,! ,leg5d ( ,si/] ,beatrix  ,*>les      
,nodi] 7#aghj-ahdd7   ,n f> f ! highe/  
peak 9 ! ,jura1 b desc5d+ a little d[n  
its slope fac+ we/1 "o c\ld /ill see1   
go+ on = half a c5tury ago1 a mass (    
ru9s t _h belong$ to ! *ur* & ! conv5t (
 ,our ,lady ( ! ,fl[]+ ,?orns4 ,x is at 
"o end ( a deep & n>r[ gorge1 mu* m     
%elt]$ to ! nor?1 :i* produces ea* ye>1 
?anks to its fav\rable aspect1 ! r>e/   
fl[]s ( t region4  ,half a league f !re1
 f ! opposite end ( ! gorge1 ! debris ( 
an anci5t manor h\se is visible :i* has 
itself disappe>$ l ! h\se ( ,god4  ,we  
only "k t x us$ to be liv$ 9 by a family
 r5[n$ = its feats ( arms & t ! la/ ( ! 
noble knights to be> its "n di$ 9 w9n+  
back ! tomb ( ,jesus ,*ri/ = ,*ri/ians  
)\t an heir to propagate 8 l9e4  ,8     
inconsolable wid[ w\ld n ab&on a place s
 conducive to ! upkeep ( h] melan*oly1 b
 ! rum\r ( h] piety spread f> & wide z  
did h] works ( *>ity & a glori\s        
tradition has p]petuat$ h] memory =     
future g5]ations ( ,*ri/ians4  ,! p1 :o 

h =gott5 all h] o!r names1 /ill call h] 
,,! ,,sa9t4  ,on "o ( ^? days :5 w9t]1  
com+ to an end1 sudd5ly relaxes its     
rig\r "u ! influ5ce ( a temp]ate sky1   
,,! ,,sa9t 0 walk+1 z usual1 d[n ! long 
driveway lead+ to h] ca/le1 h] m9d giv5 
ov] to pi\s m$itations4  ,%e came 9 ?is 
way to ! ?orny bu%es t /ill m>k its end1
 & saw1 ) no little surprise1 t "o ( ^! 
%rubs _h tak5 on already all its        
spr+time f9]y4 ,%e ha/5$ to get ne>] to 
x 9 ord] to assure h]self t ?is         
semblance 0 n produc$ by a remnant ( sn[
 t _h fail$ to melt1 &1 delight$ to see 
x cr[n$1 9 effect1 by an innum]able     
multitude ( beautiful little :ite />s ) 
rays ( crimson1 %e c>efully deta*$ a    
bran* to hang x 9 h] oratory be=e a     
picture ( ! ,virg9 ,m>y %e _h held 9    
great rev]5ce s9ce *ildhood1 & w5t back 
joyfully to take to h] ?is innoc5t (f]+4
  ,:e!r ?is mode/ tribute really pleas$ 
! div9e "m ( ,jesus or :e!r a special   
pleasure1 :i* x is difficult to def9e1  
is res]v$ = ! lea/ outp\r+ ( a t5d] he>t

 to ! object ( its affection1 nev] _h ! 
s\l ( ! *atela9e be5 z op5 to m         
ineffable emotions ?an ^? %e felt t mild
 ev5+4  ,%e promis$ h]self1 ) a joy t 0 
+5u\s1 to g back e day to ! bu% 9 bloom 
9 ord] to daily br+ back a fre% g>l&4   
,we may well believe t %e 0 fai?ful to t
 promise4  ,"o day1 h[ev]1 :5 h] c>e = !
 poor & sick _h kept h] busy long] ?an  
usual1 x 0 9 va9 t %e hurri$ to rea* h] 
wild fl[]b$4  ,night got !re be=e h]1 & 
x is said t %e />t$ to regret hav+ let  
h]self be tak5 ov] q s mu* by ?is       
solit>y place1 :5 a cl>ity calm & pure1 
l t :i* comes to u ) daylight1 sudd5ly  
%[$ h] all h] fl[]+ ?orns4  ,%e /opp$   
walk+ = a mom5t1 /ruck by ! ?\ght t ?is 
light might emanate f a camp fire made  
by b&its1 = x 0 impossible to imag9e x  
hav+ be5 produc$ by myriads ( gl[-worms1
 hat*$ be=e _! "t4 ,! ye> 0 n f> gone   
en\gh = ! w>m & peaceful nights ( summ]4
  ,nev]!less1 h] self-impos$ obligation 
came to m9d & gave h] c\rage4  ,%e walk$
 lightly1 hold+ h] brea?1 t[>ds ! bu% ) 

! :ite fl[]s1 seiz$ 9 a trembl+ h& a    
bran* :i* seem$ to fall ( itself betwe5 
h] f+]s1 s little resi/ance x (f]$ to   
h]1 & w5t back to h] manor h\se )\t d>+ 
to look beh9d h]4  ,= ! :ole ( !        
subsequ5t night1 ! sa9tly lady pond]$   
?is ph5om5on )\t be+ able to expla9 x1  
&1 z %e 0 det]m9$ to solve ?is my/]y1 no
 soon] ?an ! foll[+ day1 at ! same "t 9 
! ev5+1 %e w5t back to ! bu%es ) a      
fai?ful s]vant & h] old p]sonal *apla94 
,! g5tle light %one !re z x _h ! day    
be=e1 & seem$1 z !y drew ne> to x1 to   
gr[ bright] & m radiant4  ,!y /opp$ !n &
 knelt d[n1 z x seem$ to !m ?is light 0 
com+ d[n f heav54  ,aft] !y _h done ?is1
 ! good prie/ got up by himself & took a
 few respectful /eps t[>ds ! fl[]+ ?orns
 s++ a hymn ( ! *ur* & bru%$ !m aside   
easily = !y op5$ l a veil4  ,! spectacle
 t (f]$ itself to _! sight at t mom5t   
inspir$ su* admiration 9 !m t !y /ay$ = 
a long "t )\t mov+1 totally fill$ ) joy 
& gratitude4  ,x 0 an image ( ! ,virg9  
,m>y1 simply c>v$ 9 common wood1 br\ght 

