The apparition was soon explained.

With his permission my mother prevailed on her rustic guardians to yield their charge to her.
They were fond of the sweet orphan.

Her presence had seemed a blessing to them, but it would be unfair to her to keep her in poverty and want when Providence afforded her such powerful protection.

They consulted their village priest, and the result was that Elizabeth Lavenza became the inmate of my parents' house--my more than sister--the beautiful and adored companion of all my occupations and my pleasures.
Everyone loved Elizabeth.

The passionate and almost reverential attachment with which all regarded her became, while I shared it, my pride and my delight.