t of a
childhood which seemed to herself a dream of paradise, when his hand
blessed her curling head, and his lips gave a parting kiss, returned so
heartily by herself.

There was not a moment to lose--they hardly knew how time had sped, but
they had never found his wings slow when they were together. So, hand in
hand they hastened to the presence which was to be either deliverance or
condemnation to them both; and when at last they reached the palace, and
after some delay were admitted to kneel before his eminence, no words
can paint the horror with which he exchanged his dreams of the papal
chair for a sight of the apostate priest and self-doomed nun confessing
in one breath that they had 'loved not wisely, but too well'--that God
once brought together those whom cruel relatives tore asunder--that _he_
was their only escape from double ruin, and infamy worse than death.

The moments seemed hours while he who had approved the punishment of
other celibates for no greater sins, sought how he might ward off a blow
that struck so near his own bosom--that was to crush one the grace of
whose childhood had not been more marked than her affection for
himself--than the earnestness of the tone with which she was wont to
declare herself 'his little daughter.' He had not the courage to hazard
his position by espousing her cause or undertaking her escape. He felt
that she had been more sinned against than sinning, in having been
forced into a vow of perpetual virginity when she had already made
another vow which her loving nature had rejoiced to keep.

And yet, the preservation of his dignity was of infinite moment to his
peace--nor could he help seeing that a flood of disgrace would sweep
over the Church were such breaches widened by the public protection of
the offenders, and, of course, the enemies of monastic institutions
would seize upon the opening for fiercer assaults.

Suddenly he dismissed the erring brother in too much trouble to bestow
the admonition which the other was in too great anxiety to heed--threw
over the trembling girl the cloak and hat of a common citizen--summoned
his household servants together as quickly as possible, and hastened in
the twilight of early dawn to the sleeping convent with as large an
attendance as such hot haste would permit.

For some time no admittance could be obtained; and the rain seemed to
pour down in sheets, as if all the windows of heaven were open. But his
orders were perempto