Cardinal's chair, his eyes fixed on the crippled Fabien, he had the
aspect of a young Angel of compassion, whose sole immortal desire
was to lift the burden of sorrow and pain from the lives of
suffering humanity. And after a minute or two passed in silent
meditation, the Cardinal laid his hands tenderly on Fabien's fair
curly head and prayed aloud.

"Oh merciful Christ! Most pitying and gentle Redeemer!--to Whom in
the days of Thy sacred life on earth, the sick and suffering and
lame and blind were brought, and never sent away unhealed or
uncomforted; consider, we beseech Thee, the sufferings of this Thy
little child, deprived of all the joys which Thou hast made so sweet
for those who are strong and straight in their youth, and who have
no ailment to depress their courage or to quench the ardour of their
aspiring souls. Look compassionately upon him, oh gentle King and
Master of all such children!--and even as Thou wert a child Thyself,
be pleased to heal him of his sad infirmity. For, if Thou wilt, Thou
canst make this bent body straight and these withered muscles
strong,--from death itself Thou canst ordain life, and nothing is
impossible to Thee! But above all things, gracious Saviour, we do
pray Thee so to lift and strengthen this child's soul, that if it is
destined he should still be called upon to bear his present pain and
trouble, grant to him such perfection in his inward spirit that he
may prove worthy to be counted among Thy angels in the bright
Hereafter. To Thy care, and to Thy comfort, and to Thy healing,
great Master, we commend him, trusting him entirely to Thy mercy,
with perfect resignation to Thy Divine Will. For the sake and memory
of Thy most holy childhood mercifully help and bless this child!
Amen!"