Perhaps this was the hour when the change of mind in Mother
Sub-Prioress really had its beginning, for Father Benedict's terrible
yet true description of her methods and her rule, now came forcefully
back to her.
Putting out a trembling hand, she touched the little foot of the Babe.
"Give me tenderness," she said, and an agony of supplication was in her
voice; also a rain of tears softened the hard lines of her face.
Our blessed Lady smiled, and the sweet Babe looked merry.
Mother Sub-Prioress passed to the window. The sun, round and blood
red, as at that very moment reflected in Hugh d'Argent's shield, was
just about to dip below the horizon. When next it rose, the day would
have dawned which would see her Prioress of the White Ladies of
Worcester.
She turned to the place where the Prioress's chair of state stood
empty. During the walk to and from the Cathedral, she had planned to
come alone to this chamber, and seat herself in the chair which would
so soon be hers. But now a new humbleness restrained her.
Falling upon her knees before the empty chair, she lifted clasped hands
heavenward.
"O God," she said, "I am not worthy to take Her place. My heart is
hard and cold; my tongue is ofttimes cruel; my spirit is censorious.
But I have learned a lesson from the bird and a lesson from the Babe;
and that which I know not teach Thou me. Create in me a new heart, O
God, and renew a right spirit within me.
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