ed by a brother, whom I
daily expected; in the meantime took possession of the key. I bought a
small chest, which I had conveyed to my lodgings, and having removed my
cavalier's dress from the convent, locked it up. I then remained quiet
as before, not only to avoid suspicion, but to ingratiate myself with
the superior, by my supposed reformation.

After a few days, I sallied forth, and leaving a note for one of the
most skilful perruquiers of Seville, desired him to call at my lodgings,
at an hour indicated. Having repaired there, to be ready to receive him,
I took off my monk's dress and false tonsure, which I locked up in my
chest; I tied a silk handkerchief round my head, and got into bed,
leaving the cavalier's suit on my chair near to me. The perruquier
knocked at the appointed time. I desired him to come in, apologised for
my servant being absent on a message, and stating that I had been
obliged to shave my head on account of a fever, from which I had now
recovered, requested that he would provide me with a handsome wig. I
explained at his request the colour and description of hair which I had
lost; and in so doing, represented it as much lighter than my own really
was, and similar to that of the young officer, whose ringlets had been
the cause of my last disaster. I paid him a part of the price down, and
having agreed upon the exact time at which it should be delivered, he
departed; when I rose from my bed, I resumed my monastic dress and
tonsure, and returned to the convent.

During the whole of the time occupied by these transactions, I had been
assiduous in laying up money, which before I had squandered as fast as I
obtained it, and had realised a considerable sum. I could not help
comparing myself to a chrysalis previous to its transformation. I had
before been a caterpillar, I was now all ready to burst my confinement,
and flit about as a gaudy butterfly. Another week, I continued my
prudent conduct, at the end of which I was admitted to my superior, in
whose hands I placed a sum of money which I could very conveniently
spare, and received his benediction and commendations for having weaned
myself from my former excesses. With a quickened pulse, I hastened to my
lodgings, and throwing off my hateful gown and tonsure, dressed myself
in my new attire.

The transformation was complete. I could not recognise myself. I hardly
could believe that the dashing young cavalier that confronted me in the
mirror, was