The young ladies of to-day would doubtless consider her toilet frightfully unbecoming; but Antonia looked lovely in it, though but a white muslin frock, with a straight skirt and low waist and short, full sleeves.

It was confined by a blue belt with a gold buckle, and her feet were in sandalled slippers of black satin.
The Angelus tolled, and the thousands of Hail Maries! which blended with its swinging vibrations were uttered, and left to their fate, as all spoken words must be.

Antonia still observed the form.

It lent for a moment a solemn beauty to her face.

She was about to re-enter the house, when she saw a stranger approaching it.