was decorated with a crucifix, before which burned four lamps. All
bent and crossed themselves; and the priest said to the minstrel
maiden, pointing to the crucifix, "What says that emblem?"

"That HE invites the sinner as well as the righteous to approach."

"Ay, if the sinner put from him his sin," said the monk, whose
tone of voice was evidently milder. "Prepare thyself here for thy
journey."

Louise remained an instant or two in the chapel, and presently
reappeared in a mantle of coarse grey cloth, in which she had closely
muffled herself, having put such of her more gaudy habiliments as
she had time to take off in the little basket which had before held
her ordinary attire.

The monk presently afterwards unlocked a door which led to the
open air. They found themselves in the garden which surrounded the
monastery of the Dominicans.

"The southern gate is on the latch, and through it you can pass
unnoticed," said the monk. "Bless thee, my son; and bless thee too,
unhappy child. Remembering where you put off your idle trinkets,
may you take care how you again resume them!"

"Alas, father!" said Louise, "if the poor foreigner could supply
the mere wants of life by any more creditable occupation, she has
small wish to profess her idle art. But--"

But the monk had vanished; nay, the very door though which she had