to life by col\rs giv5 to x by a bru% t 
0 rudim5t>y & we>+ clo!s t gave a naive 
idea ( luxury1 b x 0 f h] t emanat$ !   
wondr\s spl5d\r t illum9$ ^! prec9cts4  
,hail ,m>y1 full ( grace1 said ! *apla91
 :o _h n[ pro/rat$ himself1 at la/1 &1  
to judge by ! h>moni\s murmur :i*       
promptly arose ?r\gh all ! woods        
!reab\ts aft] he _h utt]$ ^! words1 "o  
c\ld h ?\ght !m tak5 up by a *oir (     
angels4  ,he !n solemnly proce$$ to     
recite ^? admirable litanies 9 :i* fai? 
has1 unkn[+ly1 spok5 ! language ( ! mo/ 
elevat$ poetry1 &1 foll[+ on f new acts 
( wor%ip1 he pick$ ! /atue up s z to    
take x to ! ca/le1 :]e x 0 to f9d a     
sanctu>y wor?y ( x1 :ile ! lady & !     
s]vant1 h&s jo9$ toge!r & ) heads       
slightly b[$1 sl[ly came aft]1 m]g+ _!  
pray]s ) 84  ,i d n ne$ to say t !      
wond]ful image 0 plac$ 9 an elegant     
ni*e1 t x 0 surr\nd$ by odor\s c&les1   
ba!d 9 p]fumes1 lad5 ) a ri* cr[n1 &    
ackn[l$g$1 till half way ?r\gh ! night1 
by ! hymns ( ! fai?ful4  ,b1 9 ! morn+1 

x c\ld no long] be f\nd & all !         
,*ri/ians :o1 by ga9+ h]1 _h be5 fill$ )
 su* pure happ9ess1 7 mu* al>m$4  ,:at  
secret s9 c\ld h br\ght d[n ?is disgrace
 on ! manor h\se ( ,,! ,,sa9t8  ,:y _h !
 ,virg9 ,m>y left x8 ,:at new re/+ place
 _h %e *os58  ,we may d\btless guess4 ,!
 bless$ "m ( ,jesus pref]r$ ! mode/ %ad[
 ( h] fav\rite bu%es to ! dazzle ( an   
e>?ly dwell+4  ,%e _h gone back1 9 !    
mid/ ( ! coolness ( ! woods1 to ta/e !  
peace ( solitude & ! sweet exhalations (
 ! fl[]s4 ,all ! p :o liv$ 9 ! ca/le w5t
 !re at dusk & f\nd h] !re1 ev5 m       
respl5d5t ?an %e _h be5 ! previ\s night4
  ,!y fell on _! knees 9 respectful     
sil5ce4  ,pot5t que5 ( angels6 said !   
*atela9e4  ,?is is ! abode y pref]4     
,y\r w be done4  ,& inde$1 n long       
aft]w>ds1 a %r9e embelli%$ by all !     
adornm5ts t an inspir$ ar*itect c\ld    
lavi% on x 9 ^? c5turies ( feel+ &      
imag9ation rose ar\nd t v5]at$ image4   
,! great & good ( ! e>? want$ to enri* x
 ) _! gifts4  ,k+s end[$ x ) a tab]nacle

 ( pure gold4 ,! fame ( ,our ,lady's    
miracles spread f> & wide ?r\gh\t !     
,*ri/ian _w & summon$ to ! valley a     
multitude ( pi\s wom5 :o dwelt !re      
accord+ to a mona/ic rule4  ,! sa9tly   
wid[1 m t\*$ ?an ev] by ! light ( grace1
 c\ld n refuse ! title ( "m sup]ior (   
?is conv5t4 ,%e di$ !re full ( days aft]
 a life ( good works1 good examples &   
sacrifices :i* rose up l a p]fume f !   
foot ( ,our ,lady's alt>s4  ,su* 01     
accord+ to ! h&writt5 records ( !       
prov9ce1 ! orig9 ( ! *ur* & conv5t (    
,our ,lady ( ! ,fl[]+ ,?orns4  ,two     
c5turies _h pass$ s9ce ! dea? ( ,,!     
,,sa9t1 & a "y virg9 9 h] ext5d$ family 
0 /ill1 accord+ to cu/om1 ! si/]        
cu/odian ( ! holy tab]nacle1 :i* means t
 %e took c>e ( x1 & t x 0 h] job to op5 
! tab]nacle on fea/ days :5 ! miracul\s 
image 0 %[n to ! fai?ful4  ,%e x 0 :o _h
 ! c>e ( ma9ta9+ ! ev] new elegance (   
,our ,lady's ornam5ts1 ( remov+ ! du/ f 
!m & ! h>mful insects1 ( pick+1 to      
compose h] cr[n or to adorn h] alt>1 !  

