not mean that while we must not profess to be better than
we are, we may make any number of professions, and tell any number of
falsehoods, in order to appear worse than we are. That may be your
notion of holiness; but suffer me to say, it is not my notion of
honesty. I mean to try and do my duty; and if any of my Sisters thinks
I am not doing it, she will confer a favour on me if she will not talk
it over with the other Sisters, but come straight to my rooms and tell
me so. I promise to consider any such rebukes, honestly, as before God;
and if on meditation and prayer I find that I have been wrong, I will
confess it to you. But if I think that it was simply done out of spite
or impertinence, that Sister will have a penance set her. I hope, now,
we understand each other: and I beg the prayers of you all that I may
rule in the fear of God, showing neither partiality nor want of
sympathy, but walking in the right way, and keeping this house pure from
sin."

Sister Ada made no answer whatever. Sister Ismania said, with much
feeling--

"Suffer me, Mother, to answer for the younger Sisters, and I trust the
Mothers will pardon me if I am over ready. Sure am I that the majority
of my Sisters will consent to my reply. We will indeed pray that you
may have the grace of perseverance in good works, and will strive to
obey your holy directions in the right path. I ask every Sister who
will promise the same to say `_Placet_.'"

There was a storm of _Placets_ in response. But unless I was mistaken,
Sister Ada and Sister Roberga were silent.

It was while she was answering "_Placet_" that I caught sight of
Margaret's face. What had happened to make her look thus white and wan,
with the expressive eyes so full of tears behind them, which she could
not or would not shed? I sat in pain the whole day until evening, and
the more because she seemed rather to avoid me. But at night, when we
had parted, and all was quiet in the dormitories, a very faint rap came
at the door of my cell. I bade the applicant enter in peace: and
Margaret presented herself.

"Annora!" she said, hesitating timidly.

I knew what that meant.

"Come to me, little Sister," I said.

She came forward at once, closing the door behind her, and knelt down at
my feet. Then she buried her face in her hands, and laid face and hands
upon my knee.

"Let me weep!" she sobbed. "Oh, let me weep for a few moments in
silence, and do not speak to me!"