ps, and detract not from the Almighty. For He
knoweth all things."

The hermit, hearing this, fell at the feet of the angel and entreated
pardon. He returned to his hermitage, and became a good and pious
Christian.

VII.--THE LOST FOOT.

A certain tyrannical and cruel knight retained in his service a very
faithful servant. One day, when he had been to the market, he returned
with this servant through a grove; and by the way lost thirty silver
marks. As soon as he discovered the loss, he questioned his servant
about it. The man solemnly denied all knowledge of the matter, and he
spoke truth. But when the money was not to be found, he cut off the
servant's foot, and leaving him in that place, rode home. A hermit,
hearing the groans and cries of the man, went speedily to his help. He
confessed him; and being satisfied of his innocence, conveyed him upon
his shoulders to his hermitage.

Then entering the oratory, he dared to reproach the All-just with want
of justice, inasmuch as he had permitted an innocent man to lose his
foot.

For a length of time he continued in tears, and prayers, and reproaches;
until at last an angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said, "Hast thou
not read in the Psalms, 'God is a just judge, strong and patient?'"

"Often," answered the hermit meekly, "have I read and believed it from
my heart; but to-day I have erred. That wretched man, whose foot has
been cut off, perhaps under the veil of confession deceived me."

"Tax not the Lord with injustice," said the angel; "His way is truth,
and His judgments equitable. Recollect how often thou hast read, 'The
decrees of God are unfathomable.' Know that he who lost his foot, lost
it for a former crime. With the same foot he maliciously spurned his
mother, and cast her from a chariot--for which eternal condemnation
overtook him. The knight, his master, was desirous of purchasing a
war-horse, to collect more wealth, to the destruction of his soul; and
therefore, by the just sentence of God, the money which he had provided
for the purchase was lost. Now hear; there is a very poor man with his
wife and little ones, who daily supplicate heaven, and perform every
religious exercise. He found the money, when otherwise he would have
starved, and therewith procured for himself and family the necessaries
of life, entrusting a portion to his confessor to distribute to the
poor. But first he diligently endeavoured to find out the right owner.
Not a