Two days afterwards he came to C——­ C——­, who was beside her sick mother, and told her that her aunt would take her to a convent, where she was to remain until a husband had been provided for her by her parents.  She answered that, being perfectly disposed to submit to his will, she would gladly obey him.  Pleased with her ready obedience he promised to go and see her, and to let his mother visit her likewise, as soon as her health was better.  Immediately after that conversation the aunt had called for her, and a gondola had taken them to the convent, where she had been ever since.  Her bed and her clothes had been brought to her; she was well pleased with her room and with the nun to whom she had been entrusted, and under whose supervision she was.  It was by her that she had been forbidden to receive either letters or visits, or to write to anybody, under penalty of excommunication from the Holy Father, of everlasting damnation, and of other similar trifles; yet the same nun had supplied her with paper, ink and books, and it was at night that my young friend transgressed the laws of the convent in order to write all these particulars to me.  She expressed her conviction respecting the discretion and the faithfulness of the messenger, and she thought that she would remain devoted, because, being poor, our sequins were a little fortune for her.

She related to me in the most assuring manner that the handsomest of all the nuns in the convent loved her to distraction, gave her a French lesson twice a-day, and had amicably forbidden her to become acquainted with the other boarders.  That nun was only twenty-two years of age; she was beautiful, rich and generous; all the other nuns shewed her great respect.  “When we are alone,” wrote my friend, “she kisses me so tenderly that you would be jealous if she were not a woman.”  As to our project of running away, she did not think it would be very difficult to carry it into execution, but that it would be better to wait until she knew the locality better.  She told me to remain faithful and constant, and asked me to send her my portrait hidden in a ring by a secret spring known only to us.  She added that I might send it to her by her mother, who had recovered her usual health, and was in the habit of attending early mass at her parish church every day by herself.  She assured me that the excellent woman would be delighted to see me, and to do anything I might ask her.  “At all events,” she concluded, “I hope to find myself in a few months in a position which will scandalize the convent if they are obstinately bent upon keeping me here.”

I was just finishing my answer when Laura, the messenger, returned for it.  After I had paid the sequin I had promised her, I gave her a parcel containing sealing-wax, paper, pens, and a tinder-box, which she promised to deliver to C——­ C——.  My darling had told her that I was her cousin, and Laura feigned to believe it.