"The nuns were all present except those occupied with the household duties. They had glided into the chapel more like shadows than like human beings. Two of them knelt in the confessional.

"Presently the sound of a deep voice, followed by soft whisperings was heard. The murmur ceased, then commenced again. Then came a long silence. The arms of the sinner moved restlessly as she pronounced mea culpa. The Lady Superior rose with a bowed head, her arms crossed on her breast, moved towards the little chapel of the Holy Virgin.

"All the nuns in turn came and knelt on either side of the confessional.

Finally it was the turn of the youngest novice.

"Trembling with fear and yet impatient to hear the Abbe's voice on the other side of the grating, she knelt down on her little wooden stool. By closing her eyes and stopping her ears she tried to examine her conscience. The image of the Abbe, however, would rise up before her.

She waited until the rattle of the little window warned her that he was ready to listen to her, and the confession began!

"'Your blessing, my father,' etc., etc., until the solemn moment arrived when her most secret thoughts must be unveiled.

"'My child, have you sinned in thought; have you longed for the world and the pleasures thereof?' "She gave no answer.

"Then the Abbe whispered low: 'Have you ever had any bad thoughts?

Did you ever commit any sinful deeds?'

"Still she could not answer.

"'Have you listened to the demon tempting you to sensual actions?

Speak without fear, my child, God is good and will forgive.' "'My father,' stammered the poor little novice, not understanding and yet trying to see the priest who was plying her with these terrible questions.

"She could only distinguish, however, through the grating, two flashing eyes which stirred her very soul with a magnetic influence, which the poor little novice would have been unable to define.