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Perhaps they would not have been so unfortunate in their search,

if they had dug near the garden wall! Finally, the nuns concluded

that she must have gone to a great distance, and because one of

them happened to say, she has taken refuge in Holland, "O yes,"

said they, "she has, without doubt, taken refuge in Holland." The

signora did not believe this, but she had certain reasons for

encouraging the opinion, and this she did not fail to do. Thus

the minds of the nuns became satisfied; but who can tell the

torments of the signora's soul? Who can tell how many times a day

the image of this sister came unbidden into her mind, and

fastened itself there with terrible tenacity? Who can tell how

many times she desired to behold the real and living person, for

the company of this empty, impassible, terrible shade?