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 she rapidly became popular in the best society, and by her dashing manner and splendid appearance won for herself an eminent position in the fashionable world.

Like many fine ladies she cherished a secret passion for the rod, and odd stories began to circulate through the medium of the maids, of the way she used it on herself and them, and report says she was accustomed to use the rod upon her late husband very freely. After his death, she became acquainted with a young student who used to visit her home on pretence of giving lessons, but in reality it was to receive a good whipping from her hands.

Miraculous Cure by the Birch.

Father Nicolo of Narni was a celebrated preacher with a quick eye, when in the pulpit, over the female part of his flock.

He was one day preaching at Catanea, in Sicily, when amongst the rest of his auditory he spied out a very agreeable young woman named Agatha, wife of one Ruggieri, a physician, and was immediately enamoured with her beauty. The lady was so devout as to have her eyes constantly