were ranged along the
sides in order, and seemed to be considerably sunk within the earth. A
sepulchral Lamp was suspended from the roof by an iron chain, and shed
a gloomy light through the dungeon. Emblems of Death were seen on
every side: Skulls, shoulder-blades, thigh-bones, and other leavings
of Mortality were scattered upon the dewy ground. Each Tomb was
ornamented with a large Crucifix, and in one corner stood a wooden
Statue of St. Clare. To these objects I at first paid no attention: A
Door, the only outlet from the Vault, had attracted my eyes. I
hastened towards it, having wrapped my winding-sheet closely round me.
I pushed against the door, and to my inexpressible terror found that it
was fastened on the outside.

I guessed immediately that the Prioress, mistaking the nature of the
liquor which She had compelled me