She had learned from the concierge that the man was an unfrocked monk, and seeing how sad, humble, and grateful he was, she prayed night and morning to the Madonna and to all the Saints of Paradise, that they might intercede with Jesus on his behalf, that this man might be pardoned and brought back into the fold of the Church.

She told her hopes and her fears to other pious old women, saying: "I myself do not dare to pray to Jesus for him; that unhappy man has committed too great a sin against Him.

He needs the prayers of some powerful personage!" That day the old man had said to her several times that he would be so happy if he could have a few roses.

Then the little hunchback had thought: "There is the holy man of whom every one is talking,--he works as a gardener.

I will go to him and tell him the whole story.