Those nuns selected for this Secret Cloister are generally the fairest, the most beautiful of the whole number.  I used to see them in the chapel, and some of them were very handsome.  They dressed like the other nuns, and always looked sad and broken hearted, but were not pale and thin like the rest of us.  I am sure they were not kept upon short allowance as the others were, and starvation was not one of their punishments, whatever else they might endure.  The plain looking girls were always selected to work in the kitchen, and do the drudgery about the house.  How often have I thanked God for my plain face!  But for that, I might not have been kept in the kitchen so long, and thus found means to escape which I certainly could not have found elsewhere.

With all my watching, and planning I did not find an opportunity to get away till June.  I then, succeeded in getting outside the convent yard one evening between eight and nine o’clock.  How I got there, is a secret I shall never reveal.  A few yards from the gate I was stopped by one of the guard at the Barrack, who asked where I was going.  “To visit a sick woman,” I promptly replied, and he let me pass.  Soon after this, before my heart ceased to flutter, I thought I heard some one running after me.  My resolution was at once taken.  I would never be caught and carried back alive.  My fate was at last, I thought, in my own hands.  Better die at once than to be chained like a guilty criminal, and suffer as I had done before.  Blame me not gentle reader, when I tell you that I stood upon the bank of the river with exultant joy; and, as I pursued my way along the tow-path, ready to spring into the water on the first indication of danger, I rejoiced over the disappointment of my pursuers in losing a servant who had done them so good service.  At a little distance I saw a ferry boat, but when I asked the captain to carry me over the river, he refused.  He was, probably, afraid of the police and a fine, for no one can assist a run-away nun with impunity, if caught in the act.  He directed me, however, to the owner of the boat, who said I could go if the captain was willing to carry me.  I knew very well that he would not, and I took my place in the boat as though I had a perfect right to it.

We were almost across the river, when the captain saw me, and gave orders to turn back the boat, and leave me on the shore from whence we started.  From his appearance I thought we were pursued, and I was not mistaken.  Five priests were following us in another boat, and they too, turned back, and reached the shore almost as soon as we did.  I left the boat and ran for my life.  I was now sure that I was pursued; there could be no doubt of that, for the sound of footsteps behind me came distinct to my ear.  At a little distance stood a small, white house.  Could I not reach it?  Would not the people protect me?  The thought gave me courage, and I renewed my efforts.  Nearer came the footsteps, but I reached the house, and without knocking, or asking permission, I sprang through the door.