think; and if you attempt it, you'll only get yourself
into trouble. But if you are resolved to be a good girl,
kind, gentle, frank, sincere, and obedient, the priest
will love you, and be kind to you."

When I was conducted to my room, at bedtime, I rejoiced
to find in it several little cot beds, occupied by little
girls about my own age, who had been, like myself,
consigned to the tender mercies of priests and nuns. I
thought if we must live in that great gloomy house, which
even to my childish imagination seemed so much like a
prison, we could in some degree dispel our loneliness
and mitigate our sorrows, by companionship and sympathy.
But I was soon made to know that even this small comfort
would not be allowed us, for the Superior, as she assisted
me to bed, told me that I must not speak, or groan, or
turn upon my side, or move in any way; for if I made the
least noise or disturbance, I would be severely punished.
She assured me that if we disobeyed in the least particular,
she would know it, even if she was not present, and deal
with us accordingly. She said that when the clock struck
twelve, the bell would ring for prayers; that we must
then rise, and kneel with our heads bowed upon the bed,
and repeat the prayer she taught us. When, at length,
she left us, locking the door after her, I was so
frightened, I did not dare to sleep, lest I should move,
or fail to awake at the proper time.

Slowly passed the hours of that long and weary night,
while I lay, waiting the ringing of the bell, or thinking