^73 



-ta,g^- 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



I want to enter a convent — Applying to the Empress — Letter of Count 



Armin — A card from Baron S to the German minister in Rome — 



In Rome — Count Brazie de St. Simon — His portrait — His mixtum 

 compositum wine— His hobby-horse — I make an impression on the 

 old diplomatist — Effects— Seeing San Angelo — The Prison of Ben- 

 venuto Cellini — Causing the death of the old Count — Monsignore 

 Merode — Two audiences with the Pope — Declares that I have no 

 talent for a nunnery — Private mass by Monsignore Merode at the 

 grave of San Pietro — Presents from the Pope — A once celebrated 

 lady and pretended princess — Rev, Joseph INIulIoly — The Church uf 

 St. Clement and its subterranean wonders — What called me home — 

 Invitation to Rostock in Mecklenburg — In Wamemunde — Grand Duke 

 and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg- -The ' Stromfahrt ' — Festival — 

 Curious Warfare — Called home again — Bad health — In Scheveningea 

 — An American gold uncle — Change of affairs — I buy a house in 

 Bonn — Have rented it to Baron Gerolt — Journey to Spain — Madrid — 



Count W A river without water — The palace of the Duke of 



Ossuna — Invested by the Philistines — The picture gallery — The Arm- 

 oury — Curious armour, &c. — The Theatres — A characteristic adventure 

 — In the Prado — Duchess de la Torre — Serrano — Queen Isabella — 

 Victor Amadeus — The attentate — Disturbed state — Returning to Bonn 

 — A few last words — End of the book. 



I HAD not given up the idea yet of entering a convent, but my 

 friends had so far prevailed upon me that I was in no hurry to 

 take such a step. I had resolved to apply to tlie highest 

 authority of our Church, His Holiness the Pope, and to do 

 what he should order me. From Pisa I had written to Countess 

 Schulemburg, requesting Her Majesty to give me a letter of re- 

 commendation, which might facilitate my steps. Her gracious 

 Majesty, complying with my request, caused Count Armin to 

 send me such a letter, which was directed to Monsignore 

 Merode. 



I had also written to Baron Oppenheim, and he sent me a 



