A Mortal Glamour Read Online Free PDF Page B

believe that she has greater—"
    "Mère Léonie,” Père Guibert protested, holding up his hands to stop her. “May God grant you strength for your tasks in years to come equal to what you show now.” He caught himself wanting to reprove her for giving penance, for over the years, he had come to regard that as properly his own work. Mère Jacinthe had left such matters to him, though she might well have done so on her own authority. He felt usurped, and begged God to pardon him for his ambition and vanity. He would have to do penance himself for the resentment Mère Léonie awoke in him. “Let me first hear confession, so that we may discover what improvement your rule has wrought here. If the penances have corrected error, then God will reward you for your diligence, but if there have been lapses, we will decide upon another course."
    "As you wish, mon Père,” she said without expression.
    In order to mitigate his warning, he went on. “You do not come from France, do you, Mère Léonie?"
    She shook her head. “No, mon Père. I am from Dalmatia, that thrives under the banner of the Venetians. My family is distinguished.” She looked away from him. “It is of no consequence here, and it was not for pride that I told you. But I know I am young, and you have reason to question my right to...” She crossed herself. “We have long been devoted to the service of Our Lord."
    "Most commendable,” Père Guibert said, delighted to have found that hint of pride in her. He would watch her for more evidence of sin.
    "It pleased Heaven to bring me here, to tend to these women in the time of our faith's greatest travail. I do not know what I will do, if Rome is victorious over Avignon in the end.” She wrung her hands, distress in her handsome features. “I look to you for guidance."
    This was more the attitude that Père Guibert expected, and his initial impression was mollified. “In your zeal, ma Fille, you bring too great importance to yourself, which is an error. It is not for us, but God to bring humanity to salvation. All we may do is pray for that wonderful fulfillment and live as we were enjoined to live by Our Lord. God sees our lives and His power guides the world. Do you think that He will permit evil to rule forever?"
    "No. Not forever.” Mère Léonie crossed herself again. “I thank you, mon Père, for all you have said to me. I will keep your thoughts foremost in my mind. And may le Bon Dieu and la Virge bless us."
    "Amen to that, with all my heart,” Père Guibert agreed. He took on a more indulgent manner. “You must not be too anxious, ma Fille,” he added, pleased that he had seen how determined she was to obtain his approval.
    "I will pray for tranquility, mon Père,” she vowed. “I wish to impart something of myself to my Sisters. If I am distracted, I will fail as surely as if I were venal and corrupt."
    "Oh, that is too harsh, surely,” Père Guibert chided her. “Who among us has been free of the taint of sin? To believe any but Our Lord is so is as great a fault as venality."
    "Where there is the greatest sanctity, there is the greatest danger,” she murmured. Then she looked directly at the priest. “Forgive me, mon Père, here we are so much isolated that it is an easy thing to magnify the sins I find around me and respond to them as if they were enough to bring down the world to the fires of Hell itself."
    At last Père Guibert permitted himself to relax his guard. “Your devotion is most admirable, especially in so young a woman, but those of us who have been about the world a little longer know that error cannot be uprooted in a day, and we must remain steadfast in our faith, trusting to the Will of God to see us to the Light of His Grace."
    Mère Léonie looked toward the crucifix hanging over her prie-dieu. “No; you are right. Evil cannot be uprooted in a day."
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Chapter Two
    On this first market day of spring, the muddy road from Saunt-Vitre-lo-Sur