When my sisters at Dunbridge and
Dinton come to see me they look old and careworn, and are full of
tales of the turmoil and trouble of husbands, and sons, and dues, and
tenants' fees, and villeins, and I know not what, that I often think
that even in this world's sense I am the best off. And far above and
beyond that," she added, in a low voice, "the virgin hath a hope, a
Spouse beyond all human thought."
Grisell did not understand the thought, and still wept bitterly.
"Must she be a nun all her life?" was all she thought of, and the
shady cloister seemed to her like a sort of prison. Sister Avice had
to soothe and comfort her, till her tears were all spent, as so often
before, and she had cried herself so ill that she had to be taken
back to her bed and lie down again. It was some days before she
could be coaxed out again to encounter any companions.
However, as time went on, health, and with it spirits and life, came
back to Grisell Dacre at Wilton, and she became accustomed to being
with the other inmates of the fine old convent, as they grew too much
used to her appearance to be startled or even to think about it. The
absence of mirrors prevented it from ever being brought before her,
and Sister Avice set herself to teach her how goodness, sweetness,
and kindness could endear any countenance, and indeed Grisell saw for
herself how much more loved was the old and very plain Mother Anne
than the very beautiful young Sister Isabel, who had been forced into
the convent by her tyrannical brother, and wore out her life in
fretting and rudeness to all who came in her way.
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