my story to a stranger. Why did I tell you? I
thought that with all your talk of mercy and forgiveness you might
have a message for my bitter and tired heart--but you shrink from me,
and are silent."

"Nay," said Paullinus, "shrink from you!--not so--nay, I cling to you
more than ever; come and claim your part in the forgiveness that waits
for all--you have suffered, you have repented--and the God whom I
serve has comfort and peace for you and for all; His love is wide and
deep--claim your share in it." And he took the priest's hand in both
of his own.

There was a horrible roaring behind them as they stood: the great
beast behind them struck at the bars, but the priest took no heed.

"If I could," he said, with his eyes fixed on Paullinus' face.

"Nay then," said Paullinus, "if you would it is done already, for He
reads the very secrets of the heart."

There broke out a loud fierce crashing sound behind them; the great
oaken gate heaved and splintered, and a monstrous beast as huge as a
horse appeared at the mouth of the den; his small head was laid back
on his hairy shoulders, his little eyes gleamed wickedly, and his red
mouth opened snarling fiercely. The priest turned, and met the rush of
the beast full. In a moment he was flung to the ground with a dreadful
rending sound. "Save yourself!" he cried. The huge brute glared, with
his foot upon the fallen form, and seemed to hesitate whether to
attack his second foe. Paullinus, hardly knowing what he did, seized
the great iron-pointed pole, and with a firmness of strength which he
had not known himself to possess drove it full into the monster's
great throat as it opened its mouth towards him. It made a wild and
sickening cry; it raised one foot as though to strike, then it beat
the air and struck once at the head of the prostrate form; then, with
a gurgling sound, spitting out a flood of hot blood, it collapsed,
rolled slowly on one side. Paullinus, watching it intently and still
holding the pole, thrust it further in with all his might. It quivered
all over, and in a moment lay still. Paullinus made haste to drag the
priest out from beneath--but he saw that all was over; the last blow
of the beast had battered in the skull--and besides that the body was
horribly mangled and crushed. The limbs of the priest were heavy and
relaxed; his hands were folded together as though in prayer, and he
drew one or two little fluttering breaths, but never opened his eyes.

Pa