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NONLINEARWAVE ANDPLASMA STRUCTURESIN THEAURORAL ANDSUBAURORAL GEOSPACE

EVGENY V.MISHIN

AirForceResearchLaboratory,SpaceVehiclesDirectorate,Albuquerque,NewMexico,UnitedStates

ANATOLY V.STRELTSOV

Embry-RiddleAeronauticalUniversity,DepartmentofPhysicalSciences,DaytonaBeach,Florida,UnitedStates

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Preface

Fromsmartwatchesandcellphonesto GPSsatellites,humanityincreasinglyrelies ontheabilityofmoderngadgetstoexchange informationviaelectromagneticwaves.The qualityofsuchcommunicationlinks,however,dependsonthepropagationcharacteristicsofthenear-Earthplasmaenvironment, whichisfrequentlynotatequilibrium.In particular,plasmairregularitiesoccurringin theionosphereduringspacestormscause severedistortionofwavetrajectories,leading totheinterruptionofcommunicationand navigation.Enhanced ﬂuxesofMeV,socalled “killer” electronsformingtheEarth’ s radiationbelts,strikespacecraft,thereby shorteningtheirlifetime.Thesephenomena representjustafractionoftheSun-driven spaceweatheraffectingtechnologicalsystemsinnear-Earthspace.Theself-explanatoryterm “spaceweather” remainsinuse sincethespaceerabegan.

Humankindwillprobablyneverhave controlofspaceweather.Themainpractical

purposedrivingresearchinthis ﬁeldis, therefore,toidentifypossibleeffectsofspace storms,tounderstandandtopredictstorm developmentfromtheSuntotheground, andthentodevelopmethodstomitigate thoseeffects.TheSunistheultimateenergy sourceofspaceweather.Ground-basedand onboardsensorsmonitortheSuntodetect theonsetofcoronalmassejections(CMEs), whenbillionsoftonsofthehotsolarplasma areejectedintointerplanetaryspaceand createashockwavemovingfromtheSunat aspeedgreatlyexceedingthatofanundisturbedsolarwind.

CMEsaremanifestedbysharplyintensiﬁedoptical(solar ﬂare),radio,andX-ray radiation.Theradiationcoversthedistance betweentheSunandtheEarth(1AU z 150 millionkilometers)inabout500seconds, whereastheshocksapproachtheEarthin about1 2days.Theshockarrivalatthe magnetosphere’sboundary,themagnetopause,leadstoanabruptcompressionofthe

FIGURE0.1 Artist’snot-to-scaleillustrationofaSpaceWeatherevent:CoronalMassEjectionmanifestedbya solar ﬂare(whitelight)createsashockwavemovingtowardtheEarth’smagnetosphere. Source:NASA www. sunearthplan.net/3/inter.

magnetosphere,indicatedbyaso-called “stormsuddencommencement(SSC)” inthe geomagnetic ﬁeld.Anotherglobalmanifestationistheso-called “shockaurora” caused byelectronsprecipitatingfromthedisturbed magnetosphereintotheloweratmosphere. Fig.0.1 providesanimpressiveillustrationof thespaceweatherconcept.

Amorecontinuouseffectresultsfroma so-calledmagneticcloud atwisted,magneticstructurecarriedbytheperturbedsolar wind whichinteractswiththeEarth’ s magnetic field.Thisinteraction,viaacomplexprocessof “reconnection” or “merging” atthemagnetopause,leadstotheelectromagneticandplasmaenergyin flowanda strongdistortionofthegeomagnetic field. Theinteractionisparticularlystrongatpolar latitudesbecauseofthisregion’smagnetic connectiontothesolarwind.Thisprocess resultsintheintensificationofaglobalelectric fieldandcurrentsystemaccompaniedby particleenergizationandprecipitationinto theatmosphere,creatingauroraeevenat mid-latitudesduringmajorspacestorms.

Theelectromagneticandparticleenergy flowingintothemagnetospheremakesthe magnetosphere ionospheresystemunstable.Variousplasmainstabilitiesleadtoenergyreleaseandtheultimaterelaxationof thesystemtoanewequilibriumstateafter themagneticcloudpasseson.Instabilitiesin theoutermagnetosphere,suchasreconnectionatthemagnetopauseandinthemagnetotail,maintaintheglobalenergybalance byinjectingelectromagneticandparticle fluxesintotheinnermagnetosphere.Inturn, instabilitiesintheinnermagnetosphere generateelectromagneticwavesandplasma turbulencethatenhancesenergydissipation inaglobalelectriccircuit,energizesplasma, andmakesparticlestrappedinthegeomagnetic fieldprecipitate.

Thegoalofthisbookistoconsistently applythemethodsofplasmatheoryto

selectedgeospacephenomenathatarecriticalfortheunderstandingofelectromagnetic andplasmadisturbancesinthenear-Earth plasmaenvironmentatauroralandsubaurorallatitudes.Weintendtodemonstrate thattheunderlyingphysicsofmanyofthese phenomenaisthesameinthedifferentparts ofthestronglycoupledmagnetosphere ionospheresystem.Nonetheless,thesame classicalplasmainstabilitiesandnonlinear interactionsoccurringatdifferentlatitudes canleadtodifferentobservationalphenomena,dependingonthebackgroundparametersandthedisturbancemagnitude.We illustratetheresultsofthetheoreticalanalysiswithalargenumberofobservations madeoverthepast40years,startingwith the ﬁrstactiveexperimentsconductedin spaceandendingwiththemostrecentobservationsfromthegroundsensorsand satellites.

Thisbookconsistsof fiveparts.InPart1, weprovideageneraldescriptionofthebasic structuralelementsofthenear-Earthspace environmentforreadersunfamiliarwiththe subject.Part2describesthelineartheoryof plasmawaves,basicplasmainstabilities,and nonlinearwave particleandwave wave interactions.Part3outlinesprocessesoccurringintheauroralgeospaceduringsubstorms,aswellasthespatialandtemporal characteristicsofdifferenttypesofaurorae andtheirphysicalsources.Part4containsa surveyofthe “classical” auroraresultedfrom thecollisionalimpactofenergeticelectronson theatmosphere,describesobservationsof noncollisionalauroralfeatures,artificial auroraexperiments,thetheoryofnonlinear electronbeam plasmainteractionsapplied toaurorae,andplasmaheatingeffectsinthe auroralEregion.Part5describesthebasic featuresandprocessesoccurringduring auroralsubstormsinthesubauroralgeospace,includingsubauroral auroralboundaryprocesses,subauroral flowchannelsand

arcs,aswellasthegenerationanddynamics ofVLFwhistlerwaves.

Asarule,wewillnotdwellontheoretical detailsbygivingallthebasicderivationsand concepts;ratherwewillprovidejustenough backgroundforunderstandingtheoretical andexperimentalresultsinsubsequent chapters.Nonetheless,therequirementfor thistextisareasonablefamiliaritywiththe contentsofatypicalgraduatephysicsor engineeringcurriculum,includingclassical mechanics,vectoralgebra,Maxwell’ sequations,andcalculus.Inquisitivereaderscan ﬁndfurtherdetailsandrigorousderivations incomprehensivereviewsandtextbooks listedinRecommendedReading.

Thisbookisnotjustasummaryof researchresults;ratheritisapresentationof thebasicissuesofauroralandsubauroral plasmaphysics,togetherwithillustrationsof simplemodelswhereverappropriate.The materialcoveredcouldserveasagood foundationonwhichanundergraduateor graduatestudentcouldbuildanunderstandingofthepastandpresentresearchin this ﬁeld.Wehavealreadyusedsomeparts ofthisbookinundergraduateandgraduate SpacePlasmaPhysicscoursesatEmbryRiddleAeronauticalUniversity.Forthe experiencedresearcher,wehopethatthis bookisausefulpresentationofthestatus

quointhe ﬁeld.Concerningreferences,we believethatthehistoricalaspectsofthe ﬁeld aresubordinatetoapropergraspofthe underlyingphysicsdescribedinmostrecent booksandreviewpapers.

Thisbookisaresultof40þ yearsofthe authors’ activeresearch,startedintheUSSR andcontinuedintheUS,incooperationwith manycolleagueswhosehardworkledtothe developmentofthisdiscipline.Weare gratefultoallofthem.Wewouldespecially liketoacknowledgeandthankRoaldSagdeev,whointroducedthemanyfascinating ideasconstitutingthecoreofnonlinear plasmaphysics,aswellasAlbert(Alec) Galeev,GerhardHaerendel,TorHagfors, VitalyShapiro,DennisPapadopoulos,Goran Marklund,LarryLyons,JohnFoster,Bill Burke,andVilenMishin.Ourspecialthanks gotoCharlotteJohnsonforherableassistanceineditingthismanuscriptandmaking itmorereadableforpeopleunfamiliarwith plasmainstabilities.

Weacknowledgethecontinuous financial supportofouractivitybytheAirForce OfficeofScienti ficResearch.Andlast,but notleast,ourdeepappreciationtoourwives, LubaMishinandNataliaStreltsov,fortheir constantencouragementduringthewriting ofthisbookandforbearingwithusthrough itssuccessfulcompletion.

Introduction:near-Earthspace environment

Thenear-Earthspacecanbedefinedastheregionwherethesolarwindmagnetic fieldand plasmainteractwiththemagnetic fieldandplasmasuppliedbytheEarth.Itstartsatthedistance w10 12 RE towardtheSunandextendsto >100 RE inthedirectionfromtheSun.It consistsofseverallarge,distinctiveregions,which,inturn,containsmallerregionswith differentparametersoftheplasmaandthemagnetic field,andasaresult,withdifferent dominantwaveandparticleprocesses.Inthatsense,thenear-Earthspaceissimilartoa Russian “Matryoshka” dollorChineseBoxes,wheresmallerobjectsarenestedinsidethe largerones.

Fig.1.1 depicts ﬁvemainregionsinthenear-Earthspace:(1)BowShock,(2)Magnetosheath,(3)Cusps,(4)Magnetosphere,and(5)Ionosphere.Eachoftheseregionshasitsown subregions,withdifferentparametersoftheplasmaandthemagnetic ﬁeld.Forexample, theintegralpartsoftheMagnetospherearetheMagnetotail,Plasmasheet,andPlasmasphere. IntheMagnetotail,wedistinguishtheMantle,Lobes,andCurrentsheet.Intheplasmasphere, whichcontainsmainlyadensecoldplasma,corotatingwiththeEarth,twoenergeticparticle populationsdeservespecialattention.Oneofthesepopulationsisradiationbeltparticles,and theotherisringcurrentparticles.

Letusdiscusstheseregionsinsomedetail.

1.1Bowshock

Thisisaregionatadistance z10 12 RE fromthecenteroftheEarthtowardtheSun.Here, theshockwaveassociatedwiththesupersonicsolarwindplasmaaroundtheobstacle (Earth’smagnetosphere)isformed.Indeed,theaveragevelocityofthesolarwindnearthe Earth(atdistance1AUfromtheSun)is usw ¼ 400km/s;theelectrontemperature Te z 105 K;andtheiontemperature Ti z 104 K.Atypicalvalueofthesoundspeedinthesolarwindplasmais cs w 40km/s,sothatthesonicMachnumber Ms ¼ usw/cs z 10.Therefore,thesolarwindissupersonicneartheEarth’sorbit,andtheshockwaveappearsnear

thelocationwherethesupersonic ﬂowinteractswiththeEarth’smagnetosphere.Thisisthe bowshock.

1.2Magnetosheath

ThisisaregionbetweenthebowshockandtheEarth’smagnetosphere.Here,thetransitionfromtheinterplanetarymagnetic ﬁeldcarriedbythesolarwindtothemagnetic ﬁeld generatedinsidetheEarthoccurs.Theplasmainthemagnetosheathisthepostshocksolar windplasmaofthedensity n z 5cm 3 and Te z Te z 10eV.

1.3Polarcusps

Thesearetwonarrow,funnel-likeregionsintheNorthernandSouthernhemispheres wherethesolarwindplasmacanpenetratetolowaltitudesuptotheionospheredueto thedipolegeometryoftheEarth’smagnetic ﬁeld(SmithandLockwood,1996).

FIGURE1.1 Near-Earthspaceenvironmentandmagnetosphericcurrents. Fromtheinternet.

1.4Magnetosphere

Thisisapartofthenear-Earthspacewithprimarilythemagneticdipole ﬁeldalthough disguisedbytheinteractionwiththesolarwind(e.g., Bagenal,1985).Themagnetosphere isnormallydividedintothedaysidemagnetosphereandthemagnetotail.Theboundary separatingthemagnetospherefromthemagnetosheathiscalleda magnetopause.Technically speaking,thisistheboundaryaroundthedaysidemagnetosphereandthemagnetotail,but moreoften,itisusedtospecifytheboundarybetweenthemagnetosheathandthedayside magnetosphere(Paschmann,1979; Russel,1981).

Oneofthemainparametersdescribingthedaysidemagnetopauseistheso-calledstandoff distance,whichdefinesthedistancefromthecenteroftheEarthtothesubsolarpointwhere themagnetopauseissupposedtobe.Thisdistanceiscalculatedfromapressurebalancebetweenthedynamicpressureinthesolarwind, rSW u2 SW ,andthemagnetic fieldpressureinside themagnetosphere, B2 2m0 .Basically,itisassumedthatthemagnetic fieldinthesolarwindis weak(usually, BSW z 4 8nTneartheEarth),andthepressureinthesolarwindisduetothe dynamicpressureonly.Insidethemagnetosphere,theplasmaisrelativelycold,stationary, anddiluted,andthepressurethereisduetothemagnetic fieldonly.Ifweassumethatthe magnetic fieldinsidethedaysidemagnetosphereisdipole,thenthemagnitudeofthis field intheequatorialplaneis B ¼ BE ðRE =rÞ3 ,where r isthegeocentricdistance, RE ¼ 6371.2km istheradiusoftheEarth,and BE ¼ 3.2 10 5 T.Inthiscase,theequationdefiningthedistancetothemagnetopauseinthesubsolarpointfromthecenteroftheEarth, rMP ,is

For “typical” parametersofthesolarwind, usw ¼ 400km/s, mi ¼ mp ¼ 1.67 10 27 kg, and n ¼ 6cm 3,thisdistanceis rMP z8RE ,whichislessthantheaveragedistancetothe magnetopauseobservedbysatellitesinthesubsolarregion.Thisvaluecanbecorrectedby consideringeffectsfromtheChapman Ferrarocurrents flowingaroundthedaysidemagnetosphere.Thesecurrentswillbedescribedshortlyinthischapter.Here,wejustnotethatthey originatefromthemagneticcurvatureandgradientdriftmotionoftheparticlesinthesolar windfacingthestrongmagnetic fieldonthemagnetosphere.Theresultingcurrent flowsin theeclipticplanefromdawntoduskproducingamagnetic field,whichincreasesthemagnetic fieldinsidethemagnetosphereanddecreasesitoutsidethemagnetopause.

Ifthemagnitudeofthemagnetic fieldproducedbytheChapman Ferrarocurrentisequal tothemagnitudeofthe fieldoutsidethemagnetopause,thenitwillcancelthemagnetic field outsideanddoubleitinside.Inthiscase,tocalculatethedistancetothemagnetopause,one shoulduse B0 E ¼ 2BE in Eq.(1.1) insteadof BE ,andtheresultingexpressionfor rMP is

Now, rMP z10RE forthesametypicalparametersofthesolarwind,andthisvaluecorrespondstotheobservations.

1.4.1Magnetotail

PlasmaMantle.Thisistheregionofthemagnetosphereadjacenttothemagnetopause. Here,theplasmadensityis z 0.1 1.0cm 3 and Te z 100eV.

