She shrieked while she was in the water, it seemed to her as if somebody were breaking her bones, pulling her leg away from her; and, at the same time, she and the woman who was bathing her, saw her deformed foot rise and extend into its natural shape with the regular movement of a clock hand.

Her leg also straightened itself, the muscles extended, the knee replaced itself in its proper position, all amidst such acute pain that Joachine ended by fainting.

But as soon as she recovered consciousness, she darted off, erect and agile, to carry her crutches to the Grotto." M.de Guersaint in his turn was laughing with wonderment, waving his hand to confirm this story, which had been told him by a Father of the Assumption.

He could have related a score of similar instances, said he, each more touching, more extraordinary than the other.

He even invoked Pierre's testimony, and the young priest, who was unable to believe, contented himself with nodding his head.