'
'Is that all?'
'Yes. No, it is not all. Tell him that I passed away loving and
forgiving.'
'My time is short,' I said; 'awake and listen!' for having spoken thus
she seemed to be sinking into a lethargy. 'I was the assistant of that
Andres de Fonseca whose counsel you put aside to your ruin, and I have
given a certain drug to the abbess yonder. When she offers you the cup
of water, see that you drink and deep, you and the child. If so none
shall ever die more happily. Do you understand?'
'Yes--yes,' she gasped, 'and may blessings rest upon you for the gift.
Now I am no more afraid--for I have long desired to die--it was the way
I feared.'
'Then farewell, and God be with you, unhappy woman.'
'Farewell,' she answered softly, 'but call me not unhappy who am about
to die thus easily with that I love.' And she glanced at the sleeping
babe.
Then I drew back and stood with bent head, speaking no word. Now the
Dominican motioned to all to take the places where they had stood before
and asked her:
'Erring sister, have you aught to say before you are silent for ever?'
'Yes,' she answered in a clear, sweet voice, that never even quavered,
so bold had she become since she learned that her death would be swift
and easy. 'Yes, I have this to say, that I go to my end with a clean
heart, for if I have sinned it is against custom and not against God.
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