wrapped up in his Cloak, who seemed carefully examining whether his actions were observed. Very few people are exempt from the influence of curiosity. The Unknown seemed anxious to conceal his business in the Cathedral, and it was this very circumstance, which made Lorenzo wish to discover what He was about. Our Hero was conscious that he had no right to pry into the secrets of this unknown Cavalier. "I will go," said Lorenzo. And Lorenzo stayed, where He was. The shadow thrown by the Column, effectually concealed him from the Stranger, who continued to advance with caution. At length He drew a letter from beneath his cloak, and hastily placed it beneath a Colossal Statue of St. Francis. Then retiring with precipitation, He concealed himself in a part of the Church at a considerable distance from that in which the Image stood. "So!" said Lorenzo to himself; "This is only some foolish love affair. I believe, I may as well be gone, for I can do no good in it." In truth till that moment it never came into his head that He could do any good in it; But He thought it necessary to make some little excuse to himself for having indulged his curiosity. He now made a second attempt to retire from the Church: For this time He gained the Porch without meeting with any impediment; But it was destined that He should pay it another visit that night. As He descended the steps leading into the Street, a Cavalier rushed against him with such violence, that Both were nearly overturned by the concussion. Lorenzo put his hand to his sword. "How now, Segnor?" said He; "What mean you by this rudeness?" "Ha! Is it you, Medina?" replied the Newcomer, whom Lorenzo by his voice now recognized for Don Christoval; "You are the luckiest Fellow in the Universe, not to have left the Church before my return. In, in! my dear Lad! They will be here immediately!" "Who will be here?" "The old Hen and all her pretty little Chickens! In, I say, and then you shall know the whole History." Lorenzo followed him into the Cathedral, and they concealed themselves behind the Statue of St. Francis. "And now," said our Hero, "may I take the liberty of asking, what is the meaning of all this haste and rapture?" "Oh! Lorenzo, we shall see such a glorious sight! The Prioress of St. Clare and her whole train of Nuns are coming hither. You are to know, that the pious Father Ambrosio (The Lord reward him for it!) will upon no account move out of his own precincts: It being absolutely necessary for every fashionable Convent to have him for its Confessor, the Nuns are in consequence obliged to visit him at the Abbey; since when the Mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must needs go to the Mountain. Now the Prioress of St. Clare, the better to escape the gaze of such impure eyes as belong to yourself 

 Prev. P 17/312 next