ave you know that I did."

"I did you an injustice," Ayrault answered, perceiving all that was in
her heart. "Could mortals but see as spirits do, there would be no
misunderstandings."

"I am so glad to see you," she continued, "and to know you are well.
Had you not come here, we could probably not have met until after your
death; for I shall not be sufficiently advanced to return to earth for
a long time, though my greatest solace while there was my religion,
which is all that brought me here. We, however, know that as our
capacity for true happiness increases we shall be happier, and that
after the resurrection there will be no more tears. Farewell," she
whispered, while her eyes were filled with love.

Ayrault's sleep was then undisturbed for some time, when suddenly an
angel, wreathed in light, appeared before him and spoke these words:
"He that walked with Adam and talked with Moses has sent me to guard
you while you sleep. No plague or fever, wild beast or earthquake, can
molest you, for you are equally protected from the most powerful
monster and the most insidious disease-germ. 'Blessed is the man whose
offences are covered and whose sins are forgiven.' Sleep on,
therefore, and be refreshed, for the body must have rest."

"A man may rest indeed," replied Ayrault, "when he has a guardian
angel. I had the most unbounded faith in your existence before I saw
you, and believe and know that you or others have often shielded me
from danger and saved my life. Why am I worthy of so much care?"

"'Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High shall abide under
the shadow of the Almighty,'" answered the angel, and thereupon he
became invisible, a diffused light taking his place. Shortly
afterwards this paled and completely vanished.

"Not only am I in paradise," thought Ayrault; "I believe I am also in
the seventh heaven. Would I might hear such words again!"

A group of lilies then appeared before the sleeper's eyes. In the
midst was one lily far larger than the rest, and of a dazzling white.
This spoke in a gentle voice, but with the tones of a trombone:

"Thy thoughts and acts are a pleasure to me. Thou hast raised no idols
within thy heart, and thy faith is as incense before me. Thy name is
now in the Book of Life. Continue as thou hast begun, and thou shalt
live and reign forever."

Hereupon the earth shook, and Ayrault was awakened. Great boulders
were rolling and crashing down the slope