"No, Miss Harmer; it is a gentleman with a letter from him." And the servant gave her the letter.
"Draw down the blinds, Hannah, and light the candles, and put them on the table by my side."
This done, Miss Harmer opened the letter and read as follows—it was in Italian—
"My dear, Sister,
"I have just received a letter with the commands of my superior, our beloved Bishop of Ravenna, to proceed at once to London upon a special mission, which will perhaps detain me there for some days. He has sent these orders by the hands of Father Boniface, one of the most esteemed of his clergy, and in whom I know he reposes the most absolute confidence. He was well known to me in Italy, and I judge, from the manner in which the bishop writes to me, that his business in England is of great importance. He is the bearer of a letter to you. I am unable to visit you before I leave this, as I have only just time to catch the train, and it is necessary that I should reach London to-night. I pray that the Holy Virgin and all the saints may have you in their keeping."
"Bring the gentleman up here," Miss Harmer said, when she had read the letter; and her eyes brightened at the thought of news direct from her beloved friend and guide, the Bishop of Ravenna.
The ecclesiastic entered with the usual benedicte, and then, advancing to the bed, bestowed a particular and solemn benediction upon her, as sent direct from the bishop. He then sat down by her bedside, and inquired, in a tone of earnest sympathy, after her health.
"I am not long for this world, father," she said. "A short time, a very short time, and my place will be empty."
"You have fought a good fight, sister, a good fight for our Church, and you will assuredly win the prize."
"I trust so, father—I do indeed trust so. And now, how is my old friend? is it well with him?"
"It is not, sister. He is ill—very ill, I grieve to say."