CHAPTER VII.

THE bell for matins began to toll, and Rosamond still slept; and over her couch a withered and anxious face was bending-it was that of sister Joan. She was looking tenderly upon her beautiful nursling, and with a light hand she smoothed down the golden locks of the sleeping girl. The movement, slight as it was, awoke Rosamond; and when she saw her faithful nurse standing close beside her, she threw her arms fondly round her as she exclaimed,

My own Jacqueline! While they leave you to me, how can I complain?”

We may thank the good prior for that, sweet lady," replied Jacqueline, with tears in her eyes: *without him, perhaps, I should never, never more have been permitted to enter this cell. But indeed we must be careful, and not offend the abbess again

“Yes, yes, good Jacqueline, I will try to be good. I will begin to-day. I will say three Aves and two Credos more than usual, by way of penance. After that, I will work two hours at the tapestry hanging we are to offer to the Virgin on Lady day; and then I will make a present to the abbess of all the sweetheus remdining of the stock the pedður brought Sun France—the Lady Isella dearly loves such dinties."

-And he read cakes which sister Martha makes so well" added Jacqueline.

Sister Martha knows might well bow to please the patte, observed Rosemond, as she twisted up ber bains therefore she is never scolded"

Besides, she never seiks” Eswered Jacqueline, in rather an offended tone. It

is

easy for those who keep everything to themselves to keep also out of trouble."

"Ah!" said Rosamond, as she bent her head to receive the linen band which Jacqueline placed round it; "but it is difficult not to talk?"

"Oh! yes,” replied Jacqueline: cially when one has much to say."

"And so little to do," added Rosamond

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Except the same things every un said Jacqueline, with a movement of shoulders which was very intelligible.

"Dear Jacqueline, we must not o plain," observed Rosamond, in a tobe resignation; "Father Thomas 823 A wicked."

66

Everything is wicked here. L Jacqueline,-whose dislike to the ener fully equalled that of her mistres, arra remembered with regret the go and abundance of gossip she ha enjoyed at Clifford Castle-ve better not complain, as you mistress. Besides," she acce bring us bad luck."

Rosamond smiled, for the tram : of Jacqueline was boundless

firmest belief in all sorts of traditions, in lucky and unlucky days, and in omens of

all kinds.

"Just now," continued Jacqueline, as if thinking aloud, "it would be madness to disturb the luck."

"Just now! why just now?" interrupted Rosamond, with curiosity in every feature; for she too was not without a tinge of superstitious faith.

Oh! I have my reasons," answered Jacqueline, mysteriously.

"Tell me-do tell me, dear Jacqueline. Have you seen the fortune-teller again?oh! you have I know you have; and you will not tell me you will not tell your child!" And she put her hands on each side of the weather-beaten face of the old

nurse.

"Fortune-teller, forsooth!" exclaimed Jacqueline; "how should I have seen her? --and you know, dear child, if I had, it would be no great good. Your Saxon witches here are not like our fortunetellers in Normandy. There, indeed, they tell you something for your pains."

"But you have seen her, dear nurse,

good nurse; now, tell me what she said?" urged Rosamond, coaxingly.

"But if I tell you,” replied Jacqueline evasively, "that the lady abbess has forbidden her to be received

"And I tell you, wicked Jacqueline!” exclaimed Rosamond, in a tone of triumph, "that in spite of that I know she was here, and no later than yesterday, because I saw her when she came to sell eggs at the kitchen door: she had a basket-full upon her arm. Sister Agatha was bargaining with her when I passed through from the chapel but I knew her face again. So you see you cannot deceive me." And she clapped her hands with childish glee at the discomfited air of Jacqueline; who, in defiance of all orders to the contrary, could not be prevented from consulting the fortune-teller.

"Hush! nonsense, madam," she answered very gravely, "I can't tell what you mean: but this I do know, that if you don't make haste you will be late for matins, and get another reprimand; the bell is just going to stop."

At that moment another sound mingled