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 body first attacked by the reigning epidemic; my hand discovered to me the fatal swelling; frightened at this discovery I dared not rise and began to think seriously of death. I longed for the day, so that I could find Catherine before the disease made progress: the fever and pains in the head soon seized me; my fears augmented; I had however sufficient strength to recite my prayers. When morning came, I dragged myself with my companion, to Catherine's residence; but she was absent, having already been visiting a sick person. I decided to wait, and as I could no longer support myself, I was obliged to lie down on a bed which was there: I besought the person of the house not to delay sending for her. When she came, and saw my excessive suffering, she knelt down by my bed, placed her hand on my forehead, and began to pray interiorly as usual; I saw her enter into an ecstasy and I thought that there would soon result some good both for my soul and body. She remained thus, during nearly an hour and a half, when I felt a universal movement in my every limb: I was persuaded it was a prelude to vomitings, such as those I had witnessed in several persons that I saw die; but I was in error, it seemed as if something escaped from all the extremities of my body with a violent impulse; I began to feel an amelioration which augmented at every moment: before Catherine had recovered the use of her senses, I was completely cured, there only remained to me a certain weakness, a proof of my illness, or an effect of my want of faith. Catherine, aware of the grace that she had obtained from her Spouse, came to herself and caused them to prepare for me the ordinary nourishment common to the sick. When I had taken it from her virginal hands, she ordered me to sleep a little; I obeyed, and