they would perhaps excuse me if I did fail to conquer impossibilities.  In this, however, I was disappointed; and I at length became weary of trying to do right, for they would inflict severe punishments for the most trifling accident.  In fact, if I give anything like a correct account of my convent life, it will be little else than a history of punishments.  Pains, trials, prayers, and mortifications filled up the time.  Penance was the rule, to escape it the exception.

I neglected at the proper time to state what name was given me when I took the veil; I may therefore as well say in this place that my convent name was Sister Agnes.

CHAPTER VIII.

Confession and sorrow of no avail.

It was a part of my business to wait upon the priests in their rooms, carry them water, clean towels, wine-glasses, or anything they needed.  When entering a priest’s room it was customary for a child to knock twice, an adult four times, and a priest three times.  This rule I was very careful to observe.  Whenever a priest opened the door I was required to courtesy, and fall upon my knees; but if it was opened by one of the waiters this ceremony was omitted.  These waiters were the boys I have before mentioned, called apostles.  It was also a part of my business to wait upon them, carry them clean frocks, etc.

One day I was carrying a pitcher of water to one of the priests, and it being very heavy, it required both my hands and nearly all my strength to keep it upright.  On reaching the door, however, I attempted to hold it with one hand (as I dare not set it down), while I rapped with the other.  In so doing I chanced to spill a little water on the floor.  Just at that moment the door was opened by the priest himself, and when he saw the water he was very angry.  He caught me by the arm and asked what punishment he should inflict upon me for being so careless.  I attempted to explain how it happened, told him it was an accident, that I was very sorry, and would try to be more careful in future.  But I might as well have said that I was glad, and would do so again, for my confession, sorrow, and promises of future obedience were entirely thrown away, and might as well have been kept for some one who could appreciate the feeling that prompted them.

He immediately led me out of his room, it being on the second floor, and down into the back yard.  Here, in the centre of the gravel walk, was a grate where they put down coal.  This grate he raised and bade me go down.  I obeyed, and descending a few steps found myself in a coal cellar, the floor being covered with it for some feet in depth.  On this we walked some two rods, perhaps, when the priest stopped, and with a shovel that stood near cleared away the coal and lifted a trap door.  Through this we descended four or five steps, and proceeded along a dark, narrow passage, so low we