Now I cannot go back empty-handed, so I must trust you.

But first swear by thine blessed Mother of God that you will not betray me.' 'I give you my word,' I answered; 'if that is not enough, let us end this talk.' 'Do not be angry with me,' she pleaded; 'I have not left my convent walls for many years and I am distraught with grief.

I seek a poison of the deadliest.

I will pay well for it.' 'I am not the tool of murderers,' I answered.

'For what purpose do you wish the poison ?' 'Oh! I must tell you--yet how can I?
In our convent there dies to-night a woman young and fair, almost a girl indeed, who has broken the vows she took.