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readily permitted the Inquisitors to search their Mansion without
noise。 No fresh discoveries were made。 The effects found in the
Abbot's and Matilda's Cells were seized； and carried to the
Inquisition to be produced in evidence。 Every thing else
remained in its former position； and order and tranquillity once
more prevailed through Madrid。
St。 Clare's Convent was completely ruined by the united ravages
of the Mob and conflagration。 Nothing remained of it but the
principal Walls； whose thickness and solidity had preserved them
from the flames。 The Nuns who had belonged to it were obliged
in consequence to disperse themselves into other Societies： But
the prejudice against them ran high； and the Superiors were very
unwilling to admit them。 However； most of them being related to
Families the most distinguished for their riches birth and power；
the several Convents were compelled to receive them； though they
did it with a very ill grace。 This prejudice was extremely false
and unjustifiable： After a close investigation； it was proved
that All in the Convent were persuaded of the death of Agnes；
except the four Nuns whom St。 Ursula had pointed out。 These had
fallen Victims to the popular fury； as had also several who were
perfectly innocent and unconscious of the whole affair。 Blinded
by resentment； the Mob had sacrificed every Nun who fell into
their hands： They who escaped were entirely indebted to the Duke
de Medina's prudence and moderation。 Of this they were
conscious； and felt for that Nobleman a proper sense of
gratitude。
Virginia was not the most sparing of her thanks： She wished
equally to make a proper return for his attentions； and to obtain
the good graces of Lorenzo's Uncle。 In this She easily succeeded。
The Duke beheld her beauty with wonder and admiration； and while
his eyes were enchanted with her Form； the sweetness of her
manners and her tender concern for the suffering Nun prepossessed
his heart in her favour。 This Virginia had discernment enough to
perceive； and She redoubled her attention to the Invalid。 When
He parted from her at the door of her Father's Palace； the Duke
entreated permission to enquire occasionally after her health。
His request was readily granted： Virginia assured him that the
Marquis de Villa…Franca would be proud of an opportunity to thank
him in person for the protection afforded to her。 They now
separated； He enchanted with her beauty and gentleness； and She
much pleased with him and more with his Nephew。
On entering the Palace； Virginia's first care was to summon the
family Physician； and take care of her unknown charge。 Her
Mother hastened to share with her the charitable office。 Alarmed
by the riots； and trembling for his Daughter's safety； who was
his only child； the Marquis had flown to St。 Clare's Convent； and
was still employed in seeking her。 Messengers were now
dispatched on all sides to inform him that He would find her
safe at his Hotel； and desire him to hasten thither immediately。
His absence gave Virginia liberty to bestow her whole attention
upon her Patient； and though much disordered herself by the
adventures of the night； no persuasion could induce her to quit
the bedside of the Sufferer。 Her constitution being much
enfeebled by want and sorrow； it was some time before the
Stranger was restored to her senses。 She found great difficulty
in swallowing the medicines prescribed to her： But this obstacle
being removed； She easily conquered her disease which proceeded
from nothing but weakness。 The attention which was paid her； the
wholesome food to which She had been long a Stranger； and her joy
at being restored to liberty； to society； and； as She dared to
hope； to Love； all this combined to her speedy re…establishment。
From the first moment of knowing her； her melancholy situation；
her sufferings almost unparalleled had engaged the affections of
her amiable Hostess： Virginia felt for her the most lively
interest； But how was She delighted； when her Guest being
sufficiently recovered to relate her History； She recognized in
the captive Nun the Sister of Lorenzo！
This victim of monastic cruelty was indeed no other than the
unfortunate Agnes。 During her abode in the Convent； She had been
well known to Virginia： But her emaciated form； her features
altered by affliction； her death universally credited； and her
overgrown and matted hair which hung over her face and bosom in
disorder at first had prevented her being recollected。 The
Prioress had put every artifice in practice to induce Virginia to
take the veil； for the Heiress of Villa…Franca would have been no
despicable acquisition。 Her seeming kindness and unremitted
attention so far succeeded that her young Relation began to
think seriously upon compliance。 Better instructed in the
disgust and ennui of a monastic life； Agnes had penetrated the
designs of the Domina： She trembled for the innocent Girl； and
endeavoured to make her sensible of her error。 She painted in
their true colours the numerous inconveniencies attached to a
Convent； the continued restraint； the low jealousies； the petty
intrigues； the servile court and gross flattery expected by the
Superior。 She then bad Virginia reflect on the brilliant
prospect which presented itself before her： The Idol of her
Parents； the admiration of Madrid； endowed by nature and
education with every perfection of person and mind； She might
look forward to an establishment the most fortunate。 Her riches
furnished her with the means of exercising in their fullest
extent； charity and benevolence； those virtues so dear to her；
and her stay in the world would enable her discovering Objects
worthy her protection； which could not be done in the seclusion
of a Convent。
Her persuasions induced Virginia to lay aside all thoughts of the
Veil： But another argument； not used by Agnes； had more weight
with her than all the others put together。 She had seen Lorenzo；
when He visited his Sister at the Grate。 His Person pleased her；
and her conversations with Agnes generally used to terminate in
some question about her Brother。 She； who doted upon Lorenzo；
wished for no better than an opportunity to trumpet out his
praise。 She spoke of him in terms of rapture； and to convince
her Auditor how just were his sentiments； how cultivated his
mind； and elegant his expressions； She showed her at different
times the letters which She received from him。 She soon
perceived that from these communications the heart of her young
Friend had imbibed impressions； which She was far from intending
to give； but was truly happy to discover。 She could not have
wished her Brother a more desirable union： Heiress of
Villa…Franca； virtuous； affectionate； beautiful； and
accomplished； Virginia seemed calculated to make him happy。 She
sounded her Brother upon the subject； though without mentioning
names or circumstances。 He assured her in his answers that his
heart and hand were totally disengaged； and She thought that
upon these grounds She might proceed without danger。 She in
consequence endeavoured to strengthen the dawning passion of her
Friend。 Lorenz