me to the true light of the Church where he may find
you."

I made confession and received absolution, and he, making the Sign of
the Cross, went from the room.

Presently I heard the monotonous chant of the monks in the Chapel and
knew it was midnight. I have written this to you hurriedly on paper I
have in my portfolio. The chanting is over and Brother Andreas' step is
audible in the echoing corridor. Good Night.

Besa la mano,

JOAQUIN.

* * * * *

NICHOLAUS BERG.

30th October, 18--.

DEAR JOSE:

I am still at the cloister, though I have done nothing it seems to me
during the past week but sleep, and am hardly strong enough now to carry
the pen over the paper as I write to you.

The statue over the door stands there as it ever has, but it is too far
away for me to see the awful eyes, so I can say nothing about them. But
now my dear friend I have something more wonderful than ever to tell
you.

Every night when the moon shines, this image of the Virgin comes down
from her niche and wanders about the church; I have seen her four or
five times, and she has often come under my window in these lone walks,
and once I spoke to her, but the moment my voice sounded on the night
air she was gone, and the same gray, stone image stood silent and dead
in the niche.

What can I think of all this? I could not believe if any one should tell
me of these things, but what I see with my own eyes I certainly cannot
doubt.

The Brother Andreas is very good to me, and my box has been brought from
the hotel to the cloister, so my room is as cheerful as possible with
all your pictures around me.

How I wish that you were here, or I could hear from you, but never, my
dear boy will that time come, I fear; I have given up the idea of ever
having so great a pleasure in this world. I cannot write more now as I
am too weak. Good night and greet Benicia for me.

* * * * *

31st October

It is very late, but I must write now or never. To-night the image was
stranger than ever, and for the first time I heard its voice, and oh, it
sounded too sweetly to me as I sat by the window and looked out over the
city as the moon rose above the hills to the eas