t-yard and up to the main entrance of the building.
This road was bordered on each side by grass-plots, now sear in the late
October frosts, and flower-beds, from which the flowers had been removed
to their winter quarters in the conservatories. Groups of shade trees,
statues of saints, and fountains of crystal-clear water adorned the
grounds at regular intervals. In the rear of the convent building was a
thicket of trees reaching quite down to the back wall.

The carriage rolled along the gravelled road, crossing the court-yard,
and drew up before the door of the convent.

Sister Josephine got out and helped Salome to alight.

The sun was just rising in cloudless glory.

"See, my child," said Sister Josephine, cheerily pointing to the eastern
horizon; "see, a happy omen; the sun himself arises and smiles on your
re-entrance into St. Rosalie."

Salome smiled faintly, and leaned heavily upon the arm of her companion
as they went slowly up the steps, passed through the front doors, and
found themselves in a little square entrance hall, surrounded on three
sides by a bronze grating, and having immediately before them a grated
door, with a little wicket near the centre.

Behind this wicket sat the portress, a venerable nun, whom age and
obesity had consigned to this sedentary occupation.

"_Benedicite_, good Mother Veronique! How are all within the house?"
inquired Sister Josephine, going up to the wicket.

"The saints be praised, all are well! They are just going in to matins.
You come in good time, my sisters! But who is she whom you bring with
you?" inquired the old nun, nodding toward Salome, even while she
detached a great key from her girdle, and unlocked the door, to admit the
party.

"Why, then, Mother Veronique, don't you see? An old, well-beloved pupil
come back to see our holy mother? Don't you recognize her? Have you
already forgotten Mademoiselle Laiveesong, who left us only three years
ago?" inquired Sister Josephine, as she led Salome into the portress'
parlor, followed by the two younger sisters, Francoise and Felecitie.

"Ah! ah! so it is! Mademoiselle Salome come back to us!" joyfully
exclaimed the old nun, seizing and fondling the hands of the visitor,
and gazing wistfully into her flushed and feverish face. "Yes, yes,
I remember you! Mademoiselle Laiveesong! Mademoiselle, the rich banker's
heiress! I am very happy to see you, my dear child! And our holy mother
will be filled with joy! She has