he had special words of encouragement and consolation.
It pleased God to let him know in her behalf that, in return for her
sincere repentance and deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin, before
her death three extraordinary favors would be conferred on her, which
would also be the warning of the setting sun of her career in life.
Alvira treasured his words in her heart, and in deep humility wondered
at the goodness of God.

Chapter XXVII.

The Privileges of Holy Souls.

An extraordinary miracle is said, in the life of St. Francis, to have
taken place in the house where Alvira was present. St. Francis had
an aged brother living in the city--a man of eminent sanctity, but
suffering much from his infirmities. St. Francis prevailed on Alvira
to attend him and nurse him in his illness. He could not have been
trusted to more tender or willing hands.

Virtue and affection lent their powerful aids to render Alvira a
charming nurse. But her labor of love was not very protracted, for
it pleased God to cast the last and fatal fever on Cataldus, the invalid
brother of the saint. At the time the malady was increasing and death
imminent, St. Francis was absent from the city on a mission to Recale,
a place about sixteen miles from Naples. Cataldus prayed to be
permitted to see his brother before death but the malady seemed to
increase so rapidly there was very slight probability of his return
in time.

Alvira had retired to an adjoining apartment to seek relief in prayer.
She suddenly heard some strange sounds in the room of her patient.
She flew towards the chamber, and there, to her astonishment, she
beheld St. Francis embracing his brother.

"Go," said the saintly man to the invalid--"go with courage and
confidence whither God thy father calls thee, and where the saints
await thee. Remember God is a good master, and know that in a short
time I will follow thee."

Then drawing Alvira aside, he whispered to her: "My child, know that
Cataldus is going with rapid strides to eternity. You must still
assist him with love and patience. To-night at four he will die.
I must be away now, but I hope to see him again before he dies."

Having thus spoken, alone and, contrary to his custom, without any
one to accompany him, he left the house. Cataldus, Alvira, and a
servant in the house testified to having seen him in Naples in their
house; the servant even testified that he entered through closed
doors; whilst two fa