During these
wretched years we have schooled ourselves each to think of the other as
wedded. Now we know that neither has been faithless. I have found
thee, my beloved, and I will not let thee go."
"Hugh," said the Prioress, "I _am_ wedded. You come too late. Saw you
not the sacred ring upon my hand? Know you not that every nun is the
bride of Christ?"
"You are mine!" said the Knight, fiercely; and he laid his great hand
upon her knee.
From beneath her scapulary, the Prioress drew the dagger.
"Before I went to the cloister door," she said, "I took this from its
hiding-place, and put it in my girdle. I guessed I had a man to deal
with; though, Heaven knows, I dreamed not it was thou! But I tell
thee, Hugh, if thou, or any man, attempt to lay defiling touch upon any
nun in this Priory--myself, or another--I strike, and I strike home.
This blade will be driven up to the hilt in the offender's heart."
The Knight rose to his feet, stepped to the window and leaned, with
folded arms, against the wall.
"Put back thy weapon," he said, sternly, "into its hiding-place. No
other man is here; yet, should another come, my sword would well
suffice to guard thine honour, and the honour of thy nuns."
She looked at his dark face, scornful in its pain; then went at once,
obedient, to the secret panel.
"Yes, Hugh," she said. "That much of trust indeed I owe thy love."
As she placed the dagger in the wall and closed the panel, something
fell from her, intangible, yet real.
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