y remember, my lord, the ground
upon the other side of the building is on a lower level than the
cloister lawn. The windows of the Reverend Mother's cell are therefore
raised above the shrubbery and it is not possible to see into the
chamber. But Sister Mary Rebecca, who went round after dark, noted
that the Reverend Mother had lighted her tapers and drawn her curtains.
This morning the light is extinguished, the curtains are drawn back,
and the casement flung open. Moreover at the usual hour for rising,
the Reverend Mother rang the bell, as is her custom, to waken the
nuns--rang it from within her cell, by means of this rope and pulley."

"Ah," said the Bishop.

"Sister Abigail, up already, thereupon ran to the Reverend Mother's
cell; and, the bell still swinging, tapped and asked if she might bring
in milk and bread. Once more the only answer was the low chanting of
prayers. Also, Sister Abigail declares, the voice was so weak and
faltering, she scarce knew it for the Reverend Mother's. And since
then, my lord, there has been silence within the cell, and a sore sense
of fear within our hearts; for it is unlike the Reverend Mother to keep
her door locked, when the entire community calls and knocks without."

The Bishop lifted his hand.

"In that speak you truly, Mother Sub-Prioress," said he. "Also I must
tell you without further delay, that the Prioress is not within her
cell."

"_Not_ within her cell!" exclaimed Mother Sub-Prioress.

"Not within her cell!" shrieked a score of terrified voices, like
seagulls calling to each other, before a gathering storm.

"The Prioress left the Convent yesterday afternoon," said the Bishop,
"with my knowledge and approval; travelling at once, with a sufficient
escort, to a place some distance from Worcester, where I also spent the
night. I have come to bring you a message from His Holiness the Pope,
sent to me direct from Rome. . . . The Holy Father bids me say that
your Prioress has been moved on by me, with his full knowledge and
approval, to a place where she is required for higher service. Perhaps
I may also tell you," added the Bishop, looking with kindly sympathy
upon all the blankly disconcerted faces, "that this morning I myself
performed a solemn rite, for which I held the Pope's especial mandate,
setting apart your late Prioress for this higher service. She grieved
that it was not possible to bid you farewell. She sends you loving
greetings, her thanks