Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

the centre of the chapel, where she remained some time at her devotions, after which the superior of the convent of St. Dominique addressed the novice with great feeling the exhortation was replete with unaffected eloquence, and Sophia gave the most steady attention. She then advanced between two of the nuns, and made her profession in distinct and clear language, meekly kneeling before the priest. Prayers followed.

The proper dress of the order was laid on a table. The lady abbess took off the white veil from Sophia, and placed on her head a black one; a belt and beads were fastened round her waist, and the priest sprinkled the devotee with holy water. She then delivered to him a box containing all the rich and valuable ornaments which she had worn while in the world the holy man stamped on them with the greatest indignation, and she trampled them under her feet, as being now unworthy of her attention. Se

veral grand choruses succéeded by the priests and nuns; and mass was performed in the most superb manner, and with all its priestly ornaments. The father and brother of the beautiful victim came in the hope of prevailing on Sophia, even at the altar, to change her resolution, in the fond hope that parental and brotherly affection would predominate over her religious vows, and induce her to return to her afflicted relatives. They placed themselves in a conspicuous part of the chapel; but the novice was so intent on the duties she was then performing that the ceremony was nearly finished before they met her attention. When they did attract her notice, she withdrew her eyes with great precipitation; for a moment she appeared agitated, but, as if recollecting herself, with a haste and resolution which confounded her relations, she arose from her kneeling attitude, and, having retired a few paces back, threw herself at full length on the carpet, with

her face to the ground: humbled thus to the earth, she kissed it, to signify her lowness of spirit, and to prove that she had renounced all the vanities and follies of this world. The passing-bell began to toll, and she was covered with a pall, as if the breath of life had really departed from her.

The countenances of the father and brother at this moment were such as to excite the most powerful commiseration: despair was painted in every feature; to speak was impossible, for the power of articulation was suppressed. The whole congregation became extremely affected at this part of the ceremony, and for some minutes an awful silence prevailed.

The burial service was chaunted in the most solemn manner: the organ, assisted by the vocal powers of the priests and nuns, seemed to exalt the soul. At last Sophia raised her eyes and fixed them on her father and brother; and at this instant it might be discovered that nature

·

was not extinct in her breast., Her frame

shook, her heart was agonized, and she was unable to repress her sighs. This was too much for the miserable parent; he sunk senseless into the arms of his son, and was instantly conveyed from the scene which had caused him such heartpiercing sorrow.

"

This event interrupted the ceremony for sometime: poor Sophia was led to a chair, and prayed most devoutly her soul had overcome trials which demanded the assistance of every surrounding object, rather than to experience those feelings which only served to afflict her.

The sacrament was now administered with all the solemnities of the Catholic Church. This ended, St. Therese, (the appellation by which, in future, Sophia de Colbert was to be known) arose, kissed the priest's garment, bowed to the crucifix, then to the lady abbess, the nuns, novices and pensioners, and some young ladies who resided in the convent

strewed flowers over them as they proceeded to the last ceremony, that of crowning, supposed to be emblematical of that crown of glory which is to be the reward of the good in the world to

come.

The rest of the day was passed in innocent festivity, to prove that the young nun felt no regret in having renounced the world. Indeed, her whole deportment was such as to convince the spectators that in changing her plan in life she had only varied her happiness.

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot,
"The world forgotten, by the world forgot;
"Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind,

"Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.

"Labour and rest at equal periods keep, "Obedient slumbers, that can wake and weep; "Desires composed, affections ever even, [ven. "Tears that delight, and sighs which waft to hea

"Grace shines around her with serenest beams, "And whispering angels prompt her golden dreams: "For her th' unfading rose of Eden blooms, "And wings of Seraphs shed divine perfumes.

« ElőzőTovább »