TailLobes.Northernandsouthernlobesofthemagnetotailextenddownstreamfrom theEarthto >200 RE.Magnetic fieldlinesinthelobesarenearlyparalleltoeachother andthestrengthofthemagnetic fieldis z 20nT.Theplasmadensityhereisverylow, z 0.01cm 3 , Te z 100eV,and Ti z 1keV.Thisregionofthemagnetotailmapsalongthe magnetic fieldtothepolarcapandprovidesaspatiallyhomogeneous “polarrain” ofelectronswithenergiesofafewhundredeVintotheionosphere.

Plasmasheet.Thisisacentralpartofthemagnetosphere.Inthenightsidemagnetosphere,it separatestwotaillobes.Themagnetic fieldinthenightsideoftheplasmasheetisweakerthan inthelobes.The fieldissupposedtobenearzerointhemostcentralpartofthenightside plasmasheetwherethereconnectionoccurs.InthepartoftheplasmasheetclosertotheEarth, themagnetic fieldlinesare “closed,” andthisregionmapsbythemagnetic fieldtotheauroral ovalinthehigh-latitudeionosphere.Theaverageplasmadensityintheplasmasheet is z 0.3 1.0cm 3 , Te z 0.5 1.0keV,and Ti z 3.0 6.0keV.Themagnetic fieldhereis weakerthaninthelobesandtheplasmaisdenserthantheplasmainthelobes.

BoundaryLayers.Twoadditionalsubregionsinthemagnetotaildeservingspecialattention aretheplasmasheetboundarylayerandthelow-latitudeboundarylayer(LLBL).Theyare shownin Fig.1.1.Theselayersrepresentnarrowtransitionregions,whereparametersof theplasmachangesigni ﬁcantlyoverarelativelyshortdistanceleadingtostrongtransverse gradientsinplasmadensity,temperature,andvelocity.Thesegradientscausethedevelopmentofthehydrodynamicsinstabilities(e.g.,Kelvin HelmholtzinstabilityinLLBL),which affecttheelectromagneticdynamicsofthemagnetosphere.

1.4.2Plasmasphere

Theplasmasphereconsistsofatorusofrelativelycoldanddenseplasmaofionospheric origincorotatingwiththeEarth.Here, n > 100cm 3 and Te z Ti z 1eV.Theperiodofthe plasmasphererotationaroundtheEarthis z 26hor w10%longerthantheperiodofthe Earth’srotation.Theplasmasphereisboundedintheradialdirectionbyasharp,welldeﬁnedboundarycalledthe plasmapause.Duringquietgeomagneticconditions,theplasmapauselocatesonthemagnetic ﬁeldlinesthatmapdownto z60degreesmagneticlatitude. Thecharacteristicscalesizeoftheplasmapauseintheradialdirectioncanbeintherange 0.01 0.1 RE,andtheplasmadensitychangesoverthisdistancefrom <10cm 3 outsidethe plasmasphereto >100cm 3 inside(CarpenterandAnderson,1992; LuiandHamilton,1992). Theplasmaspherealsocontainsseveralpopulationsofenergeticparticleswhichnormally areconsideredseparately.Thesepopulationsincludeparticlesformingradiationbeltsand carryingringcurrent.

1.4.3Radiationbelts

The ﬁrstpopulationconsistsoflow-densityenergeticelectronsandionsformingso-called radiationbeltsaroundtheEarth.Theelectronswithenergies >0.5MeVacceleratedinthe

plasmasheet,formanouterradiationbeltintheregionbetween L ¼ 2.4and L ¼ 6magnetic shells.Protonswithenergies >100MeV,originatingfromthedecayofneutronsproducedin theatmospherebycosmicrays,formtheinnerradiationbeltnear L ¼ 1.5.Thetworadiation beltsareseparatedbythe “ gap ” or “slot” regionnear L ¼ 2.0.

Thedensityoftheenergeticparticlesinbothradiationbeltsis10 4 10 6 ofthetotaldensity,butbecauseoftheirhighenergy,theseparticlescreatearealdangerforsatellitesand humansoperatinginspace.Theyalsocangeneratesometypeofplasmawaves(forexample, VLFwhistler-modewaves)viacyclotronwave particleinteractions.

1.4.4Ringcurrent

Thesecondpopulationcomprisesofionswithatypicalenergyof z50 70keV.The mechanismproducingtheringcurrentisthemagnetic fieldcurvatureandgradientdrift, asisthecaseofthecurrentsonthedaysidemagnetosphere.However,theringcurrent ionsareenergizedinthemagnetotailandmovealonganalmostparallelmagnetic fieldin theplasmasheetuntiltheyreachtheregionofthestrongdipolemagnetic fieldintheplasmasphere.Thenduetothegradientandcurvatureofthemagnetic fieldionsstartdrifting westwardandelectronseastwardintheeclipticplanearoundtheEarth.Thenetcurrent flows inthewestwarddirectionintheequatorialplane.Duringstormtime,substantialfractionof theringcurrentionscomesfromtheionosphere.

1.5Ionosphere

Theionosphereisapartiallyionizedgasoccupyingtherangeofaltitudesfrom80to 2000kmabovetheEarth.Somebookssuggestconsideringthisgasasaplasmaandsome donot.Thereasonforthatdiscrepancyisthatthedensityoftheneutralatmosphericparticles inthemainregionsoftheionosphere(<400km)is100 1000timeshigherthanthedensityof thechargedparticles,whichmakescollisionswithneutralsandelectrochemicalreactionsbetweendifferentspeciesveryimportantparticipantsoftheionosphericprocesses.Excellentreviewofphysicsandchemistryoftheionosphereisgivenby Schunk(1983), SchunkandNagy (2004),and Kelley(2009).

ThemidlatitudeionosphereismostlyproducedbythephotoionizationoftheneutralatmospherebyEUVandX-rayradiationfromtheSun.Twootherimportantproductionmechanismsare(1)theimpactionizationofneutralsbysuperthermalelectronsand(2)charge exchange.Thedissociativeandradiativerecombinationbalancestheionizationandcreates adynamicallystableconﬁgurationofchargedparticleswithsomeaveragedvaluesofthe mainparameters.

Tables1.1 1.3 listsomeofthemajorreactionsusedinphotochemicalmodels,withthereactionratecoef ﬁcientsfrom Grubbsetal.(2018),unlessnoted.Ascommon,wedenotethe excitedstateofnitrogen,N(2D),asN# and si,n ¼ Ti,n (K)/300.

TABLE1.1 Ion-molecularreactions.

#ReactionRatecoefﬁcient,cm3/s/Ref.#ReactionRatecoefﬁcient,cm3/s/Ref.

TABLE1.2 Recombination.

cient,cm3/s

3 NOþ þ e/( N # þ O N þ O

TABLE1.3 Chemicalreactions.

Barthetal.(2009) 2

Barthetal.(2009)

Duffetal.(2005)

Barthetal.(2009)

1.5.1Ionosphericregions

The “classical” daytimemidlatitudeionosphereconsistsoffourregions: D, E, F1,and F2,as shownin Fig.1.2A:

• The D regionoccupiesthealtituderange70 90km.Atypicalelectrondensityhereis w102 103 cm 3.ThemainionspeciesareNOþ andO2þ.Themainsourcesofionization aresolarLyman-a,galacticX-rays,andgalacticcosmicrays.Thisregionpracticallydisappearsduringthenighttime.

• The E regionwiththepeakelectrondensity1 2 105 cm 3 isbetween95and140km. ThemainionspeciesareO2þ andNOþ.Themainsourcesoftheionizationaresolar Lyman-b,softX-rays,andUVContinuum.

• The F1 regionoccursatthealtitudes140 200km.Theelectrondensityis105 106 cm 3 . ThemainionspeciesareOþ andNOþ.ThemainsourcesoftheionizationaresolarHe IIandUVContinuum(100 800Å).Thisregionalsodisappearsduringnighttime.

• The F2 regionistheregionwiththeionosphericdensitypeakbetween200and400km. Thepeakdensityinthisregionis5 105 5 106 cm 3.ThemainionspeciesareOþ andNþ.ThemainsourcesoftheionizationaresolarHeIIandUVContinuum (100 800Å).

Theseionosphericparametersare “typical” formiddlelatitudesonly.Athighlatitudes,the ionospherestronglydependsonparticleprecipitationfromtheplasmasheet,andhence,on thegeomagneticconditions.Thenighttimeionospherebetweenthe F2 andEregionsfeatures theso-called “valley,” whichdepthandlocationvarieswithlatitude(Fig.1.2B).

FIGURE1.2 (A)Theaveragestructureoftheionosphere.(B)Theelectrondensityinthenighttimeionosphereat variousgeographiclatitudes. Adaptedfrom(A)Jursa,A.S.,1985,HandbookofGeophysicsandSpaceEnvironment,AFRL, NationalTechnicalInformationService,Springﬁeld,VA22161.(B)Titheridge,J.,2003.IonizationbelowthenightF2layer a globalmodel.J.Atm.Solar-Terr.Phys.65,1035 1052. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-6826(03)00136-6

Becausethemainenergysourcefortheionosphericproductionistheradiationfromthe Sun,theionospheredemonstratesastrongtemporalvariabilitydependingontheposition andintensityoftheSun.Thus,thedensityoftheionosphereatnoonismorethan10times largerthanthedensityinthesamelocationduringlocalmidnight.Thedaytimedensityof theionosphereduringthesolarmaximacanbe10timesmorethanthedaytimedensityduringthesolarminima.Moreover,thenighttime F2-regiondensityduringthesolarmaximacan bemorethanthedaytimedensityduringthesolarminima.

Theamountofsolarradiationusedtoionizetheneutralsalsodependsonthelatitude,and therefore,theionosphereatlowandmiddlelatitudesis “denser” thantheionosphereathigh latitudes.Atthesametime,athighlatitudes(particularly,intheauroralzone),theprecipitationofenergeticelectronsfromtheplasmasheetisanimportantsourceoftheionization. Thissourcestronglydependsonthegeomagneticactivityinthemagnetotail(e.g.,substorms).Asaresult,theionosphericdensitycanbeveryhighintheauroralzoneandchange signiﬁcantlyoverrelativelyshorttimeintervalsandspatialscales.

1.5.2Ionosphericconductivities

Oneveryimportantdistinctionofthedynamicsoftheionosphericplasmabelow400km altitudefromthedynamicsofthemagnetosphericplasmaisthattheionosphericplasmais embeddedintothedenseneutralgas.Collisionsbetweenneutralandchargedparticlessignificantlyaffecttheelectromagneticprocessesoccurringintheionosphere.Inparticular,collisionsprovidea ﬁniteconductivityoftheionosphericplasma,connectingcurrentsandthe electric ﬁeldintheionosphere.

Expressionsfortheionosphericconductivityarederivedinastraightforwardwayfrom theequationsofmotionforchargedparticles

Here,index s indicatesthespeciesofthechargedparticles(e forelectronsand i forions), nS isthecollisionfrequencybetweenspecies s andneutrals,and yN isthevelocityoftheneutrals. Letusconsiderelectronsmovingwithoutacceleration ðd =dt h0Þ paralleltothemagnetic ﬁeld ðve jjBÞ orwithoutanymagnetic ﬁeld ðB ¼ 0Þ.Alsoletusassumethatneutralsarestationary ðvN ¼ 0Þ.Inthiscase, Eq.(1.3) gives

Here, sjje ¼ ne2 me ne istheparallelelectronconductivity.Thetotalparallelconductivity, sjj ,includesacontributionfromelectronsandions.Intheplasmaconsistingofelectronsand onespeciesofionsonly,itis

Iftheplasmaconsistsofmultipleionspecieswithdifferentmassesandcharges,thenthe parallelconductivityis

Here,index i marksdifferentionspeciesand n ¼ Pi ni Ifonewillconsiderelectronsmovingwithoutacceleration ðd =dt h0Þ undersomeangleto thebackgroundmagnetic ﬁeld,andassumethatneutralsarestationary ðvN ¼ 0Þ,then Eq. (1.3) gives

Itisconvenienttoanalyze Eq.(1.7) byintroducinganorthogonalcoordinatesystemwith the z axisalignedwiththeambientmagnetic ﬁeld B.Inthiscase,componentsof Eq.(1.7) become

Here,

Therelationsbetweentheelectric ﬁeldandthetotalcurrentcarriedbytheelectronsand multipleionspeciescanbeobtainedinasimilarway:

Here, sjj isgivenby Eq.(1.6), sP iscalledPedersenconductivity,and sH iscalledHall conductivity

Therelationbetweenthecurrentandtheelectric ﬁeldintheionosphereinthematrixformis

Another random document with no related content on Scribd:

"IbelieveMotherSuperiorhaswrittentohim—"answeredMotherPrudentia—withascared look,suchasshealwaysworewhenshehadbeenbetrayedintosomeindiscretiongreater thanusual."Oh!Myunluckytongue—whenshallIeverlearntoruleit?However,Iknow MotherSuperiormeanstotellyouallaboutitbeforelong—onlyifshedoesyouknow—" andthegoodMotherlookedratherwistfullyatme.

"Iunderstand,dearMother—"saidI,seeingthatshewishedtocautionmeagainst displayinganypreviousknowledgeofwhattheSuperiorhadtotellme.

Ineffect,itwasonlyafewdaysbeforeMotherSuperiorcalledAmabelandmyselfintoher roomandinformedusthatshehadheardfromSirJuliusLeightonconcerningus,andthat hewouldprobablysendforusinashorttime.Shegaveusagreatdealofexcellent advice,andparticularlyenjoinedituponustopreserveourfaithintact,inthelandof hereticstowhichweweregoing.

"Yourfather,myAimeè,isagoodCatholic,orsoIunderstand!"saidshe."Butyourstepmotherbelongstotheso-calledreformedreligion,asdoyourfather'ssisters;youwill thereforeneedtoexercisegreatfirmnessandcaution."

IcannottellallthedearMothersaidtous,onlyshespeciallywarnedusagainstreading hereticalbooks.Shegaveuseachareliquarycontainingapreciousrelic.Minewasabitof theveilofSt.Agnesinahandsomegoldandenameledsetting.Ihaveitstill.Shethen addressedherselftome,tellingmewhatithadneverenteredmyheadtothinkofbefore— namely,thatIwasinferiorinranktoAmabel,andmustprobablybecontenttotakea lowerplace.(Frenchpeoplecannotunderstandthatcommonershaveanyrankatall,more thanFrenchbourgeois.)WhileIwastryingtotakeinandunderstandthisnewidea, Amabelspokeinhergentledecidedvoice.

"IshallneverbeseparatedfromLucy!"saidshefirmly."Whereshegoes,Iwillgo."

"Thatwillbeasyourfathersays,mychild!"answereddearMother,ratherreprovingly."I hopeindeedthatyoumaycontinueunitedasyouhavebeen,butrememberyourfather's willisyourlaw,solongashedoesnotcommandanythingcontrarytoourHolyFaith."

Amabeldidnotreply,butsheshutherlipsasshewasusedtodo,whenshehadmadeup hermind.MotherSuperiorgaveussomemorewordsofadviceandthendismisseduswith herblessing.

Wewentawayinsilence,tillwereachedouroldplaceofretirementintheOratory,and thenAmabelthrewherarmsroundmyneck,andburstintoapassionatefloodoftears—an unusualthingforher,forsheseldomcried.

"Youwon'tdesertme,willyouLucy!"shesobbed."Itisbadenoughtoleavethisdear homeandalltheMothersandSistersforastrangeland,butifImustloseyou—"

"Nowyouareborrowingtrouble,asyoutellme!"saidI,holdingherinmyarmsandtrying toconsoleher."Youdon'tknowthatanyonewillwanttoseparateus."

"Ifeelasiftheywouldtry!"saidAmabel,strivingtorecoverhercomposure."Butoh!Lucy, promisemethatyouneverwillleaveme,ifyoucanhelpit."

"OfcourseIwill.See,Ipromiseonthisholyrelic!"saidI,kissingthereliquarywhichIstill heldinmyhand.

