her!"

"Indeed!" replied the monk. "I know of better models for a pious lad.
You must go to sleep now, and to-morrow get up early and help your
father. Do you understand?"

So saying, with no gentle hand he turned the boy's head towards the
wall. The mildness awakened by Adam's story had all vanished to the
winds.

Adam allowed his son to practise idolatry with the Jew, and make
pictures of him. This was too much. He threw himself angrily on his
couch, and began to consider what was to be done in this difficult
matter, but sleep soon brought his reflections to an end.

Ulrich rose very early, and when Benedict saw him again in the light of
the young day, and once more looked at the Jew's portrait, drawn by
the handsome boy, a thought came to him as if inspired by the saints
themselves--the thought of persuading the smith to give his son to the
monastery.

CHAPTER IV.

This morning Pater Benedictus was a totally different person from the
man, who had sat over the wine the night before. Coldly and formally he
evaded the smith's questions, until the latter had sent his son away.

Ulrich, without making any objection, had helped his father shoe the
sorrel horse, and in a few minutes, by means of a little stroking over
the eyes and nose, slight caresses, and soothing words, rendered the
refractory stallion as docile as a lamb. No horse had ever resisted the
lad, from the time he was a little child, the smith said, though for
what reason he did not know. These words pleased the monk, for he
was only too familiar with two fillies, that were perfect fiends for
refractoriness, and the fair-haired boy could show his gratitude for the
schooling he received, by making himself useful in the stable.

Ulrich must go to the monastery, so Benedictus curtly declared with the
utmost positiveness, after the smith had finished his work. At midsummer
a place would be vacant in the school, and this should be reserved
for the boy. A great favor! What a prospect--to be reared there with
aristocratic companions, and instructed in the art of painting. Whether
he should become a priest, or follow some worldly pursuit, could be
determined later. In a few years the boy could choose without restraint.

This plan would settle everything in the best possible way. The Jew need
not be injured, and the smith's imperiled son would be saved. The monk
would hear no objections. Either the accusation against the doctor
should be laid before th