ive in exchange for it one from him, which will relieve
you from the presence of these soldiers.'

'Excuse me!' cried Katharine. 'In the faith in which I have lived, will
I also die. I cannot subscribe.'

'How now, so good and yet so stubborn!' exclaimed the reverend father.
'At least read what you are required to subscribe, before you refuse.
After reading it, you can subscribe or not, according to the dictates
of your own judgment. These sacred truths must, I should think, be
capable of striking the pure springs of true knowledge from the hardest
heart.'

Katharine ran her eyes rapidly over the articles. As she came towards
the close, she read aloud. 'I swear, that through the intercession of
the saints I have now become converted to the catholic religion.'

'Place your hand upon your heart, reverend father,' cried she,
springing up, incensed, 'and then say upon your sacred sacerdotal oath,
shall I not be guilty of perjury, if I swear that what I do out of fear
of an earthly power, is done through the spiritual effect of the
intercession of the saints?'

The monk silently folded up the paper.

'You see there can be no help for me,' said Katharine with humble
resignation. 'Leave me, therefore, to my fate, and take with you my
heartfelt thanks for your good intentions.'

'You are a very obstinate woman!' said the monk, with evident and deep
sympathy. The longer his eyes rested upon her pale, pious and suffering
face, the more his sympathy increased, until at length, amid a flood of
gushing tears, he cried, 'I know that I commit a deadly sin, but I
cannot do otherwise. Take the certificate, which alone can put an end
to your sufferings.'

'How! without confession or signature?' asked Katharine with
astonishment.

'I have given to my God the offering of a long life,' cried the old man
with vehemence, 'full of heavy privations and hard struggles. He will
now, therefore, be a merciful judge to me, and after long and severe
penance will pardon me for once lending the aid of my holy office for
the purpose of deception. Yet, should I even incur his everlasting
anger, I cannot do otherwise. I cannot leave my benefactress to be
persecuted to death, even though I may one day be compelled to enter
the dark valley of the shadow of death, without absolution. Take the
certificate.'

'God forbid!' said Katharine, tearing it in pieces, 'that I should rob
you of your soul's peace and disturb the tranquillity of your dying