Serventius, Doctor Sanazio's pupil, slipped a billet and a piece of gold
into my hand and desired me to follow her. I did so, without hesitation,
and whilst behind my guide, contrived to peruse the note by moon-light,
which contained these words:

"I am sick,--of the heart's mortal sickness;--relieve it, and great shall
be thy recompense."

Perplexed, yet amused, by what promised an adventure, I followed my
ancient guide into a house whose exterior was sufficiently humble; but,
having ascended a steep flight of stairs, she threw open the door of a
chamber in which they terminated, and I found myself not only in a
richly-furnished apartment, but in the presence of a lady, young as
immortal Hebe, and fair as day. I saw at a glance that her ills were those
of the mind only, and ere she had opened her lips to detail them and
engage me in her cause, I had vowed, heart and soul, to be her champion.
Having complimented me upon the high character she had heard of my prowess,
understanding, and principles, she informed me, with little circumlocution,
that various unhappy family circumstances had rendered it necessary for
her to seek friends amongst strangers; that she was a novice of the
Convent of St. Anne, but on the eve of profession, and that having long
been under an engagement of marriage with a young gentleman of family,
respecting whom her relations had used her very deceitfully and cruelly,
she had fixed upon me as a person little likely to be subjected to
suspicion on her account, to aid Signor Fernandez in the difficult and
hazardous enterprise, which she said must be a work of time and prudence,
of carrying her off from the convent. Having obtained my promise to this
effect, she detailed her plans, and furnished me with the means of
continual communication with her lover and herself. I returned home,
highly elated at the trust reposed in me, at the importance which I had