ndered in himself that he could not openly
say to Fra Paolo when they met, after matins, the many things which had
lain hot in his heart through the night--for how _could_ it be right to
oppose the supreme authority? But when the placid face of his friend met
his, bathed in the fresh benediction of his altar service--new each
morning and never omitted--he forgot the horror with which he had been
reasoning that Fra Paolo was hastening the curse upon Venice.

But if Fra Paolo derived no added _finesse_ for his masterful thought
from the confidences he so often unconsciously invited from this
lifelong friend, his faith in the sincerity and spiritual depth of this
brother friar who, out of love for him, listened to much that pained
him, taught him to value at its highest this opportunity of the closest
scrutiny of his own motives, as he noted the impression of their talk on
a nature as sincere and spiritual as it was transparent.

But that night, when they had passed from the cloister into Fra Paolo's
study-cell, continuing as they walked the train of thought they had been
discussing, his listener soon became so distrait that Fra Paolo, who was
singularly conscious of unspoken moods, dropped the problem he was
unfolding and laid his hand upon his shoulder with the rare tenderness
expressed only where he hoped that he might serve.

"We were speaking of weighty matter and thy thoughts are not with me.
Tell me thy trouble."

"It is a question of responsibility--the burden of the confessional,"
Fra Francesco answered simply.

Fra Paolo drew back his hand, and his tone was a shade less tender.

"Of all that hath been reposed in thee under that sacred seal thou must
bear the burden alone."

"My brother, dost thou think I can forget my vow?" Fra Francesco
exclaimed, reproachfully. "I spake not of that which hath been reposed
in me, but of my duty growing out of that sacred office. It was for this
I wanted counsel, and I had sought thee before to pray thee to confess
me; but I know thy views and I ask thee not."

"Yet as brothers of one holy order thou mayest confide in me, if
perchance it may bring thee comfort. For us of the Servi it is our duty
of service."

Fra Francesco sat for a moment in silence. "Life is heavy," he said
slowly, "and hard to interpret. Yet I seem to feel that thou wilt
understand, though it be in the very matter of our difference. There is
one--highly placed and noble in spirit, and to the Church a