She was a slender damsel and would not take up much room.

Moreover these ladies knew her, and all the patients had turned their eyes upon her on hearing that the Blessed Virgin had been pleased to cure her.

They had now got beyond the station, the engine was still puffing, whilst the wheels increased their speed, and Sister Hyacinthe, clapping her hands, repeated: "Come, come, my children, the _Magnificat_." Whilst the joyful chant arose amidst the jolting of the train, Pierre gazed at Sophie.

She was evidently a young peasant girl, the daughter of some poor husbandman of the vicinity of Poitiers, petted by her parents, treated in fact like a young lady since she had become the subject of a miracle, one of the elect, whom the priests of the district flocked to see.

She wore a straw hat with pink ribbons, and a grey woollen dress trimmed with a flounce.