NeverwaswomanmoreamazedormoreangrythanI，whenIfirstreadthisletter。\"What！\"criedItomyself，\"doesthismanseriouslyrecommendmetolashmyownshoulders？JustHeaven，whatimpertinence！Andyet，isitnotmydutytoputupwithit？Doesnotthisapparentinsolenceproceedfromthepenofaholyman？Ifhetellsmetoflogmywickednessoutofme，isitnotmyboundendutytolayonthescourgewithallmymightimmediately？SinnerthatIam！Iamthinkingremorsefullyofmyplumpshouldersandthedimplesonmyback，whenI
oughttobethinkingofnothingbutthecat-o\'-nine-tailsandobediencetoFatherDeveaux？\"
ThesereflectionssoongavemetheresolutionwhichIhadwantedatfirst。Iwasashamedtoaskthenunsforaninstrumentofflagellation；
soImadeoneformyselfofstoutcord，pitilesslyknottedatveryshortintervals。Thisdone，Ishutmyselfupwhilethenunswereatprayer，uncoveredmyshoulders，andrainedsuchashoweroflashesonthem，inthefirstfervourofmynewly-awakenedzeal，thatIfairlyfloggedmyselfdownontheground，flatonmynose，beforeIhadrepeatedmoreoftheMisererethanthefirsttwoorthreelines。
Iburstoutcrying，sheddingtearsofspiteagainstmyselfwhenIoughttohavebeensheddingtearsofdevotionalgratitudeforthekindnessofFatherDeveaux。AllthroughthenightIneverclosedmyeyes，andinthemorningIfoundmypoorshoulders（oncesogenerallyadmiredfortheirwhiteness）stripedwithallthecoloursoftherainbow。Thesightthrewmeintoapassion，andIprofanelysaidtomyselfwhileIwasdressing，\"ThenexttimeIseeFatherDeveaux，Iwillgivemytonguefullswing，andmakethehairofthatholymanstandonendwithterror！\"Afewhoursafterwards，hecametotheconvent，andallmyresolutionmeltedawayatthesightofhim。HisimposingexteriorhadsuchaneffectonmethatIcouldonlyhumblyentreathimtoexcusemefromindictingasecondflagellationonmyself。Hesmiled，benignantly，andgrantedmyrequestwithasaintlyamiability。\"Givemethecat-o\'-nine-tails，\"hesaid，inconclusion，\"andIwillkeepitforyoutillyouaskmeforitagain。Youaresuretoaskforitagain，dearchild——toaskforitonyourbendedknees！\"