surprize, no indignation? Is it possible that
your Sister's infamy was known to you, and that still She possessed
your affection? In that case, you have no need of my compassion. I
can say nothing more, except repeat my inability of obeying the orders
of his Holiness. Agnes is no more, and to convince you that what I say
is true, I swear by our blessed Saviour, that three days have past
since She was buried.'

Here She kissed a small crucifix which hung at her girdle. She then
rose from her chair, and quitted the Parlour. As She withdrew, She
cast upon Lorenzo a scornful smile.

'Farewell, Segnor,' said She; 'I know no remedy for this accident: I
fear that even a second Bull from the Pope will not procure your
Sister's resurrection.'

Lorenzo also retired, penetrated with affliction: But Don Raymond's at
the news of this event amounted to Madness. He would not be convinced
that Agnes was really dead, and continued to insist that the Walls of
St. Clare still confined her. No arguments could make him abandon his
hopes of regaining her: Every day some fresh scheme was invented for
procuring intelligence of her, and all of them were attended with the
same success.

On his part, Medina gave up the idea of ever seeing his Sister more:
Yet He believed that She had been taken off by unfair means. Under
this persuasion, He encouraged Don Raymond's researches, determined,
should He discover the least warrant for his suspicions, to take a
severe vengeance upon the unfeeling Prioress. The loss of his Sister
affected him sincerely; Nor was it the least cause of his distress that
propriety obliged him for some time to defer mentioning Antonia to the
Duke. In the meanwhile his emissaries constantly surrounded Elvira's
Door. He had intelligence of all the movements of his Mistress: As She
never failed every Thursday to attend the Sermon in the Capuchin
Cathedral, He was secure of seeing her once a week, though in
compliance with his promise, He carefully shunned her observation.
Thus two long Months passed away. Still no information was procured of
Agnes: All but the Marquis credited her death; and now Lorenzo
determined to disclose his sentiments to his Uncle. He had already
dropt some hints of his intention to marry; They had been as favourably
received as He could expect, and He harboured no doubt of the success
of his application.

CHAPTER III

While in each other's arms entranced They lay,
They bl