Summary

In Chapter 6, Marie is getting old. She receives a letter from Eleanor, who states that her son, the king, has been killed in battle. Though nearly 80, Eleanor must travel to Castile to choose one of her granddaughters to marry the future King of France. Marie writes recommends that Eleanor choose her granddaughter Blanche. She then receives a letter from Ursule, who tells her that Eleanor is “preparing to die” (196).

A novice named Sprota arrives at the abbey. She is beautiful and rumored to be very holy. The other novices and young nuns are drawn to her, and Marie fears she will gain power at the abbey to rival her own. She goes to town to consult Ruth, and while there, she sees a mother and daughter who are lepers. She returns to the abbey and tells the nuns and novices that she...