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Thus she lived many years, tyrannising over and feared by all

around her, till an occasion presented itself for a further

developement of her habitual, but secret feelings. Among other

privileges which had been accorded to her in the monastery, was

that of having her apartments on a side of the building little

frequented by the other nuns. Opposite to this quarter of the

convent was a house, inhabited by a young man, a villain by

profession, one of those who, at this period, by their mutual

combinations were enabled to set at nought the public laws. His

name was Egidio. From his small window, which overlooked the

court-yard, he had often seen Gertrude wandering there from

listlessness and melancholy. Allured rather than intimidated by

the danger and iniquity of the act, he dared one day to speak to

her. The wretched girl replied!