as if those limbs were lifeless--save in
respect to the hands that held the scourges. But, suddenly, one of
them--a young and beautiful woman--exclaimed, in a tone of piercing
anguish, "It is my fault! it is my fault! it is my fault!"--and the
others took up the wail in voices equally characteristic of heartfelt
woe.

Then they lacerated their shoulders with the hard leathern thongs of
their scourges; and a faintness came over Flora Francatelli when she
observed the blood appear on the back of the young and beautiful
penitent who had given the signal for this self-mortification.

The nun, perceiving the effect thus produced upon the maiden, touched
her upon the shoulder as a signal to follow whither she was about to
lead; and, opening one of the several doors communicating with the
Chamber of Penitence, she said in a low whisper--"This is your cell. May
the Virgin bless you!"

Flora entered the little room allotted to her, and the nun retired,
simply closing, but not bolting the door behind her.

A taper burnt before a crucifix suspended to the wall; and near it hung
a scourge, from which last mentioned object Flora averted her eyes with
horror.

A bed, a simple toilet-table, a praying-desk, and a single chair,
completed the furniture of the cell, which was of very narrow
dimensions.

Seating herself on the bed, Flora burst into an agony of tears.

What would her aunt think when she received the news of her
disappearance? for she could not suppose that any friendly feeling on
the part of her persecutors would induce them to adopt a course which
might relieve that much-loved relative's mind concerning her. What would
Francisco conjecture? Oh! these thoughts were maddening!

Anxious to escape from them, if possible, the almost heartbroken girl
proceeded to lay aside her garments and retire to rest.

Physical and mental exhaustion cast her into a deep sleep; but the
horrors of her condition pursued her even in her dreams; so that when
she awoke she was not startled to find herself in that gloomy cell.

Casting her eyes around, she observed two circumstances which showed her
that some one had visited her room during the hours she slept; for a new
taper was burning before the crucifix, and her own garments had been
removed,--the coarse garb of a penitent now occupying their place on the
chair.

"Oh! is it possible that I am doomed to bid farewell to the world
forever?" exclaimed Flora, in a voice of despair, as