withdrew from the house, I entered it, ignorant of what had passed, and believing my friend to be still very sick. As soon as I saw her, my grief urged me to say, with deep anxiety; "Mother, will you allow a person so dear and so useful to die ?" She, wishing to conceal what she had done beneath the veil of humility, appeared to be annoyed at my words. "In what terms do you address me," said she, "am I like God, to deliver a man from death?" But I, beside myself with sorrow, continued: "Say that to others if you will; as to me who am well acquainted with your secrets, I know that you obtain from God whatever you ask with fervor. " Then she bowed her head and smiled a little; after which she looked at me with a joyous countenance, saying: "Well, let us take courage, he shall not die this time."
At these words I banished all fear; I understood that she had obtained some grace from heaven. I left her, and went very contentedly to my sick friend, whom I found seated at his bedside and recounting to everybody the miracle that Catherine had just effected. I informed him that she had that moment assured me that he should not die of this malady. " Are you ignorant," replied he, "of what she has just done for me ?" When I told him that I was not aware of anything, and that all she said to me was contained in that pleasing assurance, he stood up, much surprised, and joyfully narrated what I have here written. To attest the miracle more solidly the table was laid, and Father Matthew seated himself at it with us: they served him with food scarcely suitable for a sick man — vegetables and some raw onions — he, who an instant previous could not take anything, shared them with us; he chatted and laughed gaily; while that very morning be could scarcely pronounce one audible word.
