able to convince her that ſuch a piece of gallantry was not inconſiſtent with the ſtricteſt notions of the ladies reſpecting the inviolable ſanctity of prior engagements. She therefore yielded to his entreaty, and furniſhed him with a written order to the abbeſs, to be admitted to an audience with the inconſoleable Calliſta. Friedbert ſet out early, hope and doubt ſpurred on his ſteed, for he was impatient to know how his miſtreſs would receive him. Circumſtances ſeemed to indicate that ſhe would pardon his theft of the veil. He entered the virgin’s cell with a beating heart; the young lady was ſitting on a ſofa, with her face turned from the door; her hair fell in natural ringlets down her ſhoulders, and was only negligently bound with a ſky-blue ribband. Her ſunk eye, and features, ſeemed to betray deep melancholy; her head was ſupported on her lily-white arm. She took but little notice of the perſon who approached; yet his unaccuſtomed tread impreſſed herwith
