The tears were pouring down Noemi's pale face also.

The students had put off their air of raillery.

When Benedetto ceased, one of them came forward to speak, resolute and serious.

At the same moment the old man exclaimed: "Heal our souls, heal our souls!" Other voices repeated anxiously: "Heal our souls, heal our souls!" In an instant the contagion had spread throughout the vanguard; they flung themselves on their knees, stretching out imploring arms: "Heal our souls, heal our souls!" Benedetto sprang forward, his hands clenched in his hair, exclaiming: "What are you doing again?
What are you doing again ?" A shout rang out from above: _"La miracolata!_ The girl who is healed!" The girl who had felt health returning to her, as she lay on Benedetto's bed, was coming down in search of him, leaning on the arm of an elder sister.

He heeded neither the cry nor the movement among those up above, who parted, allowing the two women to pass.