Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/173

 wealth which he hoped to secure by making her a nun, neither was it the unselfish affection which the thought of snatching a soul from eternal misery would inspire. It was human love which made the sound of her voice linger in his memory like sweet music, and which made her face seem infinitely more attractive than the inanimate representations of life which looked down upon him from the walls.

But the Superior's creed was elastic enough to cover this defection. "And what if I do love this girl?" he mused. "Where is the harm? Have not cardinals, bishops and even popes loved in their day? And was it sin in these holy men? Certainly not! To the pure all things are pure. And assuredly, if I keep my feelings locked within my own breast, no one will be the wiser."

Thus did the Superior quiet his conscience. And daily he repaired to the convent to give the young novice instruction.

One beautiful evening, after vespers, the Lady Abbess invited Katharine to enjoy the view from the roof of the convent. The sun was sinking in the west. The sounds of busy life in the streets below, the tramp of hurrying feet, the bustle and confusion, were strangely at variance with the quiet of the convent.

"I shall be sorry to leave this beautiful spot," said the girl with emotion. "The convent has been like a home to me, and you, reverend Mother, have