mo/ graci\s fl[]s 9 ! g>d5 9 _! gr[? & !
 mo/ *a/e 9 _! col\r1 =m+ *a9s1 g>l&s & 
b\quets t attract$ 9 _! turn1 ?r\gh !   
great /a9$ glass w9d[ op5 to ! ris+ sun1
 a multitude ( purple & azure           
butt]flies1 a]ial fl[]s indicative (    
solitude4  ,among ^! tributes ! fl[]+   
?orn 0 always giv5 pref]5ce :5 9 season1
 &1 imitat$ 9 lieu ( all ! o!rs ) an art
 t ! good nuns _h /ol5 ! secret ( f     
nature1 x re/$ on ! brea/ ( ! beautiful 
,madonna z a ?ick clump knott$ ) a silv]
 ribbon4 ,! butt]flies !mselves might h 
slipp$ up sometimes1 b !y did n d>e to  
dwell on ^! cele/ial fl[]s :i* 7 n made 
= !m4  ,! si/] cu/odian at t "t 0 call$ 
,beatrix4  ,eighte5 ye>s old at mo/1 %e 
_h sc>cely be5 told h[ pretty %e 01 = %e
 _h ent]$ ,our ,lady's h\se :5 %e 0 only
 fifte51 z pure & unspoilt z h] fl[]s4  
,!re is a happy or disa/r\s age at :i* a
 "y girl's he>t und]/&s t x 0 creat$ to 
love1 & ,beatrix _h rea*$ x4  ,b ?is    
ne$1 initially vague & anxi\s1 _h only  
made h] duties m de> to h]4  ,unable to 

expla9 !n ! secret motions t agitat$ h] 
s mu*1 %e _h tak5 !m to be ! symptoms ( 
a pi\s f]v\r :i* accuses itself ( n be+ 
ard5t en\gh1 & :i* feels oblig$ to love 
en?usia/ically & to ! po9t ( madness4   
,! unkn[n object ( ^! lov+ t5d5cies     
elud$ h] lack ( exp]i5ce1 & among !     
objects t occupi$ ! s5ses ( h] +5u\s    
he>t1 if we c put x l t1 ,our ,lady     
alone seem$ to h] wor?y ( t deep        
adoration = :i* life itself c\ld sc>cely
 suffice4  ,?is cult ( e pass+ mom5t _h 
become ! "o ?+ h] m9d dwelt on1 ! "o ?+ 
t *>m$ h] solitude4  ,x fill$ ev5 h]    
dreams ) my/]i\s languors & ineffable   
acts ( wor%ip4  ,%e 0 (t5 to be se5     
/ret*$ out 9 front ( ! tab]nacle1 brea?+
 out to h] div9e patron pray]s t 7      
int]sp]s$ ) sobs1 or wett+ ! space ar\nd
 ! alt> ) h] te>s1 & ! cele/ial ,virg9  
smil$ no d\bt1 f ! top ( h] et]nal      
?rone1 at t happy & t5d] mi/ake on ! "p 
( ! innoc5t1 = ! ,holy ,virg9 lov$      
,beatrix & lik$ to be lov$ by h]4       
,besides1 %e _h p]haps disc]n$ 9        

,beatrix's he>t t %e always w\ld be lov$
 by h]4  ,ab\t t "t !re occurr$ an ev5t 
t rais$ ! veil "u :i* ,beatrix's secret 
_h rema9$ s long hidd5 to h]self4  ,a "y
 "l 9 ^? p>ts1 hav+ be5 attack$ by      
murd]\s footpads1 0 left 9 ! =e/ = dead1
 &1 ?\gh he _h only pres]v$ at mo/ !    
feeble semblance ( a life ab\t to be    
ext+ui%$1 ! conv5t s]vants transport$   
him to _! infirm>y4  ,z ! daught]s (    
*atela9es at t "t 71 f _! e>lie/ ye>s1 9
 receipt ( =mulas & recipes ) respect to
 ! heal+ art1 ,beatrix 0 s5t by h] si/]s
 to ! b$side ( ! dy+ man to help him4   
,%e put into practice all %e _h le>n$ ( 
t useful body ( k1 b %e c\nt$ m on !    
int]cession ( ! miracul\s ,virg9 ,m>y1 &
 h] long & labori\s vigils1 divid$      
betwe5 ! c>es ( a sick nurse & ! pray]s 
( a s]vant ( ,m>y1 obta9$ = h] all !    
success %e _h hop$ =4  ,raymond re-op5$ 
8 eyes to ! light &1 9 do+ s1 recogniz$ 
8 b5efactress4  ,he _h already se5 h]   
occasionally 9 ! v ca/le %e _h be5 born 
94  ,:at's ?is8 he cri$4  ,is x y1      

,beatrix8  ,is x y ,i lov$ s mu* 9 my   
*ildhood ye>s & t ! too soon =gott5     
ackn[l$gem5t ( t love by y\r fa!r & m9e 
_h p]mitt$ me to hope = z a wife8  ,:at 
griev\s twi/ ( fate has let me see y    
aga91 *a9$ by ! l9ks ( a life :i* is n  
made = y1 & cut (f1 )\t any go+ back1 f 
t brilliant _w t y 7 ! pr9cipal ornam5t 
(8  ,if y y\rself *ose ?is /ate (       
solitude & abnegation1 ,beatrix1 ,i swe>
 to y1 y h my ^w1 t x 0 because y did n 
yet "k y\r own he>t4 ,! commitm5t t y   
made 9 y\r !n ignorance ( ^? feel+s t   
are natural to all t brea!s1 is null &  
void be=e ,god z x is be=e m54  ,y h    
c>elessly betray$ y\r de/9y z a wife1 z 
a lov]1 & z a "m6 ,y condemn$ y\rself1 y
 poor1 de> *ild1 to long days ( bor$om1 
bitt]ness1 disgu/ t no pleasure h5ce=? w
 be able to assuage ! long sadness (6   
,x is h[ev] s sweet to love1 s sweet to 
be lov$1 s sweet to live aga9 ?r\gh :at 
"o loves 9 ! objects t "o loves6 ,! pure
 joys ( affection add to life tw(old1   
?reefold1 f\rfold4  ,:at t5d]ness !re is

