at that game," was the cool observation of Bruno.

"I'd have him hung on the new machine if he did!" exclaimed Warner.

The new machine was the gibbet, first set up in England in this year.

"Brethren," said Bruno, "we are verily guilty, one and all. For weeks
this winter, and I hear also last summer, there has been in this house a
maiden of the Hebrew race, who has never learned the faith of Christ the
Lord, has probably never heard His name except in blasphemy. Which of
us four of His servants shall answer to God for that child's soul?"

Margaret expected Belasez's eyes to flash, and her lip to curl in scorn.
To her great surprise, the girl caught up her work and went on with it
hastily. Doucebelle, watching her with deep yet concealed interest,
fancied she saw tears glistening on the samite.

"Really, I never--you put it so seriously, Brother Bruno!--I never
looked at the matter in that way. I did not think--" and Father
Nicholas came to a full stop. "You see, I have been so very busy
illuminating that missal for the Lady. I really never never considered
the thing so seriously."

"Brother Nicholas," answered Bruno, "the Devil was serious enough when
he tempted our mother Eva. And Christ was serious when He bore away
your sins and mine, and nailed them to His cross. And the angels of God
are serious, when they look down and see us fighting with sin in the
dark and weary day. What! God is serious, and Satan is serious, and
the holy angels are serious,--and can we not be serious? Will the great
Judge take that answer, think you? `Lord, I was so busy illuminating
and writing, that I let the maiden slip into perdition, and Thou wilt
find her there.'"

Belasez's head was bowed lower than before.

"Brother Bruno! You are unreasonable," interposed Warner. "We all have
our duties to our Lord and Lady. And as to that contemptible insect in
the Lady's chamber,--well, I do not know what you think, but I would not
scorch my fingers pulling her out of Erebus."

The dark brows of the young Jewess were drawn close together.

"Ah, Brother Warner!" said Bruno. "Christ my Master scorched His
fingers so much with me, that I cannot hesitate to burn mine in His
service."

Marie and her arithmetic seemed forgotten by all parties.

"I am afraid, Brother Bruno," faltered Father Nicholas, "really afraid,
I may have been too remiss. The poor girl!--of course, though she is a
Jew--and they are very bad people, very