And she was happy--deeply happy.
Leaving the casement, she kneeled before the shrine of the Virgin--there where she had put up so many impassioned prayers for the safe return of her lover.
"Blessed Virgin," she said, "I thank thee for sending me home." Years seemed to roll from her.

She felt herself a child again.

She longed for her mother's understanding tenderness.

Failing that, she turned to the sweet Mother of God.
The image before which she knelt, shewed our Lady standing, tall and fair and gracious, the Infant Saviour, seated upon her left hand, her right hand holding Him leaning against her, His baby arms outstretched.
Neither the Babe nor His Mother smiled.

Each looked grave and somewhat sad.
"Home," whispered Mora.