Are you troubled by fears lest you wronged the man you loved, when, leaving him, you became the bride of Heaven ?" Sister Seraphine smiled--a scornful little smile.

"Nay," she said, "I was weary of Wilfred.

But--there were others." The voice of the Prioress grew even graver, and more sad.
"Is it then the Fact of marriage which you desired and regret ?" Sister Seraphine laughed--a hard, self-conscious, little laugh.
"Nay, I could not have brooked to be bound to any man.

But I liked to be loved, and I liked to be First in the thought and heart of another." The Prioress looked at the pretty, tear-stained face, at the softly moulded form.

Then an idea came to her.