Produced by Dagny [dagnypg@yahoo.com]
and David Widger [widger@cecomet.net]
AT the Hospital of Our Lady of Dolours, that morning, Marie remainedseated on her bed, propped up by pillows. Having spent the whole night atthe Grotto, she had refused to let them take her back there. And, asMadame de Jonquiere approached her, to raise one of the pillows which wasslipping from its place, she asked: "What day is it, madame?"
"Monday, my dear child."
"Ah! true. One so soon loses count of time. And, besides, I am so happy!
It is to-day that the Blessed Virgin will cure me!"
She smiled divinely, with the air of a day-dreamer, her eyes gazing intovacancy, her thoughts so far away, so absorbed in her one fixed idea,that she beheld nothing save the certainty of her hope. Round about her,the Sainte-Honorine Ward was now quite deserted, all the patients,excepting Madame Vetu, who lay at the last extremity in the next bed,having already started for the Grotto. But Marie did not even notice herneighbour; she was delighted with the sudden stillness which had fallen.One of the windows overlooking the courtyard had been opened, and theglorious morning sunshine entered in one broad beam, whose golden dustwas dancing over her bed and streaming upon her pale hands. It was indeedpleasant to find this room, so dismal at nighttime with its many beds ofsickness, its unhealthy atmosphere, and its nightmare groans, thussuddenly filled with sunlight, purified by the morning air, and wrappedin such delicious silence! "Why don't you try to sleep a little?"maternally inquired Madame de Jonquiere. "You must be quite worn out byyour vigil."
Marie, who felt so light and cheerful that she no longer experienced anypain, seemed surprised.
"But I am not at all tired, and I don't feel a bit sleepy. Go to sleep?Oh! no, that would be too sad. I should no longer know that I was goingto be cured!"
At this the superintendent laughed. "Then why didn't you let them takeyou to the Grotto?" she asked. "You won't know what to do with yourselfall alone here."
"I am not alone, madame, I am with her," replied Marie; and thereupon,her vision returning to her, she clasped her hands in ecstasy. "Lastnight, you know, I saw her bend her head towards me and smile. I quiteunderstood her, I could hear her voice, although she never opened herlips. When the Blessed Sacrament passes at four o'clock I shall becured."
Madame de Jonquiere tried to calm her, feeling rather anxious at thespecies of somnambulism in which she beheld her. However, the sick girlwent on: "No, no, I am no worse, I am waiting. Only, you must surely see,madame, that there is no need for me to go to the Grotto this morning,since the appointment which she gave me is for four o'clock." And then thegirl added in a lower tone: "Pierre will come for me at half-past three.At four o'clock I shall be cured."
The sunbeam slowly made its way up her bare arms, which were now almosttransparent, s