ied, and I would not refuse him
such a poor consolation.

A few minutes afterwards he expired, and I hastened to my lodgings,
changed my dress, and repaired to the convent, where as Don Pedro I
wrote to Donna Sophia, in forming her of what had taken place, and of my
having absconded until the hue and cry should be over. For three weeks
I remained in the convent, or only appeared abroad as the father
Anselmo. I brought a considerable sum to the superior for the use of
the church, partly to satisfy the qualms of conscience which assailed me
for the crime which I had committed; partly that I might continue in his
good graces.

At the expiration of the time I sent a note to the young lady, as from
Don Pedro, acquainting her with my return, and my intention to call upon
her in the dusk of the evening. I went to my lodgings, dressed myself
as Don Pedro, and tapping at her door was admitted; but instead of being
cordially greeted, as I expected, I was repulsed, loaded with abuse, and
declared an object of detestation. It appeared that, although in her
rage at the desertion of her lover, she had listened to the dictates of
revenge, now that he was no more all her affection for him had revived.
I returned her upbraiding, and quitted the room to leave the house; but
she had no intention that I should escape, and had stationed two of her
relations below, ready to intercept me.

She called to them as I descended the stairs; when I arrived at the
hall, I found them with drawn swords to dispute my passage. I had no
resource but to fight my way; and charging them furiously, I severely
wounded one, and shortly afterwards disarmed the other, just as the
enraged fair one, who perceived that I was gaining the day, had run
behind me and seized my arms; but she was too late: I threw her
indignantly upon the wounded man, and walked out of the house. As soon
as I was in the street, I took to my heels, gained my lodgings, changed
my dress, and repaired to the convent.

This adventure sobered me much. I now remained quiet for some months,
never assuming my dress as Don Pedro, lest the officers of justice
should lay hold of me. I became more rigid and exact in my duties, and
more austere in my manner.

The several confessional chairs in our church were usually occupied by
the senior monks, although, when absent from sickness or other causes,
the juniors occasionally supplied their place. One of the monks had
been taken ill, and I