In The Name of The Father by A. J. Quinnell Page B

robes he moved around the desk and sat in a high-backed chair. For several moments he studied the face in front of him. The only sound in the room was the ticking of an ormolu clock on the wall. The nun was sitting erect with her hands folded in her lap. Her white habit and black headpiece were starched and immaculate. The Crucifix at her breast was highly polished and reflecting the light from the chandelier. Her head was held high but her eyes were modestly cast down.
    ‘Sister Anna, look at me.’
    She raised her eyes and stared straight at him. He wanted to see her eyes. The eyes are important in evaluating a person. He had been assured that this nun was extraordinary, but of course he wanted to see for himself. It had been a week since he had sent out the instruction to the very senior members of his Order in Europe. He was looking for a nun with certain characteristics and talents. She must be aged between twenty-eight and thirty-five. Be physically strong and not unattractive. She must be fluent in Czech, Polish and Russian. She must be practical and have a disciplined character. Above all she must be truly devout.
    There had been a rapid feedback with several suggestions but the report on this one had been conclusive. It had come from Bishop Severin of Szeged in Hungary, a man whose judgment the Cardinal much respected. He reported that Sister Anna fitted the description exactly, except that she was only twenty-six years old. However he was sure that in all other aspects she more than compensated for that.
    Indeed Mennini could see the strength in her face. It was an attractive face - very attractive. She was Polish and he guessed that there was Tartar blood there, for her cheekbones were very high, her eyes slightly slanted and her skin olive. She had a high forehead balanced by a wide, full mouth and the sweep of a symmetrical jaw. He looked at her arms and hands. The fingers were long and slender and he guessed that her figure would be similar. She was not at all embarrassed by his silent inspection. She gazed back at him, modest but composed. He questioned her for a few minutes and learned that she was an orphan who had been brought up by nuns in Zamose. She had been much influenced by her Mother Superior and from her earliest years had wanted to be nothing else but a nun. Recognising her intellect early, they had sent her to a school run by the Order in Austria. There she developed her linguistic talents, becoming fluent in Russian, English, Italian, German, Czech and Hungarian, as well as her native Polish. She also discovered a second vocation: teaching. After taking her final vows she had been sent to teach in a school run by the Order in Hungary. She was happy there, getting much joy from her work and also continuing her own studies and beginning to show a particular interest in Oriental languages. She hoped one day to be able to teach with the Order in Japan when she was fluent in that language.
    She had a husky rasp to her voice. Not unattractive but curious, and a way of emphasising her words by lifting her chin slightly after completing a sentence. Within a few minutes the Cardinal was convinced that Bishop Severin’s judgment had been correct and should be endorsed.
    He marshalled his thoughts and then said slowly, ‘Sister Anna, you have been selected for a mission which is of vital concern to our Church and the well-being of our beloved Holy Father.’ He watched her face for a reaction but she stared back intent but impassive. ‘Your life as a devout sister will have prepared you for some aspects of this mission . . . but not for others. You will need training. However, before going into further details there is something that you must see.’
    He reached to his left and pulled a gold embossed leather folder in front of him. Slowly he opened it and looked at the single sheet of heavy cloth paper and the firm thick handwriting.
    ‘I assume you read Latin.’
    ‘Yes, Your Eminence.’
    He turned