ermore, that the
idea of joining any religious order is strangely repugnant to me. But
what if God should enjoin it upon me! What if this great repugnance be
but a trial! I wished to speak to you when we were on our way to the
Selvas', but you were in haste to be there, and so it was not possible.
There, seated on the bundle of fagots under the acacias, I received the
last blow. I was weary, very weary, and for five minutes allowed myself
to be overcome by sleep, I dreamt that I was walking with Don Giuseppe
Flores under the arches of the courtyard at Praglia. I said to him
weeping: 'Here, it was here!' And Don Giuseppe answered with great
tenderness: 'Yes, but do not think of that, think rather that the Lord
calls you.' And I replied: 'But whither, whither does He call me?' My
anguish was so great that I awoke. I heard a voice calling from the top
of the house, and some one answered in French from the bottom of the
garden. I saw a lady leave the villa, running. I heard the greetings she
exchanged with the new-comers; I distinguished _her_ voice! At first I
was not sure of it, but presently, the voices coming nearer, I could
no longer doubt. It was she! For a second I was dazed, but only for a
second. Then a great light shone out in my mind."

Benedetto raised his head and his clasped hands. His voice rang with
mystic ardour. "_Magister adest_," said he. "Do you understand? The
divine Master was with me, I had naught to fear, _Padre mio!_ And I
feared naught, neither her, nor myself. I saw her coming up to the open
space. My thought was: 'If we meet alone, I will speak to her as to a
sister, I will beg her forgiveness; perhaps God will give me a word of
truth for her. I will show her that I have hopes for her soul, and
that I do not fear for my own." Don Clemente could not refrain from
interrupting him.

"No, no, no, my son!" he exclaimed, greatly alarmed; and while he held
the young man's face imprisoned between his hands, he was casting about
in his mind for a means of preventing such a meeting, and of getting
Benedetto away. The Selvas, the Selvas! they must be warned!

"I can understand why you speak thus to me," Benedetto resumed,
breathlessly; "but if I meet her, must I not seek to give her of the
good that is in me, as I once sought to give her of the evil? And have
not you yourself taught me that placing the saving of our own souls
above all things is incompatible with the love of God above all things?
That w