CHAPTER IV.

CIRCUMSTANCES arose which obliged the two sisters to leave the neighbourhood; but, before alluding to them, we must take a retrospective glance.

As it had been fully determined that Bessie should embrace a conventual life, she had free access to the convent, as all viewed in her a future sister. She was allowed to walk in the garden with the nuns, and was much attached to several of them. There was one young nun near her age, of whom she was very fond; a mutual friendship sprang up between them; and they longed for the time when, from being under the same roof, they should be thrown more together. Their characters being quite different, made them the more dependent upon each other. Bessie's warm and ardent temperament would be softened by the quiet gentleness of her fair young

friend, who in return would receive encouragement and support from Bessie's bold and fearless disposition.

When the confidence of the latter in the Church of Rome began to be shaken, she used to draw the nun to a retired part of the garden, and confide to her all her doubts. But as she increased in spiritual knowledge, and deepened in Christian experience, she took more interest in the young nun; and, considering that her fate was sealed for life, she forbore making any allusion to controversial subjects. She spoke to her only of heavenly things; and holding sweet communion together, they conversed of Christ whom their souls loved.

But when it became known that Bessie was "infected with heresy," they were watched; and as soon as they entered into conversation some of the older nuns put an end to it by joining them. After she had formally quitted the Romish Communion and become a Protestant, she still continued her visits to the convent, and often met priests, who disputed with her on the step she had taken, or tried to shake her confidence with awful warnings of the danger

she was incurring. Sometimes the older nuns, or even the Lady Abbess, would try to persuade her of the error of her way, and of the holiness of a "religious life," supposing, from her youth, that she would be easily overpowered by their arguments. But her judgment was more matured than that of most young people of the same age, and she stood her ground firmly, though often detained for several hours by these discussions.

Dr. Doyle frequently made allusion to her visiting the convent, but she never would take his hints to discontinue going there, as she was fond of the nuns, and particularly of that young one with the clear blue eyes, open countenance, and confiding disposition, who leaned much on her judgment in spiritual things, and seemed to need the help of a friend with a strong mind and clear intellect, to lead her in right paths, and uphold her courage when it failed. But one day the bishop said plainly to her, "I have often given you hints not to go to the convent; now I advise you plainly not to go there any more alone, as you have done."

"But, Dr. Doyle, what harm can arise? They cannot detain me, as I have made up my mind not to enter it; and even if they did, you could extricate me."

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'My dear child," he said, with great emphasis, "there are those over whom I have no control. Do not ask me any questions; but do not despise my counsel, which is, not to go near the convent alone."

When Bessie repeated this conversation to her sister, she urged her to follow the advice given her, feeling sure that their kind guardian would never have enforced it if he had not had strong reasons. What these reasons were never came to light; but she discontinued her visits, lost sight of her young friend, and never heard any thing more of her.

As Bessie grew older she became indefatigable in visiting the poor, giving up all her spare time to them. time to them. As she visited and comforted all who were in distress, whether Catholics or Protestants, she often came into collision with the priests, who were vexed to find her so active in disseminating what they thought was "heresy," and regretted having lost such a champion.

That part of Ireland was much disturbed at different times by Rockites, and many families kept one in the capacity of a servant, as a pledge of safety. Her brother kept a gardener who was a Rockite, who often accompanied the members of the family when they walked out; the country being so disturbed, it would not have been safe to have gone without him, but when he was with them they were secure anywhere.* Bessie often tried to draw him into conversation, hoping she might find out their peculiarities, but she was unsuccessful, as he was particularly silent, and would not speak unless absolutely obliged.

Twice their house was attacked at night, when the brothers defended it valiantly, opening a battery upon the intruders from the windows. Bessie, on these occasions, manifested the most entire absence of fear, proving how courage and self-possession are compatible with the most perfect feminine gentleness.

One Sunday, their cook, who was Roman Catholic, returned earlier than

*For interesting particulars of the Rockites, see Charlotte Elizabeth's book on the subject.