My convent school...........11 My father......................20 THe making of two celebrated sisters............39 My mother.................50 Porto fino......................62 Rome and monte cassino.............66 Gormanston................74 Tongues in tress...............80 My life in ireland...............88 two daughters of eve.........................99 Trapped in the republican area...........106 the vow..............117 insomnia....................125 Wiesbaden 1928..........................132 In praise of middle age.................141 Introduction to enchantment..................149 Near misses.............159