"By Pilate's water, I would risk the curse!" "I know you would, my son," said the Bishop, "and, by our Lady's crown, I would have let you risk it, believing, as I do, that it would end in blessing.

But--listen, Hugh.

In asking what you asked, you scarce know what you did.

You need not say 'yea,' nor 'nay,' but I incline to think with the Reverend Mother, that the woman you sought was not foolish little Seraphine, turned one way by the neighing of a palfrey, another by the embroidering of a pomegranate.

There are women of finer mould in that Nunnery, any one of whom may be your lost betrothed.