into one of the confessionals of St. Jaques.

"She knelt; I listened. No words came. The evil powers had stricken
her dumb, as I heard afterwards they had many a time before, when she
approached confession.

"She was too poor to pay for the necessary forms of exorcism; and
hitherto those priests to whom she had addressed herself were either
so ignorant of the meaning of her broken French, or her Irish-
English, or else esteemed her to be one crazed--as, indeed, her wild
and excited manner might easily have led any one to think--that they
had neglected the sole means of loosening her tongue, so that she
might confess her deadly sin, and, after due penance, obtain
absolution. But I knew Bridget of old, and felt that she was a
penitent sent to me. I went through those holy offices appointed by
our Church for the relief of such a case. I was the more bound to do
this, as I found that she had come to Antwerp for the sole purpose of
discovering me, and making confession to me. Of the nature of that
fearful confession I am forbidden to speak. Much of it you know;
possibly all.

"It now remains for her to free herself from mortal guilt, and to set
others free from the consequences thereof. No prayers, no masses,
will ever do it, although they may strengthen her with that strength
by which alone acts of deepest love and purest self-devotion may be
performed. Her words of passion, and cries for revenge--her unholy
prayers could never reach the ears of the holy saints! Other powers
intercepted them, and wrought so that the curses thrown up to heaven
have fallen on her own flesh and blood; and so, through her very
strength of love, have brused and crushed her heart. Henceforward