daughter; but the lofty and yet graceful mien of the younger woman had
changed in the matron to majestic and condescending dignity, and it was
impossible to guess from her defiantly set mouth that it had once been
the chief charm of her face.

As she listened to the girl's outpourings the expression of her calm eyes
changed frequently; when her soul was fired by fanatical zeal they could
gleam brightly; but now she was listening to a variety of experiences,
for Paula regarded this interview as a solemn confession, and concealed
nothing from the friend who was both mother and priest-neither of what
had happened to her in external circumstances, nor of what had moved her
heart and mind ever since she had first entered the house of the
Mtikaukas. Not a corner of her soul did she leave unsearched; she
neither concealed nor palliated anything; and when she described her
lover's strenuous efforts to apprehend the whole seriousness of life, her
love and enthusiasm fairly carried her away, making his image shine all
the more brightly by comparison with the brief, but dark shadow, that had
fallen upon it. When Paula had at last ended her confession, the
superior had remained silent for some time; then drawing the girl to her,
she had affectionately asked her:

"And now? Now, tell me truly, does not the passion that has such
wonderful power over you prompt and urge your inmost soul to yield--to fly
to the embrace of the man you love--to give all up for him and say: 'Here
I am--I am yours! Call a priest to bless our union!--Is it not so--am I
not right?'"

Paula, deeply blushing, bowed assent; but the old woman drew her head on
to her motherly bosom, and went on thoughtfully: