Bernard Miall

Sister Beatrice Bernard Miall

Sister Beatrice is about to elope from the convent with Bellidor, and is praying before the Virgin?s image. She hears the horses of her lover--he comes in with costly garments and jewels, and while she has swooned, protesting against his wild embrace, he takes off her veil and mantle. She revives, but he dresses her in the costly dress while she still prays to the Virgin. She has sounded the matin-bell and when the nuns are heard approaching, she throws her nun?s things before the image, calling for pity. But when Bellidor again embraces her she returns his kiss for the first time, and they go out. As the sun shines into the corridor, the Virgin stirs and comes into life and puts on the dress of Beatrice.