When the solemn and customary office was performed, the monk turned towards the companion of his spiritual charge.

Donna Florinda permitted the silk, on which her needle had been busy, to fall into her lap, and she sat in meek silence, while the Carmelite raised his open palms towards her bended head.

His lips moved, but the words of benediction were inaudible.

Had the ardent being intrusted to their joint care been less occupied with her own feelings, or more practised in the interests of that world into which she was about to enter, it is probable she would have detected some evidence of that deep but smothered sympathy, which so often betrayed itself in the silent intelligence of her ghostly father and her female Mentor.
"Thou wilt not forget us, Father ?" said Violetta, with winning earnestness.

"An orphan girl, in whose fate the sages of the Republic so seriously busy themselves, has need of every friend in whom she can confide." "Blessed be thy intercessor," said the monk, "and the peace of the innocent be with thee." Once more he waved his hand, and turning, he slowly quitted the room.
The eye of Donna Florinda followed the white robes of the Carmelite, while they were visible; and when it fell again upon the silk, it was for a moment closed, as if looking at the movements of the rebuked spirit within.