ld would have been! The worst of it is he
mightn't have remembered to make you a woman; and in any case,
things being so nicely settled as they are, I don't think I want
to be a man. I waft a kiss to you on the wings of the wind. It's
ponente to-day, so it ought to be warm. "ROMA.

"P.S.--My poor friend is still in trouble. Although not a
religious woman, she has taken to saying a 'Hail Mary' every night
on going to bed, and if it wasn't for that I'm afraid she would
commit suicide, so frightful are the visions that enter her head
sometimes. I've told her how wrong it would be to do away with
herself, if only for the sake of her husband, who is away. Didn't
I tell you he was away at present? It would hurt you dreadfully if
_I_ were to die before _you_ return, wouldn't it? But I'm dying
already to hear what you think of her. Write! Write! Write!"

X

When the King of Terrors could no longer be beaten back the Countess
sent for the priest. Before he arrived she insisted on making her toilet
and receiving him in the dressing-gown which she used to wear when
people made ante-camera to her in the days of her gaiety and strength.

During the time of the Countess's confession Roma sat in her own room
with a tremor of the heart which she had never felt before. Something
personal and very intimate was creeping over her soul. She heard the
indistinct murmur of the priest's voice at intervals, followed by a
sibilant sound as of whispers and sobs.

The confession lasted fifteen minutes and then the priest came out of
the room. "Now that your relative has made her peace with God," he said,
"she must receive the Blessed Sacrament, Extreme Unction, and the
Apostolic Blessing."

He went away to prepare for these offices, and the English Sister came
to see Roma. "The Countess is like another woman already," she said, but
Roma did not go into the sickroom.

The priest returned in half-an-hour. He had now two assistants, one
carrying the cross and banner, the other a vessel of holy water and the
volume of the Roman ritual. The Sister and Felice met them at the door
with lighted candles.

"Peace be to this house!" said the priest.

And the assistants said, "And to all dwelling in it."

Then the priest took off an outer cloak, revealing his white surplice
and violet stole, and followed the candles into the Countess's room. The