l you say that agues, rheumatics, and all the other
afflictions which do befall the brethren be simply bred of stagnant
water and foul drinking? Nay, I say these hobgoblins give us them,
and that even as Satan was permitted to afflict holy Job, so they
afflict you. But we have not the patience of Job; would we had! Oh
my brethren, slay me the little foxes which eat the tender grapes;
your pride, anger, envy, hatred, gluttony, lust, and sloth, and
bring forth worthy fruits of penance; then may you all laugh at
Satan and his misshapen offspring until in very shame they fly
these fens--libera nos Domine."

Here the leader sang:

"Tu autem Domine, miserere nobis."

And the whole brotherhood replied:

"Deo gratias."

The supper was ended, and the chapel bell began to ring for the
final service of the day. The period of silence throughout the
dormitories and passages now began, and only stealthy footfalls
broke the stillness of the summer night.

But the prior rang a silver bell: "tinkle, tinkle."

"Send me the elder of the two brethren of Saint Francis, him with
the twinkling black eyes and roundish face."

And Martin was brought to him.

"Sit down, my young brother," said Prior Roger, "and tell me where
I have seen thy face before. I have gazed upon thee all through the
frugal meal of which we have just partaken, for thy face is like a
face I have seen in a dream. Not that I doubt that thou art here in
flesh and blood, unlike the fiends of Croyland, of whom we have
just heard."

Martin smiled, and replied:

"My father, seven years agone, a noble earl found shelter here from
the outlaws, from whom he was delivered by the self sacrifice of a
woman, and the guidance of her son, an imp of some thirteen years."

"I remember Earl Simon's visit. Art thou that boy?"

"I am, my father."

"Ah well! ah me! how time passes! But there is another remembrance
which thy face awakens, of a death bed confession. Sub sigillo,
perhaps I am wrong in putting the two things together. Sancte
Benedicte ora pro me. So thou hast taken the habit of Saint
Francis. Why didst not come to us, if thou wishedst to renounce the
world and mortify the flesh?"

Martin was silent.

"And hast thou the gift of preaching? I do not mean of talking."

"My superiors thought so, but they are fallible."

"I should think so, very, but that is nought. I hope I have better
sense than to send for thee, poor boy, to teach thee to rebel
against thy s