The girl, astonished at her triumph, wept.

The old man stood up as if a voice had called him, looking into space as though his eyes beheld the dawn; then he bent his knee upon his chair, clasped his hands, and lowered his eyes to the ground as one humiliated.
"My God," he said in a trembling voice, raising his head, "if any one can obtain my pardon and lead me to thee, surely it is this spotless creature.

Have mercy on the repentant old age that this pure child presents to thee!" He lifted his soul to God; mentally praying for the light of divine knowledge after the gift of divine grace; then he turned to the abbe and held out his hand.
"My dear pastor," he said, "I am become as a little child.

I belong to you; I give my soul to your care." Ursula kissed his hands and bathed them with her tears.

The old man took her on his knee and called her gayly his godmother.