Long concealment of the deadly poverty within the walls had taught her to close the gates behind her whenever she entered, but now for greater security, or to gain time, she swung the great oaken beam round on its pivot across the doors on the inside.

Then turning round on her heels she watched the bell that hung above her head.

The Abbe, who had followed her as quickly as he could, was naively looking for a peep-hole between the timbers of the huge doors.
A minute later the bell swung slowly, and gave a single clang which echoed beneath the vaulted roof, and in the hollow of the empty towers on either side.
"Marie, Marie!" cried a gay girlish voice from without.

"Open at once.
It is I." "There," said Marie, in a whisper.

"It is Mademoiselle, who has returned from the good Sisters.