midnight
In one of the churches , at midnight , a lady closely veiled , entered , carrying a bundle , and going up to the altar , without reverence and in haste , deposited her burden at the foot of the cross . The officiating priest directed one of the sextons to follow her in haste , but the lady was too quick for him . A carriage was in waiting , which a gentleman with hat over brow , and muffled about throat , speedily drove off , almost before the lady was seated ; they were soon lost in the maddening crowd , for humanity held high revel ; the jester was abroad , and theatre , with amusement and music hall , poured forth their devotees , though the ball , both in palace and street , would be kept rolling all night . The emissaries of the church learned that your star of the London stage left Rome closely veiled , and attended by a stranger , a gentleman , at midnight . Enough said ; only this , that her business manager and waiting woman had been sent on to Venice , the next scene of triumph , the morning of the same day . The child , a lovely girl infant , wore robes of wealth , rich muslin and lace , and was lolled in a carriage rug of the skin of the seal , five hundred pounds , in English gold , was pushed loosely into the bosom of her dress , and three lines of writing were found there also , which read as follows : ` Communicate , in case of infant 's death , with -- ' giving name of banking house at London ; ` until that time we have instructions to pay L200 yearly , for her benefit , _ if not _ annoyed by efforts to ascertain her parentage . ' That child is the young Saxon nun , now at the convent of Ste. Marie ; a convent has been ever her home , and she loves its life , early showing a strong inclination for the study of medicine , for the past five years she has been an apt pupil of mine ; with great beauty , cleverness , and persuasive manner , she , at the sick-bed , has gained already many souls within the true pale .