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request at that moment was impossible； But She engaged to be in
the same spot at eleven that night； and to converse with me for
the last time。 Having obtained this promise I released her hand；
and She fled back with rapidity towards the Convent。
I communicated my success to my Ally； the old Gardener： He
pointed out an hiding place where I might shelter myself till
night without fear of a discovery。 Thither I betook myself at
the hour when I ought to have retired with my supposed Master；
and waited impatiently for the appointed time。 The chillness of
the night was in my favour； since it kept the other Nuns confined
to their Cells。 Agnes alone was insensible of the inclemency of
the Air； and before eleven joined me at the spot which had
witnessed our former interview。 Secure from interruption； I
related to her the true cause of my disappearing on the fatal
fifth of May。 She was evidently much affected by my narrative：
When it was concluded； She confessed the injustice of her
suspicions； and blamed herself for having taken the veil through
despair at my ingratitude。
'But now it is too late to repine！' She added； 'The die is
thrown： I have pronounced my vows； and dedicated myself to the
service of heaven。 I am sensible； how ill I am calculated for a
Convent。 My disgust at a monastic life increases daily： Ennui
and discontent are my constant Companions； and I will not conceal
from you that the passion which I formerly felt for one so near
being my Husband is not yet extinguished in my bosom。 But we
must part！ Insuperable Barriers divide us from each other； and
on this side the Grave we must never meet again！'
I now exerted myself to prove that our union was not so
impossible as She seemed to think it。 I vaunted to her the
Cardinal…Duke of Lerma's influence at the Court of Rome： I
assured her that I should easily obtain a dispensation from her
vows； and I doubted not but Don Gaston would coincide with my
views； when informed of my real name and long attachment。 Agnes
replied that since I encouraged such an hope； I could know but
little of her Father。 Liberal and kind in every other respect；
Superstition formed the only stain upon his character。 Upon this
head He was inflexible； He sacrificed his dearest interests to
his scruples； and would consider it an insult to suppose him
capable of authorising his daughter to break her vows to heaven。
'But suppose；' said I interrupting her； 'Suppose that He should
disapprove of our union； Let him remain ignorant of my
proceedings； till I have rescued you from the prison in which
you are now confined。 Once my Wife； you are free from his
authority： I need from him no pecuniary assistance； and when He
sees his resentment to be unavailing； He will doubtless restore
you to his favour。 But let the worst happen； Should Don Gaston
be irreconcileable； my Relations will vie with each other in
making you forget his loss： and you will find in my Father a
substitute for the Parent of whom I shall deprive you。'
'Don Raymond；' replied Agnes in a firm and resolute voice； 'I
love my Father： He has treated me harshly in this one instance；
but I have received from him in every other so many proofs of
love that his affection is become necessary to my existence。
Were I to quit the Convent； He never would forgive me； nor can I
think that on his deathbed He would leave me his curse； without
shuddering at the very idea。 Besides； I am conscious myself；
that my vows are binding： Wilfully did I contract my engagement
with heaven； I cannot break it without a crime。 Then banish from
your mind the idea of our being ever united。 I am devoted to
religion； and however I may grieve at our separation； I would
oppose obstacles myself； to what I feel would render me guilty。'
I strove to overrule these ill…grounded scruples： We were still
disputing upon the subject； when the Convent Bell summoned the
Nuns to Matins。 Agnes was obliged to attend them； But She left
me not till I had compelled her to promise that on the following
night She would be at the same place at the same hour。 These
meetings continued for several Weeks uninterrupted； and 'tis now；
Lorenzo； that I must implore your indulgence。 Reflect upon our
situation； our youth； our long attachment： Weigh all the
circumstances which attended our assignations； and you will
confess the temptation to have been irresistible； you will even
pardon me when I acknowledge； that in an unguarded moment； the
honour of Agnes was sacrificed to my passion。'
（Lorenzo's eyes sparkled with fury： A deep crimson spread itself
over his face。 He started from his seat； and attempted to draw
his sword。 The Marquis was aware of his movement； and caught his
hand： He pressed it affectionately。
'My Friend！ My Brother！ Hear me to the conclusion！ Till then
restrain your passion； and be at least convinced； that if what I
have related is criminal； the blame must fall upon me； and not
upon your Sister。'
Lorenzo suffered himself to be prevailed upon by Don Raymond's
entreaties。 He resumed his place； and listened to the rest of
the narrative with a gloomy and impatient countenance。 The
Marquis thus continued。）
'Scarcely was the first burst of passion past when Agnes；
recovering herself； started from my arms with horror。 She called
me infamous Seducer； loaded me with the bitterest reproaches； and
beat her bosom in all the wildness of delirium。 Ashamed of my
imprudence； I with difficulty found words to excuse myself。 I
endeavoured to console her； I threw myself at her feet； and
entreated her forgiveness。 She forced her hand from me； which I
had taken； and would have prest to my lips。
'Touch me not！' She cried with a violence which terrified me；
'Monster of perfidy and ingratitude； how have I been deceived in
you！ I looked upon you as my Friend； my Protector： I trusted
myself in your hands with confidence； and relying upon your
honour； thought that mine ran no risque。 And 'tis by you； whom I
adored； that I am covered with infamy！ 'Tis by you that I have
been seduced into breaking my vows to God； that I am reduced to a
level with the basest of my sex！ Shame upon you； Villain； you
shall never see me more！'
She started from the Bank on which She was seated。 I endeavoured
to detain her； But She disengaged herself from me with violence；
and took refuge in the Convent。
I retired； filled with confusion and inquietude。 The next
morning I failed not as usual to appear in the Garden； but Agnes
was no where to be seen。 At night I waited for her at the place
where we generally met； I found no better success。 Several days
and nights passed away in the same manner。 At length I saw my
offended Mistress cross the walk on whose borders I was working：
She was accompanied by the same young Pensioner； on whose arm She
seemed from weakness obliged to support herself。 She looked upon
me for a moment； but instantly turned her head away。 I waited
her return； But She passed on to the Convent without paying any
attention to me； or the penitent looks with which I implored her
forgiveness。
As soon as the Nuns were retired； the old Gardener joined me with
a sorrowful air。
'Segnor；' said He； 'it grieves me to say； that I can be no longer
of use to you。 The Lady whom you used to meet has just assured
me that if I admitted you again into the Garden； She would
discover the whole business to the Lady Prioress。 She bade me
tell you also； that your presence was an insult； and that if you
still possess the least respect for her； you will never attempt
to see her more。 Excuse me then for informing you that I can
favour your disguise no longer。 Should the Prioress be
acquainted with my conduct； She might not be contented with
dismissing me her service： Out of revenge She might accuse me of
having profaned the Convent； and cause me to be thrown into the
Prisons of the Inquisition。'
Fruitless were my attempts to conquer his resolution。 He denied
me all future entrance into the Garden； and Agnes persevered in
neither letting me see or hear from her。 In about a fortnight
after； a violent illness which had seized my Father obliged me to
set