But he is ill with a touch of ague at present." "And how early would it be not inconvenient to you, Padre mio, to open the church for me ?" asked Paolina.
"I spoke not of your being early on my account, daughter.

If you come here at sunrise, you will find the gate open, and me where you found me this morning; and if you come at midnight you will find the same." "At midnight, father!" said Paolina, with a glance of surprise and pity.
"Last October I was down with the fever," returned the monk; "but since that time I have not failed one night to be on my knees where the blessed St.Romauld knelt at the stroke of midnight.

But I have not had his reward;--doubtless because I am not worthy of it." "What was the reward of St.Romauld, father ?" demanded Paolina.
"His midnight prayers were rewarded by the vision of St.Apollinare in glory, who spoke to him, and gave him the counsel he sought.

Night after night, and hour after hour, have I knelt and prayed.

And I have heard the moaning of the wind from the Adriatic among the pines of the forest yonder, and I have seen the great crucifix above the high altar sway and move in the moonlight when it comes streaming through the southern windows; and sometimes I have hoped--and prayed--and hoped--but no vision came!" The old monk sighed, and dropped his head upon his bosom; and Paolina gazed at him with a feeling of awe, mingled with a suddenly rising fear, that the tall and emaciated old man, whose light-blue eyes gleamed out from beneath his cowl, was not wholly right in his mind.