eata_, Clara, was a being highly favoured
by Providence. She lived in a private house, under the pretence that the
malady under which she laboured prevented her residence in the
_beaterio_. She was always prostrated on her bed, and never took any
kind of food except the consecrated host. The nobility and persons in
the upper ranks of society, including canons, bishops, and other learned
personages, came to consult her, not only on matters of conscience, but
of ecclesiastical discipline and state-government. She never permitted
her face to be seen, but kept it covered with a kind of veil which
entirely concealed her features. Gifts of every kind were showered upon
her, and when money was given to her, which was always in large amounts,
she declared that the article was of but little use to her, for she
always gave it away to the poor. In short, nothing was talked of in
Madrid but this most wonderful woman, whose presence it was believed was
sufficient to obtain blessings from heaven; and even the queen, Maria
Louisa, herself, wife of Charles IV., sent her frequent messages.
Clara's fame increased. The renown of her name reached Rome, and made a
profound impression in that city. The Pope granted her the unheard-of
privilege of having the holy eucharist kept in her room, a privilege
never conceded but to churches, cathedrals, and convents. In her room
was erected an altar on which the priests said mass. There the holy
communion was received with outbursts of devotion, and sometimes with
ecstasy. In short, the woman was considered as something more than
mortal; nor can that be surprising, when it was believed, on her own
assertions, that she existed without other sustenance than the body and
blood of Christ.

There was in the same quarter of the city a pastrycook called Ceferino.
It had been observed that this shop was the nightly resort of a female
attendant of Clara, who made purchases of the most delicate and savoury
articles of this good man's manufacture, nor could he imagine from whom
she came or where she went, for instead of going into the vicinity with
the precious load, she invariably made off in a direction for the heart
of the city, and was soon out of sight. One night, however, one of
Ceferino's workmen was determined to follow her closely. He did so, and
after many an artful dodge through streets, lanes, courts, and alleys,
she entered the house of _beata_ Clara. The fact was kept secret from
the