MEE JOSIONER GRINADER.

differly that mayed self areast progression, DUG shot one vid laty Fre a pala-ball at the backless grmadient and the the spill being broken, snak an avalanche of humans" (as Jonathan would sa broke through and rolled on, that all my hewillverk senses enable me to bear testimony to, is the molancholy circumstance of seeing the son of Mars hors de combat, having been in flying-musket, shake, and opposite directions.

plain Engish) sont himself, all taking

Onward pressed the throng; and as it poured itself out at the end of the passage into the courtyard, who should make his appearance, looking as if he considered it rather a lark than otherwise, and so close to the novice that some of the flowers, showered on her from the windows abore, were actually falling on his profane head, but that vagabond heretic; who showed every intention of holding his position in spite of the scowls of paterfamilias, or the half-jesting, half-carnest remarks of the other kinsmen of the lady who were at hand. Having reached the lower end of the court, the door leading to the outer cloister was found open, and the apartment soon filled, but there was somo little delay about the inner one. As it was evidently desired that only a limited number should ho admitted, and as all seemed anxious to be of that

* How she escaped being spitted is a wonder; but I don't think she had much cause to thank the soldier for it.

number, every individual in the crowd, the old women in particular, nerved themselves to the great

occasion.

Now it so happened (and it was about the only decent thing I observed the heretic do that day) that when it came to this point, either from fear of crowding on the novice, or from an idea that her immediate kindred had the best right to get in first, he not only held back himself, but stood torrents of abuse from some of the ancient fair ones for doing his best to keep all else back. Either paterfamilias had mistaken this line of conduct altogether, imputed it to a wrong motive-imagining in sporting term, that he had "established a funk," or his choleric temper had led him into rashness; but no sooner had he got his charge safely in, than some evil genius induced him to turn back, and, fastening on to the collar of a certain heretical coat, endeavoured to force the wearer back vi et armis.

Englishmen, as a rule, dislike being handled in this particular way, and the consequence was, that the assailant shortly retreated three paces to his rear, through the door again, in nautical phraseology,

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stern foremost," and would, but for friendly aid within, have shared the fate of the "luckless grenadier." The heretic and a few others shot in after him, and immediately the door was adroitly closed, leaving those without, like Lord Ullin, lamenting.

RECEPTION OF THE NOVICE.

257

The candidate for admission rapped at the convent gate a hollow voice from within inquired the cause, and being requested to unbar, the folding-doors were slowly thrown open, and displayed a scene within that certainly wore anything but a cheerful or inviting aspect. In a lofty-vaulted entrancechamber, to which-save that from the door leading to the cloister-no ray of external light was admitted, were fifteen figures, completely covered from head to foot in black garments. Their veils, apparently of thick black crape, if not of something more impervious still to light, descending to the waist. Each figure bore a tall lighted taper, just sufficient to make darkness more grimly visible, and, as they glided slowly to and fro, chanted one of the most dolorous strains I ever remember hearing; the muffling of the thick veils, of course, increasing the melancholy nature of its sound. A tall figure from among them (I presume the lady abbess) advanced to the door, taper in hand, when a dialogue somewhat as follows took place between her and her (of course, quite unexpected) visitor:

"My daughter, what seek ye here?"

Holy mother, I seek admission to your sacred house."

"Thou, my child, art not of those to be admitted here. Thy gay attire bespeaks thee too much a daughter of the world for this poor house of ours, where all is penance and mortification of the flesh,

S