The place is deserted, one is quite alone, and is it not pleasant?
How well one feels oneself to be in the abode of the Blessed Virgin!" He smiled with a kindly air, doing the honours of the Grotto like an old frequenter of the place, somewhat enfeebled by age, but full of genuine affection for this delightful nook.

Moreover, in spite of his great piety, he was in no way ill at ease there, but talked on and explained matters with the familiarity of a man who felt himself to be the friend of Heaven.
"Ah! you are looking at the tapers," he said.

"There are about two hundred of them which burn together night and day; and they end by making the place warm.

It is even warm here in winter." Indeed, Pierre was beginning to feel incommoded by the warm odour of the wax.

Dazzled by the brilliant light into which he was penetrating, he gazed at the large, central, pyramidal holder, all bristling with little tapers, and resembling a luminous clipped yew glistening with stars.