d a good report, she was softer and more gentle, so that when I took
hold again of Ann's little hand she let it pass, and presently, at
parting, kissed her on the brow and bid her carry a greeting to her
worthy father.

Now, when I was alone with Cousin Maud and gave her to understand that I
loved the scribe's little daughter and wished for no dearer friend, she
answered gravely; "Little maids can hold no conversation with any but
those whose mothers meet in each other's houses. Take patience till I can
speak to Sister Margaret." So when my Cousin went out in the afternoon I
tarried in the most anxious expectation; but she came home with famous
good tidings, and thenceforward Ann was a friend to whom I clung almost
as closely as to my brothers. And which of us was the chief gainer it
would be hard to say, for whereas I found in her a trusted companion to
whom I might impart every thing which was scarce worthy of my brothers'
or my Cousin's ears, and foremost of all things my childish good-will for
my Cousin Gotz and love of the Forest, to her the place in my heart and
in our house were as a haven of peace when she craved rest after the
heavy duties which, for all she was so young, she had already taken upon
herself.

CHAPTER III.

True it is that the class I learnt in at the convent was under the
strictest rule, and that my teacher was a Carthusian nun; and yet I take
pleasure in calling to mind the years when my spirit enjoyed the benefit
of schooling with friendly companions and by the side of my best friend.
Nay, even in the midst of the silent dwelling of the speechless Sisters,
right merry laughter might be heard during the hours of rest, and in
spite of the thick walls of the class-room it reached the nuns' ears.
Albeit at first I was stricken with awe, and shy in their presence, I
soon became familiar with their strange manner of life, and there was
many an one whom I learnt truly to love: with some, too, we could talk
and jest right merrily, for they, to be sure, had good ears, and we, were
not slow in learning the language of their eyes and fingers.

As concerning the rule of silence no one, to my knowledge, ever broke it
in the presence of us little ones, save only Sister Renata, and she was
dismissed from the convent; yet, as I waxed older, I could see that the
nuns were as fain to hear any tidings of the outer life that might find a
way into the cloister as though there was nothing they held more de