, nor was all the loving care
of Mimi of any avail whatever. Every one felt that he was doomed: and
Mimi herself, though she struggled against that thought, still had in
her heart a dark terror of the truth. This truth could at last be
concealed no longer even from herself, for Pere Michel came to
administer the holy eucharist to the dying man, and to receive his
last confession. Mimi could not be present while the dying man
unfolded to his priest the secrets of his heart, nor could she hope
to know what those secrets were. But dark indeed must they have been,
and far, very far, beyond the scope of ordinary confessions, for the
face of Pere Michel, as he came forth from that room, was pale and
sombre; and so occupied was he with his own thoughts that he took no
notice of the weeping girl who stood there, longing to hear from him
some word of comfort. But Pere Michel had none to give. He left the
house, and did not return till the next day.

By that time all was over. Laborde had passed away in the night. The
priest went in to look upon the form of the dead. Mimi was there,
bowed down in the deepest grief, for she felt herself all alone in
the world. The priest stood looking at the face of the dead for some
time with that same gloom upon his face which had been there on the
preceding day, when he left that bedside. At length he turned to
Mimi.

"Child," said he, in a voice full of pity, "I will not attempt to
utter any words of condolence. I know well how the heart feels during
the first emotions of sorrow over bereavement. Words are useless. I
can only point you to Heaven, where all comfort dwells, and direct
you to remember in your prayers him who lies here. The church is
yours, with all her holy offices. The dearest friend must turn away
from the dead, but the church remains, and follows him into the other
world. Your heart may still be consoled, for you can still do
something for the dear father whom you loved. You can pray for the
soul of the departed, and thus it will seem to you as though you have
not altogether lost him. He will seem near you yet when you pray for
him; your spirit will seem to blend with his; his presence will seem
about you. And besides, my dear child, this also I wish to say: you
are not altogether alone in the world. I will watch over you till you
go wherever you may wish. It is not much that I can do; but perhaps I
can do for you all that you may now wish to be done for yourself.
Think of