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Things would have proceeded agreeably to the wishes of all

concerned, had Gertrude been the only child in the monastery; but

this was not the case; and there were some among her school

companions who were destined for the matrimonial state. The

little Gertrude, filled with the idea of her superiority, spoke

proudly of her future destiny, expecting thereby to excite their

envy at her peculiar honours: with scorn and wonder she perceived

that their estimation of them was very different. To the majestic

but circumscribed and cold images of the power of an abbess, they

opposed the varied and bright pictures of husband, guests,

cities, tournaments, courts, dress, and equipage. New and strange

emotions arose in the mind of Gertrude: her vanity had been

cultivated in order to make the cloister desirable to her; and

now, easily assimilating itself with the ideas thus presented,

she entered into them with all the ardour of her soul.