for the sake of man, all that humanity can endure;
and the youth interiorly acknowledged that the errors of his life were
but imperfectly balanced by the inconvenience he then experienced.

It is not in the pride of health and youth, surrounded by pleasure, and
strangers to care, that a heart, wedded to the world, is apt to
prostrate itself in humility before the Author of life; but in danger
and affliction, we learn to mistrust our self-sufficiency, and feel our
complete dependence upon an invisible and almighty power. We are much
more disposed to appeal to heaven for protection, than to return thanks
for repeated favors. It is not to be wondered at, then, that Gilbert
sought relief in prayer; there is nothing more natural to one who
prefers the consolations of religion to the staff of philosophy. He was
far indeed from that exalted perfection of loving God for Himself alone;
but who can predict what may spring from the mustard-seed?

By the first gray light of the morning Father Omehr was bending over his
youthful charge: Gilbert was fast asleep.

CHAPTER III

Fit to govern!
No, not to live. O nation miserable,
With an untitled tyrant, bloody-sceptred,
When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again?

MACBETH.

The third Friday after Gilbert had been wounded, he mounted his horse,
and, accompanied by Father Omehr, set out for the Castle of Hers, which
lay some four leagues distant to the south.

"You are sad, Father," said the youth, who felt all the exhilaration of
returning strength, heightened by the freshness of the morning.

"It is true, my son; for though in all the trials of this pilgrimage I
endeavor to turn to God the cheerful face He loves to see in affliction,
I am sometimes weak enough to tremble at the gloomy period before us. We
are upon the eve of a tremendous struggle. You may not be aware of it,
for you are unaccustomed to watch events which govern the future for
good or evil; but the firmness of our Holy Father, and the increasing
recklessness and impiety of the emperor, must create an earthquake
sooner or later."

"My father," replied Gilbert, "has imputed to His Holiness a want of
firmness."

"Alas, with how little reason! He who, when seized by Cencius and his
armed assassins at the altar of St. Mary Major--bruised, and dragged by
the hair to the castle of his assailant--yet remained calm and unmoved,
with the face of an Angel, neither imploring mercy nor attempting an