A Mortal Glamour by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Author:Chelsea Quinn Yarbro [Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-08-25T18:11:05+00:00

Chapter Ten

Padre Bartolimieu listened to Père Guibert with somber attention. “And does this demon continue to ... sport with her?” he asked when his fellow-priest was finished with his tale.

"So she claims. One of the other Sisters has also claimed that she has been visited by a creature of the night, a strange, dark creature that does things to her that she cannot describe for revulsion. She is a frail woman, and I fear that such predations will harm her more than she knows."

"It will harm them all more than they know,” Padre Bartolimieu declared as he paced the garden. “It was wrong of me to run from the confrontation of evil. I see now that my failure is more total than ever I thought. It is not enough that I retire from the world, but I must aid those in need of guidance, who are in peril of their lives and souls.” He lowered his head. “Tell me about this second nun: what has become of her since the demon assaulted her?"

"She ... she is very bright in the eye and her cheeks flame for the wrongs she has permitted this creature to do her. Seur Ranegonde is not strong, and when she is made to suffer in this way, her constitution fails her and nothing provides her succor, not even prayers.” Père Guibert was distressed to say this, and when he was finished, he stared away across the garden. “Mère Léonie prays for her Sisters and has said that she does not want a Process unless it is necessary. She has asked that you and I keep watch with her over her convent until it is sure the Devil is there."

"She is wise, this Mère Léonie? Or is she subtle?” Padre Bartolimieu put his head to one side. “I recall her with favor; it may be that God has given her more wisdom than He provides most of her sex. They are cunning, women are, and those who embrace virtue are few. They must guard themselves, even in chastity, for it is their nature to yield to the flesh, as Eve did.” He stopped by one of the stone benches and raised a foot onto it. “What do you think, Père Guibert? Do you think it is the Devil or the weakness of women that is to blame here?"

Père Guibert shook his head. “I pray that it is only the perfidy of women that must be corrected and not the incursion of Hell. The Pope has recently warned that the forces of Rome are growing stronger and seek to undermine the proper authority of Avignon and the French throne. To have demons present would weaken his assertion that it is Avignon that is right. It might be thought that these nuns were acting on behalf of Roman interests, that the women entertain Roman lovers and for that seek to cast doubt upon the sanctity of Avignon.” He could not admit it, but this consideration was not his own;

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