Jesus bent forward still more graciously. Maria felt her hair stand on end, and her heart wanted to leap from her breast. His voice like music penetrated into the soul of the young girl, who believed that she was dead and translated to heaven.
Jesus had said,—
"Arise, my beloved, my fair one, and come."
"Lord, I am not worthy!" exclaimed Maria, with a cry at once of anguish and of joy.
Again Jesus said,—
"Thou art all beautiful, my beloved; there is no blemish in thee."
"My Jesus, thee I love above all things!"
"My dove, show me thy face, let thy voice sound in mine ears, for thy voice is sweet, and thy face is beautiful," replied Jesus, bending still nearer.
Then the girl, carried away by glory and enthusiasm, threw her arms about the knees of the Lord, and flooded them with her tears, saying, between her sobs, like the bride in the sacred book,—
"My soul melted within me when my beloved spake."