noon
In the centre of this court , and surrounded by a wide border of luxuriant lilies , was a triangular pedestal of granite , now green with moss , and spotted with silver grey lichen groups , upon which stood a statue of St. Francis , bearing the stigmata , and wearing the hood drawn over his head , while the tunic was opened to display the wound in his side , and the skull and the crucifix lay at his feet . Close to the base of the pedestal crouched a marble lamb , around whose neck crept a slender chain of bind-weed , and above whom the rank green lances of leaves shot up to guard the numerous silver-dusted lilies that swung like snowy bells in the soft breeze , dispensing perfume instead of chimes . Quite distinct from the spacious new chapel -- with its gilded shrine , picture-tapestried walls , and gorgeous stained windows , where the outside-world believers were allowed to worship -- stood a low cruciform oratory , situated within the stricter confines of the monastery , and sacred to the exclusive use of the nuns . This chapel was immediately opposite the St. Francis , and to-day , as the old-fashioned doors of elaborately carved oak were thrown wide , the lovely mass of nodding lillies seemed bowing in adoration before the image of the Virgin and Child , who crowned the altar within , while the dazzling sheen of noon flashing athwart the tessellated floor kindles an almost unearthly halo around `` Virgin and Babe , and Saint , who With the same cold , calm , beautiful regard , '' had watched for many weary years the kneeling devotees beneath their marble feet . On the steps of the altar were a number of china pots containing rose and apple geraniums in full bloom , and one luxuriant Grand Duke jasmine , all starred with creamy flowers , so flooded the place with fragrance that it seemed as if the vast laboratory of floral aromas had been suddenly unsealed . Upon the stone pavement , immediately in front of the altar , sat a little figure so motionless , that a casual glance would probably have included it among the consecrated and permanent images of the silent sanctuary ; -- the figure of a child , whose age could not have been accurately computed from the inspection of the countenance , which indexed a degree of grave mature wisdom wholly incompatible with the height of the body and the size of the limbs . If devotional promptings had brought her to the Nuns ' Chapel , her orisons had been concluded , for she had turned her back upon the altar , and sat gazing sorrowfully down at her lap , where lay in pathetic _ pose _ a white rabbit and a snowy pigeon , -- both dead , quite stark and cold , -- laid out in state upon the spotless linen apron , around which a fluted ruffle ran crisp and smooth .