Page:The Saint (1906, G. P. Putnam's Sons).djvu/125

Rh very weary, and for five minutes allowed myself to be overcome by sleep. I dreamt that I was walking with Don Giuseppe Flores under the arches of the courtyard at Praglia. I said to him weeping: 'Here, it was here!' And Don Giuseppe answered with great tenderness: 'Yes, but do not think of that, think rather that the Lord calls you.' And I replied: 'But whither, whither does He call me?' My anguish was so great that I awoke. I heard a voice calling from the top of the house, and some one answered in French from the bottom of the garden. I saw a lady leave the villa, running. I heard the greetings she exchanged with the new-comers; I distinguished her voice! At first I was not sure of it, but presently, the voices coming nearer, I could no longer doubt. It was she! For a second I was dazed, but only for a second. Then a great light shone out in my mind."

Benedetto raised his head and his clasped hands. His voice rang with mystic ardour. "Magister adest," said he. "Do you understand? The divine Master was with me, I had naught to fear, Padre mio! And I feared naught, neither her, nor myself. I saw her coming up to the open space. My thought was: 'If we meet alone, I will speak to her as to a sister, I will beg her forgiveness; perhaps God will give me a word of truth for her. I will show her that I have hopes for her soul, and that I do not fear for my own."