But presently he passed his hand over his eyes, as if to shut out some bright vision, and to turn his mind to more sober thought; and, at that moment, the stone in his ring gleamed a pale opal, threaded with flashes of green.
The Prioress returned to the subject, with studied seriousness.
"I did not suppose, Reverend Father, that it was to be of any advantage to the world, that Sister Seraphine should return to it.

The advantage was to be to her, and also to this whole Community, well rid of the presence of one who finds our sacred exercises irksome; our beautiful Nunnery, a prison; her cell, a living tomb.

She cries out for life.
'I want to live,' she said, 'I am young, I am gay, I am beautiful! I want life.'" "To such as Sister Seraphine," remarked the Bishop, gravely, "life is but a mirror which reflects themselves.

Other forms and faces may flit by, in the background; dimly seen, scarcely noticed.

There is but one face and form occupying the entire foreground.