Upon inquiry, it appeared that Roland had set off with Lootz for the convent.
CHAPTER XII.
ORESTES AND IPHIGENIA.
Two steamers, one bound for the valley, the other for the mountains, were standing in the stream at a little distance from the island. In the one bound for the valley was Roland. In answer to his impatient question why they did not land, the captain silently pointed to the island, where a procession of priests and nuns were following a bier covered with flowers, and borne by girls dressed in white. The voices of children, as they sang, rose on the clear Spring air. Roland's heart trembled; what if his sister-—-?
"It must be a little child," said an elderly man standing near him; "the bier is so small; those young girls could not carry it otherwise."
Roland breathed more freely; he knew his sister must be among the mourners.
He had landed, and was standing on the bank beside the boatman, who was to row him over to the island. The man shook his head and said softly:—
"Not yet, not yet; but perhaps you are a relation of the child?"
"What child?"
"A little child has died in the convent; oh, such a beautiful child! it made one happy only to look at her. The Lord God will have to make but little change to turn her into an angel."