penitential pilgrims come from all parts of the group to kneel and pray in this church, a service which, according to the local priests, carries with it absolution for any amount of sin and wickedness.
"The Story of Malta"
Maturin M. Ballou
You remember that when I carried off Mary, I had no intention of leaving England whatever: my object was, after making her my wife, to open negociations with the old colonel, and after the approved routine of penitential letters, imploring forgiveness, and setting forth happiness only wanting his sanction to make it heaven itself, to have thrown ourselves at his feet 'selon les regles,' sobbed, blubbered, blew our noses, and dressed for dinner, very comfortable inmates of that particularly snug residence, 'Hydrabad Cottage.
"The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer, Complete"
Charles James Lever (1806-1872)
In this country a widow's first mourning dresses are covered almost entirely with crape, a most costly and disagreeable material, easily ruined by the dampness and dust-a sort of penitential and self-mortifying dress, and very ugly and very expensive.
"Manners and Social Usages"
Mrs. John M. E. W. Sherwood
