صفحة 617 من 1118

But soon her recent impressions returned distinctly to her mind,

and the unfortunate girl recognised her prison; and with the

knowledge came associated all the terrors of this horrible day;

and, overcome anew by anxiety and terror, she wished earnestly

for death. She could only pray, and as the words fell from her

trembling lips, she felt her confidence revive. Suddenly a

thought presented itself to her mind; that her prayer would be

more acceptable if united with an offering of something dear to

her; she remembered the object to which she had clung for her

happiness, and resolved to sacrifice it; then clasping her hands

over her chaplet, which hung upon her neck, and raising her

tearful eyes to heaven, she cried, "O most holy Virgin! thou to

whom I have so often prayed, and who hast so often consoled

me-thou who hast suffered so much sorrow, and art now so

glorious-thou who hast performed so many miracles for the

afflicted-holy Virgin!