Read Online A Princess Prays by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online

pray at the Shrine and I do not wish my prayers to be in vain.”
    Attila shook her head.
    â€œI am certain they never can be, Father, wherever you make them.”
    â€œThat is true, but I am anxious for you to see the Shrine, which I think is very beautiful. You will find it has a wonderful feeling all of its own which there is no need for me to describe to you.”
    Attila was becoming excited now that they had reached their journey’s end.
    She tidied herself in the mirror in the carriage and put on a fresh gown. It was very different to the smart attractive dresses she wore at home, but she felt it was appropriate
    She was only a humble pilgrim at the feet of a Saint who had proved himself a thousand times.
    She insisted on Father Jozsef having a glass of his wine before they began to climb the steep path ahead.
    When she had drunk it for the second time last night, she suspected it was not an ordinary wine like those which were served at her father’s table.
    â€œWhat have you added to it, Father?” she asked.
    â€œThat is clever of you, my child,” he answered her. “How do you know I have added anything?”
    â€œI can taste it and I can feel that it has an uplifting feeling when I drink it which sweeps away tiredness.”
    â€œThat is just what you are meant to feel. Actually it contains many herbs that are stimulating when added to the grapes when it is brewed.”
    â€œSo you have it specially made for you, Father?”
    â€œI have given my recipe to a friend who I believe has made a fortune from it, but I drink very little myself, although he sends me a case every time I require one.”
    â€œThen I am so delighted we have tasted it on this journey and if you feel stimulated by it, Father, so do I. To tell you the truth I was feeling very tired last night.”
    â€œI thought you were and that is why I insisted on you having a glass at supper time.”
    Attila reached out to touch his hand.
    â€œYou are so kind to me, Father, and I am sure Papa is envying me coming here with you. Perhaps when he is better he will want to go on a pilgrimage himself?”
    They put down their glasses and leaving the horses and the carriage in the charge of the two men, they started to walk very slowly up the path.
    They could not see very much before they reached the top and when they did so Attila thought it was certainly worth the effort.
    The Shrine had been altered several times over the years to make it more and more impressive.
    It was in a small clearing standing on the stones of the mountain and had been built very much higher than it had been originally.
    Now it was covered with a roof of gold and silver and there were candles in holders made of gold inset with jewels burning on each side.
    These had been a present from an Indian Maharajah who had claimed that the Saint had given him five million blessings, and he had received an answer to his prayers that no temple in his own country had been able to do.
    There were many offerings surrounding the Shrine that had been brought by pilgrims from all over the world and some were very valuable.
    On the other side of the Shrine, down below, there was another building where the guards slept.
    Father Jozsef had told Attila that there were quite a number of Priests and students always in attendance.
    It was, however, completely impossible to think of ordinary problems when one came near to the Shrine.
    Attila was instinctively aware of the extraordinary and unusual atmosphere around it.
    When she knelt down beside Father Jozsef, she felt as if the Shrine itself was reaching out to her and calling her to give her very heart and soul in her prayers.
    The Shrine also assured her that her prayers would be answered.
    She could not explain this, even to herself, and yet the feeling was strong and overwhelming.
    She felt as if she had stepped into Heaven and was no longer on earth.
    Attila closed her eyes and started to pray.
    She