The Mother Superior entered with her, the door
closed, and then, after a little, the Mother came out again. As
she did so I saw a look of immediate purpose in her face, and her
hurrying step persuaded me she was bent on some project of espial.
So I made a sign to Gabord and followed her. As she turned the
corner of the hallway just beyond, I stepped forward silently and
watched her enter a room that would, I knew, be next to this we
guarded.
Listening at the door for a moment, I suddenly and softly turned
the handle and entered, to see the good Mother with a panel drawn
in the wall before her, and her face set to it. She stepped back as
I shut the door and turned the key in the lock. I put my finger to
my lips, for she seemed about to cry out.
"Hush!" said I. "I watch for those who love her. I am here to
serve her--and you."
"You are a servant of the Seigneur's?" she said, the alarm
passing out of her face.
"I served the Seigneur, good Mother," I answered, "and I would
lay down my life for ma'm'selle."
"You would hear?" she asked, pointing to the panel.
I nodded.
"You speak French not like a Breton or Norman," she added. "What
is your province?"
"I am an Auvergnian."
She said no more, but motioned to me, enjoining silence also by
a sign, and I stood with her beside the panel. Before it was a
piece of tapestry which was mere gauze in one place, and I could
see through and hear perfectly.
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