Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/231



“ Katharine La Tour becomes a nun. You have succeeded admirably, cousin Agnes. I am more than gratified at the result of your labors.”

“I really am troubled, Julius,” replied the Lady Abbess, “at your treatment of my young novice. What will be the effect of this tissue of lies on that sincerely honest and innocent girl, when she discovers the truth? She believes us to be but little removed from angels, and she does not for a moment imagine that we really deny ourselves but few of the world’s pleasures.”

“I care not what she thinks, after her vows are once spoken,” replied the Superior. “She will then be bound to us by irrevocable ties, and she will have to accept the condition of things as she finds them. But my influence over her is so unbounded that I am confident she will consider that whatever I advise is right. I never was so interested in a woman before. But how can one behold Katharine La Tour, with her candor, her intelligence, her 219