justify me in allowing him to unfrock himself.

"As he is abiding in your castle, I pray you bid him present himself
here, tomorrow. I would fain speak to him, and give him such advice,
concerning his future conduct, as may be of benefit to him."

When Roger returned from the monastery, the next day, he wore a much
more serious face than usual.

"The abbot has done me more good, by his talk this morning," he said to
Oswald, "than by all the lectures and penances he has ever imposed on
me. In truth, he is a good man, and I had half a mind to say that I
would return to the convent, and do my best to comport myself mildly
and becomingly.

"But I felt that it would not do, Oswald. The thing is too strong for
me and, however I might strive, I know that when the temptation came I
should break out again; and so, I held my peace."

"What did he say to you, Roger?"

"He said many things, but the gist of it was that there were as good
men outside the walls of a monastery as there were within it, and that
a soldier has as many opportunities--indeed many more opportunities--of
showing himself a good man as a monk has. In battle, he said, a soldier
must act as such, and fight stoutly against the enemy, and take life as
well as risk his own; but after the fight is over he should show
himself merciful, and if he cannot follow out the precept to love his
enemies, he should at least be compassionate and kind to them. But
above all, he should never oppress the helpless, should comport himself
honourably and kindly to women and children, and, if necessary, draw
sword in their defence against those who would ill use them. And,
though the spoils of war were honourable and necessary, when captured
in fair fight, yet the oppression and robbery of the poor were deadly
crimes.

"'Comport yourself always, Roger, as if, though a soldier in arms, you
were still a monk at heart. You are brave and strong, and may rise to
some honour; but, whether or no, you may bear yourself as if you were
of gentle blood, and wore knightly spurs. Not all who are so are
honourable and merciful, as they have vowed to be. Remember, I shall
hear of you from time to time, through my Lord Percy; and that it will
gladden me to have a good account of you, and to feel that I have not
done wrong in letting you go forth, from this house of rest, to take
part in the turmoil and strife of the world.'

"He said more than this, but this is the pith of it. I knelt down,