Later she read about the scandals throughout history. About the ancient aristocrats who moved their daughters into the convent only because it was a more affordable alternative to a dowry. About poor Arcangela Tarabotti, forced into monasticism like many others in the seventeenth century because she was disabled. About the Medicis, and the lay nuns called skivvies, who were made to be servants to the dowried nuns. But it was none of this that deterred her. Only that at some point, Theresa discovered boys. She tucked away her dream then, as if it were any other childish thing, a stuffed toy or
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