the other person (you did
right not to name him, my child) may use that circumstance to separate
you, and that your confession to your husband, if it came too late,
would come prejudiced and worse than in vain, these are facts that make
it difficult to advise you for your safety and peace of mind. Let me
consult some one wiser than myself. Let me, perhaps, take your secret to
a high place, a kindly ear, a saintly heart, a venerable and holy head.
Come again, or leave me your name if you will, and if that holy person
has anything to say you shall hear of it. Meantime go home in peace and
content, my daughter, and may God bring you into His true fold at last."

When Roma got up from the grating of the confessional she felt like one
who had passed through a great sickness and was now better. Her whole
being was going through a miraculous convalescence. A great weight had
been lifted off; she was renewed as with a new soul and her very body
felt light as air.

The preacher was still preaching in his tremulous tones, and the women
and girls were still crying, as Roma passed out of the church, but now
she heard all as in a dream. It was not until she reached the portico,
and a blind beggar rattled his can in her face, that the spell was
broken, so sudden and mysterious was the transition when she came back
from heaven to earth.

XII

By the first post next morning "Sister Angelica" received a letter from
David Rossi.

"Dearest,--Your budget arrived safely and brought me great joy and
perhaps a little sadness. Apart from the pain I always suffer when
I think of our poor people, there was a little twinge as I read
between the lines of your letter. Are you not dissimulating some
of your happiness to keep up my spirits and to prevent me from
rushing back to you at all hazards? You shall be really happy some
day, my dear one. I shall hear your silvery laugh again as I did
on that glorious day in the Campagna. Wait, only wait! We are
still young and we shall live.

"Pray for me, my heart, that what my hand is doing may not be done
amiss. I am working day and night. Meetings, committees,
correspondence early and late. A great scheme is afoot, dearest,
and you shall hear all about it presently. I am proud that I
judged rightly of the moral grandeur of your nature, and that it
is possible to tell you everything.

"We have elected