As they stood calculating the strength of the lock and hinges the door-bell suddenly began to jingle.
"He wouldn't ring the bell; he would come down the chimney," said
Miss Dingle.
"But who can it be?" said the portress, "and at this hour."
"This will save you." Miss Dingle thrust a rosary into the nun's hand and fled down the passage. "Be sure to throw it over his neck."
The nun tried to collect her scattered thoughts and her courage. Again the bell jingled; this time the peal seemed crazier than the first, and, rousing herself into action, she asked through the grating who it might be.
"It is I, Sister Evelyn; open the door quickly, Sister Agnes."
The nun held the door open, thanking God it was not the devil, and Evelyn dragged her trunk through the door, letting it drop upon the mat abruptly.
"Tell dear Mother I want to speak to her—say that I must see her—be sure to say that, and I will wait for her in the parlour."
"There is no light there; I will fetch one."
"Never mind, don't trouble; I don't want a light. But go to the
Reverend Mother and tell her I must see her before any one else."