 9 hav+ a fri5d :o wor%ips y1 :o        
enhances ea* mom5t ) ev] new causes =   
pleasure1 :o only lives to *]i% y or    
please y4 ,! innoc5t c>esses ( pretty   
*ildr51 s fre%1 graci\s1 happy to be    
alive1 & t a b>b>\s :im w\ld !n h s5t   
into oblivion6  ,?is is :at y h lo/6    
,?is is :at y w\ld h lo/1 ,beatrix1 if  
bl9d ob/9acy keeps y 9 ! abyss y h      
plung$ 96  ,no1 he cont9u$ ev5 m        
exalt$ly1 y w n be ignorant ( ! plans ( 
y\r ,god & m9e1 :o has only br\ght u    
back toge!r t we may be =ev] reunit$6   
,y w will+ly submit y\rself to ! v[s ( a
 love t begs to enlight5 y6 ,y w be     
,raymond's wife z y are 8 si/] & 8      
belov$6  ,d n turn away f him y\r eyes  
full ( te>s6 ,d n pull back y\r h& t    
trembles 9 86  ,tell him t y are will+  
to foll[ him & nev] to leave him aga96  
,beatrix did n answ]4  ,%e c\ld n put   
into words :at %e felt4  ,%e escap$ f   
,raymond's weak5$ arms & w5t away       
tr\bl$1 trembl+ & di/raught to fall at !
 feet ( ! ,virg91 h] consolation & h]   

support4 ,%e wept z %e _h previ\sly1 b  
n[ x 0 no long] ) an aimless & obscure  
emotion1 b ) a feel+ /rong] ?an piety1  
/rong] ?an %ame1 /rong]1 alas1 ?an t    
holy ,virg9 ^: aid %e call$ ^u 9 va91 & 
h] te>s1 ?is "t1 7 hot & bitt]4  ,_m    
days 9 a r[ %e 0 se51 pro/rate & a      
supplicant1 & no-"o 0 surpris$ because  
all ( !m 9 ! conv5t knew ( h] passionate
 devotion to ,our ,lady ( ! ,fl[]+      
,?orns4  ,%e sp5t ! re/ ( h] "t 9 ! sick
 room ( ! w\nd$ man ^: recov]y n[ no    
long] dep5d$ on assidu\s nurs+4  ,"o    
night :5 ! *ur* 0 clos$1 :5 all ! nuns  
_h gone back to _! cells1 :5 ev]y?+1    
includ+ pray]1 0 sil5t1 ,beatrix w5t    
sl[ly into ! *oir /alls1 put h] lamp d[n
 on ! alt>1 op5$ ! door ( ! tab]nacle ) 
a trembl+ h&1 turn$ away ) a %iv]1 l[]+ 
h] eyes1 z if %e 7 afraid t ! que5 ( !  
angels w\ld /rike h] d[n ) a look & ?rew
 h]self on h] knees4  ,%e want$ to speak
 & ! words di$ on h] lips or 7 /rangl$  
by h] sobs4 ,%e drew h] veil & h] h&s to
 h] br[4  ,%e tri$ to compose h]self &  

calm d[n4  ,%e made "o f9al ef=t4  ,%e  
manag$ to te> f h] he>t a few mix$ up   
s\nds1 )\t kn[+ if %e 0 utt]+ a pray] or
 a blasphemy4  ,oh cele/ial b5efactress 
( my y\?6 %e said4  ,y t ,i h s long    
lov$ alone1 & :o w always rema9 !       
sov]eign ( my s\l1 :atev] ! unwor?y %>+ 
,i involve y 96  ,m>y6  ,heav5ly ,m>y6  
,:y h y =sak5 me8  ,:y h y all[$ y\r    
,beatrix to fall prey to ! awful        
passions ( hell8  ,y "k ,i h n giv5 9   
)\t a /ruggle to ! passion t dev\rs me6 
,today ! die is ca/1 ,m>y1 & ca/ =ev]6  
,i %all s]ve y no long]1 = ,i am no     
long] wor?y to s]ve y4  ,i %all g f>    
away to hide f y ! et]nal regret my s9  
fills me )1 ! et]nal b]eavem5t ( my     
innoc5ce :i* y are unable to re/ore to  
me4  ,let me /ill n[ wor%ip y6  ,h m]cy 
on ! te>s ,i %$ & :i* at lea/ prove h[  
remote ,i h be5 f ! c[>dly betrayals (  
my s5ses6  ,welcome ! la/ ( my tributes 
z y h welcom$ all ! o!rs6 ,if zeal = y\r
 alt>s is wor? "s gratitude on y\r "p1  
s5d dea? to ?is wret* :o implores y = x 

be=e %e leaves y6  ,hav+ spok5 ^! words1
 ,beatrix got up1 &1 ) fe> & trembl+1   
approa*$ ! image ( ! ,holy ,virg94  ,%e 
adorn$ x ) new fl[]s1 seiz$ ^? t %e _h j
 replac$1 &1 a%am$ = ! fir/ "t 9 h] life
 ( ! pi\s use %e made ( !m t %e no long]
 _h ! "r to1 %e press$ !m to h] he>t1 9 
a scapul> t _h be5 bless$1 s z nev] to  
"p ) !m4  ,aft] t %e gaz$ "o la/ "t at !
 tab]nacle1 cri$ out 9 t]ror & fl$4  ,! 
foll[+ night a coa* :isk$ away at high  
spe$ f ! conv5t ! h&some w\nd$ knight & 
a "y nun 9 brea* ( h] v[s :o accompani$ 
him4  ,! fir/ ye> t succe$$ ?is ev5t 0  
almo/ entirely giv5 ov] to ! exaltation 
( a love requit$4  ,! _w itself =       
,beatrix 0 a new exp]i5ce ( pleasures t 
7 inexhau/ible4  ,love multipli$ ar\nd  
h] all ! means ( s$uction able to       
p]petuate h] error & encompass h] loss4 
,%e only em]g$ f voluptu\s dreams 9 ord]
 to awake amid ! joy ( banquets1 among  
ent]ta9m5ts devis$ by /roll+ play]s & ! 
conc]ts ( m9/rels4  ,h] life 0 "o long  
crazy fea/ 9 :i* ! s]i\s voice (        

