supposition the colour of truth. The
Cardinal is fully persuaded of it; and for my own part I am inclined to
adopt the only solution which offers itself to this riddle. I return
to the narrative from which I have digressed.')

From this period I recovered my health so rapidly as to astonish my
Physicians. The Bleeding Nun appeared no more, and I was soon able to
set out for Lindenberg. The Baron received me with open arms. I
confided to him the sequel of my adventure; and He was not a little
pleased to find that his Mansion would be no longer troubled with the
Phantom's quiennial visits. I was sorry to perceive that absence had
not weakened Donna Rodolpha's imprudent passion. In a private
conversation which I had with her during my short stay at the Castle,
She renewed her attempts to persuade me to return her affection.
Regarding her as the primary cause of all my sufferings, I entertained
for her no other sentiment than disgust. The Skeleton of Beatrice was
found in the place which She had mentioned. This being all that I
sought at Lindenberg, I hastened to quit the Baron's domains, equally
anxious to perform the obsequies of the murdered Nun, and escape the
importunity of a Woman whom I detested. I departed, followed by Donna
Rodolpha's menaces that my contempt should not be long unpunished.

I now bent my course towards Spain with all diligence. Lucas with my
Baggage had joined me during my abode at Lindenberg. I arrived in my
native Country without any accident, and immediately proceeded to my
Father's Castle in Andalusia. The remains of Beatrice were deposited
in the family vault, all due ceremonies performed, and the number of
Masses said which She had required. Nothing now hindered me from
employing all my endeavours to discover the retreat of Agnes. The
Baroness had assured me that her Niece had already taken the veil:
This intelligence I suspected to have been forged by jealousy, and
hoped to find my Mistress still at liberty to accept my hand. I
enquired after her family; I found that before her Daughter could reach
Madrid, Donna Inesilla was no more: You, my dear Lorenzo, were said to
be abroad, but where I could not discover: Your Father was in a
distant Province on a visit to the Duke de Medina, and as to Agnes, no
one could or would inform me what was become of her. Theodore,
according to promise, had returned to Strasbourg, where He found his
Grandfather dead, and Marguerite in posse