f light, raised his fettered hands, and,
in the most touching manner, returned thanks to his Heavenly Father for
the dawn of that day, which had been so long desired by the prophets,
and for which he himself had so ardently sighed from the moment of his
birth on earth, and concerning which he had said to his disciples, 'I
have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptised, and how am I straitened
until it be accomplished!' I prayed with him; but I cannot give the words
of his prayer, for I was so completely overcome, and touched to hear
him return thanks to his Father for the terrible sufferings which he
had already endured for me, and for the still greater which he was
about to endure. I could only repeat over and over with the greatest
fervour, 'Lord, I beseech thee, give me these sufferings: they belong to
me: I have deserved them in punishment for my sins.' I was quite
overwhelmed with feelings of love and compassion when I looked upon him
thus welcoming the first dawn of the great day of his Sacrifice, and
that ray of light which penetrated into his prison might, indeed, be
compared to the visit of a judge who wishes to be reconciled to a
criminal before the sentence of death which he has pronounced upon him
is executed.

The archers, who were dozing, woke up for a moment, and looked at
him with surprise: they said nothing, but appeared to be somewhat
astonished and frightened. Our Divine Lord was confined in this prison
an hour, or thereabouts.

Whilst Jesus was in this dungeon, Judas, who had been wandering up
and down the valley of Hinnom like a madman, directed his step towards
the house of Caiphas, with the thirty pieces of silver, the reward of
his treachery, still hanging to his waist. All was silent around, and
he addressed himself to some of the sentinels, without letting them
know who he was, and asked what was going to be done to the Galilean. 'He
has been condemned to death, and he will certainly be crucified,' was the
reply. Judas walked to and fro, and listened to the different
conversations which were held concerning Jesus. Some spoke of the cruel
treatment he had received, other of his astonishing patience, while
others, again discoursed concerning the solemn trial which was to take
place in the morning before the great Council. Whilst the traitor was
listening eagerly to the different opinions given, day dawned; the
members of the tribunal commenced their preparations, and Judas slunk
behind the buildi