Free A Princess Prays by Barbara Cartland

fireside.
    Then, as darkness began to fall, she went to bed in the carriage.
    It was then, for the first time, that she wept copious tears because she had lost Father Jozsef.
    She knew that no one could ever replace him in her life as he was not only her spiritual teacher but her friend too.
    â€˜There is no one else I can talk to as freely,’ she told herself, ‘or who would understand what I feel before I can even put it into words.’
    Then almost as if someone was providing her with the answer, she knew that when she found love she would no longer be alone.
    *
    She slept a little and woke when it was daybreak.
    The Father Superior had said that the funeral was to take place at eight o’clock before any pilgrims were likely to climb up to the Shrine.
    Attila, accompanied by Lamos and Kelkos, climbed up the steep path that had so exhausted Father Jozsef only yesterday and reached the Shrine.
    They stopped for a moment to pray and then Attila led them down to the Monastery.
    Even as they arrived a procession was coming out of the small Chapel. There were six stalwart young Priests carrying the coffin followed by a number of mourners, who were singing and bearing flowers.
    Attila walked behind the Father Superior.
    They processed for a little way along the side of the mountain until they came to another clearing, which had been made by removing the very stones themselves.
    It was a small perfectly kept graveyard with about ten graves, each one with a marble cross bearing the name of the occupant.
    The grave for Father Jozsef had been prepared and he was lowered gently into it by the six Priests who had carried his coffin.
    Then the Father Superior began the Service for the Dead.
    His voice was deep and the sincere way he spoke was, Attila thought, very moving.
    Holy Water was now sprinkled on the coffin before it was covered and the assembled company sang a psalm.
    As they sang two small serving boys wearing lace edged surplices joined them swinging incense holders in their hands.
    As the psalm came to an end, Attila walked forward and placed a bouquet of lilies on top of the coffin.
    There were a few more prayers and then the monks covered the coffin with earth and the flowers were placed on top of the grave.
    Attila felt he would have been pleased to be in such a peaceful place, and glad that he lay with her lilies at his breast.
    Finally everyone knelt down for the Father Superior to bless them.
    He said he was certain the blessing he was giving them was coming from Father Jozsef as well. They would never forget him and he would never forget them and his words about Father Jozsef brought tears to Attila’s eyes.
    The Service ended and for several minutes no one moved or spoke.
    The Father Superior came to Attila’s side and held out his hand, helping her to rise.
    â€œYou have been very brave, my child, and I know Father Jozsef would be proud of you.”
    â€œI am sure he is happy to lie here with you, Father.”
    He smiled at Attila.
    â€œNow I think you should go home. It is a long way to Valdina and I am quite sure your father will be waiting for you. Because of Father Jozsef’s prayers and mine, I am certain he will be in better health than when you left him.”
    â€œThank you, Father, and please go on praying for Papa as it is so very important that he should live and be strong.”
    â€œI will never forget him,” he assured her.
    Attila walked back with Lamos and Kilkos and they stopped for a moment at the Shrine where now there was a crowd of pilgrims.
    Then they climbed down to where their horses and the carriage were waiting.
    Attila gave the guards who had looked after them a generous gift which they appreciated.
    She wondered when she reached home if she should write a letter to the Father Superior telling him who she was. She was sure that her father would give him a generous donation for the Shrine.
    She knew it was only the money collected from the pilgrims