“This is good news indeed. And how about the lay-sister?”
“She still breathes, but we have no hope that she will recover. Her face is terribly distorted. We have sinned exceedingly, and God will punish me for it.”
“No, dearest, God will forgive you, for the Most Holy judges by the heart, and in your heart you had no evil thoughts. Adore Divine Providence, which doeth all things well.”
“You console me. The country-woman assures me that you are an angel, for the powder you gave me delivered me. I shall never forget you, though I do not know your name.”
The woman then came, and I thanked her for the care she had taken of the invalid. I again warned her to be prudent, and above all to treat the priest well when the lay-sister breathed her last, and thus he would not take notice of anything that might involve her in disaster.
“All will be well,” said she, “for no one knows if the lay-sister is well or ill, or why the lady does not leave her bed.”
“What have you done with the child?”
“I took him with my own hands to Anneci, where I bought everything necessary for the well-being of this lady and for the death of the other one.”
“Doesn’t your brother know anything about it?”
“Lord preserve us—no! He went away yesterday, and will not be back for a week. We have nothing to fear.”