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n your power to oblige me in a business which I have much at heart； makes me very anxious to find you still deserving my esteem。'
'Lorenzo； you transport me！ No greater pleasure can be given me； than an opportunity of serving the Brother of Agnes。'
'Convince me that I can accept your favours without dishonour； and there is no Man in the world to whom I am more willing to be obliged。'
'Probably； you have already heard your Sister mention the name of Alphonso d'Alvarada？'
'Never。 Though I feel for Agnes an affection truly fraternal； circumstances have prevented us from being much together。 While yet a Child She was consigned to the care of her Aunt； who had married a German Nobleman。 At his Castle She remained till two years since； when She returned to Spain； determined upon secluding herself from the world。'
'Good God！ Lorenzo； you knew of her intention； and yet strove not to make her change it？'
'Marquis； you wrong me。 The intelligence； which I received at Naples； shocked me extremely； and I hastened my return to Madrid for the express purpose of preventing the sacrifice。 The moment that I arrived； I flew to the Convent of St。 Clare； in which Agnes had chosen to perform her Noviciate。 I requested to see my Sister。 Conceive my surprise when She sent me a refusal； She declared positively； that apprehending my influence over her mind； She would not trust herself in my society till the day before that on which She was to receive the Veil。 I supplicated the Nuns； I insisted upon seeing Agnes； and hesitated not to avow my suspicions that her being kept from me was against her own inclinations。 To free herself from the imputation of violence； the Prioress brought me a few lines written in my Sister's well…known hand； repeating the message already delivered。 All future attempts to obtain a moment's conversation with her were as fruitless as the first。 She was inflexible； and I was not permitted to see her till the day preceding that on which She entered the Cloister never to quit it more。 This interview took place in the presence of our principal Relations。 It was for the first time since her childhood that I saw her； and the scene was most affecting。 She threw herself upon my bosom； kissed me； and wept bitterly。 By every possible argument； by tears； by prayers； by kneeling； I strove to make her abandon her intention。 I represented to her all the hardships of a religious life； I painted to her imagination all the pleasures which She was going to quit； and besought her to disclose to me； what occasioned her disgust to the world。 At this last question She turned pale； and her tears flowed yet faster。 She entreated me not to press her on that subject； That it sufficed me to know that her resolution was taken； and that a Convent was the only place where She could now hope for tranquillity。 She persevered in her design； and made her profession。 I visited her frequently at the Grate； and every moment that I passed with her； made me feel more affliction at her loss。 I was shortly after obliged to quit Madrid； I returned but yesterday evening； and since then have not had time to call at St。 Clare's Convent。'
'Then till I mentioned it； you never heard the name of Alphonso d'Alvarada？'
'Pardon me： my Aunt wrote me word that an Adventurer so called had found means to get introduced into the Castle of Lindenberg； That He had insinuated himself into my Sister's good graces； and that She had even consented to elope with him。 However； before the plan could be executed； the Cavalier discovered that the estates which He believed Agnes to possess in Hispaniola； in reality belonged to me。 This intelligence made him change his intention； He disappeared on the day that the elopement was to have taken place； and Agnes； in despair at his perfidy and meanness； had resolved upon seclusion in a Convent。 She added； that as this adventurer had given himself out to be a Friend of mine； She wished to know whether I had any knowledge of him。 I replied in the negative。 I had then very little idea； that Alphonso d'Alvarada and the Marquis de las Cisternas were one and the same person： The description given me of the first by no means tallied with what I knew of the latter。'
'In this I easily recognize Donna Rodolpha's perfidious character。 Every word of this account is stamped with marks of her malice； of her falsehood； of her talents for misrepresenting those whom She wishes to injure。 Forgive me； Medina； for speaking so freely of your Relation。 The mischief which She has done me authorises my resentment； and when you have heard my story； you will be convinced that my expressions have not been too severe。'
He then began his narrative in the following manner。
HISTORY OF DON RAYMOND； MARQUIS DE LAS CISTERNAS
Long experience； my dear Lorenzo； has convinced me how generous is your nature： I waited not for your declaration of ignorance respecting your Sister's adventures to suppose that they had been purposely concealed from you。 Had they reached your knowledge； from what misfortunes should both Agnes and myself have escaped！ Fate had ordained it otherwise！ You were on your Travels when I first became acquainted with your Sister； and as our Enemies took care to conceal from her your direction； it was impossible for her to implore by letter your protection and advice。
On leaving Salamanca； at which University as I have since heard； you remained a year after I quitted it； I immediately set out upon my Travels。 My Father supplied me liberally with money； But He insisted upon my concealing my rank； and presenting myself as no more than a private Gentleman。 This command was issued by the counsels of his Friend； the Duke of Villa Hermosa； a Nobleman for whose abilities and knowledge of the world I have ever entertained the most profound veneration。
'Believe me；' said He； 'my dear Raymond； you will hereafter feel the benefits of this temporary degradation。 'Tis true； that as the Conde de las Cisternas you would have been received with open arms； and your youthful vanity might have felt gratified by the attentions showered upon you from all sides。 At present； much will depend upon yourself： You have excellent recommendations； but it must be your own business to make them of use to you。 You must lay yourself out to please； You must labour to gain the approbation of those； to whom you are presented： They who would have courted the friendship of the Conde de las Cisternas will have no interest in finding out the merits； or bearing patiently with the faults； of Alphonso d'Alvarada。 Consequently； when you find yourself really liked； you may safely ascribe it to your good qualities； not your rank； and the distinction shown you will be infinitely more flattering。 Besides； your exalted birth would not permit your mixing with the lower classes of society； which will now be in your power； and from which； in my opinion； you will derive considerable benefit。 Do not confine yourself to the Illustrious of those Countries through which you pass。 Examine the manners and customs of the multitude： Enter into the Cottages； and by observing how the Vassals of Foreigners are treated； learn to diminish the burthens an