ing. Her correspondence was usually done at night, and it was also
at that time she made up her accounts and prepared the church for great
feasts. During the night, likewise, she spent long hours in prayer, in
her usual motionless attitude before the Tabernacle. Her thoughts were
all upon God, and her prayer was unceasing. When returning from Holy
Communion a nimbus of light was sometimes seen around her head. The mere
sight of her recalled the presence of God; her intercessory power was
universally recognized, and her words had a wonderful efficacy for
strengthening, consoling and enlightening souls.

Her hands were rough and hard, like those of an old farm laborer, and in
winter time they were swollen, cracked and bleeding with chilblains. To
avoid offending the eyes of the children, she used to wear, during the
cold season, mittens which she made of scraps of calico or other stuff,
sewed together so as to cover them only on the backs, and thus leave
them free for work. She wore the same clothes in winter as in summer;
her habit was so patched with different shades of black, that the
original material could not be distinguished; her shoes were made of
pieces of old carpet, and everything that she made use of for herself
bore the stamp of her love of poverty, and gave evidence of her contempt
for all that the world loves and seeks after. In fact, she presented an
appearance which, in others, would have seemed grotesque, but which in
her inspired veneration and awe. The pupils wondered and looked upon her
as a supernatural being. They were very fond of her, and when they
caught sight of her during their recreation hours, they flew to meet her
like a flock of birds, and were delighted when they could offer her the
least service.

For her scanty meals she gathered up the scraps and leavings from the
children's refectory; and wherever she lived at any time, she would have
no other cell than the closet under the stairs. Her mattress was barely
two inches thick, and she was never known to have any other covering for
her bed but an old funeral pall. She ruled the children with a firm
hand, but with the affectionate solicitude of a loving and prudent
mother. She trained them to be strong Christians and lovers of duty.
Those of her pupils who were called to move in the higher ranks of
society, were noted, not only for their prudence and Christian reserve,
but also for their refinement and distinction of manners and language.
T