Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/209

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overjoyed at this news, hastened to Catherine, thanked her, and agreed upon the time in which her husband might converse with her. In fine, the knight conversed with Catherine, was perfectly converted, and promised to go as soon as possible to confess hiss ins to Friar Thomas; he was faithful to grace and fulfilled his promise.

One morning after he had concluded, this man, whom I knew already, met me when I was returning from the city to my convent, and inquired of me where he would probably find Catherine at that time. I said: " I presume in our church." " I pray you," added he, " be so kind as to conduct me there, because it is necessary for me to speak with her." I cheerfully consented; and entering the church with him, I called one of Catherine's companions and charged her with the commission of the chevalier. Catherine arose from the place in which she was praying, and advancing to meet him, graciously and respectfully saluted him. The aged knight said to her with a profound inclination: " Madame, I have done what you prescribed to me; I confessed all my sins to Friar Thomas, who assigned me a penance, and I am resolved to accomplish it, such as it is imposed on me." Catherine responded: " You have acted wisely for the salvation of your soul, now avoid all your former practices and combat as valiantly for Jesus Christ, as you have done for the world." She added: " My Lord, have you confessed all that you did ? " And as he assured her that he was certain of having told all that came to his memory, she repeated to him: " Examine well, whether you have omitted nothing ? "

He affirmed anew that he had confessed all that he recollected. Catherine took leave of him, and allowed him to remain alone a few moments, and then called