What can I think of all this? I could not believe if any one should tell
me of these things, but what I see with my own eyes I certainly cannot
doubt.

The Brother Andreas is very good to me, and my box has been brought from
the hotel to the cloister, so my room is as cheerful as possible with
all your pictures around me.

How I wish that you were here, or I could hear from you, but never, my
dear boy will that time come, I fear; I have given up the idea of ever
having so great a pleasure in this world. I cannot write more now as I
am too weak. Good night and greet Benicia for me.


* * * * *


31st October

It is very late, but I must write now or never. To-night the image was
stranger than ever, and for the first time I heard its voice, and oh, it
sounded too sweetly to me as I sat by the window and looked out over the
city as the moon rose above the hills to the east.

The Brothers were chanting at the time, and their deep base came in ever
and ever so beautifully between the stanzas which the Virgin sung, and
as she sung, she came down from her station slowly, as if there were
steps in the air and she could tread upon them. The words were as weird
as the scene.