Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/170

 the rigor of her austerities. Her sister Francoise, (Frances) followed her example closely; she also assumed the holy livery of penance, and it was an affecting sight to behold those two sisters so lately captivated with vanity, contesting suddenly its every form in their own persons and that with courage and perseverance.

At the moment of their conversion, Jacques Tholomei was absent; as soon as he learned this, he returned to the city in a paroxysm of rage against his youthful brothers; in his arrogance he uttered the most terrible threats and menaced tearing off his sister's holy habit, and conducting her back with him, to withdraw her from the influence of those who had converted her. But his little brother said, in an inspired tone; "Jacques, I assure thee, that were thou to go to Sienna, thou would be converted and wouldst confess thy sins. " But he ill-treated the child, and replied that he would sooner kill all the priests and the religious. The child reiterated his prophecy, and Jacques his threats and maledictions. They at last arrived at the city and Jacques entered his home in a perfect fury, declaring that he would commit the worst violence, did not his sister renounce her habit and follow him without delay.

Rabes, succeeded in appeasing and calming his passion until the morrow. In the morning she sent word to Friar Thomas, the Confessor of Catherine, who providentially took as companion, Friar Bartholomew of St. Dominic. He sought Jacques, conversed with him, yet apparently obtained nothing favorable — but Catherine by a supernatural light, knew all that was passing, and supplicated God for the wicked youth's conversion. The Lord heard her prayer, and touched that obdurate heart. He fielded to the exhortations of Brother Bartholomew, after