on the cushion at the
feet of the monk.

The murmured language of Donna Violetta was audible to none but him for
whose paternal ear it was intended, and that dread Being whose just
anger it was hoped it might lessen. But Don Camillo gazed, through the
half-opened door of the chapel, on the kneeling form, the clasped hands,
and the uplifted countenance of the beautiful penitent. As she proceeded
with the acknowledgment of her errors, the flush on her cheek deepened,
and a pious excitement kindled in those eyes which he had so lately seen
glowing with a very different passion. The ingenuous and disciplined
soul of Violetta was not so quickly disburdened of its load of sin as
that of the more practised mind of the Lord of Sant' Agata. The latter
fancied that he could trace in the movement of her lips the sound of his
own name, and a dozen times during the confession he thought he could
even comprehend sentences of which he himself was the subject. Twice the
good father smiled involuntarily, and at each indiscretion he laid a
hand in affection on the bared head of the suppliant. But Violetta
ceased to speak, and the absolution was pronounced with a fervor that
the remarkable circumstances in which they all stood did not fail to
heighten.

When this portion of his duty was ended, the Carmelite entered the
oratory. With steady hands he lighted the candles of the altar, and made
the other dispositions for the mass. During this interval Don Camillo
was at the side of his mistress, whispering with the warmth of a
triumphant and happy lover. The governess stood near the door, watching
for the sound of footsteps in the antechamber. The monk then advanced to
the entrance of the little chapel, and was about to speak, when a
hurried step from Donna Florinda arrested his words. Don Camillo had
just time to conceal his person within the drapery of a window, before
the door opened and Annina entered.

When the preparations of the altar and the solemn countenance of the
priest first met her eye, the girl recoiled with the air of one rebuked.
But rallying her thoughts, with that readiness which had gained her the
employment she filled, she crossed herself reverently, and took a place
apart, like one who, while she knew her station, wished to participate
in the mysteries of the holy office.

"Daughter, none who commence this mass with us, can quit the presence
ere it be completed,", observed the monk.

"Father, it is my duty to be ne