the Carmel accompanies her like her shadow inside the walls of the sheltering convent. She cannot sleep unless the door of her room stands open so that a glimmer of light from outside may reach her; she starts at the slightest movement, trembles and stammers, draws the attention of the sisters, and becomes the object of their quiet mockery and their wondering glances... Her anxiety over herself grows, her condition worsens, and her case occupies the thoughts of the Mother Superior as she lies on her deathbed. The Mother summons Mother Marie, known for her soundness of mind, her balanced character, and her firmness of morals, and asks her to take charge of Blanche's formation herself — indeed she holds her answerable for her before God. Mother Marie accepts this responsibility, knowing its gravity and its deep spiri-tual importance...

The Superior's illness grows graver and the hours of her final agony arrive; she complains and grumbles, asks for soothing medicine, weeps and sobs, and signs of weakness and fear appear upon her. Mother Marie is astonished at this in the courageous Mother who all her life had been known for firmness of character, strength of faith, and steadfastness of will... The Mother calls Sister Blanche to her; Blanche kneels at her bedside, weeping and frightened, and before the last breath the Superior utters a few words from which one understands: Forgive me... I am afraid... I am afraid of death...

The sisters look at one another in astonishment, asking what can be the meaning of this death, so unbefitting their Superior and believing Mother.

The two friends, Sisters "Blanche de la Force" and Constance (Nadia Branard), in the convent

Sister Constance, the youngest among them, says: "Who knows? Perhaps she died a death that did not befit her so as to offer her death for another, one more in need of courage than she — like one who puts on a tight, threadbare garment in order to give his warm, ample garment to someone else"...

Mother Marie (Marcelle Tassencourt) tries to persuade the fleeing Blanche to return to the convent