Under the Black Pall
firmed—in white, with her little companions around her, and her guardian's family, much impressed, observing the scene from pews considerately near the altar railing.
The years had gone by quickly. She had been conscious of no especial lack in the affection given her. If there had been a vague feeling of its insufficiency, she could not have told why it was so. Her days were busy ones, filled with the crowding incidents of school life that seemed at that time all-important. And then had come the excitement of the last school year and the breaking of the school-girl ties. Her classmates were bemoaning their separation from each other. None expressed deep regret at parting from her. That had been her first little trouble—and it had not seemed small. Hitherto there had been the prospect of reunion and taking up next year the threads that were dropped. Now everything seemed ended. The future stretched before her, forlornly gray and bleak. On the other side of the convent walls lay Life—something to be worked out and struggled over.
Already persons were saying things to her about responsibilities and the duty one owed to one's position, and the good that could be done with money. It seemed she had some money; she had only lightly realized it. But
159
