Fabiola : or, The church of the catacombs - Digital Repository Services

in?;. Joseph and Martin following.
The young man was stiil buried in n swe< t, pcne fill s-!n
and light oolora were beginning (o tinge his i:i',i.i; sAfi.- i/'ic/:. ii
.
and
lips. The young girl knelt near tho bed, fixing a look of admiratiou,
mingled with pity, on hi:i noble, eonnlcn
" O the poor young man !" Him inuniinrcd, with a deep High.
d.ay for his
wounded !"
euro. O the poor young HIM ,
v, hut a. pity lie's
At that moment the invalid opened his eyes, and cast ;i look
of astonishment about him. But he perceived his two friends,
and recognized the hermit.
" O thanks, thanks, holy man !" ho cried, in accents of profound
"
gratitude. It is you who snatched mo from the bloody
hands of death."
"Don't speak of it, my child," interrupted the hermit.
"
Tell me, rather, how you find yourself after your rest last
night ?"
"Oh !" murmured Victor, deeply moved, "I already feel
my wounds considerably assuaged with the help of God and
thanks to your excellent balm."
"
That's just what I expected. It's not the first time, thank
turn to see if you want anything. "
" O povcro Giovanni," sighed Marietta.
The same evening Lorenzo presented himself at the hermitage.
He was a robust, agile young man, with open air, brown
hair, and brilliant black eyes. His countenance was simple
and modest, but resolute, and he held his head firm and erect,
you."
But, before even the hermit had done speaking, Lorenzo, in
his enthusiasm, had rushed towards the bed and embraced
Victor with respeciful compassion and i\al affection.
" O caro ferito! It's a holy martyr of the. Lord, isn't it,
Fra Paolo ? "
"Yes, my child ; but a martyr we shall cure, I hope."
Indeed, the condition of the invalid was already sensibly improved,
tuanks to the good attendance of the man of God, who
had formerly studied medicine. So the young man, rising
with difficulty, hastened to thank his visitor and his host for
the affectionate sympathy and interest they manifested towards
him.
" But who," cried the generous Lorenzo " who could be so
insensible and senseless as not to be moved at the sight of the
prodigious enthusiasm the Pontifical troops have displayi d,
and the barbarous treatment the victorious enemies have made
them endure ?"
" Alas, you say right, Lorenzo," replied the good hermit.
" But sin oe you come from Loreto, tell us what you've seen
and heard there. And first of all, tell us was Lamoriciere able
to reach Ancoua ?"
" Certainly, my good Father. He slipped through their
fingers just like a -
needle, and entered the fortress ye:evening."
"How could he do that?" interrupted Joseph. ''Have
" Al..
faithful companions, alone was able to pass throng!.
r the ene-
i In: road \\m open. Ab t. irmy.it re-
tired to Lori tn. "
" Were oar comrade* puraned bj
And tlien turning towards the softened hermit: "Oh ! you'll
euro him, my good Father, won't you '!''
"I hope so, Marietta. But you'll promise me, on your part,
my child, the help of your prayers ?"
"Undoubtedly, Fra Paolo. I'll ; nontese?"
" 1
No, nignor. Tin Sardinian soldiers, you may
perform a novena for him
to our Lady of Pity, and I'll offer up my Communion nil SIMI-
bo sure, had
ae bettor acquainted with the ; oayoncts.
They were content to post videttea on the tops of our E
taint) to watch their moveme '.- . On!y HIM morn Ing your com-
to treat with the 1'i' umunteNe relative to
panions have begun
liituhitioii of the place,
\\liieii \va.-i to he carried out on
thi' sole condition : that the Pontifical soldiers should
with arms and baggage."
Joy sparkled in Jos< ph's eyes at this consoling news, which
made him hopeful.
"But it's impossible for me to describe to you what I havo
seen at Loreto," continued I.erenzo. "I had entered the
Church of the Santa Casa. Oh ! what a heart-rending spec-
tacle met my gaze ! The ground was strewn with mattresses,
carp