These are the stories of penitent women whose stories I beg to tell, shining lights of God's good mercy. Many of them are heroines of penance. Contents: penitents of the stage; voices from the desert; Magdalens of the Ages of Penance; woman Augustine loved; Rosamond Clifford; Saint Margaret of Cortona; Blessed Angela of Foligno; Blessed Claire of Rimini; Saint Hyacintha of Mariscotti; Catalina de Cardona, the sinner; Beatrice Cenci; Princess Palatine; Madame de Longueville; Louise de la Valliere; Madame de Montespan; Madame de la Sabliere; Madame Pompadour; Madame Tiquet.