[wood] an URSULINE EPIC S 8 



wear coloured scarves over their left slionlders; Init they are wisely not 

 " shown oflf " before the visitors. A half -holiday is asked for and 

 granted in honour of a distinguished guest; and instantly eveiy girl is 

 dropping prett}', smiling curtseys to a running accompaniment of multi- 

 tudinous Mercis! 



" It would be such a privilege to be allowed to present the novices." 

 So the party goes on to where fourteen are being marshalled in an ad- 

 joining corridor. Two broad sunbeams are pouring steeply down into 

 the far end of the long room in which you are waiting ; and as the timid 

 little procession begins to move in^ beneath the high window, veil after 

 mist-like veil becomes an aureole in the transfiguring light. One face 

 and figure arrests your eye. The colour comes and goes, shifting inces- 

 santly under the rich, warm, half-Italian complexion. The neck strains 

 a little, and pulses fast; though the face is calm enough, and the deli- 

 cately poised figure is almost still, it sways so imperceptibly. What is 

 her beauty doing here, secluded and immured from every hope of 

 triumph? Look again. She is evidently interested in all that is taking 

 place; but, just as evidently, only in so far as these outside interests 

 1 elate to her vocation. " Vocation " is the dominant in the rhythm of 

 her whole expression. Some other novices catch their breath with shy- 

 ness before answei-ing your questions; but her words are as untroubled 

 as her brow. Is this the " Blessed Damozel " that haunted the imagina- 

 tion of Eossetti with a vision of earthly beauty looking back on ,us 



From the ffold bar of Heaven? 



The wonder was not y&i quite gone 

 From that still look of hers. 



Her eyes were deeper than the depth 

 Of waters stilled at even. 



There is an astounding volume of sound from what must be four- 

 handed piano-playing in the music room. No wonder : it is a fourteen- 

 handed performance ! The solitary harp looks neglected in its corner. 

 Is it out of favour, even in convents, now-a-days ? At one time it was 

 the chosen instrument to give the languishing, romantic finish to a 

 lady-like education. Perhaps its truer virtues will be recognized again, 

 and the fit though few will re-awake its glamour as bards and angels are 

 famed to do. 



A hurr}ang little group meets you in the passage. They had for- 

 gotten the Indian pupil ! She is a curiosity now ; perhaps the last of her 



