l pray together for Le Gardeur,
beseeching God to pity and forgive."

Amelie knocked at the door twice before a sound of light footsteps was
heard within. A veiled nun appeared at the little wicket and looked
gravely for a moment upon the two postulantes for admission, repeating
the formula usual on such occasions.

"What seek you, my sisters?"

"To come in and find rest, good Mere des Seraphins," replied Amelie, to
whom the portiere was well known. "We desire to leave the world and
live henceforth with the community in the service and adoration of our
blessed Lord, and to pray for the sins of others as well as our own."

"It is a pious desire, and no one stands at the door and knocks but it
is opened. Wait, my sisters, I will summon the Lady Superior to admit
you."

The nun disappeared for a few minutes. Her voice was heard again as she
returned to the wicket: "The Lady Superior deputes to Mere Esther the
privilege, on this occasion, of receiving the welcome postulantes of the
house of Repentigny."

The portiere retired from the wicket. The heavy door swung noiselessly
back, opening the way into a small antechamber, floored with smooth
flags, and containing a table and a seat or two. On either side of the
interior door of the antechamber was a turnstile or tourelle, which
enabled the inmates within to receive anything from the outside world
without being themselves seen. Amelie and Heloise passed through the
inner door, which opened as of its own accord, as they approached it
with trembling steps and troubled mien.

A tall nun, of commanding figure but benign aspect, received the two
ladies with the utmost affection, as well-known friends.

Mere Esther wore a black robe sweeping the ground. It was bound at the
waist by a leathern girdle. A black veil fell on each side of the snowy
fillet that covered her forehead, and half covered the white wimple upon
her neck and bosom.

At the first sight of the veil thrown over the heads of Amelie and
Heloise, and the agitation of both, she knew at once that the time of
these two girls, like that of many others, had come. Their arrival was
a repetition of the old, old story, of which her long experience had
witnessed many instances.

"Good mother," exclaimed Amelie, throwing her arms around the nun, who
folded her tenderly to her bosom, although her face remained calm and
passionless, "we are come at last! Heloise and I wish to live and die in
the monastery. Good Mothe