The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-01-27
CHAPTER II.

was calling the nuns to early mass, and
like q procession of phantoms they
glided silently through the long corri-
dor which led to the chapel At the
same moment the sharp tinkling of the
touriere, letting fall her rosary at her
side, drew the string to give entrance to
the newcomers, and going to the graf
ing of the pdrLoir, she beheld the fine,
handsome, but naughty face of the
Duke of -, with a lady leaning on
his arm.
"I wish to see the Abbess immedi
ately,n said he in an authoritative tone
to the bewildered nun, who was not ac-
customed to such noble visitors at so
early an hour.
Your name, monseigneur :"
"Never mind my name; it is not
meant for your ears"
The nun disappeared, and in few
minutes tall, portly woman of about
fifty years of age entered. Her features
were handsome, but SO much harshness
vas depicted on her face, and her cold,
stern blue eyes looked SO cruel, that
Alix shuddered in thinking Of the doom
that awaited her.
The duke craved q few minutes of
private conversation with the abbess,
Alix being under the surveillance of the
touriere.
Poor Alixl how her heart was break
ing within her But few hours be-
fore, and all the joys that can be felt
only by those who have loved passion
ate1y had been hers, and for those few
hours (which had appeared TO her as
seGonds) of intense bliss and supreme
happiness, she was perhaps to be con-
fined to years of utter misery, and yet
if it were to begin again, would she fly
from temptstioni
"No,n she inwardly said, again and
again, 81 could not, would not. On
my loved Louis, my own sdored king,
no one shall be able to prevent me
thinking of you; shall love You more
and more every day, until that love
kills me by inches, and if one remem-
bers on the other side OF the tomb,
thou shalt ever be with me !"
The unmusicai voice of the abbess
drew her from her dreamy thoughts; ;
she was alone, and telling Alix to fol-
low her, both entered dark, low pas
sage, at the end of which was a door;
the abbess unlocked it, and made Alix
enter It was q cell whose darkness,
was prevented by the Pickering lamp
carried by the nun; a pallet for bed,
a chair, and crucihx on the wall con-
stituted the furniture.
On the chair lay the complete dress
of novice, and in q corner pitcher OF
water with piece of bread.
"This cell, my daughter, is for the
present yoars. Yon shall expiate here
your bad conduct; if you are rebel
ious your chastisemeat will be almost
unendurable, but If You confide in me
and confess your misdeeds, You viii be
free in Q few months to take the VOWS.
I leave you until II; you viii have
time to reflect over your wickedness,
and shall be ready to receive the
avowal of the dark deeds you have
committed, and do not neglect to throw
off the livery of Satan In order to cover
your sinful body with the holy habit
/ you are SO unworthy to wear.
The abbess left, the door was locked
and the beautiful and disconsolate Ali1
threw herself before the crucifx to i'm
plore forgiveness from the All Power
fui One who could alone wash out hel
sins. Like the Magdalen of old she
entreated for pardon but, alas, hu
man love was still strong in her heart
the image of Louis was engraved In in
delible characters upon it, and it wa
but in vain she struggled for few mo
ments of pTlyer; the name of Louii
was ever on her lips, and wearied sh,
threw herself on the pallet, pressing
! tightly to her heart the picture of he
beloved ea
Once more the door creaks on it
hinges, and the abbess enters.
sfI have come to hear the confession
of your guilt, /" she says, bringing tn
I chair near to the bedside; "let m
hear it at once
Madame" said Alix, whose prom
blood began to boil in her veins, ''m
r guilt, whatever it has been, shall b
/ buried with me, you can inAict an