"Dear children!" she murmured, "if God grants me a place beside Him, I promise to pray for them above."
And the dying soul began on earth the prayer it was to end in heaven.
In the midst of that prayer and in the silence of that cell, the striking of a clock was heard, then the tinkling of a bell, and the sound of feet approaching along the corridor. They were bringing the viaticum.
Mary fell on her knees by Bertha's pillow. The priest entered, holding the sacred chalice in his left hand, and in his right the consecrated wafer.
At this moment Mary felt the hand of Bertha seeking hers; for the purpose, as she thought, of pressing it. She was mistaken; Bertha slipped into her sister's hand an object which she felt to be a locket. She tried to look at it.
"No no," said Bertha, "wait till I am dead."
Mary made a sign of obedience and bowed her head upon her clasped hands.
The cell was now filled with nuns, all kneeling; and as far as could be seen along the corridor were others in their gloomy robes kneeling and praying.
The dying woman seemed to recover some strength with which to go into the presence of her Creator; she lifted herself up, murmuring:--
"I am ready, my God!"