After carefully locking and bolting the door of the sacristy Sister Paul turned to Beatrice.

She had set down her lamp upon the broad, polished shelf which ran all round the place, forming the top of a continuous series of cupboards, as in most sacristies, used for the vestments of the church.

At the back of these high presses rose half way to the spring of the vault.
The nun seemed a little nervous and her voice quavered oddly as she spoke.

If she had tried to take up her lamp her hand would have shaken.
In the moment of danger she had been brave and determined, but now that all was over her enfeebled strength felt the reaction from the strain.
She turned to Beatrice and met her flashing black eyes.

The young girl's delicate nostrils quivered and her lips curled fiercely.
"You are angry, my dear child," said Sister Paul.