relatives of the novice. She herself entered a moment after, and immediately knelt down, with her face towards the grating, so that they had a near and distinct view of her.

She was attired in the novice's robe of pure white, and wore a crown of flowers upon her head. She seemed scarcely more than sixteen. Her countenance was gentle, sweet, and interesting. There was an expression of seriousness, though not of sadness, in her face; and a skin fairer than usually falls to the lot of Spanish women, was coloured with a fine carnation: the glow of youth, and health, and happiness was yet lingering on her cheeck, and connecting her with the world of light and freedom, about to close on her for ever. It was a most mournful sight.

The administrator now entered the chapel, and placed himself in a chair close to where the Delvilles were stationed, and at the side of an opening in the grating of about a foot square. The novice then rose, and walking forward to the grating, presented him with a paper, which he read aloud : this was the act of renunciation of all property then and for ever: and during this ceremony the novice retired and knelt as before, holding in her hand a long, lighted taper, with which the abbess presented her.

The preparatory service then commenced, by reading and chanting: this, although monotonous,

THE VOWS SHE TAKES.

161

was pleasing and impressive, according well with the solemnity of the scene that had introduced it; and in this service the novice joined with a clear, sweet voice, in which nothing like emotion could be distinguished. When this was concluded, the novice again rose, and advanced to the grating, and pronounced slowly and distinctly the three vows that separate her from the world,-chastity, poverty, and obedience.

Her voice never faltered, nor could the slightest change of countenance be perceived. The colour only seemed to be gradually forsaking her.

The lady abbess, who stood close by her side, wept all the while. If each tear could have told why it flowed, what a history might have been unfolded!

Indignation was the predominant feeling produced in the mind of the Delvilles.

When the vows, that could never be recalled, had been pronounced by this misguided child, she stepped back, and threw herself prostrate upon the ground: this is the act confirmatory of her vows, symbolical of death, and signifying that she is dead to the world.

The service was then resumed: a bell continued to toll slowly; and the priest read, while the nuns who stood round their new-made sister, responded, "Dead to the world, separated from kindred, bride of heaven:" and the nun, who lies prostrate, is sup

M

162

COMPOSURE OF THE NEW-MADE NUN.

posed at the same time to repeat to God in secret, the vows she has already pronounced aloud.

When this was concluded, a slow organ-peal, and a solemn swell of voices rose, and died away: and the abbess then raised the nun from the ground, and embraced her; and all the other nuns and her relations also embraced her. There was no tear upon any cheek, except that of the abbess, whose face was so full of benignity, that it half reconciled those who looked at it to the fate of the young initiated, who had vowed obedience to her.

When she had embraced every one, she again knelt for a few moments, and then approached the grating along with the abbess; and the priest handed to the abbess, through the opening, the vestments of a nun.

Then came the last act of the drama: the crown was lifted from her head, the black vestment was put on, and the girdle and the rosary; and the black hood was drawn over her head.

She was now a nun; and she again embraced the abbess and all the sisters. Still no tears were shed, but by the abbess, who continued to weep almost without ceasing to the very end. The countenance of the young nun remained unmoved. The crown was again placed upon her head, to be worn almost all that day; the sacrament was administered, and one last embrace by friends and relations terminated the scene.

INSIDE OF THE NUNNERY.

163

Ellen seeing the calm and cheerful countenance of the young nun, and unable to apprecitae all she resigned, saw this affecting ceremony with more of interest than sadness.

Mrs. Delville, on the contrary, was painfully affected, and was grateful when all was over.

They had been permitted to hope that they might view the interior of the convent, nor were they disappointed; even Mr. Delville was that day allowed to accompany them. The portress, an old nun, and the priest led the way. It is one of the most complete in Madrid, and the best fitted up every nun is obliged to bring to its treasury a considerable fortune, and its accomodations are upon a scale of corresponding comfort. The arrangements for each nun consist in a small parlour, and sleeping room adjoining, and a small kitchen.

The nuns do not eat in company. The dinners are separately cooked; and the whole is then carried to a public room where it is blessed, and again carried back to the separate apartment, where each are to dine alone.

The little parlours of the nuns are plain and clean; the walls white-washed, and the floors generally matted: but the room is without any fire-place, and contains a table and two chairs. The beds are extremely small and hard: and upon the table in every dormitory there is a crucifix.

164

THE APARTMENT OF THE NUN.

Among other parts of the building they were conducted to the chamber of the new-made nun. The bed was strewed with flowers, marigolds and dahlias; and a crown of jilly-flowers lay upon the pillow. Here every thing was new; yet all would grow old along with the inmate.

A new, bright lamp stood upon the table. As Mrs. Delville looked at it, she could not avoid thinking of the silent inmate of the chamber, through the long, chill evenings of winter: it was a most painful contrast to a cheerful home. The heart of a mother could not view this picture untouched, and she turned away in tears.

Ellen too was affected by the loneliness: of this she was able to judge; and went through the gallery with a duller step than that with which she

had entered it.

They again saw the unconscious nun; for that day she had the range of the convent. They saw her in the corridors and the garden: she looked quite happy.

They returned home with spirits sobered, and with less cheerful hearts.

After a long pause, Ellen asked if the nuns were unhappy; whether they were compelled to become nuns.

"In a certain sense," said her father, "they are compelled; that is, they are studiously shown one side of facts, and that the most attractive and