Amabelpromisedthesame,andthentodivertherandmyselfalso,Isuggestedthatwe shouldgodowntothechapel,andseeifwecouldassistMotherSacristine,whowasbusy

cleaningthesilvercandlesticks,andotheraltarfurniture.

CHAPTER V.

THEBISHOP'SVISIT.

WEfoundSisterSacristineverybusywithhersilver,ofwhichtherewasagreatdealabout thealtar,andverygladofourofferedhelp.Wewentzealouslytowork,dustingand rubbingupthealtarfurniture,notforgettinggenuflections—curtsies—Ishouldcallthem noweverytimewepassedbeforethehighaltar

ThenextdaywassomeSaint'sday;Iforgetwhoseatthisdistanceoftime,andSister Sacristine,likeafaithfulwomanthatshewas,wasjustasanxioustohaveeverythingin orderasifwewereexpectingthepresenceofallthenoblesinthecountry,insteadofonly afewpoorpeasantsintheChurch,andourlittlebandofMothersandsistersinthechoir.

"Therewillnotbemanypeoplehere!"saidthepoorladywithasighasshesettledher chairs."Ah!Children,manyatimehaveIseenthisgreatchurchfilledfromendtoend withladiesandgentlemen-IrememberwhenpoorSisterAugustinewasprofessed,her fatherandmothercamewithacavalcade,whichalmostfilledtheChurchofitself;and theyofferedthatpairofsilvergiltvasesontheShrineofSt.Anne.Buttimeshave changedsincethen,weshallhavenooneto-morrow."

"WeshallhavethegreatGuestofall,dearSister!"saidAmabel."AndwhereHeis,we shallnotmissanyoneelse."

"Thatistrue,mychild,andyet—itisveryhardtoseethechangeswhichhavebeen wroughtinthishousebytimeandthemaliceofourenemies.ButHiswillbedone!There, children,Ibelievewehavemadethebestofeverythingnow."

"Sister,letmeclimbuptheladder,andbrushupSt.FrancisandSt.Bernardalittle,"said I,lookinguptowhereSt.Francisstood,withhishandsupraisedasifhewereimploring somecelestialpowertocomedownanddusthim.

"Well,ifyouarenotafraid—Iamtoounsteadyonmyfeettoventureupontheladderany more;butthereisagoodplacetostand,onceyouareupthere."

Iwasassure-footedasagoat,soIwasnotatalltimidaboutascendingtheladder.St. Franciswasplacedonalittleplatformorbalcony,where,astheSistersaid,therewas goodstandingroom.Amabelsteadiedthelongladder,whileIascended,andthenreached meupthedusterandwhatelseIwantedontheendofalong-handledbrush,suchashere

wecallaPope'shead—Iwouldnotliketobetheonewhocalleditsothere.Iwasholding ontoakindofrailingwithonehand,andputtingSt.Francishairtorightswiththeother, thinkingtomyselfthatthegoodsaintlookedasifhelikedit,whentheChurchdoor opened,andwhoshouldcomein,breathlessasiffromrunning,butMotherPrudentia.

"Sister,youaretocometoMotherSuperior'sroomatonce,andyoualso,mychildren. Losenotime,butLucille,becarefulhowyoucomedown."

ButIwasalreadyonthefloor,andreadytofollowMotherPrudentia,tothepresenceofthe Superior.Herewefoundallthesisterhoodassembled,andascaredbewilderedlookingset theywere—ourdearMotherwasascalmasusual,thoughapinkspotshoneonherusually palecheeks,increasingthebrilliancyofheralwaysremarkableeyes.Assoonaswewere allassembledinorder,sheaddressedus.

"MyMothersandSistersandyou,mychildren,Ihavejustreceivedbythehandsofa specialmessenger,aletterfromtheBishopofthisDiocese,inwhichhetellsmethathe willarrivewithinanhouruponaspecialvisitation,toenquireintocertainallegedscandals anddisordersprevailinginthiscommunity."

Shepausedamoment,andthesisterslookedatherandateachotherinutter amazement.Amabelgavemyarmalittlepinchandwhisperedverysoftly,"Desireè."

"Icansafelysay,thatIknowofnothinginmyfamilywhichshouldbringsuchacharge uponus!"resumedtheSuperior."Butinnocenceisnotalwaysaprotectionfromthehands ofungodlyandcruelmen;notthatIwouldbeunderstood,asapplyingsuchepithetsto MonseignortheBishop.Doubtlesshehasbeenmisinformed.WhatIwouldimpresson you,mymothersandsisters,isthatyoushouldendeavorinthisextremity,topreservean equalandtranquilspirit,whollyresignedtothewillofHeaven,whatevermayhappen.I willnotdisguisetoyou,myapprehensionsthatthisvisitmaybethepreludetogreat changes—perhapstogrievoushardshipsandhumiliations—possiblyeventothebreaking upofourlittlecommunity,whichhasbornesomanystormsalready.Bethatasitmay,our dutyisplain.LetussetbeforeustheexampleofthenobleMotherAngelique,who,when calumniatedandheapedwithinsultsintheveryhousewhereshehadruledasSuperior, boreallwithpatience,andneverretortedonherpersecutorsbyalookoraword,thus makingherenemiesashamedoftheircruelmalignity.Aboveall,letusrememberthatour sufferingsmayberenderedanacceptableofferingtoGod.Mymothersandsisters,letus inthelittletimethatremains,seektheprotectionoftheQueenofHeaven!"

Shedroppedonherkneesasshespoke,andallintheroomfollowedherexample.(Nuns haveapeculiarsuddenfashionofdoingthis,unattainablewithoutpractice.Idon'tbelieve Icoulddoitmyselfnow,withoutfallingoveronmynose.)Itisverymuchtobehoped thattheBlessedMarydoesnotknowthewayinwhichhernameistreatedinthisworld, andhowtoherareattributedthetitleswhichbelongonlytoherSon.Butitwasallrightin myeyesatthattime,andwhenIheardourLord'smotheraddressedastheMorningStar, theGateofHeaven,theRefugeofsinners,etc.,Iresponded"Orapronobis"with undoubtingfaith.

Wewerestillonourknees,whenweheardthearrivalofanumerouscavalcadebeforethe house,andpresentlyaloudknockingatthegate.Immediatelytheportresswassentto openit,andweallformedinprocessionaswhenweenteredChurch;theyoungersisters attheheadandtheSuperiorlast.OnthisoccasionsheledAmabelandmyselfbythe hand.

Ourparlorwherethenunsreceivedtheirguestswasalargeroomsparelyfurnishedwitha fewveryhardchairs,andamostghastlypictureofthedeathofSt.Francis.Aboutone-

thirdofthisroomwasshutoffbyagrilleorgrate,asisusualinsuchplaces,andbehind thiswasourstation.

TheouterroomwasoccupiedbytheBishop,andtwoorthreeattendantpriests.Mon seignorwasashort,stoutman,withratherrebelliouswhitehair,andanexpressionofa kindofpompousfussiness.Hewasspeakinginaloudandsomewhatangrytonetooneof hisattendants,andIcaughtthewords—

"Intentionaldisrespect—makeanexample—perverserebelliouswoman—"allofwhich seemedtocomeasitwerefromthedepthsofhisstomach.

Weenteredslowly,thesisterstakingtheirplaceswithfoldedhandsanddown-casteyes, withaslittleapparenttrepidationasifabouttoassistatanyordinaryceremony.The Bishopturnedsharplyaround,andspokebeforetheAbbesshadtimetoadvancetothe grating.

"Somadame!ThisisthewayyoureceiveyourBishop!DidInotsendamessengerto acquaintyouwithmycoming?Whythenwereyounothere,preparedtoreceivemewith duerespect?"

"Monseignor!"answeredtheSuperiorcalmly."Itisnotaccordingtotherulesofourhouse forustoawaitvisitorsintheparlor.Iamboundbythoserules,andifourHolyFatherthe Popeweretohonoruswithavisit,Iwoulddonootherwise."

TheSuperiorhadthebestofit,foranunisboundtoobeythe"constitutions"ofherhouse tothesmallestarticle,astheBishopknewverywell.Butofcourse,thatdidnotmakehim feelanymoreamiable.Hewasevidentlygettingreadyforacrushingreply,adjusting meantimehisglassesonhisnose,forhewasveryshort-sighted;butheratherspoiledthe effectbygettingintodifficultieswiththestring,whichheldthemaroundhisneck.Atlast however,theglasseswereintheirplace,andhepreparedtoopenhisEpiscopalbatteries.

"Madame!"hebeganinthesternesttone—buttherehestopped.HecouldnowseeMother Superior'sface,whichIpresumehewasunabletodobefore.Ineversawsosuddena change.Hisfaceseemedtosoftenandgrowyouthfulinamoment;hislipquiveredwitha smile,whichquitetransformedhim.Hespokeinaverydifferenttonefromthatinwhich hebegan.

"Madame!Isitpossible,thatIseebeforemeJacquelinedeRozier?"

ItwasnowtheturnoftheAbbesstochangecolor.Shegrewverywhite,butitwaswitha steadyvoicethatsheanswered—"Thatwasmynameintheworld,Monseignor andyou? —"

"AndIamHenriGarnier—"saidtheBishop

"TheytoldmethatyouhaddiedintheIndies,bythebiteofapoisonousserpent,"saidthe Superior,whohadquiterecoveredhercolor."IrejoiceMonseignor,toseeyouinlifeand healthandfillingsuchanexaltedstation."

NowatthattimeofmylifeIhadsofarasIknow,neverevenseentheoutsideofa romance—orheardalove-story yetIknewinamomentthattheSuperiorandtheBishop hadoncebeeninlovewitheachother.IventuredtoglanceatMotherBursar,andsaw thoserebelliousdimplesofhers,dancingforamomentroundthecornersofhermouth, thoughshespeedilyreducedthemtoorder.

"IwasindeedbittenbyaserpentintheIslandofMartinique,andlayattheverypointof deathwhenmyregimentsailedforFrance!"saidtheBishop."Irecoveredhoweveratlast, andbygraceofMary,wasledtodevotemyselftoareligiouslifeaswellasyourself Madame,theSuperior,andmyselfarecousinsandwereplaymatesinourchildhood,"he added,turningtohisattendants—thistimewithrealdignityofmanner."Wehavenotmet sincewewerebothquiteyoung.Irejoicetofindherinsuchausefulandhonorable position."

Thepriestsmadenoanswer,butIsawaslyglanceofamusementpassbetweenthem.

"Andnowtobusiness!"saidtheBishop."Madame,youhaveforsometimehadinyour familyapupilandpostulantnamedDesireèdeLaMothe,daughterofthepresentCountess deCrequibyaformerhusband!"

"Itistrue,Monseignor!Theyoungladyinquestionwasreturnedtoherfriendsabouttwo weekssince."

"Andwhywasshesoreturnedsinceyouhadreceivedherasapostulant?"

"Because,Monseignor,Ididnotperceiveinheranytruevocationforthereligiouslife," answeredtheSuperior

"Thenitwasnotforwantofasatisfactorydowry,thatshewasrefused!"

"Farfromit,Monseignor;weareaverypoorcommunity,butIcansafelysaythatIwould neverrefuseapostulantwithatruevocation,thoughshecametomewithnothingbutthe clothesshestoodin.TheCountdeCrequiwassogoodastooffermeadoubledowry,ifI wouldconsenttoreceivehisstep-daughter,butIneednotsay,Ideclined."

"Andquiterightly!"answeredtheBishop."Iwishallheadsofreligioushouseswereas disinterestedasyourself.Buttheloveofmoney,mybrothersandsisters,istherootofall evil,astheHolyApostlesays.Letusbethankfulthatourstateoflifesheltersusfromits balefulinfluence.However,toreturntothesubjectofthisinterview,whichitismypainful dutytobringbeforeyou."Herehefoundhisbox,tookapinchofsnuff,andthusfortified, madeafreshstart.

"Iwillnot,ReverendMother,disguisefromyouthefactthatthisyounglady,DesireèdeLa Mothehasplainlytestifiedtotheexistenceofcertainverygravescandalsunderthisroof; suchasarenottobetoleratedinanycommunity,muchlessareligiousone.Thesethings havingbeenbroughttomyearsbymyrelationbymarriagetotheCountdeCrequi,it becomesmydutytothoroughlyinvestigatethem.Ihavenodoubtthatsuchan investigationwillturntoyourcreditandthatofyourfamily—"hereIsawthetwopriests againexchangelooks—"butneverthelessitis,asyoumustsee,mydutytomakeit."

"Assuredly,Monseignor!"answeredtheSuperior."Ihavenootherwishthantoaffordyou everyfacility.HowwouldyourGreatnesswishtoproceed?"

"Oh!Isupposetheproperwaywouldbetoexamineeachoneofthefamilyseparately; whichIwillmyselfdowithyourpermission.Butthesearenotall!"

"All,Monseignor!Saveone!"

"Andthelaysisters?"

"Wehavenone,Monseignor;ourlastlaysisterdiedayearago,attheageofeighty-nine. Foralongtimealltheworkofthehouseandgardenhasbeenperformedbythechoir

sisters."

"Thisisindeedholypoverty!"saidtheBishop,turningtohistwoattendants,who remarkedinanswerthatitwasveryedifying,oneofthemaddingitwastobehopedthat thecaresofthislifehadnotdistractedthesistersfromtheirreligiousduties.

"Idonotthinksuchcaresareapttohavethateffect!"saidtheBishopsomewhatsharply. "Howsayyou,ReverendMother!"

"Wehavehithertobeenenabledtokeepupthepracticeofperpetualadorationoftheholy sacrament,"answeredtheSuperior."Atnotimesincemyentranceintothehouse,hasit beensuspendedforawholehour.Theonlysisternowabsentisatherpostinthechapel; norsofarasIknowhavewefailedinanyoftheotherservicesofourholyreligion.The heartofcourseisknownonlytoGod."

"Andthisisallthatremainsofthefamilyoncenumberedbyscores!"saidtheBishop."And whoaretheseyoungladies?"heaskedturningtoAmabelandmyself,whowerecloseto thegratingatoneend,asMotherAssistantwasattheother.

"ThesearetwoyoungEnglishgirls!"wasthereply."SirJuliusLeighton,aCatholic gentlemanofEngland,leftthemundermychargeaboutthirteenyearsago,andtheyhave beenwithmeeversince;butIamexpectingtopartwiththemverysoon."

Thisexplanationmade,thesisterhoodweredirectedtowithdraw,whiletheSuperior remained.TheSisterswerethencalledinandexaminedonebyone,returningwithvery pinkfaces,andveryindignant.

"ThatwickedDesireè—thatsnakeinthegrass!"Suchweresomeoftheepithetsbestowed uponher."Thatsheshoulddaretosaythatwereceivedthevisitsofmen!AsifIever spoketoamansavetheConfessorandoldJacquesthegardener,sinceIwasfirst professed!"saidSisterFilomena,burstingintoafloodoftearsassherejoinedus.

"Hush,mySister!Composeyourself!"saidtheMotherAssistantkindly.N.B.*Sister FilomenawasabouttheplainestwomanIeversaw,withamoustache,andaperpetualred nose.IftheBishophadnotbeentheBishop,Ishouldsayhehadbeenmakinggameofthe pooroldsoul."Nobodywhoknowsyoucanhaveanydoubtoftheproprietyofyour conduct.Come,letthesechildrenseeyousetanexampleofpatienceandcalmness,and offorgivenessofinjuries."

* N. B. nota bene

"Butthatwickedgirl—whatcouldhaveinducedhertoslanderusso!"saidanothersister. "Tosaythatweusedupourrevenuesinfeasting."

"Andthatwe—butthereisnouseintalking!"addedSisterBenedict,catchingtheMother's eye."Itistooabominable!"

AtlastitcametoAmabel'sturnandmine;andhandinhand,asusual,weenteredthe parlor.

