he should still be called upon to bear his present pain and trouble, grant to him such perfection in his inward spirit that he may prove worthy to be counted among Thy angels in the bright Hereafter. To Thy care, and to Thy comfort, and to Thy healing, great Master, we commend him, trusting him entirely to Thy mercy, with perfect resignation to Thy Divine Will. For the sake and memory of Thy most holy childhood, mercifully help and bless this child! Amen!"
As Fabien Doucet hobbles away at the conclusion
of this prayer, the Cardinal, speaking from his
heart, declares that if the giving of his own life
could make the lad strong he would willingly sacrifice
it. Then Manuel moves from his place near
the Cardinal's chair, approaches the little cripple,
and, putting his arms round him, kisses him on the
forehead.
"Good-bye, dear little brother!" he said, smiling—"Do
not be sad! Have patience! In all the universe,
among all the millions and millions of worlds,
there is never a pure and unselfish prayer that the
great good God does not answer! Be sure of that!
Take courage, dear little brother! You will soon be
well!"
Sweet assurance, truly, for the afflicted one.
Shortly afterwards the Cardinal and Manuel depart
from Rouen. They have not been long gone when
there comes the startling announcement from
