He brought with him, one day, a young man, whom I thought the handsomest I had ever seen.

I shall never forget that evening.

I walked with him in the garden.

I was lonesome and full of sorrow, and he was so kind and gentle to me; and he told me that he had seen me before I went to the convent, and that he had loved me a great while, and that he would be my friend and protector;--in short, though he didn't tell me, he had paid two thousand dollars for me, and I was his property,--I became his willingly, for I loved him.

Loved!" said the woman, stopping.