Year: 1874

the holy Capuchin order. although-al- though l, for myself. should on no ac- count have wished to enter 1t, and have my reasons to prefer the Carmelite order. ;" 'And may know what those reasons are?"

 s'My lady, nothing that could be con- sidered as being in the least degree dis creditable to their humility, although ''Was your reverence going to say, 'Al- though their humility is not complete'?'

 ''On the contrary, it is so complete that 1t is even carried into excess, to such an excess, indeed, that should really hesi- tate to say in what 1t consists"

 Reverend father, as it is only an excess | of virtue, your telling of it cannot in the slightest degree inju the venerable Cap- uchin fathers, and can only add to the es- teem in which we hold them.''

 ''Yonr iadYship is right. Tlis is the point of view ill which i should place my self, and not to speak in such a matter would be indeed sinful, as 1t would leave the people Ill ignorance of some of the virtues of the holy Capuchin order,-vir tues of which those holy fathers them selves do not boast, being, of all the mo- nastic orders, the most specially addicted to the practice of humility. Know, there fore, my lady. that those holy fathers arc so humble that they carry humility to degree of which most men are, and I ac- knowledge myself to be incapable. When ever they commit a mortal sin, instead of telling 1t to their confessor alone, and con- cealing 1t from the whole rest of the world they make silent but public acknowleg- ment of 1t by sewing an additional patch to their robe"

 My readers must be told that one of the chiefest points in which the Capuchin or der boasts of humility consists in wearing garments as old as possible; and the hol- fer Capuchin is the more is his garment covered with patches, of all dates, sizes, and shapes, and of all the shades of brown from dead-leaf color to almost black. Some Capnchins enter the order at the age of fifteen, and reach that of hundred years without having had, during all that time, more than one robe, the appearance of which, as far as patching IS concerned, may be imagined! The number of patches IS not, however, so far as am aware, in any direct ratio with the number of mor- tai sins committed, although I should not be surprised if the confessor of a Capu- chin should prescribe to him, as pen ance, to put an additional patch to his raiment.

 The chaplain of the castle was one of the oldest and holiest fathers of his con vent, and had his robe full of patches of the most varied aspect. So, when the lady had heard the explanation given of them by the young Carmelite. she became serious, and ceased to ask further ques- tions.

 The supper being now over, she thank ed the y0lpg friar for all his instructive discourse; and as tt was the custom of our fathers to go to bed immediately after supper, and start OF their journeys early before breakfast, she recommended her self to his prayers, wished him goodnight and good journey, and ordered servant to escort him to his bedroom The ser. want left him there i'll company with brass candiestlck four feet high, which stood on the floor with candle in 1t two feet high, and 8 wick half an inch thick and two inches long. The bed was eight feet square and five feet high, with huge canopy and heavy curtains; and there was ladder to ascend by. The young travel Ter had 2 refreshing nights rest, and be- fore daylight he was on his way. The lady had little sleep, and spent most of the night Tn revolving in her mind thought after thought. In the morning she rose earlier than was her custom, and went to the balcony to watch for the coming of her chaplain.

 He came at last; and as soon as she could discern him ill the distance form bent with age, his steps slow and tottering, his eyes evidently dim, his hand leaning upon cane and occasional IV if tn fnaI tho burned with indignation 1.-The scound- rel! But wonder whether he will dare to say massI'

 When he approached nearer; and was preparing to cross on the drawbridge, she could with the naked eye count every patch on his garment. And that robe on too that robe, every part of which, by the innumerable patches which it bears, stands as witness of his abomina- ble sins But 1 must prevent that. I must not permit such horrible profana- tion of the holiest ordinance of religion"

 So she went rapidly down stairs, and met the father at the door of the sacristy, going to prepare for mass by putting on the priestly garments. ''Holy Father" said she, if this expression is not mock cry, l perceive that you are not in ( it condition to say mass. Return to your convent, and tell your superior that 1 re- quest him to send in your plac another priest more worthy than you

 At these words of his penitent, ordina- rily so docile, pronouced in a tone of voice so different from those to which he had been accustomed to hear her employ, the old ascetic at first felt his heart dis mayed and Lis inind dizzy. But he soon recovered the balance Of his thoughts, and Of his feelings, for he had been too long at the school of voluntary humila- ton to be met unprepared for any insult that this world might still have i'll store for him. So he answered with meek voice, tremulous with age but not through evil conscience, ''Iour ladyship is very right. You ara very right, my child. God Enaws that am poor sinner. very unworthy to say mass. 1 trust that the Reverend Father Superior will send you a priest worthier than L.

 So he resumed his way toward the con- vent ln the sane manner as he came. When he reached It. he went to the cell of the superior, asked his benediction, and delivered his message without comment. Tine superior supposing that he had been overtaken by some scruple oa conscience just before saying mass, spoke to him en- couraglngly, saying, s'lt will be well, my sen. God is merciful to us sinners Go to your cell and pray. I will come after while. and hear your confession"

 The old father went to his cell and the superior began to think within him self, ''But whom shall I find to send now, if Father AnselIn ia not holy enough. There is none hoher than he, unless it be perhaps Father Romuald.' So he sent orders to Father Komuald to go to the castle to say mass instead of Father Anselm.

 The lady of the castle had heen all this time on her balcony waiting to see whom the superior would send to her. 1t last Father Romuald came, walking slower than his colleague, for he WAS older, and having his garment. if possible, more fuIl of patches, for ne was. If possible, holier. This slght was too much for the lady, She did not even give him time to get into the castle, but sent him orders by q page to return to the convent, and tell the