the mask of politeness, Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon concealed no very kindly feelings towards him.

But for his dress and tonsure, it would never have occurred to any that Barberini was a priest. The subject of religion he seemed most scrupulously to avoid; when it was casually mentioned, he hastily changed it for some other topic, and evidently regarded Millicent as one whose opinions were considerably tinged with fanaticism.

Mr.

and Mrs. Kenyon soon discovered that he was on intimate terms with many of their friends, of many of whom he gave them later information than they had been able to procure. He spoke with the greatest interest of politics, appearing to favour the liberal party; and, with the most masterly address, alluded to the conduct of Great Britain on the occasion of the late French Revolution, in the highest terms of praise. He ridiculed the policy of the apostolicals in every country, and spoke with the keenest sarcasm of several leading characters amongst them, blaming them very severely for the late agi

tations, and commending those who had risen in defence of a more liberal form of government. He very freely gave his opinion of the sovereign to whom Vis now subject, gloried in the escape of Leonti, of whose late flight (omitting the name of the convent where he had taken refuge) he gave a very accurate account, adding, that he had that morning received a letter, which had been sent by him from a distant land, where, after many hair-breadth escapes, he had arrived safe. Then, as if he had said not more than he had intended, but more than his hearers expected, he assured them that these observations he only could make to English, whose government was too liberal to shackle the minds of its subjects.

Finding that Mrs. Kenyon was fond of music, he offered to procure tickets for her to the Marquesa di Z, to whom he was nearly related. This lady was about to give a concert, at which all the distinguished dilettanti of V- were to be present; and it happened that Mrs. Kenyon particularly wished to be of the party.

"The marquesa will be delighted to be honoured by your acquaintance," said Barberini, as he rose to bid them adieu. "May

I have the pleasure of introducing you tomorrow ?"

“We shall he most happy to see her,” said Mrs. Kenyon, quite delighted at the prospect of again going into society; "thank you very much for your politeness."

He bowed, and was about to leave the room, when Millicent, advancing, asked him to have the kindness to peruse Mr. Vernon's letter, and to inform her if she was at liberty to lend it. He smiled.

"O most certainly; I should think there was not the slightest occasion for any restrictions; but I shall certainly obey your commands:"—and, putting the letter with a somewhat careless manner into his pocket, he left the room.

"Now that is really a very agreeable man," said Mr. Kenyon; "if all your Roman Catholic priests were like him, I should be much better pleased."

"Well, your ideas and mine greatly differ,"

said Millicent; "I confess he did not at all. please me."

The following day the Marquesa di Z called, and with Barberini. She was gifted with all that distinguished beauty both of countenance and mind for which some of the Italian ladies are celebrated. Her party, she said, was very quiet, as it was during Easter week, and mostly sacred music, therefore she hoped to see them.

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My cousin, I hope, will be with us," said she, turning to Barberini: "therefore, Miss Aylmer, I think you will kindly join us. Your powerful talents as a musician. will be of the greatest service to us: will you kindly lend us your aid ?"

"Thank you very much indeed," said Millicent; "but I could not think of going from home at this season."

"What! not a little bigot, I trust, already, dear Miss Aylmer. Mrs. Kenyon, you really must use your influence; I assure you this strictness is totally, almost totally forgotten here. Barberini, why will you not help me to persuade Miss Aylmer?"

But on this occasion the priest thought it wisest to say nothing; he merely laughed, and changed the subject by asking Mr. Kenyon's opinion of a celebrated Titian, in the church of

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Strange to say, I have never seen it," answered Mr. Kenyon.

A party was made, and at the church of they shortly found themselves.

Millicent longed to see Lordini again. He was the only one that ever gave her any information of the inhabitants of the convent. Mr. Kenyon, positive, like most weak persons when they do adopt an opinion, peremptorily forbade that Millicent should ever see father Urban, Vetelli, or Verschoyle, again. But Lordini had gone on an excursion to Rome; and, though in the same town, she was as ignorant of all that went on at the convent as it was possible to be. Not so the sister Allegra, with regard to Millicent; she secretly was informed of all her actions, and laid her plans accordingly.

Whilst the rest of the party were engrossed with Titian's masterly performance,