exaggeration, the story of our cruelty.  “But what did you do to them?” asked the priest “You gave them some provocation, or they never would treat you so.”  She was then obliged to tell what had passed between us, and he said she deserved to suffer for giving such an order.  “Why,” said he,” that cover would not have held her a moment, and she would most assuredly have burned to death.”  He punished us all; the Abbess for giving the order, and us for abusing her.  I should not have done this thing, had I not come off so well, when I once before attempted to defend myself; but my success at that time gave me courage to try it again.  My punishment was just, and I bore it very well, consoled by the thought that justice was awarded to the Abbess, as well as myself.

CHAPTER XIX.

Sickness and death of A superior.

The next excitement in our little community was caused by the sickness and death of our Superior.  I do not know what her disease was, but she was sick two weeks, and one of the nuns from the kitchen was sent to take care of her.  One night she was so much worse, the nun thought she would die, and she began to torment her in the most inhuman manner.  She had been severely punished a short time before at the instigation of this woman, and she then swore revenge if she ever found an opportunity.  Now it was presented.  She was in her power, too weak to resist or call for assistance, and she resolved to let her know by experience how bitterly she had made others suffer in days gone by.  It was a fiendish spirit, undoubtedly, that prompted her to seek revenge upon the dying, but what else could we expect?  She only followed the example of her elders, and if she went somewhat beyond their teachings, she had, as we shall see, her reasons for so doing.  With hot irons she burned her on various parts of her person, cut great gashes in the flesh upon her face, sides, and arms, and then rubbed salt and pepper into the wounds.  But I will not try to describe it.

The wretched woman died before morning, and the nun went to the priest and told him that the Superior was dead, and that she had killed her.  The priests were immediately all called together, and the Bishop called upon for counsel.  He sentenced her to be hung that morning in the chapel before the assembled household.  The Abbess came and informed us what had taken place, and directed us to get ready and go to the chapel.  When we entered, the doomed girl sat upon a chair on the altar.  She was clad in a white robe, with a white cap on her head, and appeared calm, self-possessed, and even joyful.  The Bishop asked her if she had anything to say for herself.  She immediately rose and said, “I have killed the Superior, for which I am to be hung.  I know that I deserve to die, but I have suffered more than death many times over, from punishments inflicted by her order.  For many years my life