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gave me his seat； and was very obliging and attentive。'
'Indeed？ Why then have you never mentioned his name to me？ Your
Aunt lanched out in praise of his Friend； and you vaunted
Ambrosio's eloquence： But Neither said a word of Don Lorenzo's
person and accomplishments。 Had not Leonella spoken of his
readiness to undertake our cause； I should not have known him to
be in existence。'
She paused。 Antonia coloured； but was silent。
'Perhaps you judge him less favourably than I do。 In my opinion
his figure is pleasing； his conversation sensible； and manners
engaging。 Still He may have struck you differently： You may
think him disagreeable； and 。 。 。'。
'Disagreeable？ Oh！ dear Mother； how should I possibly think him
so？ I should be very ungrateful were I not sensible of his
kindness yesterday； and very blind if his merits had escaped me。
His figure is so graceful； so noble！ His manners so gentle； yet
so manly！ I never yet saw so many accomplishments united in one
person； and I doubt whether Madrid can produce his equal。'
'Why then were you so silent in praise of this Phoenix of Madrid？
Why was it concealed from me that his society had afforded you
pleasure？'
'In truth； I know not： You ask me a question which I cannot
resolve myself。 I was on the point of mentioning him a thousand
times： His name was constantly upon my lips； but when I would
have pronounced it； I wanted courage to execute my design。
However； if I did not speak of him； it was not that I thought of
him the less。'
'That I believe； But shall I tell you why you wanted courage？ It
was because； accustomed to confide to me your most secret
thoughts； you knew not how to conceal； yet feared to acknowledge；
that your heart nourished a sentiment which you were conscious I
should disapprove。 Come hither to me； my Child。'
Antonia quitted her embroidery frame； threw herself upon her
knees by the Sopha； and hid her face in her Mother's lap。
'Fear not； my sweet Girl！ Consider me equally as your Friend and
Parent； and apprehend no reproof from me。 I have read the
emotions of your bosom； you are yet ill…skilled in concealing
them； and they could not escape my attentive eye。 This Lorenzo
is dangerous to your repose； He has already made an impression
upon your heart。 'Tis true that I perceive easily that your
affection is returned； But what can be the consequences of this
attachment？ You are poor and friendless； my Antonia； Lorenzo is
the Heir of the Duke of Medina Celi。 Even should Himself mean
honourably； his Uncle never will consent to your union； Nor
without that Uncle's consent； will I。 By sad experience I know
what sorrows She must endure； who marries into a family unwilling
to receive her。 Then struggle with your affection： Whatever
pains it may cost you； strive to conquer it。 Your heart is
tender and susceptible： It has already received a strong
impression； But when once convinced that you should not encourage
such sentiments； I trust； that you have sufficient fortitude to
drive them from your bosom。'
Antonia kissed her hand； and promised implicit obedience。 Elvira
then continued。
'To prevent your passion from growing stronger； it will be
needful to prohibit Lorenzo's visits。 The service which He has
rendered me permits not my forbidding them positively； But unless
I judge too favourably of his character； He will discontinue them
without taking offence； if I confess to him my reasons； and throw
myself entirely on his generosity。 The next time that I see him；
I will honestly avow to him the embarrassment which his presence
occasions。 How say you； my Child？ Is not this measure
necessary？'
Antonia subscribed to every thing without hesitation； though not
without regret。 Her Mother kissed her affectionately； and
retired to bed。 Antonia followed her example； and vowed so
frequently never more to think of Lorenzo； that till Sleep closed
her eyes She thought of nothing else。
While this was passing at Elvira's； Lorenzo hastened to rejoin
the Marquis。 Every thing was ready for the second elopement of
Agnes； and at twelve the two Friends with a Coach and four were
at the Garden wall of the Convent。 Don Raymond drew out his Key；
and unlocked the door。 They entered； and waited for some time in
expectation of being joined by Agnes。 At length the Marquis grew
impatient： Beginning to fear that his second attempt would
succeed no better than the first； He proposed to reconnoitre the
Convent。 The Friends advanced towards it。 Every thing was still
and dark。 The Prioress was anxious to keep the story a secret；
fearing lest the crime of one of its members should bring
disgrace upon the whole community； or that the interposition of
powerful Relations should deprive her vengeance of its intended
victim。 She took care therefore to give the Lover of Agnes no
cause to suppose that his design was discovered； and his
Mistress on the point of suffering the punishment of her fault。
The same reason made her reject the idea of arresting the unknown
Seducer in the Garden； Such a proceeding would have created much
disturbance； and the disgrace of her Convent would have been
noised about Madrid。 She contented herself with confining Agnes
closely； As to the Lover； She left him at liberty to pursue his
designs。 What She had expected was the result。 The Marquis and
Lorenzo waited in vain till the break of day： They then retired
without noise； alarmed at the failure of their plan； and ignorant
of the cause of its ill…success。
The next morning Lorenzo went to the Convent； and requested to
see his Sister。 The Prioress appeared at the Grate with a
melancholy countenance： She informed him that for several days
Agnes had appeared much agitated； That She had been prest by the
Nuns in vain to reveal the cause； and apply to their tenderness
for advice and consolation； That She had obstinately persisted in
concealing the cause of her distress； But that on Thursday
Evening it had produced so violent an effect upon her
constitution； that She had fallen ill； and was actually confined
to her bed。 Lorenzo did not credit a syllable of this account：
He insisted upon seeing his Sister； If She was unable to come to
the Grate； He desired to be admitted to her Cell。 The Prioress
crossed herself！ She was shocked at the very idea of a Man's
profane eye pervading the interior of her holy Mansion； and
professed herself astonished that Lorenzo could think of such a
thing。 She told him that his request could not be granted； But
that if He returned the next day； She hoped that her beloved
Daughter would then be sufficiently recovered to join him at the
Parlour grate。
With this answer Lorenzo was obliged to retire； unsatisfied and
trembling for his Sister's safety。
He returned the next morning at an early hour。 'Agnes was worse；
The Physician had pronounced her to be in imminent danger； She
was ordered to remain quiet； and it was utterly impossible for
her to receive her Brother's visit。' Lorenzo stormed at this
answer； but there was no resource。 He raved； He entreated； He
threatened： No means were left untried to obtain a sight of
Agnes。 Hi