An historical novel about the martyrs of the Carmelite convent of Compiegne. In the middle of the turbulent times of the France Revolution the sisters are condemned to death and taken to the gallows. One by one they go, singing stanzas of ‘Veni Creator,’ while their heads fall under the guillotine. And when it seems that the hymn is going to stop before the end, the figure emerges from the crowd of the sickly Blanca de la Force, a young Carmelite, who, strengthened by a strange power, advances voluntarily to the gallows. Meanwhile, Sister Maria de la Encarnacion, the nun who most desired martyrdom is deprived of it and survives the tragedy. The book is written with admirable historical fidelity and great charm. George Bernanos wrote a book about the same episode which was adapted for the stage by Francois Poulenc.