The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-07-11
NUMBER 2S.

| "AO Aeps hiuSeIl IN me back ground
aud who appeared by his plain steel cuirass to
oe an humple squire, grown gray in harness.
| Inc pages youthful face was sad aud timid !;
the elder mans showed the traces of violent
passions in the deep lines that furrowed it, and
| MS eyes even now seemed to flash in the light
| OF the torch that the monk carried. The
chevaliers noble countenance was pale and
grave and he stood leaning pensively on his
sword.
What wish you, Messiref" asked the
brother porter Of the knight, when, after q
deep but sharp scrutiny, his doubts were re-
moved as to the quality of the strangers
May it please the Reverend Father Prior to
grant me short interview 7"
May it be as you desire, Messire. 1 will
sock the reverend Father when you have en-
tered with your followers"
The heavy iron bound gate of the convent
turned on it's massive hinges. and closed the
instant that the travellers were within.
The golden spurs of the chevaier resounded
on the cloisters marble flags as he followed
the monk, and he murmured to himself the
words of the Psalm, "H9c regues mea in seculass
'ec"ti"-but his page and his squire knew no
Latin, and his conductor heard him not.
They were introduced into spacious an
cient parlor lined with high black oaken VAIN
scot; the brother placed the torch he carried
in an iron claw that was fixed in the wall for
that purpose, and invited the strangers to seat
themselves on the bench that ran round the
chamber, then bowing profoundly, left them.
The squire Immediately drew near to his
young lord who appeared to be absorbed in
thought.
How, my lord" cried he, "is 1t possible
that you believe that these monks can forw ard
your plans Why thus retard our journeys
few days more and we should have reach ed our
goal, and many good man and true would
have made your quarrel his own. The bravo
free companies would have served You as never
a hooded priest in France!"
Danish all such thoughts for the future,
Michel" replied the knight, ait is better to
pardon than to revcuge.'
I" Good Saint Dsnisi do l hear the Lord of
Montorguel Alright! My lord, pardon the frank
speech of an old soldier, but never was the es-
outcheon of your house dimmed without being
washed in blood-and would you be the first to
let it lie soiled in the dDstf"
Alas! Michel, it is indeed true that too
much blood has been shed in the quarrels of
our housew
Holy Virgin! can it be possible that my
liege lord has forgotten the duties of a valiant
knight"
Friend" replied the young warrior sternIy,
while his pale check redeemed with the emo-
lion awakened by the squire's reproach, "I
was made knightp
Michel drew back in silence, gazing on his
master with q countenance in which astonish-
md ;ar 81
While the Lord of Montorgueil silently proceed
d to take off his shou lder- belt and unite his
ilken scarf.
The heavy oaken door at 9Th opened
nd the venerable prior entered. Quick a.
hought, the knight threw the sword he held
n his hands at the mort's feet then, falling
n his knees, exclaimed in q loud, firm voice,
Reverend Father, in the name Of God and of
he holy Virgin Mary, !, Raoul de MontorgueiI,
hevalier, pray and copjure you to admit me
ito the religious and devout observance Of
ur Lady of Mercy, for the deliverance of cap.
vesv
Amen, my son, so be it, II it be God who
'nds thee" replied the Prior
My lord my lord" cried Michel, "remem-
er the Sire of Vsleri {! Proud will he be, and
'ud bis boast that fear of him has moved you
this. You know his onre Guidance!
20 my worshipful lord !" exclaimed the timid
'ge, bursting into tears, "think of your lady
otber!"
I" think of the salvation of my soul more
an of all else" replied the chevalier.
Il Silence, good friend| said the prior, As
ehel appeared about to attempt another re-
insurance; "and you, my son, seat yourself
re by my side and tell me what has induced
u to seek this peaceful sanctuary"
The young knight arose and PLACED himself
tue wo0don bench bJ lie monk; thS1s