to
share the girl's captivity.

Paula maintained her dignity and composure under this unexpected shock.
Only when it came to taking leave of Pulcheria and Mary, who clung to her
in frantic grief and begged to go with her and Betta to prison, she could
not restrain her tears.

The scribe had informed her that she was charged dy Bishop Plotinus with
having plotted the escape and flight of the nuns, and Joanna's knees
trembled under her when Paula whispered in her ear:

"Beware of Katharina! No one else could have betrayed us; if she has also
revealed what Rufinus did for the sisters we must deny it, positively and
unflinchingly. Fear nothing: they will get not a word out of me." Then
she added aloud: "I need not beg you to remember me lovingly; thanks to
you both--the warmest, deepest thanks for all. . . . You, Pul. . . ." And
she clasped the mother and daughter to her bosom, while Mary, clinging to
her, hid her little face in her skirts, weeping bitterly. . . . "You,
Dame Joanna, took me in, a forlorn creature, and made me happy till Fate
fell on us all--you know, ah! you know too well.--The kindness you have
shown to me show now to my little Mary. And there is one thing more--here
comes the interpreter again!--A moment yet, I beg!--If the messenger
should return and bring news of my father or, my God! my God!--my father
himself, let me know, or bring him to me!--Or, if I am dead by the time
he comes, tell him that to find him, to see him once more, was my heart's
dearest wish. And beg my father," she breathed the words into Joanna's
ear, "to love Orion as a son. And tell them both that I loved them to the
last, deeply, perfectly, beyond words!" Then she added aloud as: she
kissed each on her eyes and lips: "I love you and shall always love
you--you, Joanna, and you, my Pulcheria, and you, Mary, my sweet,
precious darling."

At this the water-wagtail humed forward with outstretched arms, but Dame
Joanna put out a significantly warning hand; and they who were one in
heart clasped each other in a last embrace as though they were indeed but
one and no stranger could have any part in it.

Once more Katharina tried to approach Paula; but Martina, whose eyes
filled with tears as she looked on the parting, held her back by the
shoulder and whispered:

"Do not disturb them, child. Such hearts spontaneously attract those for
whom they yearn. I, old as I am, would gladly be worthy to be called."

The interpreter now sternl