cely weaker, and He waited with inexpressible
impatience for the solution of this mystery. Raymond caught the basket
from the hands of his Page: He emptied the contents upon the bed, and
examined them with minute attention. He hoped that a letter would be
found at the bottom; Nothing of the kind appeared. The search was
resumed, and still with no better success. At length Don Raymond
observed that one corner of the blue satin lining was unripped; He tore
it open hastily, and drew forth a small scrap of paper neither folded
or sealed. It was addressed to the Marquis de las Cisternas, and the
contents were as follows.

Having recognised your Page, I venture to send these few lines. Procure
an order from the Cardinal-Duke for seizing my Person, and that of the
Domina; But let it not be executed till Friday at midnight. It is the
Festival of St. Clare: There will be a procession of Nuns by
torch-light, and I shall be among them. Beware not to let your
intention be known: Should a syllable be dropt to excite the Domina's
suspicions, you will never hear of me more. Be cautious, if you prize
the memory of Agnes, and wish to punish her Assassins. I have that to
tell, will freeze your blood with horror. St. Ursula.

No sooner had the Marquis read the note than He fell back upon his
pillow deprived of sense or motion. The hope failed him which till now
had supported his existence; and these lines convinced him but too
positively that Agnes was indeed no more. Lorenzo felt this
circumstance less forcibly, since it had always been his idea that his
Sister had perished by unfair means. When He found by the Mother St.
Ursula's letter how true were his suspicions, the confirmation excited
no other sentiment in his bosom than a wish to punish the Murderers as
they deserved. It was no easy task to recall the Marquis to himself.
As soon as He recovered his speech, He broke out into execrations
against the Assassins of his Beloved, and vowed to take upon them a
signal vengeance. He continued to rave and torment himself with
impotent passion till his constitution, enfeebled by grief and illness,
could support itself no longer, and He relapsed into insensibility.
His melancholy situation sincerely affected Lorenzo, who would
willingly have remained in the apartment of his Friend; But other cares
now demanded his presence. It was necessary to procure the order for
seizing the Prioress of St. Clare. For this purpose, hav