"However she appears faithfully to have laid before Sister Mary
Seraphine, my view of the matter, giving her to understand that I am
inclined to be lenient concerning vows made under misapprehension; also
that, when there is not a true vocation, and a worldly spirit chafes
against the cloistered life, I regard its presence within the Community
as more likely to be harmful to the common weal, than the short-lived
scandal which might arise if those in power should connive at an
escape."
The Knight moved impatiently in his seat.
"Could we arrive, my lord," he said, "at the Lady Prioress's message,
of which you spoke?"
"We are tending thither, my son," replied the Bishop, unruffled. "Curb
your impatience. We of the Cloister are wont to move slowly, with
measured tread--each step a careful following up of the step which went
before--not with the leaps and bounds and capers of the laity. In due
time we shall reach the message.
"Well, in this conversation the Prioress appears to have complied with
my suggestions, excepting in the matter of one most important detail,
concerning which she used her own discretion. I distinctly advised her
to tell Seraphine that we were aware of your arrival, and that to my
certain knowledge you were in the crypt each afternoon at the hour when
the White Ladies pass to and from Vespers. In fact, my dear Knight, I
even went so far as to suggest to the Reverend Mother to give Sister
Mary Seraphine to understand that if she stepped aside, losing her way
among the many pillars, you would probably know what to do next.
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