They then stripped off my friar's dress, and
scourged me with nettles, until I was almost frantic with the pain. When
their vengeance was satisfied, they cast me loose, removed the gag, and
ran away. As I then suspected, and afterwards discovered to be true, I
was indebted to the young officer for this treatment, in return for what
I had said, and which his mistress had repeated. Smarting with pain, and
boiling with rage, I dragged on my clothes as well as I could, and began
to reflect in what manner I should act. Conceal my situation from the
other members of the convent I could not; and to explain it would not
only be too humiliating, but subject me to more rigorous discipline. At
last, I considered that out of evil might spring good; and gathering a
large bundle of the nettles, which grew under the walls, I crawled back
to the convent. When I attained my cell, I threw off my gown, which was
now unbearable from the swelling of my limbs, and commenced thrashing
the walls of my cell and my bed with the nettles which I had procured.
After a short time I moaned piteously, and continued so to do, louder
and louder, until some of the friars got up to inquire the reason; when
they found me, apparently, castigating myself in this cruel manner. When
they opened the door, I threw myself on the bed, and cried still more
vociferously. This certainly was the only part of my conduct which was
not deceptive, for I was in the most acute agony. To their inquiries, I
told them that I had been guilty of great enormities; that the superior
had reproved me, and ordered me penance; and that I had scourged myself
with nettles; requesting them to continue the application as my strength
had failed me.
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