to light.  She one day observed that there was a strong resemblance between Don Pedro and me, but the possibility of a serious shaven monk, and a gay cavalier with his curling locks, being one and the same person, never entered her head.  When I considered matters ripe, I called upon Donna Celia, and, with the preamble that I had something of importance to communicate, informed her I had discovered that a young man was attached to her niece; and that I strongly suspected the regard was reciprocal; that I knew the young cavalier very well, who was very amiable, and possessed many good qualities, but there seemed to be a mystery about his family, as he never mentioned them.  I ended by observing, that I considered it my duty to acquaint her with the circumstance; as if she objected to the match, or had other views for her niece, an immediate stop ought to be put to their correspondence.

The old lady was very much astonished at the information, and very angry that her niece should have presumed to make an acquaintance without her knowledge.  I waited until she had said all she could think of, and then calmly took up the right of a confessor, pointing out that she had herself fallen into the same error in her youthful days; that the young man had confessed to me that his views were honourable; but had not an idea, at the time, that I was acquainted with the family.  Donna Celia then appeared to be more pacified, and asked many questions:  all that she seemed to object to, was the mystery about his family, which at her request I promised to clear up before any other steps should be taken.  Cautioning her against any violence of language to her niece, I took my leave.  As I went out I spoke a few words to Clara, informing her of the denouement which had taken place, and recommending her by no means to irritate her aunt, but to be very penitent when she was reproved.  Clara obeyed my injunctions, and the next day, when I called, I found her sitting by the side of Donna Celia, who was apparently reconciled.  I motioned Clara out of the room, when Donna Celia informed me that she had acknowledged her error; and as she had promised for the future to be regulated by her advice, she had overlooked her indiscretion.  When she had finished:  “Prepare yourself, madam,” said I, “for strange tidings—­the ways of Heaven are wonderful.  Last evening I had an explanation with the young cavalier, Don Pedro, and he proves to be—­that son whose loss you have so much lamented.”

“Merciful heaven!” cried the old lady, and she fainted away.  As soon as she recovered, she cried out, “Oh where is he! bring him to me—­let a mother’s eyes be blessed with his sight—­let the yearnings of a mother’s heart be recompensed in his embraces—­let the tears of affection be wept upon his bosom.”