"Impossible! I mean," he added, hurriedly recalling himself, "your rules, your discipline, your attendants are so perfect." "The poor impulsive creature has added sacrilege to her madness--a sacrilege we are willing to believe she did not understand, for she escaped in a religious habit--my own." "But this would sufficiently identify her," he said, controlling himself with an effort.
"Alas, not so! There are many of us who go abroad on our missions in these garments, and they are made all alike, so as to divert rather than attract attention to any individuality.

We have sent private messengers in all directions, and sought her everywhere, but without success.

You will understand that we wish to avoid scandal, which a more public inquiry would create." "And you come to me," said Key, with a return of his first suspicion, in spite of his eagerness to cut short the interview and be free to act,--"to me, almost a stranger ?" "Not a stranger, Mr.Key," returned the religieuse gently, "but to a well-known man--a man of affairs in the country where this unhappy child's brother lives--a friend who seems to be sent by Heaven to find out this brother for us, and speed this news to him.

We come to the old pupil of Father Cipriano, a friend of the Holy Church; to the kindly gentleman who knows what it is to have dear relations of his own, and who only yesterday was seeking the convent to"-- "Enough!" interrupted Key hurriedly, with a slight color.

"I will go at once.