On the upper floor of the eastern side a large room, absolutely riddled with shot and shell, was formerly occupied as a dormitory by the children of the convent school.

It was now put to a novel use as a temporary barracks, a watch being always on duty there, and a telescope installed at the window.

Since the nuns left to take up their abode in a bomb-proof shelter, a Maxim had been placed at one of the windows, which commanded all the surrounding country; but it was discreetly covered over, and the window-blind kept closely drawn to avert suspicion, as it was only to be used in case of real emergency.

To reach our cubicles there was but a single staircase, which led past this room allotted to the soldiers--a fact which left an unsatisfactory impression on my mind, for it was apparent that, were the convent aimed at, to reach terra-firma we should have to go straight in the direction of shells or bullets.

However, the authorities opined it was all right; so, feeling very ill, I was only too glad to crawl to bed.