"While she was yet young she was elected abbess of the convent. It was a
day of triumph for her powerful family. Perhaps the Count Balbo may have
sometimes regretted that solemn vow, but he never betrayed repentance.
Perhaps he would have been more secretly satisfied by the triumphant
worldly career of a woman like his daughter, but he never said so.
"Sulpizia knew that my brother loved her. I think she loved him--at least
I thought so.
"The nuns were not jealous of her rule, for the superior genius which
commanded them also consoled and counselled; and her protests becoming
less frequent, her persuasive affection won all their hearts. They saw
that the first fire of youth slowly saddened in her eyes. Her mien became
even more lofty; her voice less salient; and a shadow fell gently over
her life. The sisters thought it was age; but Sulpizia was young. Others
thought it was care; but her duties could not harass such a spirit. Others
thought it was repentance; but natures like hers do not early repent.
"It was resolved that the portrait of the abbess should be painted, and
the nuns applied to her parents to select the artist. They, in turn,
consulted my brother Camillo, who was the friend of the family, and for
whom the Count Balbo would, I believe, have willingly unvowed his vow.
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