seemed to entirely satisfy them. Soon I had got as far as the
chapel, and it was easy enough to see that the cell next door was
used as a magazine, for the floor was all black with powder in
front of it. The door was shut, and two fierce-looking fellows
stood on guard outside it, one of them with a key stuck in his
belt. Had we been alone, it would not have been long before it
would have been in my hand, but with his comrade there it was
impossible for me to hope to take it by force. The cell next
door to the magazine on the far side from the chapel must be the
one which belonged to Sister Angela. It was half open. I took
my courage in both hands and, leaving my buckets in the corridor,
I walked unchallenged into the room.

I was prepared to find half a dozen fierce Spanish desperadoes
within, but what actually met my eyes was even more embarrassing.
The room had apparently been set aside for the use of some of the
nuns, who for some reason had refused to quit their home. Three
of them were within, one an elderly, stern-faced dame, who was
evidently the Mother Superior, the others, young ladies of
charming appearance. They were seated together at the far side
of the room, but they all rose at my entrance, and I saw with
some amazement, by their manner and expressions, that my coming
was both welcome and expected. In a moment my presence of mind
had returned, and I saw exactly how the matter lay.

Naturally, since an attack was about to be made upon the convent,
these sisters had been expecting to be directed to some place of
safety. Probably they were under vow not to quit the walls, and
they had been told to remain in this cell until they received
further orders.