"Has Ovide not come, then?" she asked again, as she sank on the crazy
rocking-chair.

"Is Ovide coming?" asked her sister, wonderingly.

The blood rushed back to the Little Mother's face, and she rose
hastily. "How very foolish I am to-night," she said, trying to be
brave. "I had forgotten that he may not have had time to get here yet;
but he is coming, Delmia, surely coming. I have prayed to the Virgin,
and the miracle is sure to be performed. I have the faith now,
Delmia."

Her poor old face quivered with hope and fear. Across her bosom, she
made the sign of the cross. "I did not mean to doubt," she said
penitently.

Suddenly catching her sister by the arm, she cried quickly, "He may be
here, though, Delmia, at any moment, and we must tell her of his
coming before he arrives, or the shock may make her worse. Ah! but I
had forgotten. She must be quite well now, for I prayed for her, too!
But we must go and see her; she has been asleep so long."

The Little Mother sped across the room in the direction of the
bedroom, holding above her head the flaring lamp, Delmia hobbling
after her.

As she eagerly entered Marie's room, and the light fell across the
bed, she uttered a cry of deep dismay. The bed had not been disturbed.
The horror on her face deepened as she saw a piece of wedding veil,