reflexion1 /ifl$ by an orgy's clam\rs1  
c\ld only h /ruggl$ to make itself he>d4
  ,& yet %e _h n q =gott5 ,m>y4  ,m ?an 
once1 z %e prep>$ to dress1 h] scapul>  
_h op5$ at ! t\* ( h] f+]s4 ,m ?an once 
%e _h let drop on ! )]$ posy ( ! ,virg9 
a gaze & a te>4  ,pray] _h come m ?an   
once to h] lips1 l a hidd5 flame lurk+  
"u a% & emb]s1 b x _h be5 ext+ui%$ !re  
by ! kisses ( h] abductor1 &1 ev5 9 h]  
ec/asy1 a voice /ill told h] t a pray]  
might h sav$ h]6  ,x 0 n long be=e %e   
felt ! only la/+ love is t :i* is       
purifi$ by religion1 t only ! love (    
,our ,"l & ,m>y gives ! lie to ! ups &  
d[ns ( our emotions4 ,alone among our   
affections1 x seems to gr[ & get /rong] 
) "t1 :ile o!r loves burn s brightly &  
are sp5t s quickly 9 our he>ts ( a%4    
,nev]!less %e lov$ ,raymond z mu* z %e  
c\ld love anyone1 b a day came :5 %e saw
 t ,raymond no long] lov$ h]4  ,t day   
made h] =esee ! ev5 m atroci\s day :5 %e
 w\ld be q ab&on$ by ! man = :om %e     
h]self _h ab&on$ ! hon\rs ( ! alt>1 & t 

dread$ day also came4  ,beatrix n[ f\nd 
h]self1 alas1 ) no-"o to turn to on e>? 
or 9 heav54 ,%e s\ght 9 va9 to console  
h]self ) memories & to take refuge 9    
hopes4  ,! fl[]s 9 ! scapul> _h )]$ l ^?
 ( h] happ9ess4  ,! well spr+ ( h] te>s 
& h] pray] _h dri$ up4  ,! fate t       
,beatrix _h made = h]self _h be5        
realis$4  ,! un=tunate woman accept$ h] 
damnation4  ,! high] ! fall on ! pa? to 
virtue1 ! m ignom9i\s x is1 ! m         
irrep>able x is1 & ,beatrix _h fall5 f  
on high4  ,at fir/ h] opprobrium        
fright5$ h]1 & !n %e end$ up by gett+   
us$ to x1 ! spr+ 9 h] s\l hav+ brok54   
,fifte5 ye>s w5t by l ?is1 & = fifte5   
ye>s ! gu>dian angel t baptism _h grant$
 to h] cradle1 ! angel ) ! he>t ( a     
bro!r :o _h lov$ h] s mu*1 cov]$ 8 eyes 
) 8 w+s & wept4  ,oh6  ,h[ _m treasures 
^? fleet+ ye>s c>ri$ away ) !m6         
,innoc5ce1 mode/y1 y\?1 beauty1 love1 ^?
 roses 9 life t only fl[] once1 &1 9    
addition1 consci5ce t comp5sates = all  
o!r losses6  ,! jewels t _h =m]ly adorn$

 h]1 ! impi\s tributes t debau*]y pays  
to crime1 provid$ h]1 = a "t1 ) a       
res\rce too apt to dw9dle4 ,%e 0 left   
alone1 ab&on$1 an object ( contempt =   
o!rs z = h]self1 giv5 ov] to ! insol5t  
disda9 ( vice1 & hateful to virtue1 a   
repell5t example ( %ame & mis]y t mo!rs 
%[$ _! *ildr5 to turn !m away f s96  ,%e
 we>i$ ( be+ a burd5 to pity1 ( only    
gett+ alms t a pi\s repugnance (t5 nail$
 to ! h&s ( *>ity1 ( only be+ help$ on  
"o side by p ^: br[s blu%$ to give h] a 
piece ( bread4  ,"o day %e wrapp$ h]self
 9 h] rags1 :i* _h be5 :5 new luxuri\s  
clo!s4  ,%e decid$ to ask = h] daily    
bread or a b$ = ! night f ^? :o _h n    
kn[n h]6  ,%e flatt]$ h]self t %e c\ld  
hide h] infamy beh9d h] wret*$ness4  ,%e
 set out1 ! poor begg>1 possess+ no?+ b 
! fl[]s t %e _h =m]ly tak5 f ! ,virg9's 
b\quet1 fall+ n[1 "o by "o1 into du/ "u 
h] dri$ up lips6  ,beatrix 0 /ill "y1 b 
%ame & hung] _h left on h] br[ ! impr9t 
( ^? hide\s m>ks t reveal premature     
age+4  ,:5 h] pale & mute face timidly  

