She stated that her husband was at present absent at Constantinople, and added that she was in the habit of spending several hours in the convent every evening to do the honours of the house! This assertion struck me as so strange, that I should certainly have remained dumb had not my visitor been a very agreeable, polite French lady.

As it was, however, we chatted away the evening pleasantly together, until the supper-bell summoned us to the refectory.

All that I saw in this convent was in direct contrast to the arrangement of the comfortable establishment of the Carmelites.

The refectory here is astonishingly dirty; the whole furniture consists of two dingy tables and some benches; the table- cloth, plates, etc.

wore the prevailing livery; and the fare was quite in keeping with every thing else.