noon
Of what importance that she lives , if she is lost to us -- she might have loved life so much -- what a fatality has attended her ! What I am saying is horrible ! there is a barbarous egotism in paternal love . At noon her profession took place with solemn pomp . Hidden behind the curtains of our gallery , I was present at it . I felt , over again , but with still more intensity , all those poignant emotions which we suffered at her novitiate . A singular thing , she is adored : it is generally believed that she is drawn toward a religious life by an irresistible call ; her profession might be looked upon as a happy event for her , and yet , on the contrary , an overpowering sadness weighs down the whole assembly .