"The
rules of our respective orders," says he, "will not permit that I
should see you; but you may assure yourself not only of having a
place in my prayers, but of receiving such frequent instructions as
I can convey to you by letters. Go on cheerfully in the glorious
course you have undertaken, and you will quickly find such a peace
and satisfaction in your mind which it is not in the power of the
world to give."
Constantia's heart was so elevated within the discourse of Father
Francis, that the very next day she entered upon her vow. As soon
as the solemnities of her reception were over, she retired, as it is
usual, with the abbess into her own apartment.
The abbess had been informed the night before of all that had passed
between her novitiate and father Francis: from whom she now
delivered to her the following letter:-
"As the first-fruits of those joys and consolations which you may
expect from the life you are now engaged in, I must acquaint you
that Theodosius, whose death sits so heavy upon your thoughts, is
still alive; and that the father to whom you have confessed yourself
was once that Theodosius whom you so much lament. The love which we
have had for one another will make us more happy in its
disappointment than it could have done in its success.
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