associates of Madame d'Etrées, who yielded, however, a decent external conformity, the whole became disposed very cordially to enter into the views of the Abbess of Port Royal.*

Indeed long before the arrival of the M. Angelique, two or three nuns amongst the community of Maubuisson had always been distinguished by the respectability of their conduct. They had indeed no distinct religious views, and were wholly devoid of instruction; but they were sincere in their obedience to the light they had; they endeavored conscientiously to discharge their outward duties, and they most sincerely mourned over the scandalous disorders which disgraced their monastery; and though they had neither the capacity nor the authority necessary to effect a reformation, they had long done all that lay in their power to stem the torrent of iniquity.†

* See note, page 83.

+Vie de Suireau des Anges, par M. de Bregy, p. 56 to 59. Also Besogne, tom. i. p. 230. Also Clemencet, tom. iii. pp. 28. 29.

Amongst other examples on record, one instance is too honorable to remain wholly unnoticed, even in this brief sketch.

The ancient Prioress of Maubuisson, was a lady of the house of Cleri; she had indeed but little religious instruction, and still less religious vocation: but finding herself engaged in the sacred obligation of monastic vows, she endeavoured conscientiously to discharge her duty, by a punctual observance of the rules of her house; nor did she ever swerve from it, although she stood alone in a monastery, where her Abbess, and the whole community, discountenanced all that was good.*

Discreet, disinterested, and conscientious; she used all her efforts to maintain union in her distracted community; and to preserve the morals of its degraded inhabitants.*

She saw with deep sorrow, that the doors of the abbatial side of the house, were con

* See note †, page 98.

stantly open; and that the very apartment of their superior, was a continual place of resort of a profligate court. The celebrated Gabrielle d'Etrées lived with her sister the Abbess, and both were equally involved in scenes of dissipation too painful to dwell

on.*

Under this apparently remediless evil, the good Prioress resolved not to remit her efforts, however unavailing. Destitute of the religious authority necessary to oppose her Abbess, destitute of clear light to exhort her sisters, she always maintained the most respectable and prudent conduct herself; and always kept possession of the key of inclosure next the cloister, which she carefully locked herself; and by the sincerity of her intentions, and the uprightness of her demeanour, she gained over two or three of the nuns, who united with her in resisting the torrent of iniquity.*

This truly respectable nun, was in a state of constant solicitude, because the

* See note t, page 98.

King, Henry the Fourth, was perpetually spending his time in the monastery, with all the most dissipated young noblemen of his court; nor did either the King, his retinue, or the Abbess, Madame d'Etrées, leave any means untried to allure the community into their society and dissipations.*

For a long while the vigilance of the Prioress effectually baffled their endea

vours.

At length, after having for a long while watched for an opportunity in vain; and notwithstanding all the vigilance of Madame Cleri, and her faithful nuns, the King suddenly arrived with a numerous retinue and armed escort, at the hour when he was least expected; just after complin, às the nuns were retiring from church. He immediately sent one of his courtiers, and bid him rush to the gate of the cloister, and endeavour to enter by force or artifice before it could be closed.*

The nobleman had reached the gate, just

* See note †, page 98.

as the sister Ambrosia, one of the confidential nuns, was shutting it; he pushed it open with so much violence, as to throw her down; then rushing past, he seized the first nun he met in the passage, and dragged her by force towards the great hall where was the King.*

The good sister Ambrosia, flew to inform her what was passing; on which the Prioress, without a moment's hesitation, and only accompanied by her two faithful nuns, hastened into the royal hall; where the King, surrounded by all the young nobility of his court, was banqueting with the Abbess, and Mademoiselle Gabrielle.*

Without stopping to salute the King, or trembling at the armed escort who lined the hall; the Prioress peremptorily commanded her two companions instantly to seize, and carry off the nun, which being done, she turned to the astonished King, and with an intrepid eye and firm voice, thus addressed him: "Do you not blush,

*See note †, page 98.