Will deck with light one empty place,
And fill with love one vacant chair.”
“What chair?” asked Tony, and again I pretended not to hear.
“For e’en regret can wear a softened grace,
And smiling hope in whispers low
Will oft this cherished thought bestow:
Within the Eternal City’s sacred wall,
He who has blest us in our Convent hall
Can now to us earth’s holiest blessing bring
From God’s great martyr saint, Rome’s pontiff king.”