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But hardly had she pronounced the words, when she was terrified

at having done so; she recalled all the circumstances of her vow,

her intolerable anguish, without hope of human aid, the fervour

of her petition, the fulness of resolution with which the promise

had been made; and to repent of this promise, after having

obtained the favour she had implored, appeared to her

sacrilegious ingratitude, perfidy towards God and the Virgin.