Little incidents affect a mind, enervated by sorrow; Emily struggled against the sickening faintness, that came over her, and was led into the presence of the abbess, who received her with an air of maternal tenderness; an air of such gentle solicitude and consideration, as touched her with an instantaneous gratitude; her eyes were filled with tears, and the words she would have spoken faltered on her lips.
The abbess led her to a seat, and sat down beside her, still holding her hand and regarding her in silence, as Emily dried her tears and attempted to speak.

'Be composed, my daughter,' said the abbess in a soothing voice, 'do not speak yet; I know all you would say.

Your spirits must be soothed.

We are going to prayers;--will you attend our evening service?
It is comfortable, my child, to look up in our afflictions to a father, who sees and pities us, and who chastens in his mercy.' Emily's tears flowed again, but a thousand sweet emotions mingled with them.

The abbess suffered her to weep without interruption, and watched over her with a look of benignity, that might have characterized the countenance of a guardian angel.