should come again, and walk and move among the haunts of
men, seeking out the surroundings they have loved and left, seems
always to hold terror for the untutored mind, which knows not that the
Dead are more alive than the living; and that there is no death, saving
the death of sin.

But to the Reverend Mother, guarding her flock from sin or shame, a
visitor from the Unseen World held less of horror than a possible
intruder from the Seen.

A rapid glance as she sounded the bell, had shown her that the passage
was empty.

Which cell now sheltered two, where there should be but one?

The Prioress walked across to a recess near the south window, touched a
spring, and slid back a portion of the oak panelling. Passing her hand
into a secret hiding place in the wall, she drew forth a beautifully
fashioned dagger, with carved ivory handle, crossed metal thumb-guard,
blade of bevelled steel, polished and narrowing to a sharp needle
point. She tested the point, then slipped the weapon into her belt,
beneath her scapulary. As she closed the panel, and turned back into
the chamber, a light of high resolve was in her eyes. Her whole
bearing betokened so fine a fearlessness, such noble fixity of purpose
that, looking on her, Mary Antony felt her own fears vanishing.

"Now listen, dear Antony," said the Prioress, holding the old woman
with her look. "I must make sure that this twenty-first White Lady of
thine is but a trick played on thee by thy peas. Should she be
anywhere in the Convent I shall most certainly have speech with her.

"Meanwhile, go thou to thy kitchens, and give thy mind to the preparing
of the evening meal. But ring not the Refectory bell until I bid thee.
Nay, I myself will sound it this evening. It may suit me to keep the
nuns somewhat longer at their devotions.

"Should I sound the alarm bell, let all thy helpers run up here; but go
thou to the cell of Mother Sub-Prioress and persuade her not to rise.
If needful say that it is my command that she keep her bed. . . .
Great heavens! What a crash! May our Lady defend us! The lightning
inclines to strike. I shall pass to each cell and make sure that none
are too greatly alarmed."

"Now, haste thee, Antony; and not a word concerning thy fears must pass
thy lips to any; no mention of a twenty-first White Lady nor"--the
Prioress crossed herself--"of Sister Agatha, to whom may our Lord grant
everlasting rest."

Mary Antony, kneeling, kissed the he