However, it was my business to obey, and I followed Amabel who had already risen. Sister Angela led us into a disused storeroom and closed the door.
"Are you really going away with that heretic woman, and to that dreadful England?" she asked of Amabel in a whisper.
"I suppose so," said Amabel. "My father has sent for us, and we have no choice."
"But is your father a Catholic?" asked the sister. "Are you sure?"
"I suppose so. Why?"
"Well, I do not believe he is—not a good one. Madame Thorpe herself told Sister Agnes that he sometimes went to the English Church."
"Perhaps he has a dispensation," said I.
"Well, at all events these ladies to whom you are going are heretics. There is no doubt of that."
"I suppose not," said Amabel, "but they may not interfere with our religion."
"They will. They cannot help it. They will try in every way to pervert you. Besides, you will be deprived of the sacraments—you will be perverted and lose your souls. Oh, my children, don't go."