pt interposition of the Governor
and troops. Comparative quietness again reigned in every quarter of the
city.
Le Gardeur de Repentigny had voluntarily surrendered himself to the
guard and given up his sword, being overwhelmed with remorse for his
act. He had been placed, not in irons as he had demanded, but as a
prisoner in the strong ward of the Castle of St. Louis.
"I pray you, reverend Mere Superior," said Amelie, "permit us now to
go into the Chapel of Saints to lay our hearts, as did our kinswoman,
Madelaine de Repentigny, at the feet of our Lady of Grand Pouvoir."
"Go, my children, and our prayers shall go with you," replied the
Superior; "the lamp of Repentigny will burn brighter than ever to-night
to welcome you."
The Chapel of Saints was held in reverence as the most sacred place in
the monastery. It contained the shrines and relics of many saints
and martyrs. The devout nuns lavished upon it their choicest works
of embroidery, painting, and gilding, in the arts of which they were
eminent. The old Sacristaine was kneeling before the altar as Amelie and
Heloise entered the Chapel.
An image of the Virgin occupied a niche in the Chapel wall, and before
it burned the silver lamp of Repentigny which had been hung there two
generations before, in memory of the miraculous call of Madelaine de
Repentigny and her victory over the world.
The high-bred and beautiful Madelaine had been the delight and pride of
Ville Marie. Stricken with grief by the death of a young officer to whom
she was affianced, she retired to Quebec, and knelt daily at the feet of
our Lady of Pouvoir, beseeching her for a sign if it was her will that
she should become an Ursuline.
The sign was given, and Madelaine de Repentigny at once exchanged her
gay robes for the coarse black gown and veil, and hung up this votive
lamp before the Madonna as a perpetual memorial of her miraculous call.
Seven generations of men have passed away since then. The house of
Repentigny has disappeared from their native land. Their name and fame
lie buried in oblivion, except in that little Chapel of the Saints where
their lamp still burns brightly as ever. The pious nuns of St. Ursule,
as the last custodians of the traditions of New France, preserve that
sole memorial of the glories and misfortunes of the noble house,--the
lamp of Repentigny.
Amelie and Heloise remained long in the Chapel of Saints, kneeling upon
the hard floor as they prayed with te
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