“Vinicius,” asked the Apostle at last, “dost thou believe?”
“Would I have come hither if I believed not?” answered Vinicius.
“Then believe to the end, for faith will remove mountains. Hence, though thou wert to see that maiden under the sword of the executioner or in the jaws of a lion, believe that Christ can save her. Believe, and pray to Him, and I will pray with thee.”
Then, raising his face toward heaven, he said aloud,—
“O merciful Christ, look on this aching heart and console it! O merciful Christ, temper the wind to the fleece of the lamb! O merciful Christ, who didst implore the Father to turn away the bitter cup from Thy mouth, turn it from the mouth of this Thy servant! Amen.”
But Vinicius, stretching his hand toward the stars, said, groaning,—
“I am Thine; take me instead
