Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the cloister.djvu/281

 pale of interest and affection. She must feel a strong inclination toward the child, the nuns reflected. But why? What could these two—Saint Ernesta and the Imp—have in common? They puzzled over the problem even as they unanimously assented to the venerable nun's plea. They were not at all sure it would succeed, but harder hearts than the Imp's might well be touched by it, and, on the whole, they were sanguine as they separated.

To May Iverson was given the delicate task of informing the Imp of the important decision reached in her case. It is due Miss Iverson to add that none of the dramatic features of the situation were lost sight of in the interview she had that afternoon with the silent culprit. She pictured to the child the scene in the council-room, where the old nun had risen in her defence. She reminded the Imp of Saint Ernesta's age and increasing feebleness. On that dear, venerable back were laid the heavy burdens of the Imp's misdoing. How long must it bear them?

Mercedes followed her discourse with acute working of her alert mind and Southern imagination, but, if she was touched, she made no sign. She merely looked at May oddly out of her black eyes and intimated that she had no personal interest in the conversation. May