TheBishophadevidentlytalkedhimselfintohighgoodhumorbythistime,forhewas laughingandofferinghissnuff-boxtohiscompanions."Ah!Andherearethelambsofthe flock!"saidhe,aswesomewhattimidlydrewnearthegrating."Comenear,mylittle daughters,andfearnothing."

Hethenaskedusseveralquestionsinafatherlysortofway,aboutourfamilies,andwe toldhimallweknew,whichwasnotmuch.

"Andhowdoyouuseyourtime?Come,now,"addressinghimselftome,"think,andtell meexactlywhatyouweredoing,whenyouwerecalledtotheSuperioronthisoccasion."

"IwasbrushingSt.Francis'hair,Monseignor,"Iansweredsimply.

"BrushingSt.Francis'hair?Whatdoesthechildmean;onehasheardofdressingSt. Catherine'shair,butneverofSt.Francis',asIthink."*

* "Dressing St Catherine's hair" is a kind of proverbial expression for being an old maid.

Iexplained,thatIwasassistingSisterSacristinetopreparetheChurchforto-morrow's feastday.

"Ah!Verywell,verygood—andyou,mychild?"turningtoAmabel!

"IwasarrangingtheflowersonthealtarofourLady,Monseignor."

"Verygoodagain—there,youmaygo,andherearesomecomfitsforyou,butIdaresay youhaveenoughofthemsincethegoodsistersmakesuchbeautifulsweetmeats,eh!"

"No!Monseignor,theMotherBursarsellsallthesweetmeats,thatshemayhelpthepoor womenofthevillage,"answeredAmabel.

Whereastherewasanotherinterchangeoflooks,andwewerepermittedtoretire,notat allsorrytogetoffsoeasily.

TheBishopandhisattendantpriestswerethenconductedbytheSuperiorandMother Assistant,throughthewholebuilding.Itwasevenproposedthatheshoulddescendand examinethevaults;butthiswashastilyanddecidedlydeclined,byhisGrandeur

"No!no!Thatisnotneedful—wehaveheardthattheyareveryextensiveandcurious, however—perhapsFatherAndreandhiscompanionswouldliketoinspectthem."

"Itwouldnotbesafeforthemtodosowithoutaguide!"saidtheSuperior."Thepassages areveryintricateandtherearedangerouspoolsofwater,butshouldyourGrandeurdesire it,MotherAssistantandmyselfwillleadtheway."

ButitwasevidentthatthisdescriptionwasenoughtosatisfyanycuriositytheReverend Fathersmighthavefeltonthesubject,andastheBishopdidnotinsistonthematter,no morewassaid.

Whilethisinspectionhadbeengoingon,SisterLazarusandherassistantshadbeen gettingupthebestcollationtheresourcesofthehouseafforded.Fortunatelyitwasafast day,andourownpondssuppliedussomegoodfishortheBishopwouldhavefaredpoorly However,wehadexcellentbreadandbutter,andcakesandsweetmeats,andabottleor twoofgoodwine,andhislordshipwaspleasedtoexpresshimselfhighlydelightedwithhis entertainment.

Afterthecollation,wewereassembledintheChurch,andtheBishoponcemoreaddressed us.

Hedidnotdisguisethefactthathehadcomehitherwithastrongprepossessionagainst thehouse;havingbeenledbycertainpersonstobelievethatthefamilywereguiltyof greatirregularities,tosaytheleast.Hedidnotsaywhothesepersonswere,butweknew verywell.Contrarytowhatheexpected,hehadfoundgreatorder,theseverestpoverty andself-denial,andevidenceofabundantgoodworks.Hedidnotsaythosethingstopuff usupinourownesteem,butthatwemightbeencouragedtopersevere,andevento surpasswhatwehadalreadyaccomplished.Thereexistedindeedadegreeof—hewould notsayerror,muchlessheresy—butacertainconfusionofideasuponsomepointsof doctrine,whichhehadnodoubtwouldbedispelledbytheperusalofsomebookswhichhe wouldhavesenttous.Itwasalsosaidthattherewasaflawinourtitleorcharter;he wouldmakeitapointtohavethismatterexaminedinto,andwemightbeassuredthat justicewouldbedone.

Hethengaveushisblessing,exchangedafewwordsinprivatewithMotherSuperior,and rodeaway.

HewasentertainedbytheCountthatevening,andIshouldnotwonderifmadameand herdaughter,didnotfindhisvisitveryagreeable.

"Well,ithasallturnedoutbetterthanwehadanyreasontoexpect,"remarkedMother Bursar

"Ithasnotturnedoutyet!"saidMotherPrudentia,shakingherhead."Wehavemadean enemyoftheCount,andhewillnotloveusthebetter,becausetheBishophascomeover toourside.Themenofthatfamilyknowneitherpitynorforgiveness;wehavenotheard thelastofityet—butweareinbetterhandsthanhis,"sheaddedcheerfully—"wickedmen cangonofartherthanispermittedthem."

OfcoursethisvisitoftheBishop'sfurnishedmatterforconversationandgossipformany days.NowthatIlookbackatit,myownopinionisthatweowedourescapetothe circumstance,thattheBishophaddiscoveredhisoldsweet-heartinourdearMother Superior.Probablytheyhadbeenseparatedbyfriends,andtheladyhadtakentheveilon hearingherloverwasdead;butthattheyhadbeenloversIamassure,asIamthat SimonSablotislookingforAnnePenberthy.Theladisagoodlad,andcomesofgood family,hisparentshavingbeenexilesforthetruth'ssake,andheshallnotwantmygood wordwhenthetimecomes. CHAPTER

FORsomedays—Ithinkaboutten—afterthebishop'svisitationeverythingwentoninthe usualtrain.

Ononeofthesedays,thesuperiorreceivedaletterfromthebishop,whichwasspeedily communicatedtothewholefamily.Hisgreatnesswrotethathavinghadourtitleand charterinvestigatedbytheproperauthorities,hehaddiscoveredthatnotonlywasour communityfullyentitledtoallthelandandpropertythatitheld,butthatithadan undoubtedrighttosomehundredsofacresofveryfertilemeadowland,lyinghalfamile away,andatpresentoccupiedbytheCountdeCrequi.

"Soweshallgetbackallthatbeautifulpasturewherethegrassgrowssoearly,"saidSister Eustachie,theoldestpersoninthehouse."Iremember,children,whenyehadtwenty-five cowsinthatmeadow.Suchbutterandcheeseaswemade—butwehadagreatfamily then.Well,IhopeImayseethoselandsrestoredtoourholypatrimony."

"Iwouldliketohopesotoo,sister,butIdoubtit!"saidMotherPrudentia."Thewolfof Crequidoesnotletgohispreysoeasily.Formyself,Ishallbethankfulifwearelefttogo quietlyonourway,aswearedoingatpresent."

Ihaveneversaidanythingaboutourpriestandconfessor.Hewasamiddle-agedman, lookingoldfromhiswhitehair,butveryhaleandactive.Helivedbyhimselfinalittle houseintheorchard,fromwhichasortofarbor,coveredwithvines,ledtothechurch.He wasakind-hearted,easy-goingman,verycharitableandself-denying,saveinthematter ofsnuff,ofwhichhetookagreatdeal.Hewasveryfondofhisgarden,inwhichheworked earlyandlate.

AmabelandIlikedhimbecausehespokeEnglishverywell,havingoncebeenconfessorto anoblefamilyinEngland.Onlyforhim,Idon'tknowbutweshouldhaveforgottenour mothertongueentirely;butheusedtoexerciseusinit,makingusreadtohim sometimes,inanEnglishThomas-à-Kempishehad,sometimesinanEnglishtranslation fromtheVulgate.Oh!HowIusedtowishIcouldgetthatbookintomyownhands;but thegoodfatherguardeditjealously,notallowinguseventoturnoveraleafforourselves. WeusedtoreadPsalmsandbitsoftheGospels,andOldTestamentstories,whichhe pickedoutforus.

Irememberreadinginthiswayaboutthewidow'ssonofNain.WhenIhadfinished,the priestpausedamoment,andthensaid,reverently:

"MyLucy,doyouthinkofwhatyouread?"

"Yes,myfather;Ithinkofitagreatdeal,"Ianswered,whichwasquitetrue.

"Butdoyoumakeitrealtoyou?Think,forinstance,aboutthisstorywhichwehavejust finished.Thinkhowthatpoormothermusthavedreadedthereturntoherlonelyhouse; thesittingdowntoherlonelytable,andlivingondayafterdaywithoutherson."

"Andthenhowdifferentitallwasfromwhatsheexpected!"saidAmabel,musingly."I shouldthinkshewouldhardlyhaveknownhowtobelieveit.Shemusthavefeltasifhis sicknessanddeathwerealladream."

"AndtheholyMagdaleneafterherbrotherwasrestored!"saidI.(RomanCatholicsbelieve thatMaryMagdalene,andthewomanwhowasasinner,whoanointedourLord'sfeet, wereoneandthesameperson,thoughthereseemstouslittleornogroundinthe scriptureforsuchanidea.)"Theywerereallypeople,weretheynot,andfeltasweshould do?"

"Exactly,mydaughter.ThatiswhatIwishyoutoconsider.Peoplelosehalfthebenefitof theexamplesoftheholysaintsandmartyrs,becausetheydonotconsiderthemtohave beenofthesamefleshandbloodasthemselves."

Ihavebeenobligedtothegoodfatherallmylifeforthisidea,andespeciallysinceIhave myselfhadtheinstructingofchildreninthetruthsofreligion.Butthisisbytheway.

Besidesbeingafamousgardener,FatherBrousseauhadacompetentknowledgeof surgeryandmedicine,andmadehimselfveryusefulinprescribingforthepoorpeople roundus.Hismedicinesweregenerallysuchasourpharmacyattheconventcould provide,especiallyabittercordial,madeoforangepeel,chamomile,andsomeofthe aromaticherbswithwhichthatcountryabounds.Ihavetherecipeforthiscordial,whichI havehelpedtodistilbythegallon.Itisexcellentforagueandconsumption.

Itwasthismedicalknowledgeofourconfessor'swhichmadehimawelcomevisitoratthe ChateaudeCrequi,evenafterthecounthadquarrelledwithoursuperior.Madamede Crequiwasaconfirmedinvalid,sufferingterriblepainanddistressattimes,fromsome troubleinherbreast.Shehadhadendlessdoctorswhohaddonehernogoodbutrather harm,andinherdespair,hearingofourconfessor'sgiftsinthatline,shesentforhim.He was,happily,ablegreatlytoalleviateherpresentsuffering,thoughhetoldherfranklythat therewasnocurepossible;andhehadthusmadethepoorladyhisfriend.Hehadalso curedthecount'schaplainfromafeverwhichthreatenedhislife.

Oneday,ithappenedthatthepriestwassentforingreathastetoseeafavoritemaidof thecountess,whowastakensuddenlyandviolentlyill.(Ilearnedallthislongafterward, forofcourseIwasnottolditatthetime.)Hereturnedintheafternoon,andwesawhim goinginagreathurrytothesuperior'sapartment.

Inabouthalfanhour,MotherPrudentiacameout,lookingagooddealexcited,and summonedthewholefamilytoaconference.Itwasinrecreationtime,Iremember,and wewerealmostallbusyincapturingavagrantbroodofhalf-grownchickens,whichhad escapedfromtheirproperquarters,asitseemed,fortheexpresspurposeofscratchingup anewlyplantedbedofsalad.Wewereinagreatfrolicoverthechase,fornunsarelike childrenintheirhoursofrecreation—alittlethingservestoamusethem.Itwastherefore withconsiderablesurprisethatweobeyedthesummonstothesuperior'spresence.

Wefoundtheladypaleandevidentlymuchdisturbed,thoughshepreservedherusual calmnessofvoiceanddemeanor.Inafewwords,shetoldusofthedangerthatwas impendingoverus.Shehadreceivedsureintelligencethattheconventwastobeattacked thatverynightbyabandofrobbers,pillagedandperhapsburnedtotheground.

Eventhestricthabitsofconventdisciplinecouldnotrepressauniversalcryofdismayfrom thesisterhood;butImustsay,thatafterthefirstalarm,theyallbehavedwonderfullywell. TheReverendMotherraisedherhandtoimposesilence,andwasatonceobeyed.

"Wehavenomeansofdefendingourselves,andnotimetosendtotheBishopfor assistancebeforeourfoeswillbeuponus!"saidshe."Ihavetakencouncilwithour ReverendFather,andheagreeswithme,thatouronlychanceofsafetyis,totakerefuge inthevaultsundertheoldpartofthehouse."

Shepausedamoment,andsomeofthesisterslookedateachotherasiftheprospectof spendingthenightinthevaultswasalmostasdreadfulasthatoftherobbersthemselves.

"Thebuildingsabovethesevaultsaresolidandthereislittleinthemtoburn,"continued theSuperior."Sothatevenshouldthehousebesetonfire,wemayhopetoescape—and

thecavernsthemselvesaresuch,thatshouldtheentrancetothembediscovered,noone couldfindourhidingplacewithouttheclue;thatclueisknownatpresentonlytoMother Assistantandmyself.Letusthenhastentoconveytothisplaceofsafetyallourmost precioustreasures,allthesacredvesselsandornaments;andenoughoffoodandlightsto serveusifneedfulforseveraldays;ofwaterthereisanabundantsupply.Letusallbe calmandcollected,andleteachoneobeyordersimplicitlyandwithoutanyquestions."

Shethenallottedtoeachherpart.SisterLazaruswithtwoassistantsweretoprepareand carrytoacertainplaceasupplyofsuchprovisionsaswouldkeepthebest,andaffordthe mostnourishmentinasmallcompass.Iremember,inthemidstofallourconsternation, smilingatthelamentationsofthegoodsister,overcertaindeliciouscreamswhichhad beenpreparedforthesupper-table—thatbeingafeastday.

"Buttherobbersshallnothavethematanyrate!"saidshewithdecision."Herepussy!" Andshesetdownthedishofcreamwhichsheheld,andwhichthekitchencatandher youngfamilylappedupwithgreatsatisfactionandmuchpurring.

"Poorlittledears,theylittleknowwhatisbeforethem!"saidSisterLazarus,wipingthe tearsfromhereyes,assheregardedthekittens,whichhavingfinishedtheirfeast,were lickingthestraydropsfromeachother'spawsandnoses."Imeantoshutthemalloutin thegardenandthatwillgivethemachance.Takecareandnotshakethatbasket,Sister! Therearesomebottlesofwineinitandajugofmilkforthechildren;here,littleones,put thesecakesinyourpockets."

Growaswemight,wewerestillthechildrentodearSisterLazarus.

TheChurchwasnottobedismantledtillafterdark,thatnosuspicionsneedbeawakened. Icouldnotbutwonderwhethertherewereanyspiesamongthefewpeasantswhocame tovespers.Icouldnotbutnoticeanoldwoman;shewasveryspeciallydevout,andwhen theservicewasended,sheapproachedMotherBursarandwhininglybeggedanight's lodging.

"Idonotthinkwecankeepyouonaccountofthedangerousinfectiousfeverthatwehave inthehouse!"saidMotherBursar,tellingthisoutrageousfibdoubtlesswithaclean conscience,asitwasforthegoodoftheChurch."Butifyouchoosetoriskit,Iwillask MotherSuperior."

Buttheoldwomanhadnomindforalodgingundersuchcircumstancesandtookherself off,closelywatchedbyMotherBursarfromthechurchdoor.

"Thatisanodd-lookingwoman!"saidI."Seehowstronglyshewalksnow,thoughshe pretendedtobesofeeble."

"Sheisnomoreawomanthanyouare!"saidMotherBursarindignantly."Itisthatvery JeanDôletowhomIgaveawarmpairofhoseonlylastwinter.DidInotknowhimonthe instant?IalmostwishIhadgivenhimalodging,andlockedhimupintheKnight'stower; butitisbetterasitis.Nowmychildrenwemustworkfast—thereisnotimetolose!Here, Lucille,helpmefoldthesecloths."

