The Story of Mary Aikenhead; Foundress of the Irish Sisters of Charity - Maria Nethercott

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1897. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... chapter xvi. death of mrs. aikenhead. For a long time before the date affixed to the vow, Mrs. Aikenhead had been entirely confined to her room. Her health was now failing very fast, and it was plain that her life was approaching its end. The apartment at Our Lady's Mount, Harold's Cross, where the Mother General of the Congregation spent her latter years, is peculiarly interesting to all the admirers of Mary Aikenhead and her work; and the kind and courteous nuns willingly show it to those who request the favour. In some respects it still remains the same as when the Reverend Mother occupied it. There is the same old-fashioned sofa and high-backed easy-chair, the very one perhaps in which she used to sit when she watched the setting sun from her window. It is a square, moderately large room, on the second storey of the house, with two windows, as you enter, looking out on the smooth green lawn studded with trees, and a pond at the end. A third window on the west side, close to one of the others, looks into a large garden, well stocked with fruit-trees and vegetables, and fragrant in summer with flowers. The mantel-piece is on the same side of the wall; and a large oil-painting in an oak frame hangs above it. The colours are now very dim, and the figure can only just be discerned of an aged hermit, who stands with a rapt look before an open book, his hands crossed in an attitude of deep rest. The floor is darkly stained and polished, and large, oak-coloured folding-doors occupy the wall opposite the front windows. A circular table stands in the middle of the room; and here, with the mantel-piece and the ancient picture on her left hand, her majestic old form relieved against the dark folding-doors behind her, the "great old Mother" used to sit; and we half fancy...