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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1834 Excerpt:...pestilential remains. I will run all risks, for I am bound so to do. Those who are not afraid, may give me all I require through the grate; but I have said it, and I will abide by it: and may this act of obedience be a merit recorded in my favor, to balance the sin I committed in permitting this unhappy one to mingle so long with the rest of the family." "Oh! my mother! my mother!" exclaimed Annunciata, acting her hypocritical part with admirable skill, advancing to the superieure, and half kneeling before her, whilst she bowed her head upon her hand, her veil at the same time falling over and shrouding her face, " permit your child, your favored child, to entreat you not to incur this frightful hazard; it is impossible but that the deadly pestilence should seize you, if shut up with it in so narrow a cell. You cannot but inhale the corrupt breath, and suck in the dreadful poison." And turning suddenly to us, her face all working with vehement agitation, (the reason of which I now well understand,) " Mothers, sisters," she said, " I beseech you, interfere and prevent our blessed parent from performing this act of heroic and meritorious piety." Being thus called upon, we all spoke, offering our own services, and entreating the Superieure to seek absolution from the vow which she had made, and permit Clarice to be removed to the infirmary. " It cannot be," she replied; " you know not the reasons for my conduct." " But, madame," said Pauline, " why should you fear? What harm can the dying Clarice do to us? Our principles are all too well confirmed. Her opinions, even were she in health, and able to support them, could not surely, at this awful crisis, shake our faith in that religi...