The Knight heard them, also; for his heart began to beat so loudly that--kneeling behind--I could hear it.
"Our blessed Lady smiled.
"Then--in through the doorway came the Reverend Mother, walking with her head held high, and sunlight in her eyes, as I have ofttimes seen her walk in the garden in Springtime, when the birds are singing, and a scent of lilac is all around.
"She did not see old Mary Antony; but moving straight to where the Knight was kneeling, kneeled down beside him.
"Then the splendid Knight did hold out his hand.

But the Reverend Mother's hands were clasped upon the cross at her breast, and she would not put her hand into the Knight's; but lifting her eyes to our Lady she said: 'Holy Mother of God, except thou thyself send me to him, I cannot go." "And again the Knight said: 'Give her to me! Give her to me! Blessed Virgin, give her to me!' "And the tears ran down the face of old Antony, because both those noble hearts were wrung with anguish.

Yet only the merry Babe, peeping over the two bowed heads, saw that old Antony was there.
"Then a wondrous thing did happen.
"Stooping from her marble throne our Lady leaned, and taking the Reverend Mother's hand in hers, placed it herself in the outstretched hand of the Knight.
"At once a sound like many chimes of silver bells filled the air, and a voice, so wonderful that I did fall upon my face to the floor, said: "'TAKE HER; SHE HATH BEEN EVER THINE.

I HAVE BUT KEPT HER FOR THEE.'" "When I lifted my head once more, the Reverend Mother and the splendid Knight had risen.

Heaven was in their eyes.