THE MYSTERIES OF THE CONVEN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 727, 24 March 1876, Page 3

THE MYSTERIES OF THE CONVEN.

The French paper the National publishes some revelations concerning the abduction of a young lady by the confessor of a convent in the department of the Aube. It, would appear that the Mayor of Pouan, in obedience to his wife’s wish, had consented to their daughter being educated at the Convent of the Visitation. Some time ago, the education being supposed to he completed, the young lady returned to her parents, who were anxious to marry her. Mademoiselle, however, would not listen to any proposal of the kind. "When one day she did not return from her usual promenade, the anxiety of the parents may easily be imagined Searches were made all over the locality, until, about 10 p.m., the father had the idea to call at the convent the girl had left some time ago. At such a late hour the distracted fit.her was refused admission, and was oblig’d to call again early next morning. when the superioress, after an how’s expectancy, came to inquire with the most innocent surprised look, what the matter was. “ I want my dan h L er,” cried the mayor. “Sim is not, here,” drily replied he superioress, without offering to give any further particu'.T's. 't last, however, frightened by the threats of the father and overcome by the ten s of the mother, the directress admitted that the young girl had s'epfc at the convent the night before, and had left next morning without saying whither she was going. The mayor at once called on the hi hop, at, Troyes. The Vicar General reassured him. and wrote to an ahbe, who is “ director of consciences” of the convents in the diocse. The young girl was soon traced and returned to tlie family home where her mother was lying dangerously ill in consequence of the painful occurrence. It has since been ascertained that after leaving the convent the unfortunate girl kept up a secret and regular correspondence with the “director.” the ahbe. The object of the latter seems to have been to maintain his fair nmiitent in a state of religions exaltation until she became of age. The plan of the seducer was but too snethe girl having left her parents on the day she attained her majority.