pon is the one
which he employed towards our first mother when he bid her eat of
the tree of knowledge, because that knowledge is good--a God-given
thing--when he persuaded her that God was wrong in keeping anything
hidden from her that in itself was good. The same sin by which
death entered the world has abounded there ever since. God and the
Son of God and the Church have always taught that there be certain
things hidden, only to be revealed to man by God or through the
ordinances of the Church, not to be sought after through curiosity
by unlettered men themselves. Yet for as much as Satan is never at
rest, and can transform himself on occasion into an angel of light,
he is ever present with men urging them on to pry into these hidden
mysteries and to make light of the ordinances of God. He puts into
their mouth words similar to those by which he tempted the woman to
her fall, and men listen greedily as our first mother did, and are
led into destruction when they think they are walking forth into
the light of day.

"My son, beware of this sin; beware of this temptation. Remember
the many solemn warnings against disobedience contained in the Word
of God; remember how obedience is insisted on throughout that holy
volume. Thou mayest not always see the reason--thou mayest not
always recognize the authority; but remember that there is a
blessing upon those who obey, and be not in haste to break the bond
under which thou wast born, remembering who has placed thee where
thou art, and who has bidden us give all dutiful obedience to the
powers that be."

Edred made a deep reverence, crossed himself silently in token of
submission, and prostrated himself upon the step of the altar, to
lie there fasting till set of sun as one part of his penance. With
a murmured prayer and blessing the monk left him, hoping that he
had spoken a word of seasonable warning to one whose heart was
enkindled with ardent devotion, whilst his active mind and vivid
imagination were in danger of leading him into perilous paths.

No questions were asked of Edred respecting this penance, which
took him away from his ordinary occupations during the chief part
of the two following days. He and Brother Emmanuel alone knew the
reason for it, and it was against the traditions of the house that
any open notice should be taken by others.

The episode of the peddler and the outbreak with the followers of
Mortimer had begun to fade somewhat from the minds of