Milady, however, smiled in observing that she excelled the young woman by far in her high air and aristocratic bearing.

It is true that the habit of a novice, which the young woman wore, was not very advantageous in a contest of this kind.
The abbess introduced them to each other.

When this formality was ended, as her duties called her to chapel, she left the two young women alone.
The novice, seeing Milady in bed, was about to follow the example of the superior; but Milady stopped her.
"How, madame," said she, "I have scarcely seen you, and you already wish to deprive me of your company, upon which I had counted a little, I must confess, for the time I have to pass here ?" "No, madame," replied the novice, "only I thought I had chosen my time ill; you were asleep, you are fatigued." "Well," said Milady, "what can those who sleep wish for--a happy awakening?
This awakening you have given me; allow me, then, to enjoy it at my ease," and taking her hand, she drew her toward the armchair by the bedside.
The novice sat down.
"How unfortunate I am!" said she; "I have been here six months without the shadow of recreation.

You arrive, and your presence was likely to afford me delightful company; yet I expect, in all probability, to quit the convent at any moment." "How, you are going soon ?" asked Milady.
"At least I hope so," said the novice, with an expression of joy which she made no effort to disguise.
"I think I learned you had suffered persecutions from the cardinal," continued Milady; "that would have been another motive for sympathy between us." "What I have heard, then, from our good mother is true; you have likewise been a victim of that wicked priest." "Hush!" said Milady; "let us not, even here, speak thus of him.

All my misfortunes arise from my having said nearly what you have said before a woman whom I thought my friend, and who betrayed me.