CHAPTER II

THE LORD OF CRANDLEMAR


The adieux had been said, the night had come and gone, and with the
dawn the tide drew away carrying with it a large vessel upon the deck
of which stood Janet and Katherine wrapped in long traveling capes.

"'Tis the most wondrous sight I ever beheld! Thinkest thou the
Bethlehem Star could have been more beautiful than yonder Lucifer.
Indeed it seems, Janet, we see in all nature the reflection of the
Christ; the birth of dawn; the presence of the star; these black
waters. 'Tis awesome! Listen, Janet, thou must acknowledge thou
hearest something more than plaint of ocean. 'Tis something more than
sound. It fills me with an exultation I cannot analyze. Dost feel it,
Janet?"

"I cannot tell what I feel, Mistress." And Janet covered her mouth
to smother her laughter; first of all because she felt seasick, and
secondly the child's words stirred in her no such youthful enthusiasm.
She was not yet rejuvenated.

"And with all this glory of nature filling me I can less understand
Sister Phelia's words at parting. Her eyes seemed to burn to my very
soul as she said: 'Dost not feel as thou art leaving these sacred
walls that thou art passing from a retreat where the Blessed Virgin