There was a short silence; the blue eyes of the xx Swedish girl had become frosty as two midwinter stars. Suddenly they glimmered warm again as twin violets:
“Kharasho!” she said smiling. “And do you love your little comrade duchess?”
“Next only to God.”
“That is very beautiful, Palla. She is a child to be enlightened. Teach her the greater truth.”
“She has learned it, Ilse.”
“She?”
“Yes. And, if God wills it, she, and I also, take the vows some day.”
“The veil!”
“Yes.”
“You! A nun!”