kon we know nought of the world, and that all the wisdom in it
has got into her brains. These externs do amuse me."

"It is all very well for you to make fun of it, Sister Gaillarde," said
Sister Ada, peevishly, "but I can tell you, it will be any thing but fun
for you and me, if she set half the young Sisters, not to speak of the
novices and pupils, coveting all manner of worldly pomps and dainties.
And she will, as sure as my name is Ada."

"Thanks for your warning," said Mother Gaillarde. "I'll put a rod or
two in pickle."

The Lady Joan's chamber is ready at last: and I am dad. Such a business
I have had of it! I had no idea Sister Philippa was so difficult to
manage: and as to Sister Roberga, I pity any one who tries to do it.

"You see, Sister Annora," said Sister Gaillarde, smiling rather grimly,
"official life is not all flowers and sunshine. I don't pity my Lady,
just because she shirks her duties: she merely reigns, and leaves us to
govern; but I can tell you, no Prioress of this convent would have an
easy life, if she _did_ her duty. I remember once, when I was in the
world, I saw a mountebank driving ten horses at once. I dare say he
hadn't an easy time of it. But, lack-a-day! we have to drive thirty:
and skittish fillies some of them are. I don't know what Sister Roberga
has done with her vocation: but I never saw the corner of it since she
came."

"Well!" I said with a sigh, "I suppose I never had one."

"Stuff and nonsense!" said Sister Gaillarde. "If you mean you never had
a liking for the life, that may be true--you know more about that than
I; but if you mean you do not fill your place well, and do your duty as
well as you know how, and a deal better than most folks--why, again I
say, stuff and nonsense! You are not perfect, I suppose. If you ever
see any body who is, I should like to know her name. It won't be
Gaillarde--that I know!"

I wonder whose daughter the Lady Joan is! Something in her eyes puzzles
me so, as if she reminded me of somebody whom I had known, long, long
ago--some Sister when I was novice, or perchance even some one whom I
knew in my early childhood, before I was professed at all. They are
dark eyes, but not at all like Margaret's. Margaret's are brown, but
these are dark grey, with long black lashes; and they do not talk--they
only look as if they could, if one knew how to make them. The Lady Joan
is very quiet and attentive to her religious duties; I thi