Should you like to see the Mother Superior ?' Sister Giovanna rose as she spoke, for though she was sure of herself after making the first effort, she did not mean to tell an untruth if her aunt asked a still more direct question; she was well aware, too, that she had turned very pale at the first mention of Giovanni, and she did not intend to expose herself to any further surprises which her enemy might be planning.
The Princess was disappointed now, and was not satisfied with having so greatly diminished her own anxiety.

She felt that she had come into contact with a force which she could not hope to overcome, because it did not proceed only from Angela's own strength of character, but was backed by a power that was real though it was invisible.

It is hard to express what I mean, but those will understand who have personally found themselves opposed by a member of any regular order whom they wish to influence.

It has been well said that there is no such obstacle in life as the inert resistance of a thoroughly lazy man; but in certain circumstances that is far inferior to the silent opposition of a conscientious person belonging to a large body which declines, on grounds of belief rather than of logic, to enter into any argument.
That was what Princess Chiaromonte felt.
She rose from her chair a moment after her niece had stood up.
'Thank you,' she said.

'I will wait here, if I may.' 'You are welcome.' Sister Giovanna made a slight inclination of the head and left the hall at once.