under the
very spot where the hearth was afterwards built. Five gutters, under
the house, served to convey the refuse to the slope of the hill, on the
upper part of which the house was built. I had preciously seen Jesus
preach and perform miraculous cures there, and the disciples frequently
passed the night in the side rooms.

MEDITATION III.

Arrangements for eating the Paschal Lamb.

When the disciples had spoken to Heli of Hebron, the latter went
back into the house by the court, but they turned to the right, and
hastened down the north side of the hill, through Sion. They passed
over a bridge, and walking along a road covered with brambles, reached
the other side of the ravine, which was in front of the Temple, and of
the row of houses which were to the south of that building. There stood
the house of the aged Simeon, who died in the Temple after the
presentation of our Lord; and his sons, some of whom were disciples of
Jesus in secret, were actually living there. The Apostles spoke to one
of them, a tall dark-complexioned man, who held some office in the
Temple. They went with him to the eastern side of the Temple, through
that part of Ophel by which Jesus made his entry into Jerusalem on
Palm-Sunday, and thence to the cattle-market, which stood in the town,
to the north of the Temple. In the southern part of this market I saw
little enclosures in which some beautiful lambs were gambolling about.
Here it was that lambs for the Pasch were bought. I saw the son of
Simeon enter one of these enclosures; and the lambs gambolled round him
as if they knew him. He chose out four, which were carried to the
supper-room, engaged in preparing the Paschal Lamb.

I saw Peter and John go to several different parts of the town, and
order various things. I saw them also standing opposite the door of a
house situated to the north of Mount Calvary, where the disciples of
Jesus lodged the greatest part of the time, and which belonged to
Seraphia (afterwards called Veronica). Peter and John sent some
disciples from thence to the supper-room, giving them several
commissions, which I have forgotten.

They also went into Seraphia's house, where they had several
arrangements to make. Her husband, who was a member of the council, was
usually absent and engaged in business; but even when he was at home
she saw little of him. She was a woman of about the age of the Blessed
Virgin, and had long been connected with the Holy Family;