“He was silent a moment, then he said, ‘Pray!’ and covered his face with his hands, as if praying or recollecting himself. Looking at her again then, he told her to bless herself with her right hand.
“‘But, santo padre, I cannot move my right hand,’ she said.
“He persisted: ‘Nevertheless, do as I bid you.’
“The superior took the nun’s right hand, and, lifting it for her, made a sort of cross with it.
“‘Pray again,’ said the Holy Father, and hid his face a second time, and seemed to pray.
“‘Now bless yourself with your right hand, and do it without help,’ he said.
“She immediately lifted her hand and made the sign of the cross on her forehead and breast as freely as if nothing had ever ailed her. She was cured.”
The prelate told his story with
simplicity and in a soft and slightly tremulous voice, affected by the sacred and tender scene he had so lately witnessed, and his audience exclaimed with delight. None of them, except the two American gentlemen and Isabel, were at all surprised. Too many such tales are known in Rome of Pius IX. to excite astonishment.
“I have seen the good nun this afternoon,” he continued, “and she is perfectly happy. She can play on the piano again, and do everything just as before.”