It was a Damsel representing St.Clare: Her dress was of inestimable price, and round her head a wreath of Diamonds formed an artificial glory: But all these ornaments yielded to the lustre of her charms.

As She advanced, a murmur of delight ran through the Crowd.

Even Lorenzo confessed secretly, that He never beheld more perfect beauty, and had not his heart been Antonia's, it must have fallen a sacrifice to this enchanting Girl.

As it was, He considered her only as a fine Statue: She obtained from him no tribute save cold admiration, and when She had passed him, He thought of her no more.
'Who is She ?' asked a By-stander in Lorenzo's hearing.
'One whose beauty you must often have heard celebrated.

Her name is Virginia de Villa-Franca: She is a Pensioner of St.Clare's Convent, a Relation of the Prioress, and has been selected with justice as the ornament of the Procession.' The Throne moved onwards.