Conceive my surprise when She sent me a refusal; She declared positively, that apprehending my influence over her mind, She would not trust herself in my society till the day before that on which She was to receive the Veil.

I supplicated the Nuns; I insisted upon seeing Agnes, and hesitated not to avow my suspicions that her being kept from me was against her own inclinations.

To free herself from the imputation of violence, the Prioress brought me a few lines written in my Sister's well-known hand, repeating the message already delivered.

All future attempts to obtain a moment's conversation with her were as fruitless as the first.

She was inflexible, and I was not permitted to see her till the day preceding that on which She entered the Cloister never to quit it more.