ghter, go on in what you were about to say."

"Holy mother, that message, so earnestly spoken, has moved me to greater
diligence in what I have purposed to do. You know that I have intended to
take the vail in this convent, and devote my life and my fortune to
good works."

"Yes, my child, I know that such has been your pious purpose. What then?"

"I wish to use all diligence in carrying out that purpose. I wish to
enter upon my novitiate immediately."

"My good daughter, far be it from me to throw any stumbling-block in the
way of such praise-worthy intentions; but the strict rules of our order
require that a postulant should remain in the convent twelve calendar
months, to test her vocation, before she is suffered to bind herself by
any vows," said the abbess, very gravely.

"As if _my_ vocation had not been sufficiently tested," sighed
Salome.

"It may have been so, my daughter. This probation may not be necessary in
your case, yet we can make no exception to our rules even in your favor.
You will, therefore, if you wish, remain with us for one year, unfettered
by any vows. At the end of this year of probation, if you shall still
desire to do so, you may be permitted to take the white vail and commence
your novitiate. In the meantime you need not, and ought not, to be idle.
You may be as zealous and diligent in good works while a postulant as you
possibly could be as a white-vailed novice or a black-vailed nun."

"Show me how I may be so, holy mother, and I will bless you," exclaimed
Salome.

"I will very gladly be your guide, my child. Listen, Salome. Hitherto,
you have been very charitable in giving alms. You have given liberally of
your means; but you have never yet given your personal services to the
poor and needy. That was not our Lord's way, whose servants we are. He
gave alms, indeed, and he performed miracles to supply them, as in the
case of the loaves and fishes; but most of all, better than all, He gave
His personal ministrations; He taught the ignorant; He anointed the eyes
of the blind; _He laid His hands on the leper_; He shrank from no
personal contact with disease, however loathsome; distress, however
ignominious; nor must we, His children, do so. We must give our personal
services to the poor."

"Tell me what to do, and how to do it, good mother, and I will gladly
obey your instructions. Tell me, for I am so very ignorant."

"To-morrow, the Monday before Christmas, you may go with me the