It died away, and
they continued praying before Our Lady of Grand Pouvoir.
The silence was suddenly broken. Hasty steps traversed the little
chapel. A rush of garments caused Amelie and Heloise to turn
around, and in an instant they were both clasped in the passionate
embrace of the Lady de Tilly, who had arrived at the Convent.
"My dear children, my poor, stricken daughters," exclaimed she,
kissing them passionately and mingling her tears with theirs, "what
have you done to be dashed to the earth by such a stroke of divine
wrath?"
"Oh, aunt, pardon us for what we have done!" exclaimed Amelie, "and
for not asking your consent, but alas! it is God's will and doing!
I have given up the world; do not blame me, aunt!"
"Nor me, aunt!" added Heloise; "I have long known that the cloister
was my sole heritage, and I now claim it."
"Blame you, darling! Oh, Amelie, in the shame and agony of this day
I could share the cloister with you myself forever, but my work is
out in the wide world, and I must not withdraw my hand!"
"Have you seen Le Gardeur? Oh, aunt! have you seen my brother?"
asked Amelie, seizing her hand passionately.
Pages:
1064
1065
1066
1067
1068
1069
1070
1071
1072
1073
1074
1075
1076
1077
1078
1079
1080
1081
1082
1083
1084
1085
1086
1087
1088