Sister Carmen | Page 6

firm hold on the bridle until you are sure of
yourself."
Thus saying, he stood aside, and man and horse proceeded on their
way.
"And, now, if you will be so good, miss, please continue to be our
guide," he said, turning toward the girl.
They soon reached the Sisters' house. "Ah, yes, this is the very place!"
cried the lady, joyfully. "Thank you most sincerely for your courtesy,
dear child. Will you kindly tell us which door to enter? We gave notice
by letter of our coming, and are expected. I am Frau von Trautenau;
these are my two sons, and this is my little daughter, whom I am
bringing to stay here." She offered her hand cordially to the girl, and
looked kindly at her beautiful face.
"I beg that you wilt enter this way, into the parlor," was the modest
reply, as the maiden opened a door on the first floor. "I will inform
Sister Agatha of your arrival."
It was not long ere the gentle Sister made her appearance. She was a
friendly, motherly-looking woman, on whose gray hair was placed a
cap with a pink bow, the badge of the unmarried Sisters. She greeted
the visitors with dignified cordiality.
"Forgive me for bringing my entire family, and allow me to present
each member to you," said Frau von Trautenau, after the first words of
welcome.
"My stepson Alexander, captain of infantry, and my trusty adviser and
support since my husband's death; my son Hans, and my daughter
Adele, your pupil from this time forward, whom I commend most

earnestly to your kindness and care."
Sister Agatha took the child most affectionately in her arms, and
pressing a kiss on her brow, said sweetly:
"You must confide in me, dear child, as if I were your mother, and I
will consider you a sacred trust committed to me. We are all a large
family of Sisters here, who love one another, learning cheerfully and
working diligently. 'Pray and work!' This golden proverb is our motto
through the day, and the love and industry which you will see
everywhere will soon teach you to feel at home among us."
"I live, as you know, in the neighborhood," said Frau von Trautenau, as
Adele looked up tearfully. "Our estate, Wollmershain Grove, is only a
few hours' ride from here, and sometimes, if I drive in, you will, I
suppose, allow Adele to visit us for a little recreation?"
"Oh, certainly, Frau Von Trautenau," returned Sister Agatha--"in
vacation. May I now show you our apartments and arrangements, so
that you may know exactly how your dear little girl will be situated?"
"I shall be delighted," replied the lady. "Everything here interests us, of
course, in the highest degree."
With that, they all rose and followed the sister.

CHAPTER III.
"We require a great deal of room," explained Sister Agatha, as they
passed along, "as there are separate apartments, not only for the pupils,
but also for the unmarried Sisters of our community, who are not
members of a family and yet live and work here with us. Indeed, even
those who have families in the outside world often come to us to
employ their unoccupied time." So saying, she led her guests from the
first floor to the second, and from one room to another. Everything was
neatly and simply arranged. The modest dress of the Sisters, with their

little white caps, their calm diligence in spite of the exhilarating air of
this bright morning, their quiet gait and subdued voices, the deep
silence which pervaded the house, gave one the sensation of being in a
cloister. Sister Agatha conducted the party into the general workroom.
It was built like a deep hall. At long tables sat numbers of girls with
every variety of countenance; all young, not quite grown, gathered in
separate groups, busy with needlework or writing. The elder ones
seemed to supervise the younger and instruct them in their work.
Amongst these was the girl who had acted the part of guide to the
strangers. All rose at the entrance of the visitors, and after a moment
silently resumed their seats.
"Here you see the children of our members, and our dear pupils, all
together. They are sent to us from the most remote colonies and
missions to be educated, and they very soon learn to consider
themselves one with us. Dear Sister Marie," said Agatha, turning to one
of the girls, "please tell Frau Von Trautenau where you were born."
The child addressed, a little girl with olive complexion and keen black
eyes, arose, like a piece of machinery, on being spoken to, and replied:
"At Paramaribo, in Surinam," and dropped back into her seat.
"And you, dear Sister Genevieve?"
"At St. Jean, in the West