leaves room for strange suspicions--and that young villain, who was
at least the accomplice of her flight, if not the cause of it--"

"The cause!" interrupted Jerome; "was a YOUNG man the cause?"

"This is not to be borne!" cried Manfred. "Am I to be bearded in
my own palace by an insolent Monk? Thou art privy, I guess, to
their amours."

"I would pray to heaven to clear up your uncharitable surmises,"
said Jerome, "if your Highness were not satisfied in your
conscience how unjustly you accuse me. I do pray to heaven to
pardon that uncharitableness: and I implore your Highness to leave
the Princess at peace in that holy place, where she is not liable
to be disturbed by such vain and worldly fantasies as discourses of
love from any man."

"Cant not to me," said Manfred, "but return and bring the Princess
to her duty."

"It is my duty to prevent her return hither," said Jerome. "She is
where orphans and virgins are safest from the snares and wiles of
this world; and nothing but a parent's authority shall take her
thence."

"I am her parent," cried Manfred, "and demand her."

"She wished to have you for her parent," said the Friar; "but
Heaven that forbad that connection has for ever dissolved all ties
betwixt you: and I announce to your Highness--"