I warn you that your life has never hung by frailer thread than now it hangs.

Your only hope of safety lies in doing as I bid you.

Pass before me along this passage until you reach a chamber on the right, of which the door stands open.

Enter, and place yourself against the wall on the side farthest from the door.
There I will speak with you." With the shuffling steps of a woman, and the bent shoulders of the very old, the figure moved slowly forward, stepped upon the front of the white robe, stumbled, but recovered.
The Prioress watching, laughed--a short scornful laugh, holding more of anger than of merriment.
With an abrupt movement the figure straightened, stood at its full height, and strode forward.

The Prioress marked the squaring of the broad shoulders; the height, greater than her own, though she was more than common tall; the stride, beneath the folds of the long robe; and she knit her level brows, for well she knew with whom she had to deal.
She was called to face a desperate danger.