Pagina 299 de 1118

The good priest then began to interrogate her in the form

prescribed. "Do you feel in your heart a free spontaneous

resolution to become a nun? Have menaces, or allurements, or

authority been made use of? Speak without reserve to one whose

duty it is to ascertain the true state of your feelings, and to

prevent violence being done to them."

The true reply to such a question presented itself suddenly to

the mind of Gertrude, with terrible reality. But to come to an

explanation, to say she was threatened, to relate the unfortunate

story-from this her spirit shrank, and she brought herself to the

resolution of saying, "I become a nun, freely, from inclination."

"How long have you had this intention?" asked the good priest.

"I have always had it," said Gertrude, finding it easier after

the first step to proceed in falsehood.

"But what is the principal motive which has induced you?"