eof
tidings were brought to the Marquis and Marchioness, who thought it all
so strange that they could scarcely believe it.

Pauline, wishing to show herself untrammelled by any passion, strove as
best she might to conceal her sorrow, in such wise that all said she had
right soon forgotten the deep affection of her faithful lover. And so
five or six months passed by without any sign on her part, but in the
meanwhile some monk had shown her a song which her lover had made a
short time after he had taken the cowl. The air was an Italian one and
pretty well known; as for the words, I have put them into our own tongue
as nearly as I can, and they are these:--

What word shall be
Hers unto me,
When I appear in convent guise
Before her eyes?

Ah! sweet maiden,
Lone, heart-laden,
Dumb because of days that were;
When the streaming
Tears are gleaming
'Mid the streaming of thy hair,
Ah! with hopes of earth denied thee,
Holiest thoughts will heavenward guide thee
To the hallowing cloister's door.
What word shall be, &c.

What shall they say,
Who wronged us, they
Who have slain our heart's desire,
Seeing true love
Doth flawless prove,
Thus tried as gold in fire?
When they see my heart is single,
Their remorseful tears shall mingle,
Each and other weeping sore.
What word shall be, &c.

And should they come
To will us home,
How vain were all endeavour!
"Nay, side by side,
"We here shall bide
"Till soul from soul shall sever.
"Though of love your hate bereaves us
"Yet the veil and cowl it leaves us,
"We shall wear till life be o'er."
What word shall be, &c.

And should they move
Our flesh to love
Once more the mockers, singing
Of fruits and flowers
In golden hours
For mated hearts upspringing;
We shall say: "Our lives are given,
Flower and fruit, to God in Heaven,
Who shall hold them evermore."
What word shall be, &c.

O victor Love!
Whose might doth move
My wearied footsteps hither,
Here grant me days
Of prayer and praise,
Grant faith that ne'er shall wither;
Love of each to either given,
Hallowed by the grace of Heaven,
God shall bless for evermore.
What word shall be, &c.

Avaunt Earth's weal!
Its bands are steel