crown : and scarcely had he concluded with the gracious words, " Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all," when the whole orchestra took up the note of commendation and " Gloria in Excelsis" sounded through the cloistered aisles, echoed along the vaulted roof, and breathed to the heart of the waiting novice the full reality of joy. The sacred vestments were blessed and re-placed in their silver shrine, and the children resuming their precious burden preceded their sister into an inner , apartment, where busy nuns disrobed her of her resplen-dent array,—despoiled her of her costly ornaments—and one by one shred away her long, bright locks, that never more might stir a thought of pride. The solemn bandeau was bound about her brow, the black serge garment wrapped about her form, and when she again knelt before the bishop, saying, " I am the hand-maid of Christ," an ill-suppressed shriek from Adela, told how changed was her appearance, and how gloomy was the fate that awaited her—but the votaress saw nothing, heard mothing, save the sacred mysteries in which she was en-gaged. Prostrated as if in deep abasement she lay upon the marble floor, while the choir chanted the litany ; gently she inclined to the abbess, to be bound by the girdle of hu-miliation ; reverently she bowed her head to receive the veil that should forever shut the world from her sight; joy-fully she accepted the ring that sealed the irrevocable vow ; and while the choir chanted, " Come, oh spouse of Christ, receive the crown," a coronal of mingled thorns and roses was placed upon her head—and Cicely was a nun. Loud anthems pealed upward to the swelling dome, and every demonstration of joy welcomed the bride to her new home. The royal guests sat down to a splendid repast in the great hall of the convent, and nuns and novices shared in the sumptuous entertainment ; but between Cicely and her family was an impassable barrier of an iron grating, and four thick and cold stone walls separated her forever from the frieijds of her youth. ADELA. , 43