“Invite then, my child, this Lord into your house, that coming He may heal you, and fill you with His grace.”
Approaching the table, he took from it a particle of the Blessed Eucharist, in the form of unleavened bread, which, being dry, he moistened in water, and placed within her lips.[216] She closed them upon it, and remained for some time absorbed in contemplation.
And thus did the holy Dionysius discharge his twofold office of physician and priest, attributed to him on his tomb.
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE SACRIFICE ACCEPTED.
At length, in the course of the day, after giving her patient some nourishment, she said to her, smiling: “I think you are much better, Miriam, already. Your physician must have given you some wonderful medicine.”
“Indeed he has, my dearest mistress.”
Fabiola was evidently pained; and leaning over her, said softly: “Oh, do not, I entreat you, call me by such a title. If it has to be used, it should be by me towards you. But, in fact, it is no longer true; for what I long intended has now been done; and the instrument of your liberation has been ordered to be made out, not as a freedwoman, but as an ingenua;[217] for such I know you are.”
Miriam looked her thanks, for fear of further hurting Fabiola’s feelings; and they continued to be happy together in silence.
Towards evening Dionysius returned, and found so great an improvement, that, ordering more nourishing food, he permitted a little quiet conversation.