The members of the Community, accustomed to take leave of an erring brother or sister with loving and merciful words, were all more or less distressed as they bade her farewell.

Most of the women were in tears as they kissed her.

They said the same kind words to her over and over again.

'We are heartily sorry for you, dear; we shall all be glad to welcome you back.' They sang our customary hymn at parting--and broke down before they got to the end.

It was _she_ who consoled _them!_ Not once, through all that melancholy ceremony, did she lose her strange composure, her rapt mysterious look.