I6 TRAVELS THROUGH LOWER CANADA i 
down, and Hows loosely over the shoulder^ 
and a large plain silver cross suspended from 
the breast. The dress is very unbecoming, 
the hair being totally concealed, and the shape 
of the face completely disguised by the close 
white head-piece. 
From the hospital we Were conducted 
through a ldng passage to an agreeable light 
parlour, the windows of which opened into 
the gardens of the convent. This was the 
apartment of the Superieure,” who soon 
made her appearance, accompanied by a num¬ 
ber of the lay sisters. The conversation of 
the old lady and her protgees was lively and 
agreeable; a thousand questions were asked 
us respecting the former part of our tour, and 
our future destination ; and they seemed by 
no means displeased as having a few strangers 
of a different sex from their own within the 
walls of the convent. Many apologies were 
made, because they could not take us through 
the mterreure,” as there was an ordinance 
against admitting any visitors into it without 
leave from the bishop ; they regretted exceed- 
ingiy, that we had not obtained this leave 
before we left Quebec. After some time was 
spent in conversation, a great variety of fancy 
works, the fabrication of the sisterhood, was 
brought down for our inspection, some of 
which it is always expected that strangers 
