As her father had ordered the servants not to disturb the young girls, Els did not wake till the sun was high in the heavens.

Eva's place at her side was empty.

She had already left the room.

For the first time it had been impossible to sleep even a few short moments, and when she heard from the neighbouring cloister the ringing of the little bell that summoned the nuns to prayers, she could stay in bed no longer.
Usually she liked to dress slowly, thinking meanwhile of many things which stirred her soul.

Sometimes while the maid or Els braided her hair she could read a book of devotion which the abbess had given her.