“But my dear Henriette,” commented the Abbess, “I fear that I must now treat you inhospitably, and turn you out of the room. I am momentarily in expectation of the arrival of Father Eustace.”

“Oh, I know him very well indeed,” replied my mother, appearing to me rather confused, “and there is no necessity for my leaving the room unless you want a very private interview with him, Agatha!”

“None of your banter,” replied the Abbess tapping her sister's cheek. “The Father is coming here on duty.”

“Those handsome young monks are always 'on duty,'“ muttered my mother. Just then we were interrupted by a tap at the door. After the Abbess gave the necessary permission, a tall, attractive young nun entered. First she made a lowly obeisance to the Mother Superior, and then a slighter recognition of my mother and me.

“I have come, Holy Mother, to receive my punishment,” she said quietly.

“You have done well to keep your time punctually, daughter Emilie,” replied the Abbess not unkindly. “It shows some degree of penitence, although the degree of the penance must rest to a great extent with Father Eustace. Yet I think I can promise that you will not be treated very severely.” She arched one eyebrow. “But stripped you will have to be, and I think slightly whipped. So you had better begin to undress yourself at once in order to save time.”

“Will these ladies remain to be spectators of the proceedings?” asked Emilie, alluding to my mother and me.

“It is rather unusual to allow strangers to be present,” replied the Abbess, “but as these ladies are my sister and niece, I think I may venture to grant them the privilege.”

“Certainly, I should like it,” replied my mother. “I have a great curiosity to see what penance Father Eustace, whom I know very well, will impose on a fine girl such as sister Emilie. What fault has she been committing?”