"The young girls all remarked that he was undeniably handsome and when they went to the confessional, each one went early to be sure to get a chance to confess during the day.

"The old curate was not sorry to be relieved of his arduous work and it was only right that the poor man should have some rest. He now only confessed the nuns at the convent every fortnight, when they sent their old coach for him.

"It was always a treat at the convent when the venerable priest visited them. They dined in the great refectory and he seemed to bring with him an odour of out-of-doors, which always touched the hearts of the novices, who sighed every now and then under its influence.

"One day, however, the old vehicle brought the young Abbe to the convent. The old curate was ill and had sent his excuses to the Lady Superior. The latter received the young man in the parlour on the ground floor and was quite charmed with his modest bearing. They conversed at first about the curate, then about the crops, then the church. They had been repairing the chapel of St. Anthony, etc.

"The Lady Superior finally assembled the nuns in order to present them to their new pastor, and one after another they passed before him and curtsied without raising their eyes to his face. Why should they, since he was only to speak words of peace and comfort to them from behind the wooden grating.

"Three novices were the last to enter. One of them had examined the young Abbe through a crack in the door before coming in, and her cheeks became crimson as she curtsied to him.

"After the presentation the Lady Superior made a little speech and then accompanied the Abbe to the chapel, followed by the whole party of nuns.

"The young priest opened the centre door and closed it carefully after him a moment later. A slight rustling told his auditors that he was slipping on a white surplice that was hanging inside the door, then came the noise of a stool sliding across the floor, and all was silent.