Thus, sometimes alone,
sometimes in the company of wandering vagabonds, he made his way
through Savoy and Lombardy in a pitiable condition of destitution and
disease. At length he arrived at Ancona, where the thought occurred to
him of visiting the Holy House of Loretto, and of applying for succor
of the Holy Virgin. Patience, Monsieur; only a moment more."
The marquis, leaning on his cane, was distorting his lips and wrinkling
his eyebrows.
"The lad's hopes were not disappointed. He had reached the renowned
shrine, knelt, paid his devotions, when, as he issued from the chapel
door, he was accosted by an elegant cavalier, who was having some
difficulty with a stirrup. He asked the wretched boy to hold the
horse, and for this service gave him five Spanish pistoles of gold."
The expression on the marquis's face was now one of animation.
"Is it possible! I recall the episode distinctly. I was on the way to
my marriage."
"Well, Monsieur le Marquis, I have never forgotten that service. I
have always treasured that act of kindness. For those five pistoles
renewed life, took me to my journey's end, and eventually led me into
the Society of Jesus.
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