for his Brother's Widow； and that till it was in his power to pay his compliments to her in person； Lorenzo was commissioned to supply his place。 This intelligence relieved Elvira from an heavy weight of uneasiness： She had now found a Protector for the fatherless Antonia； for whose future fortunes She had suffered the greatest apprehensions。 She was not sparing of her thanks to him who had interfered so generously in her behalf； But still She gave him no invitation to repeat his visit。
However； when upon rising to depart He requested permission to enquire after her health occasionally； the polite earnestness of his manner； gratitude for his services； and respect for his Friend the Marquis； would not admit of a refusal。 She consented reluctantly to receive him： He promised not to abuse her goodness； and quitted the House。
Antonia was now left alone with her Mother： A temporary silence ensued。 Both wished to speak upon the same subject； but Neither knew how to introduce it。 The one felt a bashfulness which sealed up her lips； and for which She could not account： The other feared to find her apprehensions true； or to inspire her Daughter with notions to which She might be still a Stranger。 At length Elvira began the conversation。
'That is a charming young Man； Antonia； I am much pleased with him。 Was He long near you yesterday in the Cathedral？'
'He quitted me not for a moment while I staid in the Church： He 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。 His endeavours were as fruitless as those of the day before； and He returned in despair to the Marquis。 On his side； the Latter had spared no pains to discover what had occasioned his plot to fail： Don Christoval； to whom the affair was now entrusted； endeavoured to worm out the secret from the Old Porteress of St。 Clare； with whom He had formed an acquaintance； But She was too much upon her guard； and He gained from her no intelligence。 The Marquis was almost distracted； and Lorenzo felt scarcely less inquietude。 Both were convinced that the purposed elopement must have been discovered： They doubted not but the malady of Agnes was a pretence； But they knew not by what means to rescue h