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Cisternas。 I no sooner mentioned the name than He profest
himself an acquaintance of my Father's； and declared that He
would not permit my being transported to such a distance before
my wounds had been examined。 He added that his House was hard
by； and begged me to accompany him thither。 His manner was so
earnest； that I could not reject his offer； and leaning upon his
arm； a few minutes brought me to the Porch of a magnificent
Hotel。
On entering the House； an old grey…headed Domestic came to
welcome my Conductor： He enquired when the Duke； his Master；
meant to quit the Country； and was answered that He would remain
there yet some months。 My Deliverer then desired the
family Surgeon to be summoned without delay。 His orders were
obeyed。 I was seated upon a Sopha in a noble apartment； and my
wounds being examined； they were declared to be very slight。 The
Surgeon； however； advised me not to expose myself to the
night air； and the Stranger pressed me so earnestly to take a bed
in his House； that I consented to remain where I was for the
present。
Being now left alone with my Deliverer； I took the opportunity of
thanking him in more express terms； than I had done hitherto：
But He begged me to be silent upon the subject。
'I esteem myself happy；' said He； 'in having had it in my power
to render you this little service； and I shall think myself
eternally obliged to my Daughter for detaining me so late at the
Convent of St。 Clare。 The high esteem in which I have ever held
the Marquis de las Cisternas； though accident has not permitted
our being so intimate as I could wish； makes me rejoice in the
opportunity of making his Son's acquaintance。 I am certain that
my Brother in whose House you now are； will lament his not being
at Madrid to receive you himself： But in the Duke's absence I am
Master of the family； and may assure you in his name； that every
thing in the Hotel de Medina is perfectly at your disposal。'
Conceive my surprize； Lorenzo； at discovering in the person of my
Preserver Don Gaston de Medina： It was only to be equalled by my
secret satisfaction at the assurance that Agnes inhabited the
Convent of St。 Clare。 This latter sensation was not a little
weakened； when in answer to my seemingly indifferent questions He
told me that his Daughter had really taken the veil。 I suffered
not my grief at this circumstance to take root in my mind： I
flattered myself with the idea that my Uncle's credit at the
Court of Rome would remove this obstacle； and that without
difficulty I should obtain for my Mistress a dispensation from
her vows。 Buoyed up with this hope I calmed the uneasiness of my
bosom； and I redoubled my endeavours to appear grateful for the
attention and pleased with the society of Don Gaston。
A Domestic now entered the room； and informed me that the Bravo
whom I had wounded discovered some signs of life。 I desired
that He might be carried to my Father's Hotel； and that as soon
as He recovered his voice； I would examine him respecting his
reasons for attempting my life。 I was answered that He was
already able to speak； though with difficulty： Don Gaston's
curiosity made him press me to interrogate the Assassin in his
presence； but this curiosity I was by no means inclined to
gratify。 One reason was； that doubting from whence the blow
came； I was unwilling to place before Don Gaston's eyes the guilt
of a Sister： Another was； that I feared to be recognized for
Alphonso d'Alvarada； and precautions taken in consequence to keep
me from the sight of Agnes。 To avow my passion for his Daughter；
and endeavour to make him enter into my schemes； what I knew of
Don Gaston's character convinced me would be an imprudent step：
and considering it to be essential that He should know me for no
other than the Conde de las Cisternas； I was determined not to
let him hear the Bravo's confession。 I insinuated to him； that
as I suspected a Lady to be concerned in the Business； whose name
might accidentally escape from the Assassin； it was necessary for
me to examine the Man in private。 Don Gaston's delicacy would
not permit his urging the point any longer； and in consequence
the Bravo was conveyed to my Hotel。
The next Morning I took leave of my Host； who was to return to
the Duke on the same day。 My wounds had been so trifling that；
except being obliged to wear my arm in a sling for a short time；
I felt no inconvenience from the night's adventure。 The Surgeon
who examined the Bravo's wound declared it to be mortal： He had
just time to confess that He had been instigated to murder me by
the revengeful Donna Rodolpha； and expired in a few minutes
after。
All my thoughts were now bent upon getting to the speech of my
lovely Nun。 Theodore set himself to work； and for this time with
better success。 He attacked the Gardener of St。 Clare so
forcibly with bribes and promises that the Old Man was entirely
gained over to my interests； and it was settled that I should be
introduced into the Convent in the character of his Assistant。
The plan was put into execution without delay。 Disguised in a
common habit； and a black patch covering one of my eyes； I was
presented to the Lady Prioress； who condescended to approve of
the Gardener's choice。 I immediately entered upon my employment。
Botany having been a favourite study with me； I was by no means
at a loss in my new station。 For some days I continued to work
in the Convent Garden without meeting the Object of my disguise：
On the fourth Morning I was more successful。 I heard the voice
of Agnes； and was speeding towards the sound； when the sight of
the Domina stopped me。 I drew back with caution； and concealed
myself behind a thick clump of Trees。
The Prioress advanced and seated herself with Agnes on a Bench
at no great distance。 I heard her in an angry tone blame her
Companion's continual melancholy： She told her that to weep the
loss of any Lover in her situation was a crime； But that to weep
the loss of a faithless one was folly and absurdity in the
extreme。 Agnes replied in so low a voice that I could not
distinguish her words； but I perceived that She used terms of
gentleness and submission。 The conversation was interrupted by
the arrival of a young Pensioner who informed the Domina that
She was waited for in the Parlour。 The old Lady rose； kissed the
cheek of Agnes； and retired。 The newcomer remained。 Agnes spoke
much to her in praise of somebody whom I could not make out； but
her Auditor seemed highly delighted； and interested by the
conversation。 The Nun showed her several letters； the Other
perused them with evident pleasure； obtained permission to copy
them； and withdrew for that purpose to my great satisfaction。
No sooner was She out of sight； than I quitted my concealment。
Fearing to alarm my lovely Mistress； I drew near her gently；
intending to discover myself by degrees。 But who for a moment
can deceive the eyes of love？ She raised her head at my
approach； and recognised me in spite of my disguise at a single
glance。 She rose hastily from her seat with an exclamation of
surprize； and attempted to retire； But I followed her； detained
her； and entreated to be heard。 Persuaded of my falsehood She
refused to listen to me； and ordered me positively to quit the
Garden。 It was now my turn to refuse。 I protested that however
dangerous might be the consequences； I would not leave her till
She had heard my justification。 I assured her that She had been
deceived by the artifices of her Relations； that I could convince
her beyond the power of doubt that my passion had been pure and
disinterested； and I asked her what should induce me to seek her
in the Convent； were I influenced by the selfish motives which my
Enemies had ascribed to me。
My prayers； my arguments； and vows not to quit her； till She had
promised to listen to me； united to her fears lest the Nuns
should see me with her； to her natural curiosity； and to the
effection which She still felt for me in spite of my supposed
desertion； at length prevailed。 She told me that to grant my
request at that moment was impossible； But She engaged to be in
the same spot