begg$ help f pass]s-by1 :5 h] :ite &    
delicate h& op5$ j]kily to receive _!   
gifts1 !re 7 none :o did n feel t h]    
life mu/ h be5 v diff]5t at "s /age4    
,^? :o 7 ! mo/ indiff]5t to h] halt$    
be=e h] ) a h>% look t seem$ to say3 ,oh
 my daught]6  ,h[ 0 x y fell f :at y 78 
,& yet h] own look c\ld no long] reply  
to !m1 = x _h be5 a long "t n[ s9ce %e  
_h be5 able to weep4  ,%e walk$ on & on1
 on & on3 h] j\rney seem$ z ?\gh x w\ld 
only ev] end ) h] dea?4  ,"o p>ticul>   
day %e _h be5 climb+ s9ce sun-up1 at a  
b>e m\nta9's back1 a r\gh & rugg$ pa?1  
)\t a s+le h\se 9 sight to assuage h]   
we>9ess4  ,all %e _h eat5 7 "s          
flav\rless roots torn f cracks 9 !      
rocks4  ,h] %oes1 worn to %r$s1 _h j    
come away f h] bloodi$ feet4  ,%e felt  
h]self fa9t ) fatigue & ne$ :51 night   
hav+ come1 %e 0 all ( a sudd5 /ruck by !
 appe>ance ( a long l9e ( lights t 7    
indicative ( a l>ge build+4  ,t[>ds ^!  
lights %e made h] way ) all ! /r5g? left
 to h]1 b1 at ! *ime ( a silv]y bell1 ! 

s\nd ( :i* awoke 9 h] he>t a /range &   
vague memory1 all ! lights w5t out at   
once1 & all t n[ rema9$ ar\nd h] 7      
sil5ce & night4  ,%e nev]!less took a   
few m /eps ) out/ret*$ arms1 & h]       
trembl+ h&s re/$ on a clos$ door4  ,%e  
lean$ aga9/ x = a mom5t z if to cat* h] 
brea? & tri$ to hold onto x s z n to    
fall4  ,h] debilitat$ f+]s let h] d[n4  
,!y gave way "u ! weight ( h] body4  ,oh
 holy ,m>y6 %e cri$4  ,:y did ,i leave  
y8  ,& ! unhappy ,beatrix pass$ out on !
 ?re%old4  ,may ! wra? ( heav5 g easy on
 ! guilty6  ,nights l ?is expiate a :ole
 lifetime ( s96  ,! ke5 coolness ( !    
morn+ _h sc>cely begun to br+ back to   
life 9 h] a blurr$ & pa9ful s5se ( h]   
own id5tity1 :5 %e p]ceiv$ t %e 0 n     
alone4  ,a woman knelt at h] side 0     
rais+ h] head c>efully1 & />+ at h] )   
anxi\s curiosity1 wait+ = h] to come    
r\nd completely4  ,god be prais$1 said !
 good si/] at ! conv5t gate1 = hav+ s5t 
to u s e>ly 9 ! day an act ( m]cy to    
p]=m & a sadness to alleviate6  ,x's a  

happy om5 = ! glori\s fea/ ( ! ,holy    
,virg9 t we celebrate today6  ,b h[ is  
x1 my de> *ild1 t y did n ?9k to pull on
 ! bell or to use ! knock]8  ,at no "t  
w\ld y\r si/]s 9 ,jesus ,*ri/ n h be5   
ready to receive y4  ,well1 !re we are6 
,don't answ] me j yet1 y poor lo/ %eep6 
,=tify y\rself ) ?is beef bro? t ,i w>m$
 up 9 a hurry z soon z ,i saw y4 ,ta/e  
?is full-bodi$ w9e t w put ! heat back 9
 y\r /oma* & help y move y\r sore limbs 
aga94  ,let me see t y're bett]4  ,dr9k1
 dr9k d[n all ( x1 & n[1 be=e y get up1 
if y don't feel /rong en\gh to yet1 put 
?is cloak on ,i've ?r[n ov] y\r %\ld]s4 
,put ^? little1 oh s cold h&s ( y\rs 9  
m9e s t ,i c re/ore blood & life to !m4 
,c y feel already ! circulation com+    
back into y\r f+]s z ,i brea! on !m8    
,oh6  ,y'll soon be y\rself aga96       
,beatrix1 imbu$ ) t5d] feel+1 grasp$ !  
h&s ( ! wor?y nun1 & press$ !m sev]al   
times to h] lips4  ,i am myself aga91 %e
 said1 & ,i feel well en\gh to g to ?ank
 ,god = ! fav\r he has done me by guid+ 

my /eps to ?is holy h\se4  ,only1 s t ,i
 c include x 9 my pray]s1 c y please    
tell me :]e ,i am8  ,& :]e c\ld y be1 ! 
keep] ( ! gate repli$1 if x is n at !   
conv5t ( ,our ,lady ( ! ,fl[]+ ,?orns1  
s9ce !re is no o!r mona/ic build+ 9 ?is 
wild]ness = m ?an five leagues ar\nd4   
,our ,lady ( ! ,fl[]+ ,?orns6 exclaim$  
,beatrix ) a cry ( joy foll[$ imm$iately
 by m>ks ( ! deepe/ con/]nation3 ,our   
,lady ( ! ,fl[]+ ,?orns6 %e repeat$1    
lett+ h] head fall onto h] bosom4  ,may 
! ,"l h m]cy on me6  ,:at's ?is1 my     
daught]8 said ! *>itable angel ( m]cy4  
,didn't y "k8  ,x's true t y seem to    
come f f> away1 = ,i h nev] se5 a lady's
 clo?+ t looks l y\rs4  ,b ,our ,lady ( 
! ,fl[]+ ,?orns does n limit h]         
protection to ^? :o live locally4  ,y   
mu/ "k1 if y h he>d speak ( h]1 t %e is 
good to ev]yone4  ,i "k h]1 & ,i h s]v$ 
h]1 answ]$ ,beatrix1 b ,i come f f>     
away1 z y say1 rev]5d "m1 & y mu/ n     
wond] t my eyes did n recognize at fir/ 
?is place ( peace & bless+4  ,& yet "h  

