that I was sent in
on that day as there was a competitor; besides which, my monastic vows
were at variance with my speculation: I therefore resolved to satisfy
her, if I could not satisfactorily prove it to myself or to the rest of
the world, and I took my measures accordingly.

It was in my worldly disguise, that I determined to attempt my purpose;
and as it was necessary to have a wart on my neck, I resolved to obtain
one as soon as possible. This was easily managed: a friar of the convent
was troubled with these excrescences, and I jocularly proposed a trial
to see whether it was true that the blood of them would inoculate. In a
fortnight I had a wart on my finger which soon became large, and I then
applied the blood of it to my neck. Within three months I had a large
wart on the back, of my neck, or rather a conglomeration of them, which
I had produced by inoculation, assisted by constant irritation: during
this period I was not so frequent in my attendance upon the old lady,
excusing myself on account of the duties of the convent which devolved
upon me. The next point was how to introduce myself in my other apparel.
This required some reflection, as it would be but occasionally that I
could make my appearance. After some reflection, I determined that the
niece should assist me, for I knew that even if I succeeded in my plans,
she would be a participator in the property which I wished to secure.
Often left in her company, I took opportunities of talking of a young
friend whom I highly extolled. When I had raised her curiosity, I
mentioned in a laughing manner, that I suspected he was very much
smitten with her charms, as I had often found him watching at the house
opposite. An admirer is always a source of gratification to a young
girl; her vanity was flattered, and she asked me many particulars. I
answered them so as to inflame her curiosity, describing his person in a
very favourable manner, and extolling his good qualities. I also
minutely described his dress. After the music lesson was over, I
returned to my lodgings, arrayed myself in my best suit, and putting on
my curling ringlets, walked up and down before the window of the house.
The niece soon recognised me as the person whose dress and appearance I
had so minutely described, one moment showing herself at the window, at
another darting away with all the coquetry of her sex. I perceived that
she was flattered with her conquest; and, after parading myself fo