and she
desired most ardently to see this door opened, that she might again
have a chance of beholding him, for she knew that it alone separated
her from the prison where he was confined. The door was at length
opened, and Peter rushed out, his face covered with his mantle,
wringing his hands, and weeping bitterly. By the light of the torches
he soon recognised John and the Blessed Virgin, but the sight of them
only renewed those dreadful feelings of remorse which the look of Jesus
had awakened in his breast. Mary approached him instantly, and said,
'Simon, tell me, I entreat you, what is become of Jesus, my Son?' These
words pierced his very heart; he could not even look at her, but turned
away, and again wrung his hands. Mary drew close to him, and said in a
voice trembling with emotion: 'Simon, son of John, why dost thou not
answer me?'--Mother!' exclaimed Peter, in a dejected tone, 'O, Mother, speak not
to me--thy Son is suffering more than words can express: speak not to me!
They have condemned him to death, and I have denied him three times.'
John came up to ask a few more questions, but Peter ran out of the
court as if beside himself, and did not stop for a single moment until
he reached the cave at Mount Olivet--that cave on the stones of which the
impression of the hands of our Saviour had been miraculously left. I
believe it is the cave in which Adam took refuge to weep after his fall.

The Blessed Virgin was inexpressibly grieved at hearing of the fresh
pang inflicted on the loving heart of her Divine Son, the pang of
hearing himself denied by that disciple who had first acknowledged him
as the Son of the Living God; she was unable to support herself, and
fell down on the door-stone, upon which the impression of her feet and
hands remains to the present day. I have seen the stones, which are
preserved somewhere, but I cannot at this moment remember where. The
door was not again shut, for the crowd was dispersing, and when the
Blessed Virgin came to herself, she begged to be taken to some place as
near as possible to her Divine Son. John, therefore, led her and the
holy women to the front of the prison where Jesus was confined. Mary
was with Jesus in spirit, and Jesus was with her; but this loving
Mother wished to hear with her own ear the voice of her Divine Son. She
listened and heard not only his moans, but also the abusive language of
those around him. It was impossible for the holy women to remain in the