"ButJeanDôleisintheemployoftheCount!"saidI,workingwhileItalkedandfinding, despitetheimminentdanger,acertainenjoymentinthebustle."Canhebe,also,inthe employoftherobbers?"

"Robbers!"saidMotherBursarcontemptuously."Weknowwheretherobberscomefrom. Takecare,child,foldthatstraight.Perhapstheywillfindthemselvesoutwittedafterall."

Bynineo'clock,theprincipaltreasuresoftheChurch—thegreatsilvervases,the candlesticks,andimages,andsoforth,wereallremovedtothelowervestibule;and carriedfromthencetosafehidingplacesknowntoMotherSuperiorandMotherPrudentia. Thenthesisterswereassembledinthecommunity-room,forwhatweallfeltmightbethe lasttime.MotherSuperioraddressedafewwordstous,exhortingustofirmness, constancy,andtrust,andweallkissedherhandandeachother.Thepriestentered, bearingthehost,initsmagnificentreceptacle,blazingwithjewels,andweallprostrated ourselvesbeforeit.Thenhepassedoutoftheroom,andwefollowedinorderasinan ordinaryprocession;wewentthroughtheupperhallanddescendedthegreatstairstothe lowerfloor.

TheninsteadofseekingthedoorbywhichAmabelandmyselfhaddescendedtothe vaults,wewentdowntothebasementbyastaircaseofwhichIhadnever,tillthen,known theexistence.Sotrueitis,asIhavesaidbefore,thatonemayliveinaconventalong time,yes,evenformanyyears,andyetknowverylittleaboutit.Wepassedthrougha longhall,withdoorsopeninghereandthere,andthentherewasapause,whileMother Prudentiaunlockedandopenedamassivedoor,theexistenceofwhichIshouldneverhave suspected,foritlookedexactlylikeapieceofthewall.Throughthiswepassedoneby one,anditwasthenclosedafterus.

Thelightswerenowtrimmedanewandlanternsdistributedamongus.Wewerewarnedto followexactly,andnottolookeithertorightorleft,buttokeepoureyesfixedonour leader.Why,Idon'tknow,unlessthatourmindsmightnotbedistractedbythesightof thelabyrinthwewerethreading.Atlastwereachedtheendofourdismaljourney.We foundourselvesinakindofsuiteofapartments,drierandmorecommodiousthancould havebeenexpectedinsuchaplace.Theremusthavebeensomecommunicationwiththe outerworld,fortheair,thoughdampandchill,wasnotfoulnoroppressive.

Inthefirstvaultwerestoredourprovisions,clothes,andothersuchmatterswhichwehad saved.Inthenextwerebedshastilymadeofstrawmattressesandallthewarmcoverings thatcouldbemustered.Alittleside-roomwasfittedupasachapel,withanaltar,onwhich wasplacedtheusualfurniture,whileasmalllamphungbeforeit.Onthisaltarthepriest depositedthehost.Itwastimeforourlasteveningservice,andwewentthroughitas usual,thoughitmustbeconfessedthatsomeofthesweetvoicesquiveredalittleasthey chantedtheresponses.Itwasnottillnowthatweobservedoneofournumbertobe missing.

"WhereisSisterFilomena?"askedtwoorthreevoices.

"Sheisinaplaceofsafety,orsoItrust,"answeredtheSuperiorcalmly."Prayforher,my sisters."

Wetookthisforahintthatweweretoasknomorequestions,butwewonderedallthe more.SisterFilomenawastheoneofwhomIhavespokenbeforeasbeingsoveryugly. Shewastallandboney,withparticularlylargehandsandfeet,andamasculinewalk.She hadadecidedbeard,andowingtosomedisease,Isuppose,herface,andparticularlyher nose,wereasredasanoldtoper's.Shewasawidowofsomeyearsstandingwhenshe tookthevows,andbeforeherconversion,shehadlivedmuchinthegayworldofToulon, where,despiteherugliness,shehadbeenagreatfavorite,andhadmaintainedavery popularsalon.

SisterLazarushadcausedtobetransportedtothevaultalittleearthen-warefurnacefor charcoal,suchasaremuchusedinFrance.Thisshelighted,andserveduseachwitha famouscupofchocolate—aluxuryneverenjoyedbyusexceptonverygrandfeastdays.I

thinksmellsaremorepowerfulinawakeningoldassociationsthananythingelse.Thesmell ofafreshcupofchocolatealwaysbringsthatscenevividlybeforeme—thedimly-burning shadedlights,whichmadeourpalefacesdoublyghastlyinappearance—thedampwallsof whitishgreyrock—thelittlechapelwithitsornamentsglitteringasthetapersflaredalittle Icanseeallthis,andhearthesoftdropandsplashofwater,regularalmostasthe tickingofaclock,whichfellonourears,andnowandthenacuriousmoaningsound comingnooneknewfromwhence.

"Whatisthat?"saidoneofthesistersratherfearfully,asaloudermoanthanusualmade itselffeltratherthanheard.

"Itisasoundalwaysheardinthesevaults,"repliedtheSuperior.

"Iusedtohearinmydaythatitwasthespiritsofthepoorsoulsthattheoldheathen imprisonedhereandlefttostarve,"saidSisterEustachie,whowasveryoldandchildish.

"Youdon'tthinkitisthat,doyou,ReverendMother?"askedoneofthenunsrathertimidly

"No,mychild,Ithinkitisonlythewindwhichfindsentrancesomewhereandcannotget outagain,orsomeescapeofimprisonedgasfromtheearth.Whateveritmaybe,itisbut asound,"answeredtheSuperior."Letmebegofyou,nottodisturbyourmindswithidle fears.Letallliedownandrestwhileitispossible.MotherAssistantandmyselfwillwatch beforetheHolySacrament."

Ihadnowishtoliedown,nor,asIthink,hadanyoftheothers,butinaconvent,one learnstoobeywithoutaword—notsobadalessoneither,whereyoungpersonsare concerned.Sowelaydownonourstrawbedsandcoveredourselvesaswarmlyaswe could,and,despitetheirfears,Iheardsomeofthenunssnoringinfiveminutes'time.

IthoughtIshouldnevergotosleep,butthesoundofthefallingwater,thesoftly murmuringvoicesofthepriestandthetwomotherssayingthelitanies,andthegentle swayingofthesuspendedlamplulledmeatlastintoaslumber.IdreamedthatIwas tryingtoreachsomethingfromtheuppershelfofacertaindarkstoreroomcupboard, whensomeoneviolentlyslammedthedooronme.Thenoiseawokemewithastart.

Allthesisterswereontheirfeetinaninstant,butthegestureoftheabbessimposed silence,andnotawordwassaid.

Weheardashoutof—"Openintheking'sname—"Andthenafuriousattackuponthe greatgatewhichledfromtheoutercourtintothegarden.Itsoundedfrightfullynear.Ina momentitfell,andwecouldhearthefootstepsofourenemies,asitseemed,overour heads.TheymayhavebeensoforoughtIknow.

Wewereallonourkneesbythistimebeforethelittlealtar—someontheirfaces.Onlythe Superiorstooderectandcalm.

Thenoisepartiallydiedaway Isupposewhiletheruffiansweresearchingforus.Then theygatheredagaininthecourtwitheveryexpressionofangeranddisappointment.We couldheareverywordthatwassaid.Theyhadevidentlypushedoffthecoveroftheold well,andoneofthemdroppedagreatstoneintoit.Thenoisewhichresoundedthrough thevaultswasawfulbeyonddescription.

"Ourbirdsareflown!"saidavoice."Andtheyhavestrippedtheirnestprettycompletely." "Theyarenotflown—theyhaveonlygonetoearth!"saidanothervoice,whichIthoughtI hadheardbefore."Followme,andwewillsoonhavethemout."

Inafewminutesweheardthenoiseofadoorforced,andheavy,armedheelsnoisily descending.Thesistersgatheredcloseraroundthesuperior.

"Theyhavefoundtheentranceunderthegreatstairs,"saidthesuperior."Keepperfectly still,andfearnothing,butprayforthesoulsofourenemies.Theydobutrushontheir owndestruction."

MotherPrudentiawhisperedafewwordstothesuperior,and,receivinganodinreturn, tookupalanternandglidedawaysosuddenlythat,thoughIwaswatchingeagerly,Icould nothavetoldformylifewhichwayshewent.

Therewasevidentlyagooddealofhesitationamongtheenemy,forIheardthesame voiceproclaimloudly:"Apurseofgoldfortheonewhounearthstheoldcats.There!Isee thegleamofalanternevennow."

Itcouldhavebeenbuttwoorthreeminutes,beforeweheardasuddensplash,followedin asecondbyanotherandahorriblescreamofmortalanguish,whichechoedandre-echoed asifahundreddemonsweremockingthedrowningwretches.Therewasonehalfstrangledcryforhelp—arush—andthenallwasstillforafewminutes,tillMother Prudentiareturnedtouswithherlantern,andhershoescoveredwithmudandslime.

"Twoofthemhavefallenin—theonlytwowhoventuredtofollowme!"saidshe."Istepped aside,thinkingthattheywouldstopwhentheylostsightofme,butIsupposethegleam onthewaterdeceivedthem.Poorwretches!"

Therewasanintervalofsilence,duringwhichweallsoftlyrecitedtheprayerforsoulsin extremis.

"Whataretheydoingnow?"askedoneofournumber.

"Theyaresettingfiretothebuildings.Doyounotsmellthesmoke?"saidthepriest."But wehavelittletofear,eveninthatcase.Astormhasbeengatheringalldayandisaboutto burst.Doyounothearthethunder?'TheLordshallfightforus,andwewillholdour peace.'"

Ihadheardwhatsoundedlikethundertwoorthreetimes,butthereweresomanynoises thatIhadtakenlittleheedtoit.Now,however,cameatremendouscrash,andafaint gleamoflightningshowedwhatIhadbeforesuspected—thatwewerenearsomeplace whichopenedtotheair—perhapstotheoldwellinthecourt,whichwouldaccountforour hearingsoplainly.

Therushofrainwhichfollowedmusthaveatonceextinguishedthefires,andnodoubt droveourenemiesintothebuildingsforshelter.Foratime,weheardnothingbutthe tremendousthunderandtherain.ThenIbegantobesensibleofanothersound,unlike anything,unlessitbetherushingofastreamswollenbyatorrent.

"Whatisthat?"askedsomeone.

"Hush!"saidthepriest,imperatively.

Wealllistened.Thesoundsgrewlouder.

"Theyhavediggedapit,andfallenintothemidstofitthemselves!"saidthepriest exultingly."'Inthesnarethattheylaidprivilyistheirfoottaken.'Ourfriendshavearrived, andwearesaved."

Ineffect,weheardinamoment,atremendousoutcry,manyshotsfired,andothersounds whichtoldusthatacombatwasgoingon.Thetumultdiedawaybydegrees,butwas renewedonceortwice,asthoughtherobbersweremakingadesperatedefense.There wasanintervalofsilence,andthenamanly,cheerfulvoicecalledaloud,asitseemed, fromthestairs:

"Thereverendmothersandsistersmaynowcomefromtheirhidingplaceswithoutfear Theirenemiesareallprisonersinthehandsoftheking'stroops.Laudatedominium."

IsupposethisLatinphrasewasakindofwatchwordtoletoursuperiorsknowthatallwas right.Anxiousasweallweretoescapefromourprison,therewasnohaste.Wearranged ourdressesasdecentlyaspossible,forinaconventonelearnstodresswithoutthehelp ofamirror;thepriesttookuptheHost,and,inprocessionaswedescended,weemerged tothelightofday—foritwasnowmorning,andtheskywasbrighteningtowardsunrise. Wefoundthecourtoccupiedbyacompanyofsoldiers,withayoungofficerincommand, keepingguardoveranumberofprisoners.Severaldeadbodieswerestretchedoutonthe stones,andtwoorthreewoundedwretchesweregroaningamongthem.

OfficersandmensalutedreverentlyastheHostwasbornepastthem,andallbutthose necessarytoguardtheprisoners,followedintothechurch.Wetookourplacesinthechoir, andmasswassaidatthedespoiledaltar.Then,measuresweretakenforthecareofthe wounded.Twoexpiredalmostimmediately,intheveryactofconfession;theother lingeredafewdays,anddied,soSisterBaptistatoldme,veryhumbleandpenitent.

Butwhatasadsightwasourpoorhouse!Windowsweredashedtopieces,furniture brokenanddestroyedinmerewantonness.Ourbeautifulgardenwasatrampledwaste— eventhegreatrosebushsaidtohavebeenplantedbythehandsofMotherAngelique herself,andoneofourgreatesttreasures,washackedoffattheroots.

"Thewretches—thewickedsacrilegiousvillains!"exclaimedSisterLazarus,burstinginto tearsasshecameonthebodyofherfavoritecat,andsawthepoorkittenstryinginvain toattracttheirmother'snotice."Ican'thelpit,ifitiswicked—Iamgladtheyfellintothe pool—Ihopeitwastheveryonethatkilledmycat—ourcatImean,"addedthesister, correctingherself,forinaconventitisagreatsintosaythatanythingismine."Imade anactofforgivenesswhenIfoundmybeautifulstew-pansalldashedtopieces,butsucha sightasthisistoomuch."

Sosayingshegatheredthebereavedlittlekittensintoherapronandcarriedthemoffto comfortthemasshebestcould.Oneofourcowshadbeenshot,asitseemed,insheer wantonness;theotherbeingshutinacow-houseatthebottomoftheorchardhad escaped.

Itwasonlynaturalthatafewtearsshouldbeshedoverthedestructionofpetplantsand fowlsandthegeneraldesolation,buttherewasnogivingwaytoidlesorrow.Allsetto workwithawilltoputthingsinthebestorderpossible,andsoindustriouswerewe,that bythenextdaywhenthebishoparrived,thingshadassumedsomethingoftheirusual aspect.

Butnopainsofourscouldrestorevinesandflowers,orsetuptheruinedfountain,or mendthebeautifulandwonderfulstainedglass,whosefragmentsstrewedthecourt,or bringourpoorolddogandcowtolife.Thebishopbroughtwithhimamagistrateandother officers,andtherewasagreatexaminationandperquisitionabouttheaffair,butIdon't knowhowitwas—thethingwashushedupafterawhileandnothingwasdone.Onlythe bishoppaidtwoorthreevisits,andfinallyitwasmadeknownamongusthatbeforecold

weathercame,thecommunitywouldbemovedtoasmallerbutmuchmorecomfortable andsecurehousenearToulon.

ImustnotforgettosaythatSisterFilomenaarrivedinthetrainofthebishop,ridingallby herselfinalitter,anddressedinabrandnewrobeofquiteanotherfashionfromours.We weresurprisedenoughtoseeher,andstillmoretohearthatitwasshewhohadcarried thenewsofourdangertoToulon.

"Thatistheadvantageofbeinguglyyousee,mysisters,"saidthegoodnun,laughing,as wepressedaroundtolistentoheradventures."InMarie'sredpetticoatandgreyjacket, andmountedonthegoodfather'smule,nobodythoughtmeanythingbutapeasant carryingfowlstomarket.Ihadthegoodlucktomeet,theveryfirstthing,anAbbèwhom IusedtoknowwhenIwasintheworld.Icouldthinkofnobetterwaythantomake myselfknowntohim,andhetookmedirectlytothebishop'spalace,whereItoldmy story.Hishousekeeperfoundmesomeclothes,andIwentatoncetotheUrsuline Convent,wheretheytreatedmelikeaprincess,butyoumayguessIdidnotsleepfor thinkingofyourdanger,andwonderingwhetherthesoldierswouldarriveintime."

"ButwhydidnotFatherBrousseaugohimself?"askedsomeone.

