“And perchance thou no longer desirest to serve her?” Here was a bow drawn at a venture, but the shaft shot very near the mark.
“My Lord—” stammered Brigid reddening.
“Suppose I hear the tale, my child.”
“It is not wholly mine, my Lord.”
The Cardinal smiled. “Well, we will leave it. The matter to my seeing stands thus. Thou hast displeased her, and thou art not wholly pleased with her.”
“My Lord, I am very ill-pleased with her.”
He laughed. “At least thou art candid, child. Now tell me truly, was there aught of pique in thy leaving the Castle.”
“None, my Lord.” The reply was ready enough. “I saw that she would not have me see, I heard that she would not have me hear. For that she liked me not, nor truly did I like her. I can no longer give her my service whole-heartedly, nor does she desire what lesser service I might give her. Therefore am I here.” Again the reply she had given the Abbess, yet this time going further.
“Ah!” The fragile old hand beat lightly on the arm of the chair. “And here thou desirest to be a nun.”
“That is my desire.”