her, Antony. I know she oft thinks evil where none was meant, telling
tales of wrong which are mostly of her own imagining. But, in so
doing, she harms herself more than she can harm others.

"By stirring up the mud in a dark pool, you dim the reflection of the
star which, before, shone bright within it. But you do not dim the
star, shining on high.

"So is it with the slanderous thoughts of evil minds. They stir up
their own murkiness; but they fail to dim the stars.

"We must bear with Sister Mary Rebecca."

"Go not nigh them, Reverend Mother," begged old Antony. "I will tend
them with due care and patience. These pains in bones, and general
shiverings, are given quickly from one to another. I pray you, go not
near. Remember--_you_ were taken--alas! alas!--and _they_ were left!"

At this the Prioress laughed, gaily.

"But I was not taken decently, with pains in my bones and a-bed, dear
Antony. I was carried off by a bold, bad man--thy Knight of the Bloody
Vest."

"Oh, pray!" cried the old lay-sister. "I fear me it is an omen. The
angel Gabriel, Reverend Mother, sent to bear you from earth to heaven.
'The one shall be taken, and the other left.' Ah, if he had but flown
off with Mother Sub-Prioress!"

The Prioress laughed again. "Dear Antony, thy little bird took the