She liked power, which,
however, she exercised wholly for the benefit of her subjects in the
Convent, and wore her veil with as much dignity as the Queen her
crown. But, if not exempt from some traces of human infirmity, she
made amends by devoting herself night and day to the spiritual and
temporal welfare of the community, who submitted to her government
with extreme deference and unquestioning obedience.
Mere Migeon had directed the two sorrowing ladies to be brought into
the garden, where she would receive them under the old tree of Mere
Marie de l'Incarnation.
She rose with affectionate eagerness as they entered, and embraced
them one after the other, kissing them on the cheek; "her little
prodigals returning to the house of their father and mother, after
feeding on the husks of vanity in the gay world which was never made
for them."
"We will kill the fatted calf in honor of your return, Amelie. Will
we not, Mere Esther?" said the Lady Superior, addressing Amelie
rather than Heloise.
"Not for me, reverend Mere; you shall kill no fatted calf, real or
symbolical, for me!" exclaimed Amelie.
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