life. The Father, meeting him one day in the streets, begged him to give up such conduct. " I assure you," he said, " that before long you will appear before the tribunal of God, and it is high time for you to prepare yourself by sincere penance."
In fact, a fortnight afterwards, this young man died, carried away by a rapid death, that left him little time to put the affairs of his conscience in order, so that there was everything to fear for his salvation.
One evening, whilst the three novices were engaged together in holy conversation, the youngest was called away to the parlour. There she found a man wrapped in a heavy cloak, and with measured steps pacing the room. " Sir," she said, " who are you? and why did you send for me?" The stranger, without answering, drew near and threw aside the mysterious mantle which covered him. The Religious then recognised the unfortunate deceased, and saw with horror that he was entirely surrounded by chains of fire that clasped his neck, wrists, knees, and ankles. " Pray for me!" he cried, and disappeared. This miraculous manifestation showed that God had had mercy upon him at the last moment; that he had not been damned, but that he paid his attempt at seduction by a terrible Purgatory.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Matter of Expiation — The Life of Pleasure — The Pursuit of Comfort — Venerable Frances of Pampeluna and the Man of the World — St. Elizabeth and the Queen, her Mother.
In our days there are Christians who are total strangers to the Cross and the mortification of Jesus Christ. Their
