The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-10-15
THE CONVENT CELL.

N On bleak aud gloomy morning IN the
mouth Of March, 1927 two travellers walked
- a.sieef q. the church. Of 81 - IN ono
81 the chief towns Of the Netherlands. They
were evidently strangers, not only to the
place, which they gazed at with curiosity, but
to the manners and feelings Of the oOngrega-
ton, for they were observed to walk slowly
past the BeHUier, without dipping their fin
gers in The blessed water; nor did they bend
their knees as they crossed before the altar
Still there was nothing Of indifference in
| their manner; nothing, in short, which any lib
] eral minded deyotee might not have excused
4 in the bearing of two herCtics, unaceustomed
| to Roman Catholic rites; aud acting from the
| impulses OF ineXperience and youth. For
i they were both young, under five aud twenty
! and had that reckless and independent air
i which marks the citizens Of a free country
j They were in fact Americans, who with a
/ full fund Of health, money, and a desire for
variety, had just arrived in Europe and were
4 starting on their Journey III quest OF knOwl-
edge and adventures.
They had landed day or two before at 0s-
tend, from London, and this was their first
visit to a Roman Catholic Church in Roman
/ Catholic country. One Of the strangers, who
was quaker, viewed the religious ceremonies
without any other emotion than that Of paint
er or novelist, as ii scanning the groups for
the effect which they would produce portray
4 ed on canvass or description, while the other
/ of more sanguine temperament, felt deeper
II moral INTEREST," in the scene.
\ He was, however, after short time, reused
Il to more minute and personal train Of thought
n by observing that one Of the nuns who had
4 the ncst pretensions to beauty, fixed her looks
II upon him, with an uncommon intenseness,
n and in q manner SO remarkable, as to cause
Il him at length, sOmo considerable embarrass-
II ment There was something in the expression
of her countenance, and in the determined
I scrutiny Of her gaze, that made him almost
;, shudder. She was handsome, certainly. Her
, features were regular and marked; but she
was pale TO sallOWness, and her dark eyes had
t restlessness Of motion, that seemed caused
by an Unquet mind.
He felt hischeeks glow, and he gave to hi;
looks tho tendercst expression Of which they
J, were capable. He saw an answering flusl
a rise on the pallid brow Of the nun, aad
smile that thrilled through him, but not will
G unmoved delight, played for an instant on he
II colorless lips. Her eyes then sank down anC
C her face resumed her calm and sculptureC
look.
: The service was at length Concluded tht
(, priests had retired from the deserted altar, anC
one by one the congregation left the church
Aroused by his less excitabe friend the enam.
c ored young gentleman also arose to retire.
d They were on the point of quitting their
places and retiring from the almost deserted
a church; the friend Of the young lover, for SO
we must call him, had turned round, made a
S few steps in the direction of the door, and the
= lover himself was to follow, when his parting
look at the nun was answered by an implOring
: glance from her quick raised eyes, aud mo-
a mentary, but intelligible motion with her fin
, ger that Ha should remain.
! Determined, of course, to comply with this
' invitation, he found means to rid himself Of
his friend, and followed the fair nun down a
back stair, entered with her a narrow recess,
lighted by a single lamp before shrine, con-
taincd in which, she resumed her kneeing
position. The loYer took position at a few
yards distant from the object of his gaze, aud
leaning against pillar, awaited her commu-
nicat0n.
With her head bent and inclined towards
him, while she turned over her beads with
much apparent devotion, she asked him in q
deep whisper, edo you understand French!"
''Yes," murmered he.
edo you speak it?''
"Not sufficiently to express your influence
on me. .a.
} This was answered by her wonted smile.
, ''Good heavens, is it satisfaction or triumph?"
thought the American.
''If you can see in ME anything to interest
you, F." continued she, 'are you willing to do
me favorY"
"Am ll' replied he with energy-"try me-
put me to the proof!
at is no trifle," she said solemnly.
"Anything is tgiflmg that can enable me to
serve YOU for anything short Of death COM
mand mel
"And if death did cross your path in the
adventure 2" she exclaimed with full ex-
preston Of voice, and piercing solemnity ol
look.
'By heavensl I'd even spurn that, cried
he, "you have exalted me to pitch Of excite.
ment, know not how nor wherefore"
81 am satisfied with you, resumed She
'sand believe you to be man OF honor; auG
that your fine person and striking face cannot
be allied to an ignOble soul; | feel myself safe
in your hands. You perceive that the rules ol
, my order are not the strictest, but their dis.
covered infringement is ruin, and | am nov
infringing them. can speak to you no more
at present. have run fearful risk. But
{ meet me outside that little portal tonight o.
r nine. | will admit you punctually as the
} clock strikes. Youmnst nOt speak, but trust
t to me, follow me, and count on my gratitude.
At the hour Of nine, the young American
, followed byhis anxious friend, llasteAsto the
convent, is admitted, and shortly after is seen
returning bearing figure wrapped in his cloak
! which from Its form and dimensions Is Judgeu
! to be human being. The alarm and anxiety
Of the friend, heightened by this occurrence
! is aroused; and he follows at distance and
in silence,
] Aftera little time, in which they traversed
a several BY streets, they reached Que Of thost
canals with which the town abounded, and th'
G lover unhesitatingly descended one of tn,
= flights Of steps, which hcilitate the landing
Of goods from bergesa and the embarkation .
/. persons employed.
! aIIeaveusl exclaimed the watehful friend i
himself, "can he be wild enough to bear be
! off atnight in some open boat, God know
], Iyhero Where Or how will this adventut
! end2"
\ He placed himself close to the quay wal
" and looked over the parapets He saw n
1 friend on the steps; there was 10 boatof on
Z continued to descend
], "What can this meaa9 What frantic fe.
team be destined to conclude this affair mui