"The lady is in the parlour. Mother Hilda is with her"
"But her name?"
Sister Agnes could not give Evelyn her visitor's name; but on the way to the parlour they were met by the Prioress, who told Evelyn that the lady who had come to see her was a French lady, Mademoiselle Helbrun.
"Louise! Dear Mother, she is an actress, one of the women I used to sing with."
"Perhaps you had better not see her, and you may count upon me not to offend her; she will understand that on the day of your clothing—"
"No, no, dear Mother, I must see her."
"Teresa, one never uses the word 'must' to the Prioress, nor to any one in the convent; and on the day of your clothing it seems to me you might have remembered this first rule of our life."
"Of course I am very sorry, Mother; but now that she has come I am afraid it would agitate me more not to see her than to see her. It was the surprise of hearing her name after such a long while—there is no reason I can think of—"
"Teresa, it is for me to think, it is for you to obey."
"Well, Mother, if you will allow me."