“I had made up my mind to what must follow upon all this; but there was something worse that I had not anticipated, which had soon to be added to it.  Our good Superior, who like a trusty shepherdess could not bear to have one of her flock lost, or, as was the case here, to see it undistinguished, after the examiners were gone could not contain her displeasure, and said to Ottilie, who was standing quite quietly by the window, while the others were exulting over their prizes:  ’Tell me, for heaven’s sake, how can a person look so stupid if she is not so?’ Ottilie replied, quite calmly, ’Forgive me, my dear mother, I have my headache again today, and it is very painful.’  Kind and sympathizing as she generally is, the Superior this time answered, ’No one can believe that,’ and turned angrily away.

“Now it is true—­no one can believe it—­for Ottilie never alters the expression of her countenance.  I have never even seen her move her hand to her head when she has been asleep.

“Nor was this all.  Your ladyship’s daughter, who is at all times sufficiently lively and impetuous, after her triumph today was overflowing with the violence of her spirits.  She ran from room to room with her prizes and testimonials, and shook them in Ottilie’s face.  ’You have come badly off this morning,’ she cried.  Ottilie replied in her calm, quiet way, ‘This is not the last day of trial.’  ’But you will always remain the last,’ cried the other, and ran away.

“No one except myself saw that Ottilie was disturbed.  She has a way when she experiences any sharp unpleasant emotion which she wishes to resist, of showing it in the unequal color of her face; the left cheek becomes for a moment flushed, while the right turns pale.  I perceived this symptom, and I could not prevent myself from saying something.  I took our Superior aside, and spoke seriously to her about it.  The excellent lady acknowledged that she had been wrong.  We considered the whole affair; we talked it over at great length together, and not to weary your ladyship, I will tell you at once the desire with which we concluded, namely, that you will for a while have Ottilie with yourself.  Our reasons you will yourself readily perceive.  If you consent, I will say more to you on the manner in which I think she should be treated.  The young lady your daughter we may expect will soon leave us, and we shall then with pleasure welcome Ottilie back to us.

“One thing more, which another time I might forget to mention:  I have never seen Ottilie eager for anything, or at least ask pressingly for anything.  But there have been occasions, however rare, when on the other hand she has wished to decline things which have been pressed upon her, and she does it with a gesture which to those who have caught its meaning is irresistible.  She raises her hands, presses the palms together, and draws them against her breast, leaning her body a little forward at the same time, and turns such a look upon the person who is urging her that he will be glad enough to cease to ask or wish for anything of her.  If your ladyship ever sees this attitude, as with your treatment of her it is not likely that you will, think of me, and spare Ottilie.”