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They passed through a lower chamber, and advanced towards the

parlour. Lucy, who had never been in a monastery before, looked

around as she entered it for the signora; but there was no one

there; in a few moments, however, she observed the friar approach

a small window or grating, behind which she beheld a nun

standing. She appeared about twenty-five years of age; her

countenance at first sight produced an impression of beauty, but

of beauty prematurely faded. A black veil hung in folds on either

side of her face; below the veil a band of white linen encircled

a forehead of different, but not inferior whiteness; another

plaited band encompassed the face, and terminated under the chin

in a neck handkerchief, or cape, which, extending over the

shoulders, covered to the waist the folds of her black robe.