impossible to read the narrative without feeling that there must have been
something really genuine and hearty in Mademoiselle Gautier's nature；
and it is a gratifying proof of the honest integrity of her purpose to know
that she persevered to the last in the life of humility and seclusion which
her conscience had convinced her was the best life that she could lead。
Persons who knew her in the Carmelite convent； report that she lived and
died in it； preserving to the last； all the better part of the youthful liveliness
of her character。 She always received visitors with pleasure； always
talked to them with surprising cheerfulness； always assisted the poor； and
always willingly wrote letters to her former patrons in Paris to help the
interests of her needy friends。 Towards the end of her life； she was
afflicted with blindness； but she was a trouble to no one in consequence of
this affliction； for she continued； in spite of it； to clean her own cell； to
make her own bed； and to cook her own food just as usual。 One little
characteristic vanityharmless enough； surely？remained with her to the
last。 She never forgot her own handsome face； which all。 Paris had
admired in the by…gone time； and she contrived to get a dispensation from
the Pope which allowed her to receive visitors in the convent parlour
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A FAIR PENITENT
without a veil。
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