live--to live!"

The Prioress looked up, astonished.

The surface humility had departed from the swollen countenance of
Sister Seraphine. The petulant defiance was plainly visible.

"Kneel!" commanded the Prioress, with authority.

The wayward nun jerked down upon her knees, upsetting the stool behind
her.

The Prioress made a quick movement, then restrained herself. She had
prayed for patience in dealing with wilfulness.

"We die that we may live," she said, solemnly. "Sister Seraphine, this
is the lesson your wayward heart must learn. Dying to self, we live
unto God. Dying to sin, we live unto righteousness. Dying to the
world, we find the Life Eternal."

On her knees upon the floor, Sister Seraphine felt her position to be
such as lent itself to pathos.

"But I want to _live_ to the world!" she cried, and burst into tears.

Now Convent life does not tend to further individual grief. Constant
devout contemplation of the Supreme Sorrow which wrought the world's
salvation lessens the inclination to shed tears of self-pity.

The Prioress was startled and alarmed by the pathetic sobs of Sister