“However closely we may be bound, however sure in our own minds to spend many years together,” she added hastily, “we may be scattered like the dust before another
day passes. Till we, as closest and dearest of friends, have prayed together, we have not well deserved the power of speech nor the consolations of friendship.”
“I choose the Acts of Faith, Hope, Love, Thanksgiving, and Contrition,” Mr. Vane said.
“I choose the Salve Regina,” Marion added.
Bianca named the Memorare, and Isabel three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys, and three Glorias.
“And I choose the prayer to the Five Wounds,” said the Signora. “We each will say our own prayer, and the others answer Amen. Mr. Vane shall begin.”
They were astonished, not only into compliance, but into willingness and pleasure. The Signora’s will and enthusiasm blew away all the foolish scruples and false delicacy which would have for ever prevented the others making such a proposition, and the five Catholics knelt together in the room softly lighted by the night and the Virgin’s lamp, and said their prayers together.
It was a strange yet sweet experience for all, this first union in family prayers. Mr. Vane, uttering his prayers with an earnest gravity, gave the tone to the others; and when Marion called on the Queen of Heaven to hear their cry, as that of the poor exiled children of Eve coming up from a valley of tears, the Signora’s proposition showed no more an extraordinary one, but altogether proper and necessary.
They rose when all was over, and stood silent a moment. It was a silence full of peace and of a new sense of union.
Marion was the first to speak. “You have strung us to-night like beads on a corona,” he said, taking the Signora’s hand. “May the chain endure for ever!”