gift
being given to man. Some He made apostles, and some evangelists, but
we hear not that He made any to see the very secrets of the soul--such
sight is given to God alone--and indeed, dear son, for I will use the
same frankness as yourself, it seems to me but a chastening from God.
He delivers even those He loves (like the blessed Paul himself, and
Austin, and others whom I need not name) to Satan to be buffeted; and
though I have myself no fault to find with your ministration, it is
plain to me that God is not satisfied, and by His chastening would
lead you higher yet."

"But come, for I will ask you a question. This light that you speak
of, that plays about the heads (is it so?) of other men, is it always
there? Has it, to ask an instance, appeared to you with _me_? I charge
you to speak to me with entire freedom in this matter." So Herbert
raised his eyes, and looked the Bishop in the face, and said very
gravely, "Yes, dear father, it doth appear."

Then the Bishop's face changed a little, and Herbert saw that he was
moved; then the Bishop said with a kind of smile, as though he forced
himself, "And what is it like?" And Herbert said, looking shamefacedly
upon the ground, "Must I answer the question truly?" And the Bishop
said, "Yes, upon your vows." Then Herbert said, "Dear father, it is
strangely dark and angry." Then the Bishop, knitting his brows, said,
"Does it seem so? And how is this a true light? My son, I speak to you
plainly; I am a sinner indeed--we are all such--but my whole life is
spent in labour for God's Church, and I can truly say that from hour
to hour I think not of carnal things, but all my desire is to feed and
keep the flock. How dost thou interpret that?" And Herbert, very low,
said, "My lord, must I speak?" And the Bishop said, "Yes, upon your
vows." Then Herbert said very slowly and sadly, "My lord, I know
indeed that your heart is with the work of the Lord, and that you
labour abundantly. But can it be--I speak as a faithful son, and sore
unwilling--that you have your pleasure in this work, and think of
yourself as a profitable servant?"

Then the Bishop looked very blackly upon him and said, "You take too
much upon yourself, my son. This is indeed the messenger of Satan that
hath you in his grip; but I will pray for you if the Lord will heal
you--it may be that there is some dark sin upon your mind; and if so
pluck it out of the heart. But we will talk no more; I will only tell
you t