"Surely, my daughter," answered the abbess, kindly, as she followed her guest into the chamber.
"Sit down in the easy-chair, good mother," said Salome, drawing the soft, white-cushioned seat toward her.
"No, sit you there, poor child," answered the abbess, taking her guest kindly and seating her in the easy-chair. "I shall be well enough here," she added, as she sat down on one of the painted, wooden seats. "Now, tell me what you wish to say, daughter," she concluded.
"Dear mother, I have been very deeply interested in Father F. this morning."
"You should be interested in the message only, not in the messenger, my child," gravely replied the elder lady.
"In the message alone I believe I was most concerned; but the message was most eloquently delivered by the messenger," said Salome, as her pale cheeks flushed.
"Well, my daughter, go on in what you were about to say."
"Holy mother, that message, so earnestly spoken, has moved me to greater diligence in what I have purposed to do. You know that I have intended to take the vail in this convent, and devote my life and my fortune to good works."
"Yes, my child, I know that such has been your pious purpose. What then?"
"I wish to use all diligence in carrying out that purpose. I wish to enter upon my novitiate immediately."