Alphonse gives a letter to Lauretta (Lathom, La Cloche de minuit t1, Nicolle, 1797) - Mariage after Challiou

Alphonse, forced by his mother to flee the family castle, wanders destitute across Saxony. He finally manages to get hired as sacristan at the convent of St. Helena, where his task is to ring the bell five times a day and prepare the chapel for the various services.

He gradually falls in love with a young novice, Lauretta, but his status forbids him any contact with her. Determined despite everything to make his feelings known to her, he writes a letter and passes it on to her when Lauretta enters the chapel and approaches him to touch the holy water he is carrying.

It is this scene that the engraving depicts: Lauretta and Alphonse exchange a tender glance and understand each other without ever having spoken. Taking advantage of this furtive moment, Alphonse discreetly slips her his letter, while around them the nuns and other novices are busy praying.