Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/229

 my feeble remains of vigor and life: whatever is sweet is poison to me."

Gherard and myself sought with anxiety some remedy against her swoons: I remembered having seen in similar cases the temples and wrists of the invalid bathed in the wine of Vernaccia and a sensible relief thus afforded. I proposed to Gherard the administering the exterior remedy, as we could do nothing for the interior. He informed me that he had a neighbor who was supplied with a cask of this kind of wine, and that he could easily send and procure some of it. The individual sent on this commission, described the fainting fits of Catherine, and asked in Gherard's name a bottle of the desired wine. The neighbor, whose name I forget, answered: " Friend I would willingly give Gherards, the whole cask; but it has been completely empty during the last three months; I am sorry for it, but to be very sure, come with me and see." He then conducted him to the wine-cellar — the messenger saw only exteriorly that the hogshead was empty, yet the proprietor to give a greater certitude drew the wooden peg which served for drawing off the wine; when immediately an excellent wine of Vernaccia come forth in abundance and moistened the surrounding earth. The astonishment of the owner was at its height, he closed the opening, called all the inmates of his house, and asked whether any one had put new wine into the cask. All declared that their had been no wine in it during the last three months, and it was impossible for any one to have poured any into it. The news was spread in the environs and everybody saw the miracle. The messenger overjoyed and filled with wonder, brought back a bottle of the marvellous wine, and recounted to us what had transpired.