another, came to embrace me, and to wish me joy. My senses were in a perfect suspension, that I could not speak a word, nor answer to their kind compliments; but one of them, seeing me so silent, said to me, madam, the solitude of this place will affect you in the beginning, but when you begin to be in our company, and feel the pleasures of our amusements and recreations, you will quit your pensive thoughts: now we beg of you the honor to come and dine with us to day, and henceforth, three days in a week. I did thank them, and we went to dinner. That day we had all sorts of exquisite meats, and were served with delicate fruit and sweetmeats. The room was very long, with two tables on each side, and another at the front of it; I reckoned in it, that day, fifty-two young ladies, the oldest of them not exceeding 24 years of age. Six maids did serve the whole number of us, but Mary waited on me alone that day.

After dinner, we went up stairs into a long gallery, all round about with lattice windows; where, some of us played on instruments of music, others playing at cards, and some walking about, we spent three hours together. At last, Mary came up ringing a little bell, which was the signal for us to retire into our rooms, as they told me, but Mary said to the whole company, ladies, to day is a day of recreation, so you may retire into what room you please till eight o'clock, and then you are to go into your own chambers: so they all desired leave to go with me to my apartment, to spend the time there, so I was very glad they preferred my chamber to another; so all going down together, we found in my anti-chamber, a large table with all sorts of sweetmeats upon it, iced cinnamon-water, and almonds-milk, and the like, every one did eat and drink, but nobody spoke a word touching the sumptuousness of the table,

nor mentioned any thing concerning the Inquisition of the holy fathers; so we spent our time in merry indifferent conversation till eight o'clock. Then every one retired to their own room, and Mary told me that Don Francisco did wait for me, so we went to his apartment, and supper being ready we both sat at table, attended by the maid only.

After supper Mary went away, and we to bed; and next morning she served us with chocolate, which we drank in bed, and then slept till ten o'clock:then we got up, and my waiting maid carried me into my chamber, where I found ready two suits of clothes of a rich brocade, and every thing else suit able to a lady of the first rank. I put on one, and when I was quite dressed, the young ladies came to wish me a good morrow, all dressed in different clothes, and better than the day before, and we spent the second and third days in the same recreations; Don Francisco

continuing with me in the same manner. But the third morning, after drinking chocolate in bed, as the custom was for Don Francisco and me, Mary told me that a lady was waiting for me in her chamber, and desired me to get up, with an air of command, and Don Francisco saying nothing against it, I got up, and left him in bed.

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I thought really that this was to give me some new comfort and diversion: but I was very much mistaken, for Ma-. ry conveyed me into a young lady's room not 8 feet long, which was a perfect prison, and there, before the lady, told me, madam, this is your room, and this young lady is your bedfellow and comrade, and left me there with this unkind command. Oh heavens! thought I, what is this that has happened to me? I fancied myself out of grief, and I perceive now the beginning of my vexation. What is this, dear lady, said I, is this an enchanted palace, or a hell upon

earth? I have lost father and mother, and, what is worse, I have lost my honor and my soul for ever!

My new companion seeing me like a mad-woman, took me by the hand, and said to me, dear sister, (for this is the name I will henceforth give you) leave off your crying, leave off your grief and vexation; for you can do nothing by such extravagant complaints but heap coals upon your own head, or rather under your body.. Your misfortunes and ours are exactly of a piece: you suffer nothing that we have not suffered before you; but we are not allowed to shew our grief for fear of greater evils: pray take good courage, and hope in God; for he will find some way or other to deliver us out of this hellish place; but above all things take care not to shew any uneasiness before Mary, who is the only instrument of our torments or comfort, and have patience till we go to bed, and then I will tell you

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