"Whatawisequestion!Becausetheywouldhavebeenonthewatchforhim,andwould haveknownhimatonce;butnoonesuspectedme."

"Itwasadreadfulthingtodo!"saidSisterBaptista."Ofcourseitwasverygoodinyouto sacrificeyourself,butIdothinkitwasshocking."

"Isupposeitwas,"saidSisterFilomena;"andtheworstofitis,IamafraidIenjoyedit afterall."

Thatveryday,weheardthatthenephewandheiroftheCountdeCrequiwithan attendanthadfallenfromtherockswhilefishing,andthattheirbodieshadbeenswept awaybythewavesandneverfound.Arequiemwassaidfortheminthechurchwithall duesolemnity,atwhich,however,noneofthefamilywerepresent.Formyownpart, rememberingthevoiceIhadheardandthatfearfulplungeintothewater,Ihavelittle doubtthatthebonesoftheyoungcountandhisfollowerlieatthismomentunderthe blackandslimywatersofthatdreadfulpool. CHAPTER VII. A SUMMONS.

INthecourseofaweek,allthingshadsettledintotheirusualwaywithus.Theornaments wererestoredtothechurch,andthedamagetothebuildingwasrepairedasfaras possiblebyworkmensentbythebishopfromToulon.Thebishoppraisedourcommunityto theskies,andcausedacontributiontobetakenforourbenefitamongthegoodfolksof Toulon,whowereveryliberalontheoccasion.Thenunstooknoticeofitasagoodomen, thattheMotherAngelique'srosebush,whichhadbeencutdown,begandirectlytosprout fromtheroot.Ireallythinkthislittleaccidentgavethemmorecomfortandhopethanall thebishop'sassistanceandpromises.

Anotherconsolingcircumstancewastherecessionofthewaterinthesubterraneanpool. MotherPrudentia,whohadhadoccasiontovisitthevaultsseveraltimes,tobringoutfrom theirconcealment,thingswhichhadbeenhiddenawayonthenightoftheattack,toldus thatthewaterwasfallingrapidly,sothatplacesheretoforeimpassablewerenowquitedry Itseemedasifthespiritwhichdweltinthoseawfuldepthswascontentwiththevictimshe hadreceived,andwishedfornomore.

Ihavesaidthatthingsfellintotheirusualtrain,andsoitseemedatfirst;butpresentlyit becameapparentthatthehealthofourdearmothersuperiorwasrapidlyfailing.Though oversixtyatthetimeoftherobbers'visit,shehadhithertoshownherageverylittle,but nowsheseemedtogrowoldallatonce.Shehadacough,andaslightspittingofblood, andbegantobesubjecttofaintingfits.Sheherselfattributedherillnesstoacoldtakenin thecavern.Ithinknowthatthestrainofthatterriblenight,with,perhaps,theadded agitationofseeingagainthelovershehadsolongbelieveddead,weretoomuchfora framealreadyenfeebledwithfasting.

Idoverilybelievethatthosepeoplewhoaresaidtobeartroublethebestarethosewho areusuallymostaffectedbyit.Some,indeed,getthecreditofenduringwithpatienceand cheerfulnessthingswhichreallytroublethemverylittle,andsuchpeopleareusually excessivelyimpatientofthegriefofothers.ButImustnotstoptomoralize,orIshall nevergettotheendofmystory.

Oneday,themothersuperiorannouncedtothefamilyasasettledthingthatinthecourse ofthefollowingOctober,thecommunitywouldberemovedtoamuchsmallerbutmore comfortablehouseintheneighborhoodofToulon,whichwasatthatverytimebeingfitted upforitsreception.Thishouse,shesaid,wasasmallchateau,formerlycalledFleurs, whichbelongedtotheCountdeCrequi,andhadbeengivenbyhimtothecommunityon conditionthatcertainservicesshouldbeperformedinperpetuumforthesoulofhis unfortunateheirandnephew,whohadbeendrownedwhilefishing.

Weweresurprisedenoughtohearthisnews,fortheCountdeCrequiwaswell-knownto beanoutandoutinfidel,ifnotanatheist.InFranceyoumayhavenoreligionatallwith impunity.ItisevenratheragenteelthingtobelieveinnothingandnobodybutMonsieur Voltaire;butifyousetuptohaveareligionatall,youmustbecontenttotakethatwhich thekingprescribesforyou.

Butthedeathoftheyoungcountwasaterribleblowtohisuncle,whohadnosonandwas notliketohaveany.Anditmaybe,thatthepooroldmanthoughtitbest,incasehe might,afterall,bemistaken,tohavefriendsatcourt,asitwere.

Hewas,indeed(soIhavesinceunderstood),heldupafterwardasashininginstanceof conversionbytheJesuits,underwhoseinfluencehefell—butIneverheardthathis conversionledhimtogiveupthattwenty-fiveacresofmeadow,whichhadbeenexacted fromoursisterhoodasthepriceofhisprotection,ortopayfortheruinofourbuildings, causedbyhissecretemissariesonnightoftherobbery

Howeverthismightbe,therewasnodoubtthathehadgivenusanewdwelling,towhich wewerealltoberemovedbeforethecomingonofcoldweather.

Thechurchwastobekeptup,witharesidentpriesttosaymass.Theotherpartsofthe buildingwouldbeclosed.

Thisnewswasreceivedwithvaryingfeelingsbythesisters.Theelderswept,andregretted thattheymustleavetheplacewhichhadbeentheirhomesolong,andthegravesofthose whohadbeentheircompanionsinyouth.Theyoungersistersweredivided,aswas natural,betweensorrowatpartingandthenoveltyofanewhouseandsituation.

"Ishallneverlivetoseetheday!"saidpooroldMotherBaptista."AndIdon'twishto.I wasbroughttothishousewhenIwastooyoungtorememberanything.Iwasprofessed atfourteen,*andinalltheseyears,Ihavenotbeenoutsideofthesewalls.HereIhave lived,andhereIwilldieandbeburied."

* A nun would not be received at this age in any order I am acquainted with, but such things were common enough at that time in France.

"Butwemust,beobedient,youknow,dearmother,"saidSisterFilomena,tryingtosoothe her.

"Ofcoursewemustbeobedient.IhopeIknowthatbythistime!"answeredtheold mother,rathertartly."Allthesame,Ishallneverleavethesewalls.Ishallbeburiedhere."

"Icannothelphopingthatthechangewillbenefitdearmother'shealth!"saidanother sister."Shehasneverbeenwellsincethatdreadfulnightinthevaults."

"Ifearourdearreverendmotherwillneverbewellagain!"saidMotherPrudentia,shaking herhead."Shefailseveryday.Isometimesthinkshewillnotlivetoseeussettledinour newhome."

"Itwillneverbehomewithouther,"saidSisterAgnes,sadly."Howmanytimesshehas beenelectedsuperior.No;Iamsurenootherplacewillseemlikehomeafterwehave livedheresolong."

"Somuchthebetterforus,perhaps,"returnedMotherPrudentia."Youknow,mychild, thatwearetohaveherenocontinuingcity,butweseekonetocome."

"StillIcannothelphopingthechangemaydogood,"saidSisterAngela."Isometimes fancyallthatwaterunderthehousemaymakeitunhealthy.Iwonderifthenewhouse standsinahighandairysituation."

"Itdoes,Iknow,"saidAmabel.

"Why,howshouldyouknowanythingaboutit,child?"saidMotherPrudentia,surprised.

"LucyandIlivedtherebeforewecamehere,"answeredAmabel."Themomentreverend motherspokethename,Irememberedtheplacequitewell.Itstandsonahill,andone canseeagreatway.Thereareagoodmanyrooms,andaflowergarden,withfountains andaterrace.Icanrecollectthat.Butitisverymuchsmallerthanthishouse."

"Somuchthebetter.Ineverdoliketothinkofthesegreatemptyhallsandbuildings, especiallyatnight!"saidSisterAgnes,asMotherPrudentialeftus."Onenevercanguess whoorwhatmaybelurkinginthem."

"YouhadbetternotletMotherhearyousayso,orshewillbesendingyoufromoneendof themtotheother!"remarkedSisterAngela."IfIdreadeditasmuchasyoudo,Iwould forcemyselftodoitjustforamortification."

Todosomethingyouparticularlydislike,isagreatpointwithsomedevoutnuns;Ihave seenasisterorderedtopickupaspiderandletitrunoverherface,onlybecauseshe showedadisgustatthecreature.Thishowever,wasintheformerMotherAssistant'stime; Idon'tthinkMotherPrudentiawasmuchgiventosuchperformances.

Iwasnaturallyverymuchinterestedintheprospectofseeingagainthehousewherewe hadlivedonourfirstcomingabroad.ThenameofFleurshadawakenedinmymindcertain dimrecollections,butitwasaswhenonestrivestorecalladream.IpliedAmabelwith questions,tomostofwhichIreceivedratherunsatisfactoryanswers,forthoughher reminiscenceswereclearerthanmine,theywerestillthoseofamerechild.

Intheexcitementthroughwhichwehadlatelypassed,andtheprospectofachangeof residence—nottomentionouranxietyaboutdearMother'shealth—wehadalmost forgottenthatwehadorwerelikelytohaveanyotherhomethantheconvent.Sothat whenonedayinAugust,weweresummonedfromourtaskofsplittingapricotstodry,to attendtotheSuperior,wethoughtofalmostanything,ratherthanamessagefrom England.Iknowmyownmindwasrunningonaverydifferentsubject,namely,thinking thatIhadgoneoutofboundsthatverymorning,havingrundowntotheendofthe orchardafterararebutterfly,andwonderingwhetherMotherhadseenme.

Wefoundthedearladylyingbackinhergreatchair,anunusualindulgenceforherwho usuallysatupstraightasanarrow.Shelookedthinandworn,andherhandswerewhite andtransparentlikealabaster;butherwonderfuleyeswereasbrightasever,andshehad alovelycolorinhercheeks,whichIinmyignorance,tookforasignofreturninghealth. Sheheldanopenletterinherhand,andIfanciedthatshehadbeenweeping.

Wekneltandkissedherhand,andshegaveusherblessingasusual.Shethenbadeusto beseatedontwostools,oneoneachsideofher,andlaidahandoneachofourheads.

"Mydearchildren!"saidshe."IhaveheardfromSirJuliusLeighton." Webothstarted,andIforgotallaboutthatwickedbutterfly.

"Hetellsmethatbeingunabletocomeforyouhimself,hehassentforyoubythehands ofaship'scaptainsailingfromNewcastle,tobringyoutothattown.Fromthence,youwill besenttothehouseofSirJuliusLeighton'ssisters,whoresidenotfarfromthatplace.It seemsthatthisworthymanhasbroughthissisterwithhim,inorderthatyoumayhavea femalecompanionandguardian—ameasurewhichspeakswellforhim.Thisgoodwoman willarriveto-night,andbeourguestfortwoorthreedayswhileyourwardrobesarebeing gotinorder.Anditmustbeyourbusiness,mychildren,tomakeherstayaspleasantas possible."

Wehadneitherofusspoken,ofcourse,whilethisaddresswasbeingmade,butthe momentitwasfinished,Amabelfellonherkneesandburstintoafloodoftears.

"DearMother,donotsendusawayamongstrangers!"saidshebetweenhersobs!"Letus liveanddieherewithyou,andthemothersandsisterswehaveknownsolong;youare ouronlymotheronearth,donotsendusawayfromyou."

Theladywasaffectedeventotears;anditwassomemomentsbeforeshecouldcommand hervoicetospeak.

"Dearchild,itisnotIwhosendyouaway!"saidsheatlast."Ihavenorighttodetainyou whenyourfatherdemandsyourpresence.Becalm,myAimeè!Iamnotabletobearthis agitation;"andindeedherchangingcoloralarmedme.

Amabelmadeadesperateefforttocontrolherself,andsucceededsofarastobecome quiet,thoughshecouldnotspeak.

"Iwouldindeedgladlyseeyoubothinthesafeshelterofthecloister,"continueddear Mother,strokingAmabel'shead,asshestillkneltbesideher;"buteventhatshelterisnot alwaysaprotectioninthesedays.Butyourfatherhastherighttodisposeofyou,andifhe requiresthatyoushouldreturntohim,youhavenochoicebuttoobey.Itishardformeto partwithyou,mylittleones,butthepartingmusthavecomeatanyrate,sinceImust soonleaveyou,evenifyoudidnotleaveme."

"DearMotherdonotsayso!"Iventuredtosay.

"Weallhopethatthechangewilldoyougood;everyonesaysthatthenewhouseisina morehealthysituationthanthis."

"Ishallremovetoanotherhousebeforethatchangeismade,mychild;—eventothat housewhichisnotmadewithhands.Butdonotletitgrieveyouover-much.Tomeitisa joyfulprospect,especiallyasIshallleavethelittleflockIhaveruledsolong,in comparativeeaseandsafety.Butnowlisten,mylittleones,tothelastwordsImaybe abletosaytoyou—formystrengthmayfailatanytime,andIbelievemyendtobe nearerthanFatherBrousseauthinks."

Shethenproceededtogiveusmuchadviceregardingourfutureconduct—excellent,Iam sure,fromherownwayoflookingatthings,thoughsomeofitwasquiteimpossibletoany onelivingintheworld.Butmostofitwasverygood,andhasalwaysbeenofusetome.

AndImaysayhere,thatsinceIhavemyselfhadtheorderingofafamilyofyoungpeople, IhavefoundtheadvantageofmanythingsIlearnedunderourdearmother'srule—such asthehabitofdoingeverythingintheexacttimeofit,andnotlettingoneduty,asitwere, treadontheheelsofanother.AtSt.Jean,whenthebellstruckthehourofrecreation,all workmustbedroppedontheinstant;andthesamewastrueofourplay.Onemightthink thiswouldbeoftenveryinconvenient,butknowingthatitmustbeso,onelearnedto makeone'sarrangementsaccordingly,andthusmuchtimewassaved.

Thenweacquiredhabitsofneatnessandorder,todoeventheleastthinginthebestway, andturneverythingtothebestaccount.Manyachild'sgarmenthaveIseengotoutofbits oflinenorflannel,thatanordinaryEnglishhousewifewouldthrowaway;manyawarm andevenprettyrug,forthefeetofaninvalidoranoldperson.Andifthegirlsinour schoolcandarnarent,orputonapatch,orworkaheelintoaworn-outstocking,better thananybodyintheduchy—thoughIsayitthatshouldn't—itisowingatsecondhandto theteachingofdearMotherPrudentia.

Ofcourse,AmabelandIwaitedwithnolittleimpatienceforthearrivalofourtraveling companion.Shecameaboutthreeo'clock,andwaskindlyreceivedandlodgedinthemost comfortableplacethesisterscouldprepareforher,whileAmabelandmyselfwaitedonher. Shewasaverygoodspecimenofamiddle-classEnglishwoman—fatandfair,withaclear, rosycomplexion,andundeniablyredhair,which,nevertheless,wasbothprettyand becoming.Shewasaboutfortyyearsold,andhadafrank,motherlywaywithherwhich mademetaketoheratonce.Shelookedagooddealsurprisedandratherawe-strickenat thestrangeplaceinwhichshefoundherself,butsherespondedwithallduepolitenessto theapologieswhichSisterAgnesmadeconcerningherlodgings,andwhichwetranslated

toheraswellaswecould—forthoughMrs.ThorpecouldspeakFrenchafterafashion,she didnotunderstanditwell.

"Mydears,doaskthegoodladynottotroubleherself,"saidshe,atlast."Whatisgood enoughforheriscertainlygoodenoughforanyonelikeme.Iamasailor'swifeanyhow, andusedtoroughingitinallsortsofways."

SisterAgneswasfinallysatisfied,andtookherdeparture;andMrs.Thorpesatdownon thesideofthenarrowbedandbegantounpackthegreatbagshehadbroughtinher hand.

