Abbess. Call the Father Confessor.
[The Sister Sacristan goes out toward the chapel.]
We must look to this. If her mind have broken under some penance—
Atalanta. Let me go—
Abbess. No. She was so pale—
[The Sister Sacristan returns with the Abbe Filosi.]
Reverend Father, the little sister of the house of Loredan—
[Then, the upper corridor is filled with a growing light—the same radiant gold that streamed from the Sacristy closet. The sisters bless themselves and most of them fall on their knees. In the light Benvenuta appears walking erect, her lameness gone, and holding before her the Christ Child, in a wondrous robe of carmine silk damask. She laughs softly with the babe as she passes, and when she has passed off toward the chapel, whence the organ is again heard, the light fades.]
Abbe Filosi [in a hushed voice]. A miracle!
Abbess. She is healed! A miracle of the Holy Child. Blessed Mother—thy Holy Child in our house.