me 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 for a
short time, I disappeared.

When I called the next day in my monastic costume, I had a billet-doux
ready in my pocket. The singing commenced: I soon found out that she
had a prepossession, from her selecting a song which in the presence of
her aunt I should have put on one side, but it now suited my purpose
that she should be indulged. When the aunt made her appearance we
stopped, and commenced another: by this little ruse I became a sort of
confidant, and the intimacy which I desired was brought about. When we
had practised two or three songs, Donna Celia, the aunt, left the room:
I then observed that I had seen the young cavalier whom I had mentioned,
and that he appeared to be more infatuated than ever: that he had
requested me as a favour to speak on his behalf, but that I had
threatened to acquaint her aunt if he mentioned the subject; for I
considered that my duty as a confessor in the family would be very
irreconcilable with carrying clandestine love messages. I acknowledged
that I pitied his condition; for to see the tears that he shed, and
listen to the supplications which he had made, would have softened
almost anybody; but that notwithstanding my great regard for him, I
thought it inconsistent with