The Visionist: A Novel by Rachel Urquhart

Author:Rachel Urquhart [Urquhart, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780316228107
Amazon: 0316228109
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Published: 2014-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Polly sat nervously, her back straight in the chair before Elder Sister Agnes. They had met a handful of times now, and the eldress had pressed more and more firmly for her to confess.

“You know that it is one of our most important principles,” she said irritably, “and yet you insist on delay. If the believers here did not put such store by your gifts as a Visionist, I would have asked you to leave long ago.”

Though Polly knew this to be true, it was a shock to hear it spoken so plainly. She looked into her lap.

“Now,” the eldress continued, “I have heard talk of your ministrations to Sister Rebecca. Is it true that you visited her and filled her head with what can only be…misplaced hope?”

Polly looked up. “I do not see it that way,” she said, a flash of anger in her eyes. “It is true—I wondered at first if I could do what she asked. But then, they came. My angels. They came and filled the air around her and gave her great comfort. How can I deny a sister who lies blind and wrapped like a mummy in her bed? Would you have had me turn away?”

Elder Sister Agnes’s face softened. “No, Sister Polly. You are right—I would not.” She paused. “How you vex me, child! I have seen sisters—the first Visionists—taken over by the same powers you are thought to possess. I know that such gifts exist. And yet, I am well acquainted with young girls, their thirst for attention—worse still, their ability to use that attention towards their own selfish ends. How can I be certain that you are not abusing the trust that has been placed in you?”

Polly did not answer her right away. “I cannot do more than to give myself over when the Spirits take me. And, as I have said before, I cannot explain why it is they have chosen me.”

“Then confess your sins to me that I might see to it that your soul is clean.” Her face had never looked so stern. The moment had come.

Polly spied a small leather-bound book lying on the gleaming table in front of Elder Sister Agnes. Her eyes hovered over the words embossed into the cover: Youth’s Guide in Zion By Holy Mother Wisdom.

Looking to the eldress, she tried to discern whether or not she was meant to open it.

“Read to me, Sister Polly,” the Elder Sister said. “Before you begin, there is a power in the Heavens with whom you should be better acquainted. She is Holy Mother Wisdom, equal to our Holy Father Jesus Christ. Her word is divine and eternal and her power is great. You must know her as do all the children in The City of Hope—by reciting her commandments and humbling yourself before her will. This is how we begin.”

Polly bowed her head and opened the cover. Her hands shook. Elder Sister Agnes held a wooden form covered by an unfinished basket, its thinly shaved splints made from the pounded branches of black ash fanning out, as yet unwoven.

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