Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/196

Rh boarder of all interest in my seals by placing in her hands a curiosity of another kind. She did not conceal her transports nor the pleasure she felt in satisfying her inquisitiveness about an object which was quite new to her, and which she was able to examine minutely for the first time in her life. But soon an effusion of the natural moisture changed her in her delighted contemplation of it.

Perceiving M—— M—— returning slowly, I lowered my shirt and sat down. My watch and chains were still on the ledge of the grating, and M—— M—— asked her young friend if the trinkets had pleased her.

"Yea," replied the little one, in a dreamy and melancholy voice. She had travelled so far in less than two hours that she had plenty to think on.

I passed the rest of the day in relating to M—— M—— the adventures I had encountered since I quitted her; but as I had not time to finish my tale, I promised to return on the following day at the same hour.

The young girl, who had been listening to me all the while, although I seemed to be addressing only her friend, said she was dying to know the end of my adventure with the mistress of the Duke of Matelone. ……

……On the following day, after dining, I returned to the convent, and having sent up my name to M—— M——, I entered the room where the grating was more convenient. Before long M—— M—— arrived alone, but divining my desires, she added that her pretty young friend would soon join us.