he had given should last an hour, if care were taken
of this spurious strength. He judged a quarter of that time to have
already sped.

"Tell me from the beginning, without reserve, dear Antony," he said.
"But speak low, for my ear only. Remember possible listeners outside
the door."

So presently the whole tale was told, with many a quaint twist of old
Antony's. And the Bishop's heart melted to tenderness as she whispered
the story, and he realised the greatness of the devotion which had gone
forward, without a thought of self, in the bold endeavour to bring
happiness to the Prioress she loved, yet the anxious conscience, which
now trembled at the thought of that which the fearless heart had done.

"I lied about holy things; I put words into our blessed Lady's mouth; I
said she moved her hand. But you did tell me, Reverend Father, that
the Reverend Mother was so made that unless there was a vision or
revelation from our Lady, she would thrust away her happiness with both
hands. And there would not have been a vision if old Antony had not
contrived one. Yet I fear me, for the sin of that contriving, I shall
never find forgiveness; my soul must ever stay in torment."

Tears coursed down the wrinkled cheeks.

The Bishop kneeled beside the bed.

"Dear Antony," he said. "Listen to me. 'Perfect love casteth out
fear, because fear hath torment.' You have loved with a perfect love.
You need have no fear. Trust in the love of God, in the precious blood
of the Redeemer, which cleanseth from all sin, in the understanding
tenderness of our Lady, who knoweth a woman's heart. You meant to do
right; and if, honestly intending to do well, you used the wrong means,
Divine love, judging you by your intention, will pardon the mistake.
'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Think no more of
yourself, in this. Dwell solely on our Lord. Silence your own fears,
by repeating: 'He is faithful and just.'"

"Think you, Reverend Father," quavered the pathetic voice, "that They
will sometimes let old Antony out of hell for an hour, to sit on her
jasper seat and see the Reverend Mother walk up the golden stairs, with
the splendid Knight on one side and the great Lord Bishop on the other?"

"Sister Mary Antony," said the Bishop, clearly and solemnly, "there is
no place in hell for so faithful and so loving a heart. You shall go
straight to your ja