"Yourfatherhassentyoueachapurseofmoney,"saidshe,producingthem;"thereought tobefiveguineasineach;countthemandsee.Alwayscountmoneyassoonasyou receiveit.Isitallright?"

Wesatisfiedheronthispoint.Whatawonderfulnoveltyitseemedtohavesomemoneyof ourown.

"Iamtoprovideyounewclothes,andallyouwantforyourjourney,"continuedMrs. Thorpe."ButIthink,ifyouwillallowmetojudge,thatyouhadbetternotbuyagreatdeal inToulon,asfashionsaresodifferenthereandinEngland,andIfancymyladies,your aunts,willnotmuchrelishFrenchways."

WeprofessedourselvesanxiousofbeingguidedbyMrs.Thorpe'sjudgmentinallthings, andAmabelasked:

"Doyouknowmyaunts,madame?"

"Why,no,nottosayknowthem.Theyaregreatladies,yousee,andIambutaseaman's widow,keepingashopforlacesandsmallwaresinNewcastle.Buttheyhavebeeninmy shop,sothatIknowthemwellbysight.Mydears,"sheadded,abruptlychangingthe subject,asshepulledoutfromherbag—whichseemedtohavenobottom—acoupleof bulkyparcels,"justsee!Ihaveventuredtobringtheladyofthehouse—Idon'tknowwhat tocallher—"

"Themothersuperior,"saidI.

"Well,Ihavetakentheliberty,notknowingexactlywhatshewouldlike,tobringhera parcelofcoffeeandloafsugar.Doyouthinkshewouldbeoffendedattheliberty?"

"No,indeed!"saidI."Dearmotherisneveroffendedwhenanyonewishestopleaseher, andIamverygladyouhavebroughtthethings.SisterLazaruswassayingonlyyesterday howmuchshewishedshehadsomecoffeetotemptMotherSuperior,forshehardlyeats anythingatall."

"ThenIaminthenickoftime;but,excuseme,mydears,whydidnotSisterLazarus—it seemsaqueernameforawoman—whydidnotshesendandbuysomecoffee,ifthelady wishedforit.Whenadelicatepersontakesafancyforsomeparticularthingtoeat,'tis alwaysbesttosupplyitatonce,beforetheychangetheirminds."

"Shewouldhavebeengladtodoso,butshehadnomoney,Ibelieve,"Ianswered."We areaverypoorcommunitynowadays.IheardMotherBursarsaysheshouldhavenomore moneytillshesoldheroil."

"Lack-a-day,poorthing!ButinthatcasemethinksIwouldsellsomeofthosegrandvases andthingsIsawinthechurch,"saidMrs.Thorpewithdecision."However,thatisno

businessofmine.Iamgladyouthinkthethingswon'tcomeamiss.Andisthepoorlady veryill?"

"FatherBrousseauthinksshewillneverbewell!"saidAmabelsadly.

"Poorthing!Butnodoubtsheispreparedtogo,andthechangewillbeablessedone. Fromwhatyousay,IshouldthinkshemustbeagoodChristianaccordingtoherlights, andamanisacceptedaccordingtowhathehath,andnotaccordingtowhathehathnot."

AmabelandIlookedateachothersurprisedandhalfoffended,whilethegoodwoman talkedon,unconsciousofoffence,askingmanyquestionsandmakingmanyshrewd remarks.

Weleftheratlasttorestalittlebeforesupper,andretiredbyourselvestocomparenotes onournewacquaintance.

"Well,whatdoyouthinkabouther?"Iasked.

"Ilikeher,"saidAmabelwithdecision."Sheisnotlikeoursistershere,ofcourse,butI thinksheisgoodandkind."

"Yes,itwasniceinhertobringmotherthecoffeeandsugar,andtogiveusthesethings," saidI,examiningtheprettyandconvenient"equipages"forthepocketwhichMrs.Thorpe hadpresentedtous."ButIdidnotlikethewayshespokeaboutdearmother."

"SheisaProtestant,youknow,andIsupposeourwaysareasstrangetoher,ashersare tous,"repliedAmabel."Ofcourseiftheythinktheyareright,theymustbelieveweare wrong."

"But,Amabel,itseemsthatyourauntsareProtestants,"saidI,forMrs.Thorpehadtoldus asmuch."Howshallwegetonwiththem?"

"Itwillbetimeenoughtodecidethatwhenwearethere,"repliedAmabel."Idon'tthink Protestantsareallbad,Lucy.Mymotherwasone,andsowasyours,andIamsureshe nevertaughtusanythingthatwasnotgood."

"MotherSuperiorsaysnoProtestantswillbesavedexceptbyreasonoftheirinvincible ignorance,"Iremarked,"orunlesstheyarecapableofactsofpurelovetoGod,whichare verydifficulteventogoodCatholics.Andbesides,Amabel,our'examinationofconscience' saysitisabetrayaloftheCatholicChurchtosaythatallreligionsaregood,andthata manmaybesavedinoneaswellasanother,andthatitisagreatsineventoreada hereticalbookorhearahereticalpreacher.Nowsupposethatyourauntsshouldinsiston ourgoingtotheEnglishChurchwithher whatshallwedo?"

"Weshallseewhenthetimecomes,"saidAmabel."Ineverfoundmuchuseinmakingup mymindbeforehand.Eitherthethingyouexpectnevercomes,orelseitcomesinsucha differentwaythatallyourpreparationsareofnouseatall."

ThiswasAmabel'sway,andhasbeenallherlife,andcertainlyithasseemedtoserveher verywell.Ihaveneverseenanyonepassthroughwithsolittleofwhatwecallfretting. Shehashadmanyserioustroubles,butveryfewworries,whileImustconfessIhave generallyhadmytroublesthreetimesover—beforetheycame,whiletheylasted,andafter theyweregone.

AftersupperMotherPrudentiacametouswithaverygraveandsadface.

"TheEnglishladyistogotoMotherSuperior,inherownroom,atonce,"saidshe.

"Inherownroom?"Irepeated,verymuchsurprised.

The"CommunityRooms"inaconventaresacredfromanyprofanefoot,sothatonemay beapupilinsuchahouseadozenyearsandneverenterthem.Thepeculiar circumstancesofourfamilyplacedAmabelandmyselfonasomewhatdifferentfooting fromordinarypupils,sothatweweretreatedratheraspostulants,butevenwehadnever beenintheroomswhichopenedfromtheSuperior'sparlor.

"Yes,"answeredthemothersadly."DearMotherSuperiorisnotabletogoanyfartherthan theouterroom.Shetriedgoingtotheparlorbutshewasnotable.Ifearshewillnever descendthosestairsagain.Youmaycallmadame—Icannotsayhernameformylife—and leadhertomadame'sroom."

Mrs.ThorpewaswalkingwithSisterAgnesintheflowergarden.Itwasthissister'soffice toattenduponguests,andIthinkshewaswell-pleasedwithhavingachancetoexerciseit oncemore.ShecouldnotunderstandMrs.Thorpe'sFrenchmuchbetterthanherEnglish, buthappilytheywerebothdevotedtoflowers,andthelanguageofsympathyand admirationaremuchthesameallovertheworld.

WeexplainedtoMrs.ThorpethatshewastogowithustotheSuperior,andledher throughthelonghallandupthegreatstairstothelady'sroom.

"Whatagreatcastleofaplace!"saidMrs.Thorpe,lookingroundherandspeakingina halfwhisper."Wheredoallthesedoorsgoto?"

"Todifferentroomsandcells,Ibelieve,"repliedAmabel."Idonotthinkanyofthemare usedatpresent.Agreatdealmorethanhalfthehouseisshutup.See,thisisMother Superior'sdoor."

Amabelscratchedonthedoorwithhernailsasourconventfashionwas,anditwas openedtousbyMotherPrudentia.TheSuperiorreceivedMrs.Thorpeverygraciously;it wasnotinhernaturetobeotherwisethankindeventoaheretic.Mrs.Thorpewas evidentlygreatlyimpressed,andsomewhatawestruckwiththelady'sdignity neverthelesssheconductedherselftowardherwithakindofrespectfulfrank independence,whichmademelikeherallthemore.

Theyhadquitealongconversation,Amabelinterpretingwhereitwasneedful.Among otherthings,theSuperioraskedMrs.Thorpetopromisethatshewouldinnoway influenceusinmattersofreligion.

"ThatIcannotpromise,becauseitmaynotbeinmypower,mylady!"answeredMrs. Thorpefrankly."Iwillpromisesomuchasthis,thatIwillenterintonoargumentswiththe youngladies;forwhichindeed,Iamnowaysqualified,beingbutaplainwomanwithonly witenoughtoreadmyBible,anddomydutyinthatstateoflifetowhichithaspleased Godtocallme.ButIstriveasaChristianwomantorulemyhouseholdinthefearofGod, andaccordingtothelightsHehasgivenme.Iftheseyoungladiesshouldbemyguestsfor atime,IcanonlypromisetobeasfaithfultothemasIwouldhavebeentomyowngirls, iftheLordhadsparedthemtome."

ThispledgewhichAmabelfaithfullytranslated,seemedtogivedearmothermore satisfactionthanIshouldhaveexpected.IthinkshewassoneartheEternalgates,that thelightwasalreadyshiningforher,whichmakesallthingsplain.MotherPrudentiawas calledoutatthismoment,andtherewasalittlesilence.

"Sheoughtnottotalkanymore!"whisperedMrs.Thorpe."Sheistiredoutnow."

Thewordswerenotoutofhermouth,beforedearMotherfaintedentirelyaway.

"Don'tbealarmed!Itisbutafainting-fit,"saidMrs.Thorpe,catchingherinherarms, layingherbackinherchairandapplyingtohernoseasmelling-bottle,whichshetook fromherpocket allinthespaceofaninstant."Runoneofyou,andbringsomewineor strongwaters,andcalloneoftheladies—you,mydear,openthewindowandhelpmeto loosenherdress."

Asweunloosedhergirdleandopenedherdress,Isawthatsheworeasharpcrossonher bosomandthatherundergarmentwasoftheroughestwoolen,whichmusthavebeen veryirritatinganddistressinginhotweather.IglancedatMrs.Thorpe,andsawalookof angeranddisgustonherhonestface.

"Poorthing,poorthing!"shemuttered."AsifshecouldnottrusttheLordtosendherall thetroublesheneeded,withoutmakingmoreforherself;theymustneedsbewise,above whatiswritten—there,don'tcry,mydear,sheiscomingtoherself.See,herlipsare gettingquiteacolor,poorlady."

MotherPrudentianowappeared,andwithherhelp,MotherSuperiorwassofarrevivedas tobemovedtoherbed.FatherBrousseauhadcomehomebythattime,andwasatonce calledintoseeher.

"Itisthebeginningoftheend!"saidhe,ashecameoutoftheroom."Weshallhearthe cryatmidnight.BeholdtheBridegroomcometh;letallbeinreadinesstoreceiveHim."

Wehadourusualrecreationaftersupper,butnoonecaredforthemerrimentwhich generallytookplaceatthathour.Thesisterswalkedupanddowninthreesandfours—it wasagainstourrulesfortwotowalktogether weepingandtalkingorenteringthelittle Ladychapel,whichstoodinthegrounds,tosayaprayerbeforethealtar,wherewasan imageoftheVirginwhichhadworkedmiraclesinitstime.Thislittlechapelhadbeen entirelyforgottenatthetimeoftherobbery,andhadbeenalsooverlookedandleft untouchedbytherobbers;acircumstancewhichwasconsideredamiracleinitself,and broughttheimageintogreaterfavorthanever.Andbytheway,iftheworshipispaidnot totheimage,buttothepersonwhomitrepresents,Iwonderwhysomeimagesofthe Virginaresomuchmoresoughtafterthanothers.

WewalkedinthegardenwithMrs.Thorpe,showedherdifferentplacesaboutthehouse, andtoldherthestoryofthemidnightassault.

"Andwhatwillbedonewiththerobbers!"saidshe.

"Noneofthemhavebeentaken!"Ianswered."Theysaythewholethingwillbehushed up,becauseanoblefamilyismixedupinit.Andwethink AmabelandIdo,"Iaddedina whisper;"thatitwastheyoungCountwhowasdrownedinthevaults;weheardhim talkingwhenhewasherebeforewithhisuncle,andhehadsuchacurioushoarsevoice.I amsureitwasthesame."

"Servedhimright!"saidMrs.Thorpeindignantly."Prettydoings!Afamilyofladiesareset uponintheirownhouse,andmadetohidelikeratsinadampmustyhole,whereoneat leasthasgotherdeath;anditistobehushedup,forsooth,becauseanoblefamilyis mixedupinit?Well!There,Iwon'tsayaword—"asAmabelputherfingeronherlip—"but onlythistofreemymind.Icantellyouwhat,mymaids;sometimeorother,therewillbe

afearfuluprisingagainstthenoblesandrulersofthisland.Itmaynotcomeinourday, butitwillsurelycome.Whatisthatfor?"Asthebellstruckitaccustomedsignal.

Wetoldheritwasfortheeveningservice,andaskedhertoattend.FatherBrousseau camehimselftoinviteher,butshedeclined.

"IamnotsurethatIshouldbeabletojoinintheworshipwithaclearconscience,andI shouldnotliketooffendthegoodladiesbysittingamerelookeron!"saidshe."Withyour leaveIwillremainhere."

"AllProtestantsarenotsoscrupulousasyourself!"saidFatherBrousseau."Ihaveseen themnotonlyspectatorsofourservices,butveryirreverent,andevennoisyones."

"Theyarenotofmymind,then!"saidMrs.Thorpe."Ihaveseenthesamethinginmy travels,andbeendisgustedwithit."

Wewentintothechurch,andleftMrs.Thorpetoamuseherselfinthegarden.

Byhalfpasteight,asourrulewas,wewereallinbed,exceptthesisteratherpostinthe chapel,andMotherPrudentiaandSisterFilomena(whowasoneofthetenderestandmost skillfulofnurses),whowatchedwithMotherSuperior.Thepriestwasright;aboutmidnight wewereallcalledtoourdearMother'sroom.Thedoorofhercellwasopen,andweall stoodorkneltintheouterroom,whilethepriestadministeredthelastritesoftheChurch. TheSuperiorwassupportedinMotherPrudentia'sarms,breathinginsoftsighs,butnot seemingtosuffer;wewatchedher,asitseemed,alongtimeaftertheriteswere concluded;herfacewaspeaceful,andwecouldnotbesurewhethershebreathedornot.

Atlastsherousedherself,turnedherheadtowardus,smiled,andraisedherhandasin blessing;itfell;thedeareyesclosed,andthevoiceofthepriestpronouncingthelast solemnwords,toldusallwasover.Wejoinedinthelastprayers,andthenwithdrewfrom thechamberofdeath;tospendthenightinwatching,ortocryourselvestosleep.

Theweatherwastoowarmforthefuneraltobedelayed,andtheBishophimselfcameto celebrateitonthethirdday.Ineversawamansochangedinsoshortatime;allhis patronizingpompousfussinesswasgone;hisfacewaspaleandsunken,andhelookedin everywaylikeamanwhowasnotlongforthisworld.Icaughtmyselfwonderingwhether heanddearMotherwouldnothaveservedGodjustaswelliftheyhadmarried,and broughtupafamily,asMrs.ThorpehadtoldusmanyEnglishbishopsdid;butIputaway thethoughtasblasphemous,andsaidseveralextraHailMary,bywayofpenance.Itdid notoccurtome,tothinkthatitwasnotverycomplimentarytoher,tomakeanaddressto heraninstrumentforpunishingmyself.

Thedearladywaslaidinthecemetery,amidstthedustofthosewhohadgonebeforeher forhundredsofyears.Thenextday,thesistersheldanelectionand,aseveryone expected,MotherPrudentiawasmadeSuperior.Iamsureabetterchoicecouldnothave beenmadeonthewhole,thoughIdonotbelieveshewouldeverrulethehouseholdasthe latemotherhaddone.Sheherselfshrankfromtheresponsibility,andearnestlywished thatSisterFilomenamightbechosen;but"asknothing,refusenothing,"istherulein convents(atleastitwasinours)andshecouldnotdecline.

