44 THE FLOWERS

Had I or had I not applied a remedy which
would have the smallest efficacy in humbling
a haughty spirit? Is then the policy of my
church calculated merely to promote the
pleasure and present comfort of its votaries,
and to quiet and soothe the conscience, or to
remedy the real evil of our fallen nature ?

I endeavoured to repress and banish these
thoughts, which appeared to me almost blas-
phemous. I crossed myself, and looking up
to the image of the Virgin, repeated the
angel’s salutation, “ Hail, thou that art highly
favoured, the Lord is with thee; blessed art
thou among women ;” to which I added, in
Latin, “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord
is with thee; blessed art thou amongst wo-
men, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for
us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.”

I had scarcely concluded this prayer, when
a soft footfall sounded along the aisle, and
turning round, I saw a small figure just
entering through the narrow side-door of the
church. It was Aimée; she was dressed in