lles, or little organ for the choir.

Now Gerard played the humble psaltery a little; but the monk touched
that instrument divinely, and showed him most agreeably what a novice
he was in music. He also illuminated finely, but could not write so
beautifully as Gerard. Comparing their acquirements with the earnestness
and simplicity of an age in which accomplishments implied a true natural
bent, Youth and Age soon became like brothers, and Gerard was pressed
hard to stay that night. He consulted Denys, who assented with a rueful
shrug.

Gerard told his old new friend whither he was going, and described their
late adventures, softening down the bolster.

"Alack!" said the good old man, "I have been a great traveller in my
day, but none molested me." He then told him to avoid inns; they were
always haunted by rogues and roysterers, whence his soul might take harm
even did his body escape, and to manage each day's journey so as to lie
at some peaceful monastery; then suddenly breaking off and looking as
sharp as a needle at Gerard, he asked him how long since he had been
shriven? Gerard coloured up and replied feebly--

"Better than a fortnight."

"And thou an exorcist! No wonder perils have overtaken thee. Come, thou
must be assoiled out of hand."

"Yes, father," said Gerard, "and with all mine heart;" and was sinking
down to his knees, with his hands joined, but the monk stopped him half
fretfully--

"Not to me! not to me! not to me! I am as full of the world as thou or
any be that lives in't. My whole soul it is in these wooden pipes, and
sorry leathern stops, which shall perish--with them whose minds are
fixed on such like vanities."

"Dear father," said Gerard, "they are for the use of the Church, and
surely that sanctifies the pains and labour spent on them?"

"That is just what the devil has been whispering in mine ear this
while," said the monk, putting one hand behind his back and shaking his
finger half threateningly, half playfully, at Gerard. "He was even so
kind and thoughtful as to mind me that Solomon built the Lord a house
with rare hangings, and that this in him was counted gracious and no
sin. Oh! he can quote Scripture rarely. But I am not so simple a monk
as you think, my lad," cried the good father, with sudden defiance,
addressing not Gerard but--Vacancy. "This one toy finished, vigils,
fasts, and prayers for me; prayers standing, prayers lying on the chapel
floor, and prayers in a right good