thou, by a just judgment of God, shalt die in a few days, and be subjected to the same tortures which would have remained for me to endure had God not shown mercy to me. Thou shalt suffer for the same length of time that I should have suffered, after which thou shalt commence the expiation of thine own faults."
A few days later the nephew fell dangerously ill. He immediately called a priest, related to him the vision, and confessed his sins, weeping bitterly. " I shall soon die," said he, "and I accept death from the hands of God as a chastisement which I have but too well merited." He expired in sentiments of humble repentance. This was but the least part of the sufferings which had been announced to him in punishment of his injustice; we tremble with horror at the thought of the remaining portion which he was about to undergo in the other life.
CHAPTER XLI.
Motives of Justice — St. Bernardine of Sienna and the Unfaithful Widow — Disguised Restitutions — Neglect to Execute the Last Will.
St. Bernardine relates that a married couple having no children made a contract that in case one should die before the other, the one who survived was to distribute the property left by the other, for the repose of the soul of the deceased. The husband died first, and his widow neglected to fulfil her promise. The mother of the widow was still living, and the deceased appeared to her, begging her to go to her daughter and urge her. in the name of God, to fulfil her engagement. " If she delays," he said, " to distribute
