e was something in
her very expression of attention that seemed to make the speaker take out
the alloy and leave only his purest gold to meet her ears. Malcolm
forgot those throbs of foolish wild hope that had shot across him like
demon temptations to hermit saints, and only felt that the creature of
his love and reverence was listening benignly as he told her of the
exceeding delight that he was unravelling in learned lore; how each step
showed him further heights, and how he had come to view the Light of the
World as the light of wisdom, to the research of which he meant to devote
his entire life, among universities and manuscripts.

'The Light of Wisdom,' repeated Esclairmonde--'so it may be, for Christ
is Heavenly Wisdom; but I doubt me if the Light of the World lies solely
in books and universities.'

'Nay,' said Malcolm. 'Once I was fool enough to fancy it was the light
of glory, calling knights to deeds of fame and chivalry. I have seen
mine error now, and--oh, lady, what mean you? where should that light be,
save in the writings of wise and holy men?'

'Methinks,' said Esclairmonde, 'that the light is there, even as the
light is also before the eyes of the true knight; but it is not only
there.'

'Where is it then?' said Malcolm. 'In helmet or in cowl, I am the sworn
champion of the Light of the World.'

'The Light,' said Esclairmonde, looking upwards, 'the true Light of the
World is the Blessed Saviour, the Heavenly Wisdom of God; and His
champions find Him and serve Him in camp, cloister, or school, or
wherever He has marked their path, so as they seek not their own profit
or glory, and lay not up their treasure for themselves on earth.'

'Then surely,' said Malcolm, 'the hoards of deep study within the mind
are treasures beyond the earth.'

'Your schoolmen speak of spirit, mind, and body,' said Esclairmonde--'at
least so I, an ignorant woman, have been told. Should not the true Light
for eternity lighten the spirit rather than the mind?'

Malcolm pondered and said: 'I thought I had found the right path at
last!'

'Nay--never, never did I say otherwise,' cried Esclairmonde. 'To seek
God's Light in good men's words, and pursue it, must be a blessed task.
Every task must be blessed to which He leads. And when you are
enlightened with that light, you will hold it up to others. When you
have found the treasure, you will scatter it here, and so lay it up
above.'

Esclairmonde's words were almos