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means to let me know that She is here。'
With this idea He mingled with a crowd of Beggars who assembled
daily at the Gate of St。 Clare to receive Soup； which the Nuns
were accustomed to distribute at twelve o'clock。 All were
provided with jugs or bowls to carry it away； But as Theodore had
no utensil of this kind； He begged leave to eat his portion at
the Convent door。 This was granted without difficulty： His
sweet voice； and in spite of his patched eye； his engaging
countenance； won the heart of the good old Porteress； who； aided
by a Lay…Sister； was busied in serving to each his Mess。
Theodore was bad to stay till the Others should depart； and
promised that his request should then be granted。 The Youth
desired no better； since it was not to eat Soup that He presented
himself at the Convent。 He thanked the Porteress for her
permission； retired from the Door； and seating himself upon a
large stone； amused himself in tuning his Guitar while the
Beggars were served。
As soon as the Crowd was gone； Theodore was beckoned to the Gate；
and desired to come in。 He obeyed with infinite readiness； but
affected great respect at passing the hallowed Threshold； and to
be much daunted by the presence of the Reverend Ladies。 His
feigned timidity flattered the vanity of the Nuns； who
endeavoured to reassure him。 The Porteress took him into her
awn little Parlour： In the meanwhile； the Lay…Sister went to
the Kitchen； and soon returned with a double portion of Soup； of
better quality than what was given to the Beggars。 His Hostess
added some fruits and confections from her own private store； and
Both encouraged the Youth to dine heartily。 To all these
attentions He replied with much seeming gratitude； and abundance
of blessings upon his benefactresses。 While He ate； the Nuns
admired the delicacy of his features； the beauty of his hair； and
the sweetness and grace which accompanied all his actions。 They
lamented to each other in whispers； that so charming a Youth
should be exposed to the seductions of the World； and agreed；
that He would be a worthy Pillar of the Catholic Church。 They
concluded their conference by resolving that Heaven would be
rendered a real service if they entreated the Prioress to
intercede with Ambrosio for the Beggar's admission into the order
of Capuchins。
This being determined； the Porteress； who was a person of great
influence in the Convent； posted away in all haste to the
Domina's Cell。 Here She made so flaming a narrative of
Theodore's merits that the old Lady grew curious to see him。
Accordingly； the Porteress was commissioned to convey him to the
Parlour grate。 In the interim； the supposed Beggar was sifting
the Lay…Sister with respect to the fate of Agnes： Her evidence
only corroborated the Domina's assertions。 She said that Agnes
had been taken ill on returning from confession； had never
quitted her bed from that moment； and that She had herself been
present at the Funeral。 She even attested having seen her dead
body； and assisted with her own hands in adjusting it upon the
Bier。 This account discouraged Theodore： Yet as He had pushed
the adventure so far； He resolved to witness its conclusion。
The Porteress now returned； and ordered him to follow her。 He
obeyed； and was conducted into the Parlour； where the Lady
Prioress was already posted at the Grate。 The Nuns surrounded
her； who all flocked with eagerness to a scene which promised
some diversion。 Theodore saluted them with profound respect； and
his presence had the power to smooth for a moment even the stern
brow of the Superior。 She asked several questions respecting his
Parents； his religion； and what had reduced him to a state of
Beggary。 To these demands his answers were perfectly
satisfactory and perfectly false。 He was then asked his opinion
of a monastic life： He replied in terms of high estimation and
respect for it。 Upon this； the Prioress told him that his
obtaining an entrance into a religious order was not impossible；
that her recommendation would not permit his poverty to be an
obstacle； and that if She found him deserving it； He might depend
in future upon her protection。 Theodore assured her that to
merit her favour would be his highest ambition； and having
ordered him to return next day； when She would talk with him
further； the Domina quitted the Parlour。
The Nuns； whom respect for the Superior had till then kept
silent； now crowded all together to the Grate； and assailed the
Youth with a multitude of questions。 He had already examined
each with attention： Alas！ Agnes was not amongst them。 The Nuns
heaped question upon question so thickly that it was scarcely
possible for him to reply。 One asked where He was born； since
his accent declared him to be a Foreigner： Another wanted to
know； why He wore a patch upon his left eye： Sister Helena
enquired whether He had not a Sister like him； because She should
like such a Companion； and Sister Rachael was fully persuaded
that the Brother would be the pleasanter Companion of the Two。
Theodore amused himself with retailing to the credulous Nuns for
truths all the strange stories which his imagination could
invent。 He related to them his supposed adventures； and
penetrated every Auditor with astonishment； while He talked of
Giants； Savages； Ship…wrecks； and Islands inhabited
'By Anthropophagi； and Men whose heads
Do grow beneath their shoulders；'
With many other circumstances to the full as remarkable。 He said；
that He was born in Terra Incognita； was educated at an Hottentot
University； and had past two years among the Americans of
Silesia。
'For what regards the loss of my eye' said He； 'it was a just
punishment upon me for disrespect to the Virgin； when I made my
second pilgrimage to Loretto。 I stood near the Altar in the
miraculous Chapel： The Monks were proceeding to array the Statue
in her best apparel。 The Pilgrims were ordered to close their
eyes during this ceremony： But though by nature extremely
religious； curiosity was too powerful。 At the moment 。 。 。 。 。 I
shall penetrate you with horror； reverend Ladies； when I reveal
my crime！ 。 。 。 。 At the moment that the Monks were changing her
shift； I ventured to open my left eye； and gave a little peep
towards the Statue。 That look was my last！ The Glory which
surrounded the Virgin was too great to be supported。 I hastily
shut my sacrilegious eye； and never have been able to unclose it
since！'
At the relation of this miracle the Nuns all crossed themselves；
and promised to intercede with the blessed Virgin for the
recovery of his sight。 They expressed their wonder at the extent
of his travels； and at the strange adventures which He had met
with at so early an age。 They now remarked his Guitar； and
enquired whether he was an adept in Music。 He replied with
modesty that it was not for him to decide upon his talents； but
requested permission to appeal to them as Judges。 This was
granted without difficulty。
'But at least；' said the old Porteress； 'take care not to sing
any thing profane。'
'You may depend upon my discretion；' replied Theodore： 'You shall
hear how dangerous it is for young Women to abandon themselves
to their passions； illustrated by the adventure of a Damsel who
fell suddenly in love with an unknown Knight。'
'But is the adventure true？' enquired the Porteress。
'Every word of it。 It happened in Denmark； and the Heroine was
thought so beautiful that She was known by no other name but
that of ''the lovely Maid''。'
'In Denmark； say you？' mumbled an old Nun； 'Are not the People
all Blacks in Denmark？'
'By no means； reverend Lady； They are of a delicate pea…green
with flame…coloured hair and whiskers。'
'Mother of God！ Pea…green？' exclaimed Sister Helena； 'Oh！ 'tis
impossible！'
'Impossible？' said the Porteress with a look of contempt and
exultation： 'Not at all： When I was a young Woman； I remember
seeing several of them myself。'
Theodore now put his instrument in proper order。 He had read the
story of a King of England whose prison was discovered by a
Minstrel； and He hoped that the same scheme would enabl