Chapter 5
The Visit
Walking along the corridor, Maria suddenly froze. For a moment, she couldn't believe her eyes. He was there. In Nonnberg Abbey. He was there, looking for her. Why was he looking for her? What did he need? Did he want to invite her to his wedding to the Baroness? Oh! She had to leave this instant before he saw her! She quickly turned to leave before he was aware of her presence.
Hearing the tone of his voice, she stopped; it sounded urgent, somewhat pleading. She hid behind a pillar, about twenty feet away. She didn't mean to spy, but the sound of his voice sounded almost desperate. So, she remained there, watching as Sister Margaretta left to summon Mother Superior.
"Please, it's very important that I speak with her. I fear that a dreadful misunderstanding has taken place, and it's vital that I speak with her," he was saying. His composure was strong, firm, as always. Seeing him standing there once again took her breath away.
"Mother Superior will be with you shortly, if you'll please be patient, Captain," Sister Berthe was saying calmly. "May I offer you something while you wait?"
"No, that will not be necessary, thank you," he declined. "I only need to speak with Fraulein Maria. You needn't worry Mother Superior."
"It's no trouble at all, Captain," another voice came from behind them. Feeling like a fool as she crouched lower, Maria watched the Reverend Mother approach the pair, followed by Sister Margaretta. But she couldn't leave now; everyone would surely notice a sprinting postulant from across a courtyard.
She watched as the Captain and Mother Superior walked slowly off. They were leaving her range of hearing, which she should have been grateful for – she could make a clean escape. But she was disappointed. She wanted to know why he was there.
She did manage to hear bits and pieces of one last statement. "Reverend Mother…my home…children…unhappy…I…her."
Maria slowly straightened her back and stared after them silently as they walked away.
"I…her."
He what me? What did he say? Her heart was beating furiously. What had he said? Oh! She couldn't continue to endure this. What did all this mean? She thought he was going to marry the Baroness; at least that's what the Baroness had implied. What had happened? What did she, Maria, really mean to him? She looked heavenward for guidance.
Lord, she prayed silently. Please show me the way to go. I have no idea what
to do. Please help me.
Looking at the room where the
Captain and Reverend Mother had gone into, it, she suddenly realized that there
was only one thing she could do. If she ever wanted to know what the Captain
was feeling and thinking, she had to act immediately.
Giving another, somewhat worried glance to the sky, she ran from the courtyard.
"I'm sorry, Captain," Reverend Mother repeated. "But Maria is in seclusion. She hasn't seen anyone."
The Captain sighed in frustration. "She left us a note. She said that she missed her life here too much. Forgive me, Reverend Mother, but I don't believe her."
He noted that Mother Superior did not look offended. Instead, she smiled.
"She was perfectly happy, at least she seemed it, the last time I saw her." A hundred years ago, he added silently. "I just want to know if she's alright. She means a great deal to me, and it grieves me to know that if something I did or said made her unhappy."
Again, the Reverend Mother smiled kindly. "Captain, I only know you by reputation. Now, as you sit before me, I see that everything I've heard is true. You're a man of honor and of deep concern for your fellow human being. To be so kind of heart is a gift of God, and you've used it well. I see that you're deeply concerned about Maria's well being, and that, too, makes me realize that I was not wrong in sending her to you.
"However," she continued, and Georg felt his chest deflate a little. "I cannot go against the wishes of one of our postulants. Maria has wished to be put into seclusion. She hasn't spoken to anyone from outside these walls since her arrival two weeks ago. I cannot and will not break her confidence. You understand, of course."
The Captain stiffened his neck at this. "Yes, Madame, I understand. You too are a credit to your position." She nodded in gratitude.
"Did you know," she started thoughtfully. "Your children came by earlier today to see her as well?"
"No, I did not know that," he said. "I hope they didn't cause any trouble."
She laughed. "Oh, no, Captain. They were a treasure to see, if only for a moment."
"A moment?" he repeated. "So, I take it she didn't see them either?"
"Again, I'm sorry," she said. "It's Maria's wish to be in seclusion. If it were up to me, I would have let those children see her. They were wonderfully charming. You must be very proud."
A wistful smile came across his face. "I am thank you. It was all Maria's doing. She allowed me to finally see them as the gifts that they are."
"You don't give yourself enough credit, Captain," she said sternly. "From what I see, you're a wonderful father."
It was his turn to bow his head.
"When Maria is ready to speak to anyone, I will notify you," she offered.
Georg, sensing this meeting was over, rose. "Thank you," he said formally and turned to leave. Before he reached the door, he paused and turned around. "Please, tell her that we all miss and care about her."
"I will. God be with you," she answered.
Georg would have walked through the abbey with slumped shoulders in defeat, but his pride wouldn't let him. Holding his head high, he walked briskly to the front gate.
This wasn't over, he thought to himself passionately. He wasn't going to give up without a fight. Anything worth getting was worth fighting for. He had to see her and speak with her. She needed to know how he felt. He also needed to know how she felt. What was the real reason she ran away? She had to be frightened of something to run away with nothing more than a note, and then to shut herself from everyone completely, even the children. What could possibly have scared her enough to do that?
As he passed through the gate, he knew his options were limited. He couldn't break into the abbey to see her. That would be inane. He could send letters to her, asking her to explain her actions. That would backfire; she'd think he was obsessed.
He was lost in thought as he rounded the curve in the road. Looking up to check on the traffic, he froze, feeling the blood rush to his face.
There, standing across the street from him, flanked by a guitar case and carpet bag, was Maria.