being wholly composed of the best families, the rules of this convent were not so strict as others; licenses were given—­greater licenses were taken—­and Amine, to her surprise, found that in this society, devoted to Heaven, there were exhibited more of the bad passions of human nature than she had before met with.  Constantly watched, never allowed a moment to herself, her existence became unbearable:  and after three months she requested Father Mathias would find her some other place of refuge; telling him frankly that her residence in that place was not very likely to assist her conversion to the tenets of his faith.  Father Mathias fully comprehended her, but replied, “I have no means.”

“Here are means,” replied Amine, taking the diamond ring from her finger:  “this is worth eight hundred ducats in our country; here I know not how much.”

Father Mathias took the ring.  “I will call upon you to-morrow morning, and let you know what I have done.  I shall acquaint the lady abbess that you are going to your husband, for it would not be safe to let her suppose that you have reasons for quitting the convent.  I have heard what you state mentioned before, but have treated it as scandal; but you, I know, are incapable of falsehood.”

The next day Father Mathias returned, and had an interview with the abbess, who after a time sent for Amine, and told her that it was necessary that she should leave the convent.  She consoled her as well as she could at leaving such a happy place, sent for some sweetmeats to make the parting less trying, gave her her blessing, and made her over to Father Mathias; who, when they were alone, informed Amine that he had disposed of the ring for eighteen hundred dollars, and had procured apartments for her in the house of a widow lady, with whom she was to board.

Taking leave of the nuns, Amine quitted the convent with Father Mathias, and was soon installed in her new apartments, in a house which formed part of a spacious square called the Terra di Sabaio.  After the introduction to her hostess, Father Mathias left her.  Amine found her apartments fronting the square, airy and commodious.  The landlady, who had escorted her to view them, not having left her, she inquired “what large church that was on the other side of the square?”

“It is the Ascension,” replied the lady; “the music is very fine there; we will go and hear it to-morrow, if you please.”

“And that massive building in face of us?”

“That is the Holy Inquisition,” said the widow, crossing herself.

Amine again started, she knew not why.  “Is that your child?” said Amine, as a boy of about twelve years old entered the room.

“Yes,” replied the widow, “the only one that is left me.  May God preserve him.”  The boy was handsome and intelligent, and Amine, for her own reasons, did everything she could to make friends with him, and was successful.

Chapter XXXV