d before the intimacy
has been carried on to an extent that a rupture would occasion any pangs
to her that I adore, I will retire from Seville, and lament in solitude
my unfortunate condition.'

"`Are you capable of making such a sacrifice, Don Pedro?' said I. `I
am, Father Anselmo,' replied he: `I will always act as a man of honour
and of family, although I cannot prove my descent.'

"`Then,' said I, `Don Pedro, do me the favour to call upon me this
evening at my convent, and I hope to have some pleasing intelligence to
impart.' I then left him, to come here and acquaint you with the joyful
discovery."

"But why did you not bring him here immediately?" cried Donna Celia.

"Madam, I have important duties at my convent which will occupy me with
the superior till late at night. These must be attended to; and it is
not impossible that the affairs of our convent may require my absence
for some time, as there are new leases of our lands to be granted, and I
have reason to expect that the superior may despatch me on that
business. I will acquaint the young man with what has been discovered,
and will then send him to your arms; but it were advisable that you
allow a few hours to repose after the agitation which you have
undergone, and previous to the affecting scene that will naturally take
place. I wish I could be present; for it is not often, in this world,
that we can witness the best affections of the heart in their virtuous
action."

I then took my leave, requesting Donna Celia to inform her niece of the
circumstances, as I presumed there would now be no obstacle to the
mutual attachment of the young people.

My reason for an early departure was that I might arrange the story I
should tell, when, as Don Pedro, my new mother would demand from me the
events of my life. I had also to request leave of absence, which I
obtained in expectation of some property being left to the convent by an
elderly gentleman residing at Alicant, who was expected to die, and from
whom I produced a letter, requesting my presence. As I was on the best
terms with the superior, and there was a prospect of obtaining money,
his consent was given. That I should be there in time, I was permitted
to depart that evening. I took my leave of the superior, and the rest
of the monks, intending never to return, and hastened to my lodgings,
where I threw off my monastic habit, which from that hour has never been
resumed. I repaired to Donna Ce