is ! *ur* & ! conv5t1 & ! ?orn bu%es :]e
 ,i ga!r$ s _m fl[]s4  ,ev5 n[ !y /ill  
fl[]6 ,b ,i 0 s "y :5 ,i left !m6  ,x 0 
dur+ ! "t1 %e cont9u$1 lift+ h] =ehead  
to heav5 ) t det]m9$ look t imp>ts      
self-d5ial to ,*ri/ian remorse1 x 0 dur+
 ! "t :5 ,si/] ,beatrix 0 ! cu/odian ( !
 holy basilica4  ,d y rememb] t "t1     
rev]5d "m8  ,h[ c\ld ,i h =gott5 x1 my  
*ild1 s9ce ,si/] ,beatrix has nev] /opp$
 be+ ! cu/odian ( ! holy basilica8  ,%e 
has /ay$ among u till today1 & w rema9 =
 a long "t1 ,i hope1 a subject (        
edification = ! :ole community1 s9ce1   
ap>t f ! protection ( ! ,holy ,virg91 we
 "k ( no sur] support "u heav54  ,i'm n 
talk+ ab\t h]1 ,beatrix broke 91 sigh+  
bitt]ly1 ,i'm talk+ ab\t ano!r ,beatrix 
:o end$ up liv+ a s9ful life1 & :o      
occupi$ ! same po/ sixte5 ye>s ago4     
,god w n puni% y = ^? dem5t$ words1 said
 ! nun z %e drew h] to h] brea/4  ,!    
di/ress & ! illness t h affect$ y\r m9d1
 h tr\bl$ y\r memory ) ^! sad visions4  
,i h liv$ 9 ?is conv5t = m ?an sixte5   

ye>s1 & ,i h nev] kn[n anyone 9 *>ge (  
look+ aft] ! holy basilica ap>t f ,si/] 
,beatrix4  ,be+ z y are det]m9$ to p]=m 
an act ( wor%ip = ,our ,lady1 :ile ,i'm 
mak+ a b$ up = y1 g1 my si/]1 g to !    
foot ( ! tab]nacle4  ,y w f9d ,beatrix  
!re already1 & y w recognize h] easily1 
= div9e goodness has all[$ h] n to lose 
9 age+ a s+le "o ( h] y\?ful graces4    
,i'll come back = y pres5tly & won't    
leave y !n till y're completely well    
aga94  ,hav+ spok5 ^! words ! keep] ( ! 
gate made h] way back to ! cloi/]4      
,beatrix /umbl$ z f> z ! /eps lead+ up  
to ! *ur*1 knelt d[n on ! approa* to !m 
& bang$ h] head aga9/ x4  ,!n %e grew a 
little bold]1 got up1 &1 f pill> to     
pill>1 w5t up to ! grille :]e %e once m 
fell ^u h] knees4  ,?r\gh ! cl\d t _h   
d>k5$ h] vision %e _h disc]n$ ! si/]    
cu/odian /&+ 9 front ( ! tab]nacle4     
,little by little ! si/] drew ne>] to h]
 z %e made h] daily inspection ( ! holy 
place1 rek9dl+ ! flame 9 burnt-out      
c&les1 or replac+ ! g>l&s ( ! day be=e )

 new g>l&s4  ,beatrix c\ld n believe h] 
eyes4  ,?is si/] 0 h]self1 n z age1 vice
 & despair _h made h]1 b z %e mu/ h be5 
9 ! innoc5t days ( h] y\?4  ,0 x an     
illusion produc$ by remorse8  ,0 x a    
div9e puni%m5t1 a =eta/e ( ^? res]v$ =  
h] by a cele/ial curse8 ,rack$ by d\bt1 
%e hid h] head 9 h] h&s1 & re/$ x       
motionless aga9/ ! b>s ( ! grille1      
/amm]+ f quiv]+ lips ! mo/ t5d] ( h]    
pray]s f "t gone by4  ,& yet ! si/]     
cu/odian kept on mov+4  ,already ! folds
 ( h] clo!s _h bru%$ aga9/ ! b>s4       
,beatrix1 ov]come ) emotion1 did n d>e  
ev5 to brea!4  ,x's y1 de> ,beatrix1    
said ! si/] 9 a voice = ! dulcet tones (
 :i* !re is no ^w 9 any language kn[n to
 man4  ,i don't ne$ to see y to "k :o y 
are1 = ,i he> y\r pray]s n[ z ,i he>d !m
 !n4  ,i've be5 wait+ = y = a long "t1  
b1 z ,i 0 sure y w\ld return1 ,i took   
y\r place ! day y left me1 s t no-"o    
w\ld "k t y'd gone4  ,y "k n[ :at !y    
are1 ! pleasures & happ9ess ^: picture s
 s$uc$ y1 & y w n g away aga94  ,y're   

