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34 was not to be persuaded that her happiness depended upon a match, to which her heart denied its assent. Their debates on this subject continued for several days, both early and late; the time for giving an answer approached; the gigantic candle intended for St. Christopher, of which, the king of Basan might have been proud, had it been used at his wedding, was ready, and beautifully painted with many coloured flowers, although the saint had so completely neglected the affairs of his client, that the heart of the fair Mela remained shut up and barred against him.

Her mother’s wishes and persuasions in the meantime affected her so powerfully, that she became almost blind from continually weeping, and faded away like a blighted flower. Grief gnawed at her heart, and for three days she had tasted no food, nor wetted her parched lips even with a drop of water. Sleep came not to quiet and to sooth her; she fell dangerously ill, and demanded the priest to confess her, and give her the sacrament. The tender mother thus saw the pillar of her hope give