s concluded the music again struck up; the
heroine of the day came forward, and stood before the grating to
take her last look of this wicked world. Down fell the black
curtain. Up rose the relations, and I accompanied them into the
sacristy. Here they coolly lighted their cigars, and very
philosophically discoursed upon the exceeding good fortune of the
new-made nun, and on her evident delight and satisfaction with
her own situation. As we did not follow her behind the scenes, I
could not give my opinion on this point. Shortly after, one of
the gentlemen civilly led me to my carriage, and _so it
was_."

_A Victim for her Musical Powers._

"In the convent of the Incarnation I saw another girl sacrificed
in a similar manner. She was received there without a dowry, on
account of the exceeding fineness of her voice. She little
thought what a fatal gift it would prove to her. The most cruel
part of all was that, wishing to display her fine voice to the
public, they made her sing a hymn alone, on her knees, her arms
extended in the form of a cross, before all the immense crowd:
"Ancilla Christi sum," "The bride of Christ I am." She was a
good-looking girl, fat and comely, who would probably have led a
comfortable life in the world, for which she seemed well fitted;
most likely without one touch of romance or enthusiasm in her
composition; but, having the unfortunate honor of being niece to
two _chanoines_, she was thus honorably provided for without
expense in her nineteenth year. As might be expected, her voice
faltered, and instead of singing, she seemed inclined to cry out.
Each note came slowly, heavily, tremblingly; and at last she
nearly fell forward exhausted, when two of the sisters caught and
supported her."

_A Victim of her Confessor._

"She was in purple velvet, with diamonds and pearls, and a crown
of flowers; the corsage of her gown was entirely covered with
little bows of ribbon of divers colors, which her friends had
given her, each adding one, like stones thrown on a cairn in
memory of the departed. She had also short sleeves and white
satin shoes.

"Being very handsome, with fine black eyes, good teeth, and fresh
color, and, above all, with the beauty of youth, for she is but