_Prior._ Indeed! Jeronymo, I have long suspected this Michael to be a false brother; there is an affectation of rigid principles about him-- of philosophical abstinence-- of reserve respecting his own conduct and of vigilance respecting that of others, which make me look on him as a dangerous inmate of our house. However, he has not yet encountered the viceroy? _Jer._ Fortunately, it was to me that count Benvolio expressed his wish to see this friar. I promised to go in search of him, and instantly commanded father Michael, in your name, not to presume till further orders to set his foot beyond the precincts of his cell. I then returned, to inform the viceroy, with pretended regret, that the person whom he desired to see was not at that time to be found in the monastery. _Prior._ Good! _Jer._ He appeared much disappointed, and announced his intention of waiting the friar’s return. I was compelled to promise, that as soon as he should re-enter these walls, father Michael should be sent to him. _Prior._ The viceroy then is still here? _Jer._ He is: I left him in the garden parlour adjoining the refectory. _Prior._ No matter: night approaches, and then he will be compelled to withdraw. Yet that he should rather desire to see father Michael than Venoni-- that, I own, appears to me unaccountable. I was prepared for his endeavouring to obtain another sight of his friend, and using every possible means to disgust him with the idea of renouncing the world for ever. Secure of my influence over Venoni, absolute master of his understanding, and feeling my own strength in the knowledge of his weakness, I meant not to object to their interviews; and would have suffered count Benvolio to exert all his efforts freely, convinced that all his efforts would have been exerted in vain. _Jer._ And in acting thus, you would have done wisely: else, if the viceroy had been denied admittance to his friend, he might have spread abroad, that you feared lest his arguments should dispel Venoni’s illusion. _Prior._ True; therefore should he demand to see our novice, even let his wish be gratified-- this hated youth is ours beyond reprieve, this Venoni whom Josepha preferred to me, this Venoni to whom alone I impute my disappointment. I had worked upon the superstition and enthusiasm of the weak-minded Hortensia; I had persuaded her, that happiness and virtue existed not, except within the walls of a convent; already she saw in fancy her daughter’s head encircled with a wreath of sainted glory, and she placed her in the Ursuline convent, in hopes that the example of the nuns might induce her to join their sisterhood-- Josepha was in my power defenceless! _Jer._ And yet she defeated your views!