could not stand erect, and the atmosphere so cold and damp it produced the most uncomfortable sensations.  By the light of a small lantern which the priest carried in his hand, I was enabled to observe on each side the passage small doors, a few feet apart, as far as I could see.  Some of them were open, others shut, and the key upon the outside.  In each of these doors there was a small opening, with iron bars across it, through which the prisoner received food, if allowed to have any.  One of these doors I was directed to enter, which I did with some difficulty, the place being so low, and I was trembling with cold and fear.  The priest crawled in after me and tied me to the back part of the cell, leaving me there in midnight darkness, and locking the door after him.  I could hear on all sides, as it seemed to me, the sobs, groans, and shrieks of other prisoners, some of whom prayed earnestly for death to release them from their sufferings.

For twenty-four hours I was left to bear as I best could the pains and terrors of cold, hunger, darkness, and fatigue.  I could neither sit or lie down, and every one knows how very painful it is to stand upon the feet a long time, even when the position can be slightly changed; how much more so when no change can be effected, but the same set of muscles kept continually on the stretch for the space of twenty-four hours!  Moreover, I knew not how long I should be kept there.  The other prisoners, whose agonizing cries fell upon my ears, were evidently suffering all the horrors of starvation.  Was I to meet a fate like this?  Were those terrible sufferings in reserve for me?  How could I endure them?  And then came the thought so often present with me while in the convent, “If there is a God in heaven, why does He permit such things?  What have I done that I should become the victim of such cruelty?  God of mercy!” I involuntarily exclaimed, “save me from this terrible death.”

My prayer was heard, my petition granted.  At the close of twenty-four hours, the Lady Superior came and released me from my prison, told me to go to the priest and ask his forgiveness, and then go to my work in the kitchen.  I was very faint and weak from my long fast, and I resolved never to offend again.  I verily thought I could be careful enough to escape another such punishment.  But I had not been in the kitchen one hour, when I chanced to let a plate fall upon the floor.  It was in no way injured, but I had broken the rules by making a noise, and the Superior immediately reported me to the priest.  He soon appeared with his bunch of keys and a dark lantern in his hand.  He took me by the ear which he pinched till he brought tears to my eyes, saying, “You don’t try to do well, and I’ll make you suffer the consequences.”  I did not reply, for I had learned that to answer a priest, or seek to vindicate myself, or even to explain how things came to be so, was in itself a crime, to be severely punished.  However unjust their treatment, or whatever my feelings might be, I knew it was better to suffer in silence.