The lulling hymns were like the very vertigo that bore them away.

And she knew right well that after spending a night of rapture at the Grotto, she would, on the morrow, be cured.

Of this she was, indeed, absolutely convinced; she would prevail upon the Blessed Virgin to listen to her; she would soften her, as soon as she should be alone, imploring her face to face.

And she well understood what Pierre had wished to say a short time previously, when expressing his desire to spend the whole night outside the Grotto, like herself.

Was it not that he intended to make a supreme effort to believe, that he meant to fall upon his knees like a little child, and beg the all-powerful Mother to restore his lost faith?
Without need of any further exchange of words, their clasped hands repeated all those things.