Romola Chapter 37 - The Tabernacle Unlocked

In which Romola, cloaked in the grey mantle and the somber cowl of a novice, prepares to take leave of Florence under the early morning light, shedding the bonds of her former life with a mixture of resolve and quiet sorrow. As she steps forth into the chill air beyond the city's gates, the painted tabernacle’s farewells and the presence of wandering monks deepen her sense of solitude and the gravity of her chosen path.