THE PASSION-FLOWER. 255 



agreed, glad of any excuse to prolong the inter- 

 view. 



She showed me her plants, and broiiglit me to 

 the eiilrance of a building, which I supposed might 

 be a school-house, where a handsome flight of 

 stairs led to two large folding doors. These she 

 pushed open, and I entered : but to my real dis- 

 may, I found myself opposite a splendid altar, 

 profusely decorated with images, covered with 

 gilding, and variously ornamented: above all, was 

 elevated the crucifix; and, on turning to look for 

 my companion, I saw lier nearly prostrate in the 

 door-way, her arms crossed on her bosom, and her 

 head almost touching the ground, in profound ad- 

 oration of that idolatrous image. The impulse of 

 my feelings was to make a precipitate retreat ; but 

 the nun arose, and taking my arm, led me onwards. 

 The chapel was very magnificent, but I shrunk 

 from the contemplation, and confined my remarks 

 to the beautiful prospect, from its window, of the 

 garden beneath ; and hastened our return. The 

 nun retreated slowly backwards with many genu- 

 flexions : and I almost ran out, rejoicing when the 

 richly carved doors once more closed upon a scene 

 so indescribably painful to me. 



My gentle conductress redoubled her attentions 

 to cheer me ; for the sudden depression of my 

 gjiirits could not but be visible to her : and as we 

 left the building, she gathered a Passion-flower 



