Audrey knelt before Mother Superior, head bowed. She was visibly distressed by Mothers continued refusal to allow her to take her vows and become a nun.
"I know you think me harsh, child, to refuse you this again," Mother Superior said softly, running a lightly caressing hand over the turned down head.
"Please, Mother, do not think I question your judgment and wisdom. But I am not idle, my voice is considered pleasing by the other members of the choir, my embroidery is moderate, I…is it because of my illegitimacy?" Her lower lip trembled as she murmured the last words.
She had never known her natural mother, an unmarried tavern wench who had died giving birth to Audrey. No relatives or a father had come forward to claim the babe for their own, so the convent had taken in the sickly babe with open arms.
"Audrey, you are soft hearted, gentle and obedient, and worthy of our convent. It is not this I question, but whether your destiny lies with us."
"What?" Audrey gasped tremulously. "St Agathas is my home, my family. It is here that I have been raised, fed and clothed, educated and given shelter. I wish to devote my life to St Agathas for the gifts given to me. My destiny lies here!"
"Then my request will not alter your destiny, " Mother said firmly yet kindly.
"But…"
"Audrey, neither Father nor I refuse your wish lightly. Nor are we sending you St Helens as some form of punishment. Should you wish to return after a years passing and take your vows, you may do so with our full blessing."
"Truly?" Audrey whispered, sweet smile lighting up her delicate features as she raised her face to gaze up at the graying woman with beseeching eyes. "Then I may become a nun?"
Mother smiled in return, unable to resist Audreys warmth and charm. "Yes, Audrey, if that is still your wish."
"Thank you…Thank you…Thank you!" Audrey cried as she leapt to her feet and wrapped her arms around the small frail woman who was like a mother to her.
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