"If you are a man of honour, not a word about the cause of our
fray will pass over your lips. In four days time we will meet again:
and if you are not of my way of thinking then, I am ready to give you
any satisfaction."

Alfonso pledged his solemn promise; all the bystanders too assured
Antonio that the wound as well as the whole affair should be kept a
secret, not to expose him to any danger.

When they were all gone Antonio walkt with the priest Theodore deeper
into the wood.

"Why," began the latter, "will you, for a fiend's sake, make over your
own soul to hell? I see, you are now of a different opinion; but is
the sword the spokesman that should preach truth to a brother?"

Antonio felt in doubt how much he should disclose to the monk; however
he said nothing about the wonderful event that had befallen him, and
only entreated that, at the approaching festival of Easter, he might
be allowed to enter the great church during high mass through the
sacristy, near the altar.

After some objections Theodore complied, though he could not conceive
what was the youth's purpose in asking for this permission. All
Antonio said further was: "I wish to bring a friend into the church
that way, whose entrance at the great door might perhaps be stopt."

* * * * *

All the bells in the city were ringing, that the holy feast of Easter
might be kept with gladness and devotion. The people flockt toward the
dome, to celebrate the most joyous of Christian festivals, and also to
behold the renowned Apone in his new dignity. The students escorted
their illustrious teacher, who walkt along amid the reverent
salutations of the nobles, the council, and the citizens, in seeming
piety and humility, an example to all, the pride of the city, the
inspiring model of the youth. At the door of the cathedral the crowd
shrank back in timid respect, to make way for their honoured bishop,
who, in the garb of a prelate, with the golden chain round his neck,
with his white beard and the white locks on his head, might be
compared to an emperor or an ancient doctor of the church in his
majestic demeanour.

A seat had been raised up on high for the great man near the altar,
that the students and the people might see him; and when the multitude
of the devout had poured into the church, the service began.

Theodore, the little priest, read mass on this day; and young and old,
gentle and simple, all rejoiced to keep the