Mathias," replied Amine; "but what
building is that?"

"The Augustine convent; and the other, to the right, is the Dominican."

"Splendid, indeed!" observed Amine.

"The building you see now, on the water-side, is the viceroy's palace;
that to the right again, is the convent of the barefooted Carmelites;
yon lofty spire is the cathedral of St. Catherine; and that beautiful
and light piece of architecture is the church of our Lady of Pity. You
observe there a building with a dome, rising behind the viceroy's
palace?"

"I do," replied Amine.

"That is the Holy Inquisition."

Although Amine had heard Philip speak of the Inquisition, she knew
little about its properties; but a sudden tremor passed through her
frame as the name was mentioned, which she could not herself account
for.

"Now we open upon the viceroy's palace, and you perceive what a
beautiful building it is," continued the captain. "That large pile, a
little above it, is the Custom-house, abreast of which we shall come to
an anchor. I must leave you now, signora."

A few minutes afterwards the ship anchored opposite the Custom-house.
The captain and passengers went on shore with the exception of Amine,
who remained in the vessel while Father Mathias went in search of an
eligible place of abode.

The next morning the priest returned on board the ship, with the
intelligence that he had obtained a reception for Amine in the Ursuline
convent, the abbess of which establishment he was acquainted with; and
before Amine went on shore, he cautioned her that the lady-abbess was a
strict woman, and would be pleased if she conformed as much as possible
to the rules of the convent; that this convent only received young
persons of the highest and most wealthy families, and he trusted that
she would be happy there. He also promised to call upon her, and talk
upon those subjects so dear to his heart, and so necessary to her
salvation. The earnestness and kindness with which the old man spoke
melted Amine to tears; and the holy father quitted her side to go down
and collect her baggage with a warmth of feeling towards her which he
had seldom felt before, and with greater hopes than ever that his
endeavours to convert her would not ultimately be thrown away.

"He is a good man," thought Amine, as she descended--and Amine was
right. Father Mathias was a good man; but, like all men, he was not
perfect. A zealot in the cause of his religion, he would have
cheer