i._ He did.

_Mi._ I was not suffered to see him: they suspect me, and confined me in
my cell a prisoner, till he had left the monastery. I am compelled then
to address myself to you; but I must be speedy: one moment only is
allowed me, while the prior and his confederates are engaged in their
secret councils. Venoni, collect your powers of mind; summon up all your
strength; this is a moment which demands courage and resolution-- your
Josepha is lost to you--

_Venoni._ For ever!

_Mi._ And know you the man who tore her from your arms? know you the man
who-- _murdered_ her?

_Venoni._ Murdered her? almighty powers! what mean you? whom mean you?

_Mi._ Your rival! your friend! the man who today possesses most
influence over your mind, and who tomorrow will become despotic master
of your destiny: the tiger whose tongue submissively licks your hand
today, and whose talons will tear out your heart tomorrow.

_Venoni._ Whom, whom?

_Mi._ The father Coelestino.

_Venoni._ (_in the greatest horror_) He? the prior? powers of mercy!--
(_then with decision_) away! it cannot be.

_Mi._ You doubt me? be convinced then. Some months are past since a
tremendous fire broke out in this convent at midnight. The prior was
absent; his apartment was in flames; I burst the door, and rescued such
articles as appeared to be of most importance; a crucifix of value; his
casket; his papers--

_Venoni._ Go on, go on!

_Mi._ Among these papers one letter was half open: unintentionally the
first words caught my eye, and their import compelled me to read the
rest. It was from the abbess of the Ursulines, whose chapel is only
separated from ours by a party-wall. It informed me, that a
communication exists between the two convents, unknown to all but the
prior and his confidants; that the most scandalous abuses--

_Venoni._ (_frantic with impatience_) Josepha, Josepha-- oh! speak to me
of Josepha!

_Mi._ Other letters leave no doubt, that the prior's motive for
secluding her in the Ursuline convent was a licentious passion for your
bride. In that convent every art was employed to corrupt her heart, but
every art was employed in vain. She endeavoured to escape; she was
watched and closely confined. Your return was expected daily-- Josepha
threatened her tyrants with disclosure of this atrocious secret-- the
prior and his accomplice stood on the brink of an abyss, and, to prevent
it, she was precipitated into an untimely grave.

_Venon