At this moment, the paper being already open, his eye involuntarily read the first words. He started back with surprise! The nun had turned round on hearing his voice: she perceived her letter in his hand, and uttering a shriek of terror, flew hastily to regain it.

“Hold!” said the friar in a tone of severity; “daughter, I must read this letter.”

“Then I am lost!” she exclaimed clasping her hands together wildly.

All colour instantly faded from her face; she trembled with agitation, and was obliged to fold her arms round a pillar of the chapel to save herself from sinking upon the floor. In the meanwhile the abbot read the following lines: