The next day after dinner I returned to the convent, and having sent up my name to M——­ M——­ I entered the room where the grating was more convenient.

Before long M——­ M——­ arrived alone, but she anticipated my thoughts by telling me that her pretty friend would soon join her.

“You have fired her imagination.  She has told me all about it, playing a thousand wanton tricks, and calling me her dear husband.  You have seduced the girl, and I am very glad you are going or else you would drive her mad.  You will see how she has dressed herself.”

“Are you sure of her discretion?”

“Perfectly, but I hope you won’t do anything in my presence.  When I see the time coming I will leave the room.”

“You are an angel, dearest, but you might be something better than that if you would—­”

“I want nothing for myself; it is out of the question.”

“You could—­”

“No, I will have nothing to do with a pastime which would rekindle fires that are hardly yet quenched.  I have spoken; I suffer, but let us say no more about it.”

At this moment the young adept came in smiling, with her eyes full of fire.  She was dressed in a short pelisse, open in front, and an embroidered muslin skirt which did not go beyond her knees.  She looked like a sylph.

We had scarcely sat down when she reminded me of the place where my tale had stopped.  I continued my recital, and when I was telling them how Donna Lucrezia shewed me Leonilda naked, M——­ M——­ went out, and the sly little puss asked me how I assured myself that my daughter was a maid.

I took bold of her through the fatal grating, against which she placed her pretty body, and shewed her how assured myself of the fact, and the girl liked it so much that she pressed my hand to the spot.  She then gave me her hand that I might share her pleasure, and whilst this enjoyable occupation was in progress M——­ M——­ appeared.  My sweetheart said hastily,—­

“Never mind, I told her all about it.  She is a good creature and will not be vexed.”  Accordingly M——­ M——­ pretended not to see anything, and the precocious little girl wiped her hand in a kind of voluptuous ecstacy, which shewed how well she was pleased.

I proceeded with my history, but when I came to the episode of the poor girl who was ‘tied’, describing all the trouble I had vainly taken with her, the little boarder got so curious that she placed herself in the most seducing attitude so that I might be able to shew her what I did.  Seeing this M——­ M——­ made her escape.

“Kneel down on the ledge, and leave the rest to me,” said the little wanton.

The reader will guess what she meant, and I have no doubt that she would have succeeded in her purpose if the fire which consumed me had not distilled itself away just at the happy moment.

The charming novice felt herself sprinkled, but after ascertaining that nothing more could be done she withdrew in some vexation.  My fingers, however, consoled her for the disappointment, and I had the pleasure of seeing her look happy once more.