"h1 betwe5 ourselves1 = ! duration & =  
all et]nity4  ,come back ) confid5ce to 
! position t y occupi$ among my         
daught]s4  ,y w f9d 9 y\r cell1 ! way to
 :i* y h n =gott51 ! habit t y left !re1
 & y w put on ) x y\r primordial        
innoc5ce1 ( :i* x is ! emblem4  ,i ow$  
to y\r love a grace t 0 out ( ! ord9>y &
 :i* ,i h obta9$ = y\r rep5tance4       
,f>ewell1 si/] cu/odian ( ,m>y6  ,love  
,m>y z %e has lov$ y6  ,x 0 inde$ ,m>y1 
& :5 ,beatrix1 di/raught1 rais$ t[>ds h]
 eyes flood$ ) te>s1 :5 %e /ret*$ out to
 h] h] trembl+ arms mak+ to h] an act ( 
?anksgiv+ brok5 by h] sobs1 %e saw !    
,holy ,virg9 g up ! /eps ( ! alt>1      
re-op5 ! door to ! tab]nacle1 & sit d[n 
aga9 !re 9 h] heav5ly glory "u h] gold5 
halo & "u h] fe/oons ( ?orn fl[]s4      
,beatrix did n g back d[n to ! *oir )\t 
emotion4  ,%e w5t back to see h]        
companions ^: fai? %e _h betray$1 & :o  
_h ag$1 immune to reproa*1 9 ! practice 
( an au/]e duty4  ,%e slid among h]     
si/]s l[]+ h] head1 & ready to humble   

h]self at ! fir/ %\t to ann\nce h]      
fault4  ,h] he>t greatly tr\bl$1 %e l5t 
an att5tive e> to _! voices1 & %e he>d  
no?+4  ,z none ( !m _h notic$ h]        
dep>ture1 none ( !m paid any he$ to h]  
return4  ,%e ?rew h]self at ! feet ( !  
,holy ,virg91 :o _h nev] look$ s        
beautiful to h]1 & :o seem$ to be smil+4
 ,9 ! dreams ( h] illusory life1 %e _h  
grasp$ no?+ t came any:]e ne> su*       
happ9ess4  ,! div9e fea/ ( ,m>y 7,i ?9k 
,i h already said t ?is took place on ! 
,fea/ ( ! ,assumption7 0 celebrat$ 9 a  
mixture ( ( contemplation & ec/asy1 !   
f9e/ mom5ts ( :i* f> excell$ pa/        
celebrations ( ! fea/day by ?is         
community ( virg9s1 )\t /a9 or blemi% l 
_! que54  ,"s _h se5 miracul\s lights   
emanat+ f ! tab]nacle1 o!rs _h he>d     
songs ( angels mix$ 9 ) _! pi\s         
canticles1 & _h1 out ( respect1 /opp$ _!
 s++ s z n to di/urb ! cele/ial h>mony4 
,x 0 said t !re _h be5 t day a fea/ 9   
,p>adise z !re _h be5 9 ! conv5t ( !    
,fl[]+ ,?orns1 &1 due to a ph5om5on     

=eign to t season1 all ! ?orn bu%es 9 ! 
area _h bur/ into fl[] aga9 s t1 outside
 z well z inside1 !re 7 only ! sc5ts (  
spr+4  ,x 0 because a s\l _h come back  
to ! bosom ( ! ,"l1 %orn ( all ! defects
 & ignom9i\s %ortcom+s ( our human      
condition1 & !re is no fea/day 9 heav5 m
 agreeable to sa9ts !re4  ,only "o ?+   
di/urb$ = a mom5t ! innoc5t joy ( ?is   
flock ( virg9al doves4  ,a poor woman1  
sickly & ill1 _h be5 sitt+ 9 ! morn+ on 
! ?re%old ( ! conv5t4  ,! nun at !      
entrance _h se5 h] & _h p>tially reliev$
 h] suff]+ by mak+ up = h] a nice w>m b$
 = h] to re/ h] we>y limbs 91 weak5$ by 
privation1 &1 s9ce !n1 %e _h look$ = h] 
9 va94  ,?is wret*$ creature _h         
disappe>$ )\t a trace1 b x 0 ?\ght t    
,si/] ,beatrix might h se5 h] 9 ! *ur*  
:]e %e _h gone to pray4  ,h no fe>1 my  
si/]s1 said ,beatrix1 mov$ to te>s by   
?is t5d] conc]n on _! "p4  ,h no fe>1 %e
 w5t on1 z %e press$ ! gatekeep] si/] to
 h] bosom1 ,i h se5 t poor woman & ,i "k
 :at has become ( h]4  ,%e is well1 my  

si/]s1 %e is happy1 happi] ?an %e       
des]ves1 & happi] ?an any ( y c\ld h    
hop$ = h] to be4  ,?is answ] allay$ all 
_! fe>s1 b x 0 not$ because x 0 ! fir/  
sev]e ^w to come f ,beatrix's m\?4      
,aft] t1 ! :ole ( ,beatrix's life w5t by
 l a s+le day1 l t day 9 ! future t is  
promis$ to ! ,"l's elect1 )\t bor$om1   
)\t regret1 )\t fe>1 )\t any emotions1 =
 s5sitive he>ts _c :olly d )\t !m1 o!r  
?an ^? ( piety t[>ds ,god & *>ity t[>ds 
,man4 ,%e liv$ = a c5tury )\t seem+ to h
 ag$1 = only ! s\l's bad passions add   
ye>s to ! body4  ,! life ( ! good is an 
et]nal y\?4  ,beatrix di$ nev]!less1 or 
r calmly fell asleep 9 t ephem]al sleep 
( ! tomb t sep>ates "t f et]nity4 ,!    
,*ur* hon\r$ h] memory by cr[n+ h] ) a  
po/hum\s glory4  ,x made h] a sa9t4     
,bzovius1 :o has exam9$ ?is /ory ) t    
solemn critical _s t canonical writ]s   
(f] s _m examples (1 is q conv9c$ t %e 0
 wor?y ( ?is hon\r by reason ( ! t5d]   
fidelity %e %[$ to ,our ,lady1 = x is1  
he said1 purity ( love t makes sa9ts1 & 

,i w\ld affirm1 n ) mu* au?ority        
admitt$ly1 b 9 ! s9c]ity ( my m9d &     
he>t1 t1 z long z ! s*ool ( ,lu!r &     
,voltaire _c (f] me a m poignant /ory   
?an h]s1 ,i w agree ) ! op9ion express$ 
by ,bzovius4