Page:Anecdotescatechi00spiruoft.djvu/88

 took place,  several  hundred  people  were  present; later on  they  might  be  counted  by  thousands. The girl passed  through  the  crowd  of  spectators  with  a perfectly  unassuming  yet  unembarrassed  demeanor. No one  but  herself  saw  the  apparition,  yet  every  one observed that  at  the  time  she  was  rapt  in  ecstasy. Once a doctor  held  a lighted  taper  under  her  hand, but she  did  not  move  a muscle,  and  evidently  felt  no pain. He made  the  same  experiment  when  the  apparition had  disappeared; she  then  screamed  with  pain. Twice during  this  period  the  figure  failed  to  appear; then Bernadette  returned  home  sorrowful  and  in tears. The priest  of  the  place  did  not. interfere at all  in  the  matter; yet  the  enemies  of  religion  declared that  it  was  a fraud,  concocted  by  wily  priests. The girl  was  taken  to  the  police  station  and  examined by a magistrate; but  there  was  no  ground  for  arresting her,  so  she  was  discharged. On one  of  the  occasions, whereon  Our  Lady  appeared  clothed  in  light, she said  to  her: ‘‘  Go  and  tell  the  priest  that  it  is  my will  that  a church  should  be  erected  here  to  which the people  shall  come  in  procession.”  Bernadette accordingly went  to  the  parish  priest  and  delivered the message. He bade  her  tell  the  lady  first  of  all to give  a proof  of  her  power,  and  let  that  proof; be making  the  rosebush  at  her  feet  come  into  leaf  and blossom in  the  winter. The next  time  the  lady  appeared, Bernadette  did  as  she  was  desired;  but  the lady did  not  comply  with  the  request; her  reply  was: “ Penance, penance,  penance! ” Somewhat later  she said to  the  girl,  ‘‘  Drink  some  of  the  water  of  this spring, and  wash  yourself  in  it.”  The  child  put  her