ility in my mien, but with
indignation in my breast; and returning to my cell, resolved upon
immediately writing for my removal to Madrid. I had not been there many
minutes when the porter brought me a note. It was from Donna Sophia,
requesting to see me that evening, and apologising for her apparent
ill-usage, which she had only assumed the better to conceal her
intentions; being afraid, at our last interview, that her mother was
within hearing.

I was in raptures when I perused the note, and hastened to comply with
her request. Her directions were to repair to the back door, which
looked out upon some fields, and give three taps. I arrived, and as soon
as I raised my hand to give the signal, was seized by four men in masks,
who gagged and bound me. They then stripped off my friar's dress, and
scourged me with nettles, until I was almost frantic with the pain. When
their vengeance was satisfied, they cast me loose, removed the gag, and
ran away. As I then suspected, and afterwards discovered to be true, I
was indebted to the young officer for this treatment, in return for what
I had said, and which his mistress had repeated. Smarting with pain, and
boiling with rage, I dragged on my clothes as well as I could, and began
to reflect in what manner I should act. Conceal my situation from the
other members of the convent I could not; and to explain it would not
only be too humiliating, but subject me to more rigorous discipline. At
last, I considered that out of evil might spring good; and gathering a
large bundle of the nettles, which grew under the walls, I crawled back
to the convent. When I attained my cell, I threw off my gown, which was
now unbearable from the swelling of my limbs, and commenced thrashing
the walls of my cell and my bed with the nettles which I had procured.

After a short time I moaned piteously, and continued so to do, louder
and louder, until some of the friars got up to inquire the reason; when
they found me, apparently, castigating myself in this cruel manner. When
they opened the door, I threw myself on the bed, and cried still more
vociferously. This certainly was the only part of my conduct which was
not deceptive, for I was in the most acute agony. To their inquiries, I
told them that I had been guilty of great enormities; that the superior
had reproved me, and ordered me penance; and that I had scourged myself
with nettles; requesting them to continue the application as my strength
had fai