Mich. The victim of despair, looking on the world with horror and disgust, considering as the only good left for him on earth, the permission to inhabit an asylum contiguous to that which contains the ashes of his beloved. (mysteriously) For you are aware, that our monastery is only separated from the Ursuline convent by a party-wall.
Ben. Indeed? the Ursuline convent? it was there, that Josepha breathed her last—if I remember rightly, it is under father Cœlestino’s direction?
Mich. (expressively) Under his direction? you are right! yes! it is under his direction; and who says that, says every thing.
Ben. Well, father; and so Venoni—?
Mich. (with energy) Assists the superior’s views, and languishes till the hour arrives when he must sacrifice his liberty for ever: when, renouncing the world and himself, he will become subject to the insolent caprice, to the arbitrary commands, to the tyrannical hatred of a man frequently unjust, never to be appeased; and who is himself the prey of all those worldly passions, which he secretly and dearly cherishes in his own heart, but whose slightest indulgence he punishes without mercy upon others.
Ben. Well, father, this at least I must say for you, you seem to be perfectly well acquainted with the moral characters of your fellows. Dear, dear! and so then it is tomorrow, that this poor gentleman, so amiable—with talents so brilliant, with a heart so generous and so good—
Mich. His talents? his heart? those perhaps are still unknown to our superior:—but Venoni is immoderately wealthy, and of that the prior was perfectly well informed. But the viceroy returns not, and I dare not tarry longer!—good old man, give your lord this letter; say that my seeing him before tomorrow is of the utmost importance to Venoni—to himself!
Ben. You will return then?
Mich. Alas! that will be impossible? entreat, that for heaven’s love, the viceroy would deign to visit me at my convent. He must inquire for father Michael.
Benedetto. For father Michael? I’ll not forget; and he shall have this letter immediately.