And Cloudy turned to a side door on his right hand, and went into the
little receiving-room, three sides of which were like other rooms, but
the fourth side was a grating instead of a wall. Behind this grating
appeared Jacquelina--so white and thin with confinement, fasting and
vigil, and so disguised by her nun's dress as to be unrecognizable to
any but a lover's eyes: with her was the Abbess.
Cloudy went up to the grating. Jacquelina put her hand through, and
spoke a kind greeting; but Cloudy glanced at the Abbess, looked
reproachfully at Jacquelina, and then turning to the former, said:
"Madam, I wish to say a few words in confidence to my cousin here. Can I
be permitted to do so?"
"Most certainly, young gentleman; Sister Theresa is not restricted. It
was at her own request that I attended her hither."
"Thank you, dear lady--that which I have to say to--Sister
Theresa--involves the confidence of others: else I should not have made
the request that you have so kindly granted," said Cloudy, considerably
mollified.
The Abbess curtsied in the old stately way, and retired.
Cloudy looked at Jacquelina reproachfully.
"Are you going to be a nun, Lina?"
"Yes. Oh, Cloudy, Cloudy! what do you come here to disturb my thoughts
so for? Oh, Cloudy! every time you come to see me, you do so upset and
confuse my mind! You have no idea how many aves and paters, and psalms
and litanies I have to say before I can quiet my mind down again! And
now this is worse than all.
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