“On the other hand, She appeared there with a special and very definite end in view:  to preach repentance to mankind, and especially to priests.  She ratified by certain miracles the evidence of this mission which She confided to Melanie, and then, that being accomplished, She could desert the spot where She had, no doubt, never intended to remain.

“And after all,” he went on, after a moment’s reflection, “may we not admit an even simpler solution, namely, this:—­

“Mary vouchsafes to appear under various aspects to satisfy the tastes and cravings of each soul.  At La Salette, where She descended in a distressful spot, all in tears, She revealed Herself no doubt to certain persons, more especially to the souls in love with sorrow, the mystical souls that delight in reviving the anguish of the Passion and following the Mother in Her heart-breaking way to the Cross.  She would thus seem less attractive to the vulgar who do not love woe or weeping; it may be added that they still less love reproof and threats.  The Virgin of La Salette could not become popular, by reason of Her aspect and address, while She of Lourdes, who appeared smiling, and prophesied no catastrophes, was easy of access to the hopes and gladness of the crowd.

“She was, in short, in that sanctuary, the Virgin of the world at large, not the Virgin of mystics and artists, the Virgin of the few, as at La Salette.

“What a mystery is this direct intervention of the Christ’s Mother on earth!” thought Durtal.

And he went on:  “It is clear, on reflection, that the churches founded by Her may be classed in two very distinct groups.

“One group where She has revealed Herself to certain persons, where waters spring and bodily ills are healed:  La Salette and Lourdes.

“The other, where She has never been gazed on by human beings, or where Her appearance occurred in immemorial times, in forgotten centuries, the dead ages.  In those chapels prayer alone is in force, and Mary answers it without the help of any waters.  Indeed, She effects more moral than physical cures.  Notre Dame de Fourvieres at Lyon, Notre Dame de Sous-Terre at Chartres, Notre Dame des Victoires at Paris, to mention only three.

“Wherefore this difference?  None can understand, and probably none will ever know.  At most may we suppose that in compassion for the everlasting craving of our hapless souls wearied with prayer without sight, She would fain confirm our faith and help to gather in the flock by showing Herself.

“In all this obscurity,” Durtal went on, “is it at least possible to discern some dim landmarks, some vague law?

“As we gaze into the darkness, two spots of light appear,” he replied to himself.