lf the flaming hair of the boy, nor
did it prevail to touch him any nearer; but the flame, being spread,
turned aside to the right, and, catching on his two little daughters
who were lying in one bed, burned them even to ashes; then the south
wind, blowing strongly, dispersed their ashes over many parts of
Ireland. And Milcho, awaking, meditated with himself on his couch what
prodigy might this remote vision portend. On the morrow, Patrick being
called before him, he declared unto him his dream, entreating and
abjuring him that if he knew he would unfold its interpretation. And
Patrick, being filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, answered unto
Milcho: "The fire which thou sawest to issue from me is the faith of
the Holy Trinity, with which I am entirely illumined, and which I shall
endeavor to preach unto thee; but my speech will find in thee no place,
for thou wilt, in the blindness of thine heart, repel from thee the
light of the divine grace, and thou wilt die in the darkness of thy
unbelief; but thy daughters shall at my preaching believe in the true
God, and, all the days of their lives serving God in holiness and in
justice, shall, in a pious end, rest in the Lord; and their ashes, that
is, their relics, the Lord revealing them and making of them signs,
shall be carried into many places through Ireland, and shall give the
blessing of health to many who are infirm; and thy dream is true, and
its interpretation is true, and all shall be fulfilled in due time."
Thus having said, Patrick departed to his accustomed labor; and all
these things happened unto Milcho and unto his daughters even as
Patrick had foretold.

CHAPTER XV.

_Of the Angel Victor appearing to Saint Patrick._

And six years had now passed when, under the direction of the Lord, he
had thoroughly learned the Irish tongue, and with prayers and with
tears he unceasingly besought of God that he might be released from
slavery and restored to his country. And on a certain day appeared
unto him, while praying, an angel of the Lord, standing on the crag of
an overhanging rock, and announcing that his prayers and his fastings
had ascended as a memorial before God; and the angel added thereto that
he should soon cast from his neck the yoke of servitude, and, after a
prosperous voyage, return to his own parents. And the servant of God
looked on the angel of God, and, conversing with him face to face
familiarly, even as with a friend, asked who