A Mortal Glamour Read Online Free PDF

is this convent that has been entrusted to me, and before I turn my eyes and my prayers to the world, I must first tend to the well-being of my Sisters, for if I cannot bring some peace to them here, what chance has the world?” Her eyes flashed and Père Guibert had the sensation of being challenged. “You must see that my duty demands this of me. My Lord sets each of us tasks."
    "Mère Léonie, you...” He stood back and blessed himself a second time. “If we must speak of this, rise and—"
    "We may come to my study. Doubtless that is where Mère Jacinthe spoke to you, and it is fitting that we should converse there.” Her manner was entirely accommodating, but the way in which Mère Léonie directed the course of their speech bothered the Cistercian. She stood aside for him, but nothing suggested that she was prepared to render him unending and humble service. “When our evening devotions begin, I will have to return here. It is not fitting that I should shirk the duties I require of my nuns."
    "Certainly.” Her attitude was entirely correct, Père Guibert thought as he went down the hall ahead of her. There had been many times he had wished that Superiors would not take advantage of their exalted position to avoid the more strenuous demands of their Order. Still he longed for a more deferential attitude from Mère Léonie. “It is wise to observe all the rites.” His tone was measured, even ponderous, but he felt as if he had lost all direction with the young Superior. “A true Mère imposes upon herself all the exercises she requires of her charges, but to take on more or less is improper, for this distinguishes you and causes rancor to rise in the hearts of your Sisters. Our Lord—"
    "Be pleased to enter,” Mère Léonie cut in, opening the door to her study. “I will take the stool so you may have the chair."
    Père Guibert did as he was told, and tried to convince himself that he was not, in fact, obeying an order, but taking his rightful place in the room. “You have begun well, Mère Léonie."
    "If it appears so, it is to the credit of my Sisters, who are sincerely devoted to their calling and the Glory of God."
    "Of course. It is true that those who are unworthy are...” He fumbled with his beads as he strove to bring order to his thoughts. He sighed and began again. “Mère Léonie, you have accepted a great task here, for it is the Will of God who..."
    When Père Guibert fell silent, Mère Léonie folded her hands and waited. There was the unrealized hint of a smile in the curve of her mouth, an air of expectation. “I have taken the liberty of imposing stricter penance than my predecessor did,” she volunteered once the stillness had become intolerable.
    "But...” He broke off again. “Do the Sisters acknowledge their sins through their penance?"
    "There are a stubborn few. Seur Aungelique was one, but she has bowed to the necessity. Hers is a nature much given to the flesh, and her soul needs purging.” She saw Père Guibert nod. “Seur Elvire is not of a patient disposition, and so I have assigned her to keep the night watches in the hospice chapel, where she may consider her life more calmly. Seur Fleurette is given to folly; I have told her that she must care for the ailing children that the women bring us from the village. Seur Marguerite ... well, God has deprived her of half her wits, and so we must accept her ways. She continues to tend the hives, but I have required that she sing psalms, as she works, to the Praise of God. Seur Philomine is only a tertiary, and I have not the authority to impose upon her, but I would wish to require her to contemplate the suffering of the Saints, that she may be more sure of her vocation or lack of it. Seur Odile is of uneven disposition, and for this she is set to mend clothes and prepare bandages, so that she may soon come to see that it is steadiness in small things that gives merit in Heaven. Seur Lucille, who is advanced in years, has come to