I returned to the convent in no pleasant mood, when I was informed that my presence had been demanded by the superior.  I repaired to the parlour, where he stated that my licentious conduct had come to his ears; and after much upbraiding, he concluded by ordering me to submit to a severe penance.  Aware that disobedience would only be followed up by greater severity, I bowed with humility in my mien, but with indignation in my breast; and returning to my cell, resolved upon immediately writing for my removal to Madrid.  I had not been there many minutes when the porter brought me a note.  It was from Donna Sophia, requesting to see me that evening, and apologising for her apparent ill-usage, which she had only assumed the better to conceal her intentions; being afraid, at our last interview, that her mother was within hearing.

I was in raptures when I perused the note, and hastened to comply with her request.  Her directions were to repair to the back door, which looked out upon some fields, and give three taps.  I arrived, and as soon as I raised my hand to give the signal, was seized by four men in masks, who gagged and bound me.  They then stripped off my friar’s dress, and scourged me with nettles, until I was almost frantic with the pain.  When their vengeance was satisfied, they cast me loose, removed the gag, and ran away.  As I then suspected, and afterwards discovered to be true, I was indebted to the young officer for this treatment, in return for what I had said, and which his mistress had repeated.  Smarting with pain, and boiling with rage, I dragged on my clothes as well as I could, and began to reflect in what manner I should act.  Conceal my situation from the other members of the convent I could not; and to explain it would not only be too humiliating, but subject me to more rigorous discipline.  At last, I considered that out of evil might spring good; and gathering a large bundle of the nettles, which grew under the walls, I crawled back to the convent.  When I attained my cell, I threw off my gown, which was now unbearable from the swelling of my limbs, and commenced thrashing the walls of my cell and my bed with the nettles which I had procured.

After a short time I moaned piteously, and continued so to do, louder and louder, until some of the friars got up to inquire the reason; when they found me, apparently, castigating myself in this cruel manner.  When they opened the door, I threw myself on the bed, and cried still more vociferously.  This certainly was the only part of my conduct which was not deceptive, for I was in the most acute agony.  To their inquiries, I told them that I had been guilty of great enormities; that the superior had reproved me, and ordered me penance; and that I had scourged myself with nettles; requesting them to continue the application as my strength had failed me.  With this injunction they were too humane to comply.  Some went for the surgeon of the convent, while others reported the circumstance to the superior.  The former applied remedies which assuaged the pain:  the latter was so pleased at my apparent contrition, that he gave me absolution, and relieved me from the penance to which I had been subjected.  When I recovered, I was more in favour, and was permitted the same indulgences as before.