"Yes, I know, the babies of the Foundling. Well, we are dressing these dolls for your babies," said the smiling sister. "But do you suppose my tiny little ones will care for dolls?" inquired Salome. "Be sure they will; from six months old, up, boys or girls, sick or well, babies will love dolls. I have seen a sick baby hug her doll, just as I have seen a sick mother clasp her child," answered the sister. "These are the recreations of charity the holy mother told me of," said Salome, as she passed out of the work-room and went back to her own sphere of duty. On Christmas morning after matins, the Christmas gifts were distributed in every one of the asylums, and every inmate was made happy by an appropriate present. At ten o'clock high mass was celebrated in the chapel of the convent, and all the sisterhood assembled in their screened choir. Three priests in their sacerdotal robes, and a dozen boys in white surplices, were expected to serve at the altar. The chapel was profusely decorated with holly, and the shrines were dressed with flowers. The pews were filled with a congregation of a rather better social position than usually assembled there in the convent chapel. The services had not yet commenced. Salome bent forward with all the interest and curiosity of a recluse, to look, for a moment, upon the strangers. She gave but one glance through the screen, and then suddenly, with a low cry, she sank back upon her seat. "What is the matter, my daughter? Are you ill?" inquired the mother-superior, in a whisper. Salome lifted up a face ashen pale with dismay, and gasped: "I have seen him! I have seen him! He is there--there in the congregation below!" "Who?" inquired the abbess, in vague alarm. "My husband?--yet, no; oh, Heaven! not my husband, but the Duke of Hereward!" CHAPTER XXIX. THE STRANGER IN THE CHAPEL. "The Duke of Hereward in the congregation?" echoed the abbess, with a troubled look. "Yes, there in the middle aisle, in the third pew from the altar," replied Salome, in trembling tones. "No matter. _You_ have nothing to fear, my daughter; you will be protected. _He_ has everything to fear; he is a felon before the law, and he may be prosecuted. Compose yourself, my child, and give your mind to heavenly subjects. See, the priest is coming in," murmured the abbess, who immediately crossed herself, and lowered her eyes in devotion. Salome, though trembling in every limb, and feeling faint, almost to falling, followed the mother-superior's example, and tried to concentrate her mind in worship. The solemn procession of the service entered the chancel--the priests in their sacerdotal vestments, the boys in their white robes. The officiating priest took his station before the altar, with his assistants on each side. And the impressive celebration of the high mass commenced.