To be sure, I did very wrong in being a Spy upon you, that I cannot deny; But Lord! your Reverence, how can a poor weak Woman resist curiosity?
Mine was so strong to know what you were doing, that I could not but try to get a little peep, without any body knowing any thing about it.

So with that I left old Dame Jacintha sitting by my Lady's Bed, and I ventured to steal into the Closet.

Being unwilling to interrupt you, I contented myself at first with putting my eye to the Keyhole; But as I could see nothing by this means, I undrew the bolt, and while your back was turned to the Alcove, I whipt me in softly and silently.

Here I lay snug behind the curtain, till your Reverence found me out, and seized me ere I had time to regain the Closet door.

This is the whole truth, I assure you, Holy Father, and I beg your pardon a thousand times for my impertinence.' During this speech the Abbot had time to recollect himself: He was satisfied with reading the penitent Spy a lecture upon the dangers of curiosity, and the meanness of the action in which She had been just discovered.