I represented to her all the hardships of a religious life; I painted to her imagination all the pleasures which she was going to quit, and besought her to disclose to me, what occasioned her disgust to the world. At this last question she turned pale, and her tears flowed yet faster. She entreated me not to press her on that subject; that it sufficed me to know that her resolution was taken, and that a convent was the only place where she could now hope for tranquillity. She persevered in her design, and made her profession. I visited her frequently at the grate, and every moment that I passed with her, made me feel more affliction at her loss. I was shortly after obliged to quit Madrid; I returned but yesterday evening, and since then have not had time to call at

St. Clare’s convent.”

“Then till I mentioned it, you never heard the name of Alphonso d’Alvarada?”