was but
still praying for himself; and he had a thought of the young Emperor's
face, and he knew that there was something deeper and better still than
humility and diligence and courage; what it was he knew not; but he
thought that he had been, as it were, asking God for those fair things,
like flower-blooms or jewels, which a man may wear for his own pride;
but that they must rather rise and blossom, like plants out of a rich
soil. So he ended by praying that God would empty him of all unworthy
thoughts, and fill him full of that good and great thing, which, in the
Gospel story, Martha went near to miss, but Mary certainly divined.

That was a blessed hour, to the thought of which Renatus afterwards
often turned in darker and more weary days. But it drew swiftly to an
end, and as he knelt, the bell beat one, and his vigil was over.

Presently the Duke came to attend him back; and Renatus could not speak
of the vision, but only told the Duke that he had seen a wonderful
thing, and he added a few words of grateful love, holding the Duke's
hand close in his own.

On the next day, before Renatus came to be enthroned, the Barons came to
do him homage; and Renatus, asking God to give him words that he might
say what was in his heart, spoke to them, the Duke standing by; he said
that he well knew that it appeared strange that one so young as himself
should receive the homage of those who were older and wiser and more
strong, adding: "But I believe that I am truly called, under God, to
rule this land for the welfare of all that dwell therein, and I will
rule it with diligence. Nay--for it is not well that a land should have
many masters--I purpose that none shall rule it but myself, under God."
And at that the Barons looked upon one another, but Renatus, leaning a
little forward, with his hand upon his sword-hilt, said: "I think, my
Lords, that there be some here that are saying to themselves, _He hath
learnt his lesson well_, and I hope that it may be seen that it is
so--but it is God and not man who hath put it into my heart to say this;
it is from Him that I receive this throne. Counsel will I ask, and that
gladly; but remembering the account that I must one day make, I will
rule this realm for the welfare of the people thereof, and I will have
all men do their parts; so see that your homage be of the heart and not
of the lips, for it is to God that you make it, and not to me, who am
indeed unworthy; but He that hath set