"The God of Heaven pardon thee!" said the abbess. "You were once my delight and pride. I never could have suspected ill of you. I too was once unsuspicious," said St. Clare. "My heart believed in nothing but innocence. I know the world better now. Were it their interest, would they thus deride me? When the mistress of Glenarvon, did they thus neglect, and turn from me? I was not profligate, abandoned, hardened, then! I was lovely, irresistible! My crime was excused. My open defiance was accounted the mere folly and wantonness of a child. I have a high spirit yet, which they shall not break. I am deserted, it is true; but my mind is a world in itself, which I have peopled with my own creatures. Take only from me a father's curse, and to the last I will smile, even though my heart is breaking."
"And are you unhappy," said the abbess, kindly. "Can you ask it,
