Nevertheless I will do the best I can, and
try to make my conscience accord with your
pleasure.'

"'You will try! No reservations or
restrictions, if you please, ma sœur. I have
traced the line of conduct you are to follow,
and take upon myself the entire responsibility.
You will obtain a fresh loan from
Mademoiselle St. Chéron. She evidently
has taken a fancy to you, and you can get
out of her anything you please by saying
you will be obliged to leave her. You will
make use of the same means to induce
her to fulfil her religious duties.'

"'Ma mère!'

"'I have told you I will suffer no
observations: I must have obedience, pure and
simple.'

"'Very well then, madame; I will not
obey,' I exclaimed, indignant at this despotism.
'I will not lend myself to manœuvres
unworthy not only of religious women but
of honest men of the world. On the
contrary, I will enlighten the poor woman
respecting her true interests. Do you think
I will make myself an accomplice in deception,
and abuse the confidence of a person
sequestered?'

"'You talk big,' replied Madame Ludivine.
'You expect, by your impertinence,
to get sent to Paris; but that does not
enter into our plans. We will keep you,
and, with God's help, will get the mastery
of your horrible temper. To-morrow, if you
persist in your refusal, we will send you
into the country. A few weeks of out-door
labour will dissipate the fumes of your
pride. Think well of this, and make your
choice.'

A tap at the door interrupted our
colloquy. The lay sister in waiting
whispered something in the mother superior's
ear. I made a move to retire. 'Wait a
minute,' said Madame Ludivine; 'I have
not yet done with you.'

"She shut the door after her. I heard
several voices and the placing of arm-chairs
in the salon. She was receiving visitors.

"I was greatly agitated. The threat of
sending me into the country was strange.
Doubtless that meant our country-house,
with its vast inclosure surrounded by lofty
walls, inhabited only by five or six nuns and
as many lay sisters and friars. I remembered
that, last year, while walking in the garden
with one of the lay sisters who did the
cooking, she showed me a sort of
underground dungeon, and said with a laugh,
'That is to put any of the sisters in, when
they don't behave properly. You see what
care the mother takes of our salvation; she is
provided against every contingency!' The
recollection chilled me with horror. 'She
is capable of doing it,' I said to myself; 'for
she has neither heart nor conscience, nor
fear of God, and knows that the Central
House will support her.'

"It was seven o'clock in the evening, and
quite dark. There was only a small night-light
in the cabinet. I glanced at the window.
My only safety seemed to lie in flight. I
opened the window; got out; shut it after
me, and let myself down by the trellis on
the wall. On reaching the ground I was
seized with giddiness, but immediately
recovered my strength and courage. I found
a gap in the wall, which the bricklayers
were repairing, and forced my way through
a thick hawthorn hedge. Although bruised,
torn, and bleeding, I was free."

Early next year will be commenced a short Serial Story,
entitled
THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS.
A YACHTING STORY.

Now Ready,
THE EXTRA CHRISTMAS NUMBERS
OF
ALL THE YEAR ROUND.
CONDUCTED BY CHARLES DICKENS.
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MR. CHARLES DICKENS'S FINAL READINGS.

MESSRS. CHAPPELL AND CO. have great pleasure
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READINGS at St. James's Hall, London, early in
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