Page:Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk (Truslove & Bray).djvu/39

37 Convent had never been exposed, and it is not imagined by the people of the United States. This induces me to say what I do, notwithstanding the strong reasons I have to let it remain unknown. Still I cannot force myself to speak on such subjects except in the most brief manner.

N Thursday morning, the bell rang at half-past six to waken us. The old nun who was acting as night-watch immediately spoke aloud:

"Voici le Seignieur qui vient." (Behold the Lord cometh.) The nuns all responded:

"Allons — y pevant lui." (Let us go and meet him.)

We arose immediately, and dressed quickly, stepping into the passage-way, at the foot of our bed, as soon as we were ready, and taking place each beside her opposite companion. Thus we were drawn up in a double row the length of the room, with our hands folded across our breasts, and concealed in the broad cuffs of our sleeves. Not a word was uttered. When the signal was given, we all proceeded to the community-room, and took our places in rows facing the entrance, near which the Superior was seated in a vergiere. We first repeated "Au nom du Pere, du Fils, et du Saint Esprit — Ainsi soit il." (In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, — Amen.) We then kneeled and kissed the floor; then, still kneeling, on our knees, we said a long prayer, "Divin Jesus, sauveur de mon ame." (Divine Jesus, Saviour of my soul.) Then the Lord's prayer, three Hail Marys, four creeds, and five