ight have heard the murmur of the leaves in the garden as they were
gently stirred by the breeze of May.

Mary had concluded her song and lifted her eyes to heaven with an
expression of adoration. All who gazed upon her felt as though they were
contemplating an angel before the throne of God. Even Simon Turchi was
subdued by admiration, and he even momentarily lost sight of the hatred
and jealousy which lacerated his heart.

Mary thus sang:

Kyrie! Lo, our God comes,
Mankind to save from ill and bless:
What grateful joy should break our gloom
And fill our hearts with happiness!

Kyrie eleison!--God is born!
A virgin mother gives him birth;
And sin's dark bonds asunder torn,
Sweet heaven again inclines to earth.

Kyrie!--hear!--the sacred font

Pours forth its saving waters free--
And Thou impressest on our front
The sign that drives our foes away.

Christe!--anointed victim!--Thou,
Who in thy death bestowest life--
The healing remedy for woe--
Ah! earth with many a woe is rife.

Christe eleison!--brother dear--
Our liberator from all ill--
Strong in Thy virtue, free from fear,
And be our help to virtue still.

Christe eleison! God and man--
Our only consolation here--
Oh! do not leave us 'neath the ban
Of sorrow perilous and drear.

Oh! Kyrie, Father--Kyrie Son--
Kyrie Spirit--we adore
The Triune God--Thee, only One!
Grant we may praise Thee evermore!

Silence reigned in the room some moments after the last sound had died
away, and then arose a murmur of admiration, and the young girl was
overwhelmed with felicitations.

Whilst being thus complimented, Mary noticed Geronimo at a little distance
from her. Desirous, perhaps, of escaping the praises lavished upon her,
or, it may be, yielding to a real desire, she approached the young man,
drew him towards the piano, and insisted upon his singing an Italian aria.

Geronimo at first refused, but his uncle requested him to yield to the
entreaties of the young girl. Taking up a lute, he hastily tuned it, and
sang the first word of the aria _Italia!_ in such a tone of enthusiasm
that it struck a responsive chord in every Italian heart. The notes fell
from his lips like a shower of brilliant stars; his bosom heaved, his eyes
sparkled, and his rich tenor voice filling the hall produced an
indescribable effect upon the auditors. As his song proceeded, it seemed
to gain in e