ddenly. "We hear strange tales
of it sometimes, though we know also that you do great works of charity.
But we hear strange tales and strange words."

"Do you?" Unorna suppressed a smile of scorn. "What do people say of me?
I never asked."

"Strange things, strange things," repeated the nun with a shake of the
head.

"What are they? Tell me one of them, as an instance."

"I should fear to offend you--indeed I am sure I should, though we were
good friends once."

"And are still. The more reason why you should tell me what is said. Of
course I am alone in the world, and people will always tell vile tales
of women who have no one to protect them."

"No, no," Sister Paul hastened to assure her. "As a woman, no word has
reached us that touches your fair name. On the contrary, I have heard
worldly women say much more that is good of you in that respect than
they will say of each other. But there are other things, Unorna--other
things which fill me with fear for you. They call you by a name that
makes me shudder when I hear it."

"A name?" repeated Unorna in surprise and with considerable curiosity.

"A name--a word--what you will--no, I cannot tell you, and besides, it
must be untrue."

Unorna was silent for a moment and then understood. She laughed aloud
with perfect unconcern.

"I know!" she cried. "How foolish of me! They call me the Witch--of
course."

Sister Paul's face grew very grave, and she immediately crossed herself
devoutly, looking askance at Unorna as she did so. But Unorna only
laughed again.

"Perhaps it is very foolish," said the nun, "but I cannot bear to hear
such a thing said of you."

"It is not said in earnest. Do you know why they call me the Witch? It
is very simple. It is because I can make people sleep--people who are
suffering or mad or in great sorrow, and then they rest. That is all my
magic."

"You can put people to sleep? Anybody?" Sister Paul opened her faded
eyes very wide. "But that is not natural," she added in a perplexed
tone. "And what is not natural cannot be right."

"And is all right that is natural?" asked Unorna thoughtfully.

"It is not natural," repeated the other. "How do you do it? Do you use
strange words and herbs and incantations?"

Unorna laughed again, but the nun seemed shocked by her levity and she
forced herself to be grave.

"No, indeed!" she answered. "I look into their eyes and tell them to
sleep--and they do. Poor Sister Paul! You are behind t