Pagina 303 di 1118

Meanwhile, the vicar of the nuns had made the necessary

deposition, and liberty was given to hold a chapter for the

acceptation of Gertrude. The chapter was held, and she was

received! Wearied out with her long conflicts, she requested

immediate admittance, which was readily granted. After a

noviciate of twelve days, full of resolves and counter-resolves,

the moment arrived when she finally pronounced the fatal "yes,"

which was to exclude her from the world for ever. But even in the

depths of the monastery she found no repose; she had not the

wisdom to make a virtue of necessity, but was continually and

uselessly recurring to the past. She could not call religion to

her aid, for religion had no share in the sacrifice she had made;

and heavily and bitterly she bore the yoke of bondage.