For the first question which M.de Vieuville put to me was this: "And what of the girl, Mr.Aycon?
She has suffered indeed for the sins of others." But young Alfred, who was standing by, laid a hand on his father's shoulder and said with a laugh: "Father, when Mr.Aycon leaves us tomorrow, it is to visit the convent at Avranches." And the old man held out his hand to me, saying: "You do well." To the convent at Avranches then I went one bright morning in the spring of the next year; and again I walked with the stately old lady in the little burial ground.

Yet she was a little less stately, and I thought that there was what the profane might call a twinkle in her eye, as she deplored Marie's disinclination to become a permanent inmate of the establishment over which she presided.

And on her lips came an indubitable smile when I leaped back from her in horror at the thought.
"There would be none here to throw her troubles in her teeth," pursued the Mother Superior, smiling still.

"None to remind her of her mother's shame; none to lay snares for her; none to remind her of the beauty which has brought so much woe on her; no men to disturb her life with their angry conflicting passions.

Does not the picture attract you, Mr.Aycon ?" "As a picture," said I, "it is almost perfect.