Alexandrine said: 'Rest assured that all that pleases us most upon earth is but a shadow; that the reality is alone in heaven. What is there upon earth so sweet as to love? And I ask you if it is not easy to conceive that the love of the divine love ought to be the perfection of this sweetness?--and is not this the love of Jesus Christ? I should never have been comforted if I had not learnt that this love exists for God, and is everlasting.' I replied, 'You are very happy so to love God.' She answered me--and her words, her expression, her attitude will remain ever engraved on my memory--'O Pauline! should I not love God? should I not be transported with joy when I think of him? How can you imagine there is any merit in this, even that of faith, when I think of the miracle that he has wrought in my soul? I loved, and desired the joy of earth--it was given to me. I lost it, and I was overwhelmed with despair. Yet, to-day my soul is so transformed that all the happiness I have ever known pales and grows dim in comparison with the felicity with which God has filled my soul.' Surprised to hear her speak thus, I said: 'If you had offered to you a long life to be spent with Albert, would you accept it?' She replied, without hesitation. 'I would not take it.' This was our last conversation, and as I saw her then I see her now, with a flower of jessamine in her hand, her face lighted up with heavenly beauty; and so she will ever appear to me until I meet her again where there will be no more parting.' Alexandrine died some months after, on the 9th of February, 1848. If the angels could die, they would die as she did. Her last words to Albert's mother were: "Tell Pauline it is so sweet to die." {25} On the 14th of November of the same year, Madame de la Ferronays rejoined her husband, her son, and her three daughters. On the tombs of Albert, Alexandrine, Olga, and Eugenie, and of their father and mother, one single epitaph is necessary. It comprehends their life; it is the epitome of their faith; it is the conclusion, the explanation, the design of this book: "Love is stronger than death." ------ Original The Church And The Sinner. The Church Prithee, why continue eating, Child, the husks of swine? Thou thy soul art only cheating With this food of thine. The Sinner. Other food hath long been wasted, Mother, by my sin; All its empty joys are tasted, Sorrows now begin. The Church. Hadst thou not a loving Father, Child, and happy home? There with him have rested, rather Shouldst thou than to roam. The Sinner. Yes; but he his now degraded Son would never know; From his memory I have faded, Mother, long ago. The Church. Child, the Father ne'er forgetteth Whom he called his son, To him naught but pride now letteth Not thy feet to run. The Sinner.