Itwasontheeveningofthisday,thatAmabelandIwereverybusilyatwork.Mrs.Thorpe wasinthestill-roomwithSisterAgnes,learningandimpartingwonderfulsecrets concerningthemakingofHungaryandElderflowerwaters,andIknownotwhatelse.She wasimprovingrapidlyinthematterofFrench,forshewouldspeakitrightorwrong, laughingatherownblunders,whenSisterAgneswastoopolitetodoso.Withtheother

sistersshehadlittleornointercourseexceptbybowsandsmiles;Ithinktheylookedupon herassomehalf-tamedanimal,allowedtorunatlarge,butnotexactlysafeafterall.

FatherBrousseauhadonceortwicetriedtodrawherintoanargument,butwithout success.Atleast,heaskedherthefavoritequestion,whichisconsideredaknockdownby RomanCatholics."WherewastheProtestantchurchtwohundredyearsago?"

"WillyourReverenceallowmetoaskyouaquestioninmyturn?"askedMrs.Thorpe quietly,butwithasmilelurkinginhereyes.

"Certainly!"answeredthefather.

"Supposethen,thatoneofyourflock asimpleunlearnedwomanlikemyself—shouldbe throwninwithaverylearnedandeloquentProtestantclergyman,whoshouldstriveto drawherintoanargument—whatwouldyouadvisehertodo?"

Thegoodpriestsmiledinspiteofhimself.

"ButsupposeIhadthebestoftheargument,wouldnotthatconvinceyou?"heasked.

"ItwouldconvincemethatyourReverencewasmuchmoreskillfulinargumentthan myself,"wastheanswer;"andIamquitereadytoadmitthat,now."

"ButsinceyoudoadmitthatIammorelearnedthanyourself,oughtnotthattomakemy argumentsofweighttoyou?"

"Well!Idonotknowaboutthat.Isuppose,yourReverence,thatthepoorpeoplewho throngedtohearSt.PeterandSt.John,werenotnearlysolearnedasGamaliel,andthe otherPharisees;buttheywerenotgreatlyinfluencedbythemafterall."

Mrs.Thorpespokewithsuchrespectfulfrankness,thatitwasimpossibletobeoffended withher.Thepriestglancedatusgirls,whowitheyesdemurelycastdown,werelistening withallourears,shruggedhisshoulders,offeredhissnuff-box,andgavethematterup.I oftenthoughtofthislittlesceneafterwards,whentherelationscametobesochanged betweenthesetwogoodpeople.Butallthisisbytheway,andIhavewanderedfarfrom thethreadofmystory,whichIfearisbutatangleskeinatthebest.

AmabelandIweresitting,asIsaid,withaframebetweenus,finishingawonderfulbitof needlelace,anarticleforwhichourhousewasfamous.ItwasSaturday,andonMonday weweretoleavetheoldhousewhichhadbeenourhomesolong.Wewereverysilentand sewedwithgreatdiligence,forweweredesirousoffinishingourwork,whichwasdestined forsomechurchadornment Iforgetwhat.

PresentlySisterAngelaappearedatthedoorandmysteriouslybeckonedtous.

"Whatdoesshewant?"saidI,pettishlyenough."Weshallhavenomorethanenough daylighttofinishourwork,andwenevercandoitbylamplight."

However,itwasmybusinesstoobey,andIfollowedAmabelwhohadalreadyrisen.Sister Angelaledusintoadisusedstoreroomandclosedthedoor.

"Areyoureallygoingawaywiththathereticwoman,andtothatdreadfulEngland?"she askedofAmabelinawhisper.

"Isupposeso,"saidAmabel."Myfatherhassentforus,andwehavenochoice."

"ButisyourfatheraCatholic?"askedthesister."Areyousure?"

"Isupposeso.Why?"

"Well,Idonotbelieveheis—notagoodone.MadameThorpeherselftoldSisterAgnes thathesometimeswenttotheEnglishChurch."

"Perhapshehasadispensation,"saidI.

"Well,atalleventstheseladiestowhomyouaregoingareheretics.Thereisnodoubtof that."

"Isupposenot,"saidAmabel,"buttheymaynotinterferewithourreligion."

"Theywill.Theycannothelpit.Theywilltryineverywaytopervertyou.Besides,youwill bedeprivedofthesacraments—youwillbepervertedandloseyoursouls.Oh,mychildren, don'tgo."

"Butwemust,"saidAmabel.

"Youneednot,ifyouwilllisten.Supposeyoudeclaretotaketheveilandremainhere.This womanhasnoforcewherewithtotakeyouaway,andshewillhavetogowithoutyou. Thenifyourfathershouldsendagain,youcouldbehiddeninsomeplaceaboutthe building,orsentawaytosomeotherhousewherehewouldneverfindyou."

IlookedatAmabelindecidedalarm,thinkingthatifshestaidImuststaytoo,andnot disposedtolosetheprospectofchange,whichwasgrowingmoreandmoreattractive everyday

"Butwouldthatberight?"askedAmabel."IthinkIoughttoobeymyfather."

"Notifheisaheretic,"saidSisterAngela.

"Youdon'tknowcertainlythatheis,"saidI.

"And,besides,howmanynunshavetakentheveilagainstthewishesoftheirnearestand dearestfriends,"addedSisterAngelatriumphantly."ThinkhowSt.Agnesleftherfather's houseandranawaytoSt.Francisinthemiddleofthenight.ThinkoftheblessedMother deChantal,thefriendofSt.FrancisdeSales—howsheleftherchildren—and,thoughher eldestsonthrewhimselfprostrateonthedoor-sill,beseechinghismotherwithtearsand cries,shesteppedoverhisbodyandwentherwayascalmlyasifnothinghadhappened."

TheremusthavebeensomeinfluenceemanatingfromMrs.Thorpeafterall,forthoughI hadbeenbroughtuptothinktheMotherdeChantalamodelofallexcellence,Ibeganto conceiveadisgustforherdirectly Ican'tsaythatIhaveevergotoverit.

AmabeldidnotsayawordwhileSisterAngelawentonurgingtheexampleofonesaint afteranother,tillshewasstoppedbysheerwantofbreath.

ThenAmabelasked—

"DoesMotherSuperiorknowofthisplan?"

"No,Ihavenotmentionedittoher,"answeredSisterAngela,takenratheraback."I thoughtIwouldseehowyoutookitfirst."

"Then,ifyouplease,wewillsaynomoreaboutit,"saidAmabel,"atleastnottillyouhave consultedher.IwillconsiderthematterandthenIshallknowhowtoact.Come,Lucy,we mustfinishourtaskbeforedark."

Wesatdowntoourframeandworkedforanhourwithoutsayingaword.ThenIlookedup and,catchingAmabel'seye,Isawinamomentthathermindwasmadeup.

"Well!"saidI.

"Ishalldonothingofthekind,"saidAmabel,answeringmyunspokenquestion."Didnot MotherSuperiorsaythatitwasourdutytoobeySirJulius?"

"Yes,Iknowshedid."

"SisterAngelahadnorighteithertoproposesuchathingunknowntoMotherPrudentia— MotherSuperior,Imean,"pursuedAmabel."Sheandsomeoftheothersthinktheycan takelibertiesnow.Theymayfindthemselvesmistaken."

"Butwouldyouwishtostay?"Iasked."Formypart,Iconfess,Iwanttoknowwhatthe worldislike."

"MotherSuperiorwouldhavesaidthatwaslikewishingtoeatofthefruitoftheknowledge ofgoodandevil,"returnedAmabel,smilinggravely."No,Idon'tthinkIwanttostaynow. Iwishtoseemyfather,andmylittlebrother,andstep-mother.Besides,theBibleitself says'Childrenobeyyourparents.'Don'tyouknowwereadthatinFatherBrousseau'sbig book?"

"ButiftheChurchteaches,andofcourseitmustorMotherdeChantalandSt.Agnes wouldnothavedoneit,"Ibegan,butAmabelinterruptedme.

"Idon'tliketolooktwowaysatonce,itonlypuzzlesme.There,ourworkisfinished—the lastweshalldointhishouse.Doesitnotseemstrange?Come,letuscarryittoMother Sacristine,andthenIwanttospeaktoMrs.Thorpe."

MotherSacristinepraisedourworktotheskies,andlamented,asmuchasSisterAgnes haddone,overourgoingaway.

"Ifyouwereonlyofage—butwhenyouare,youcancomeback,youknow.Idon'tbelieve butitmightbemanagednow.Thereareplentyofhidingplaceswherenoonewouldever findyou."

Weglancedateachother,butsaidnothing,andbetookourselvestolookforMrs.Thorpe.

"Theyareallinit!"saidAmabel.

"Iseetheyare,"returnedI."Itfrightensme.Whatiftheyshouldkeepushere?"

"Thereisnouseinbeingfrightened,"saidAmabel,composedasusual."Waitandsee.I haveastrongfeelingthatMotherSuperiorwillnotapprove;andifshedoesnot,Iwould notbeintheirshoes."

WefoundMrs.Thorpeinherlittlecell,busilywritingsomethinginherpocketbook.

"Mrs.Thorpe,ismyfatheraCatholic?"askedAmabel,goingtothepoint,asusual.

"Mydear,thatismorethanIcantellyou,"answeredMrs.Thorpe."Hisfatherandmother wereso,andhewasbroughtupinthatway.Myownimpressionisthatheisnotmuchof

anything."

"Youdonotmeanthathehasnoreligionatall!"saidAmabel,startled.

"Ifhehasn't,heisnottheonlyone,—more'sthepitysayI,"answeredthegoodwoman. "ButinEnglandjustnow,asIunderstandisthecasehere,agreatmanyfinegentlemen professinfidelityjustastheycarrycloudedcanesandtortoise-shellsnuff-boxes.Butyour aunts,yourmother'ssisters,areveryreligiousladies,intheirway,andkeeptheirchurch regularly—somysister-in-lawtellsme,wholivesinthesameparish."

"Shallwehavetogotochurchwiththem?"Iasked.

"MydearMrs.Corbet,ifIwereyou,Iwouldleavethattosettleitself,"repliedMrs.Thorpe. "Youcannottelljusthowyoumayfindthings,andthereisnouseinborrowingtrouble. 'Sufficientuntothedayistheevilthereof.'"

"ThatiswhatIalwaystellLucy,"saidAmabel,"butshepicksoutherknotsadozentimes beforeshecomestothem,ortheyaremadeatall.Butwhataniceproverbthatisyou repeated.Pleasesayitagain."

"Proverb,child!Why,'tisintheGospel.OurLordhimselfsaidit.'Sufficientuntothedayis theevilthereof.'Layittoheart,mydears.Itwillsaveyouagreatdealoftrouble."

IneverknewhoworwhenSisterAngelapropoundedhernotableplantoMotherSuperior, butIcanmakeagoodguessthatitwasthatveryafternoon.Forsheappearedatthetable withveryredcheeksandallthesistersweresoverymeekandsilent,thatIfancythey hadgotwhatMrs.Thorpewouldhavecalledawiggingat"obedience."MotherSuperior nevermentionedthemattertous,andofcourseweneversaidanythingtoher.Notbut shemighthaveconsideredallfairinthecauseofthechurch,andthesavingofsouls,butI thinkshenaturallyrevoltedatanythingunderhanded,and,besides,ourcommunityhad toorecentlyemergedfromaheavycloudofdisgraceanddangertorunanysuchriskas wouldhavebeenincurredbythespiritingawayoftwoEnglishgirlsofgoodfamilyatthat time.

Sundaypassedasrapidlyaslastdaysalwaysdo.OnMondaythecarriagebespokenby Mrs.Thorpecametothedoor.Webadeatearfulfarewelltoouroldfriendsandhome,and partedfromthemforever

Andinthisplace,ImayaswellsaywhatIthinkaboutconventlife.Iamfarfrombelieving allthescandaloustalesthataretold,thoughonemaylearnfromthewritingsofRoman Catholicauthors,aswellasfromthehistoryofMotherAngeliqueherself,whatdisorders havesometimesexistedinthem.ButIdosaythewholesystemisanunnaturaland, therefore,anunhealthyone,anditisliabletogreatabuses.

Hereisoneofthem:Ayounggirljustleavingschool,knowingnothingoftheworld— especiallyifshebeaFrenchgirl—isinvitedtomakearetreat.Whatdoesthatmean?It meansconfinement voluntary,nodoubt,inmostcases,butstillconfinement—ina darkenedroom,withjustlightenoughtoseetoread.Itmeansabsenceofallordinary occupation,shortenedhoursofrest,andlongfasts.Somebooklikethe"MeditationsofSt. Ignatius"isputintoherhands,fullofthegrossestandmostterriblematerialimagesof deathandhell.TheytalkabouttherantingoftheMethodists,andIwon'tdenythatthe localpreachersandexhortersgotoofarinthisdirectionattimes,butInevermetwithone whowoulddaretosayasmuchasthisfamoussaint,orassomeCatechismsdo.The decayofthebodyafterdeath,withallattendanthorrors,realorimaginary,isafavorite theme."Youwillbecomethatforwhichthereisnonameinanylanguage!"saysSt.

Ignatius.*Thencomepicturesofpurgatoryandhell,wroughtuptothehighestpitch,and then—thepoor,tired,hystericalyoungcreatureisinvitedtopauseandseriouslyconsider hervocationinlife.Isitanywonderthatshedecidesforthatvocationwhichissetbefore herastheoneofcertainsafety?Isitanywondereitherthattheexcitementover,she shouldtoooftenfindthatshehasmadeahorriblemistake?

* Bossuet has the same phrase I don't know who stole it

Ithinkthepeculiarcircumstancesunderwhichwewereplacedhadtheireffectinelevating thecharactersofoursisters;andyet,lookingback,Icanseewhatapettyworldwelived in—aworld,too,whichhaditsenviesandjealousiesevenasthegreatone.Whoevergoes intoaconventcarrieshisfleshwithhim.Nowallshaveeverbeencontrivedtoshutoutthe devil,andwherethesetwoare,besurethethirdpartner—theworld—isnotfaraway.

TheLordsurelyknewwhatHewasaboutwhenhesetpeopleinfamilies,andcreatedthe deartiesofhusbandandwife,parentandchild,brotherandsister.OurLordHimselflived notinaconvent asHemighthavedoneitseems,forMr.Wesleyhastoldmetherewere convents,oratleastbrotherhoods,inthosedays—butinafamily,andaworkingfamilyat that.OneoftheveryfewpicturesofHimIeversawthatIliked,isalittleprintMother Superiorgavemelongago,andwhichIhavestill,representingtheyoungJesusholdinga skeinofyarnforHismother,justasJudithPostlethwateoftendoesforme.

Therearesomegoodthingstobesaidforconventschools,asIhaveremarkedbefore. Theytakegoodcare,sofarasIhaveobserved,oftheirpupils'health;theyteachthemto beneat,tidy,andpunctual—allofwhichareverygoodthings.Iamsureofonething:I wouldnotsendachildtoasmallpoxhospitalunlessIwishedittocatchthesmallpox,and IwouldnotsendagirltoaconventschoolifIhadanyobjectiontohertakingtheveil.

ISHALLneverforgetmysensationswhenIfeltmyselffairlyoutsidetheconventwalls. ThoughIhadlivedinFrancesixteenyearsandmore,Ihadneverseenmoreofitthanwas visiblefromthewindowofthelittleroomovertheporch—theonlyonetowhichwehad accesswhichopenedontheoutsideworld.Howdifferentthebuildinglookedfromthe outside.Ihadneverevenknownoftheexistenceofthetworoundtowersattheouter

CHAPTER VIII.

FLIGHT FROM THENEST.