Then pressing the Abbot's hand to his lips, He started from the ground and hastily quitted the apartment.
Soon after Ambrosio descended to Vespers (which were celebrated in a small chapel belonging to the Abbey), filled with surprise at the singularity of the Youth's behaviour.
Vespers being over, the Monks retired to their respective Cells.

The Abbot alone remained in the Chapel to receive the Nuns of St.Clare.
He had not been long seated in the confessional chair before the Prioress made her appearance.

Each of the Nuns was heard in her turn, while the Others waited with the Domina in the adjoining Vestry.
Ambrosio listened to the confessions with attention, made many exhortations, enjoined penance proportioned to each offence, and for some time every thing went on as usual: till at last one of the Nuns, conspicuous from the nobleness of her air and elegance of her figure, carelessly permitted a letter to fall from her bosom.

She was retiring, unconscious of her loss.

Ambrosio supposed it to have been written by some one of her Relations, and picked it up intending to restore it to her.
'Stay, Daughter,' said He; 'You have let fall....' At this moment, the paper being already open, his eye involuntarily read the first words.